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 Weekly E-News December 12, 2014
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Dear youth and parents,
We had a great time at the youth group Christmas parties on Sunday night, and I want to thank the Lanters and the Coffeys for serving as such gracious hosts. Here are a couple of photos from the gift exchanges at the parties:  Read on for more information on volunteering for the Christmas Angels Wrap Night this Sunday evening, my upcoming three-month sabbatical, and more.
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Volunteer with Christmas Angels Wrap Night this Sunday
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UCC's Christmas Angels Ministry has supported Fort Worth ISD students for 18 years by providing them with much needed clothing for the cooler weather: a new coat, sweatshirt, jeans, shoes, underwear and socks as well as an age-appropriate toy and book. This Sunday, December 14 from 5-8 p.m. we will gather in Fellowship Hall to assemble this year's Christmas Angels gift bags. Children, youth, and adults are invited to come help with this important event for as long as you are able to volunteer on Sunday evening.
Check out the video below to learn more about Christmas Angels:
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Russ begins a three-month sabbatical on December 21
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In October I reached 7 years as Associate Minister for Youth here at UCC, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to take a three month sabbatical for rest, renewal, and study. During those three months I am looking forward to:
- Driving home to Virginia for an extended holiday stay with my family (who will appreciate extra time with grandkids).
- Taking my oldest daughter, Bell, to Washington, DC for a couple of days to visit some museums and kid-friendly sites.
- Taking a trip to England and Scotland with Sarah over Spring Break to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, explore my ancestral roots in Kilmarnock, and visit some churches doing innovative ministry in a "post-Christian" context.
- Attending the 2nd annual Progressive Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago, where I will connect and learn alongside my peers from churches theologically similar to UCC.
- Spending extra time with my family, exercising more, reading more, tackling some projects at my house, and taking some classes here in town.
Alison, Michael, and Susan will be covering the majority of my duties during my absence, assisted by several of the Associate Ministers on staff. I have no doubt they will do a great job, but I appreciate your prayers as they take on extra work in my absence and I seek to make the most of my time away. I will look forward to sharing about my experiences after I return the week of March 23!
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ December 14 - Christmas Angels Wrap Night - 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
December 21 - Russ begins a three-month sabbatical
January 2 - Armed Forces Bowl - Final football parking fundraiser
January 9 - 6th grade lock-in - 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.
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| Staff Links
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Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for Middle School - E-mail Alison
Michael Yandell, Assistant Minister for High School - E-mail Michael
Susan Henry, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Susan
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