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 Weekly E-News June 26, 2015
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Dear youth and parents,
Last week I had the privilege of co-directing Niner's Camp at Disciples Crossing, a camp devoted to helping rising 10th graders learn about themselves, their gifts, and what nurtures their unique relationships with God. Over the course of the week, we focused on the themes Foreword (what brought us to this point in our lives?), Inward (how can I communicate with God through prayer practices that fit me?), Upward (how and why do we worship and pray together with others?), Outward (how and why do we serve others?), and Onward (how might God be calling me to use my gifts as I go from this place?) We had a great group of campers and an amazing staff (including UCC's Becca Owen and Chris Twedell) for a very meaningful week of camp.
One of the most powerful moments at Niner's Camp comes during the worship service on the last night, when counselors present each member of their small groups with stoles to recognize their unique calling to minister to others. The campers then have an opportunity to decorate their stoles, adorning them with colors and symbols that reflect what they have learned about themselves and their calling during the week. This year I was able to lead a workshop for youth interested in sewing each of those stoles, putting a skill I learned on sabbatical to good use. I was amazed at the enthusiastic group of campers, who volunteered to work into lunch and give up part of free time to continue making the stoles. As a result, each camper received a hand-made stole produced at the camp during the week. I share this with you because I believe that church camp has the power to transform lives, shaping the spirituality of our young people in unique ways and orienting their future toward God's calling. I'm thankful that this church is such a dedicated supporter of Disciples Crossing, and I look forward to sharing more stories like this in the future.
Grace and peace, |
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CYF Mission Trip begins Saturday - follow along online!
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Thanks for supporting our work through mission trip stock
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Thank you to everyone who purchased shares of stock through our annual Mission Trip Stock Sale, which wrapped up on Sunday. The sale raised over $2,000 that will be used to fund our work projects at Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries. If you bought stock in the trip, be sure to mark your calendar for the Shareholders Luncheon that will take place on Sunday, August 2. We will look forward to sharing photos and stories from the mission trips so you can see what your support helped make possible!
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Sunday School Sabbath month begins July 5
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Sunday school classes for youth and children will begin a month-long break starting July 5. (Preschool childcare is still available all morning each Sunday.) This Sunday School Sabbath is intended to provide a period of rest and renewal for teachers, participants, and families at UCC, and allows time to do some things you may not normally do on Sunday mornings. What can you do with that hour each Sunday morning? Here are some ideas:
- Sleep in and take your time getting ready for 11:00 worship.
- Go to the 9:00 service, then go out for brunch with family or friends.
- Invite a friend to worship and show them around the building.
- Grab a couple of seats in one of the many conversation spaces throughout the building and catch up with someone you haven't talked to in a while.
However you choose to spend this time of rest and renewal from our usual programming, we hope it's a life-giving and rejuvenating time.
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ June 27 - July 4: CYF Mission Trip to Los Fresnos, TX
July 5-11: Eighters Camp at Disciples Crossing
July 6-11: Chi Rho Camp at Disciples Crossing
July 15: Youth pool party at the Grand Prairie Airhogs baseball game
August 7-9: Youth Back-to-School Retreat
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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
Becca Owen, Summer Youth Ministry Intern - E-mail Becca
Kiran Penn, Summer Youth Ministry Intern - E-mail Kiran
Susan Henry, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Susan
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