The original edition of the e-news had an incorrect link for the Back-to-School Retreat registration. It's been corrected in this update - sorry for the re-send!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekly E-News July 17, 2015
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Dear youth and parents,
I've had a lot of fun following the adventures of our high school bell choir and their chaperones as they tour England. In addition to their performances in historic cathedrals, the UCC Ringers have visited Stonehenge, the ancient Roman baths, and London (where they saw a performance of the musical "Wicked.") Courtney Perry took a video of one of their performances, and it's really amazing to see our talented young people sharing the gift of sacred music in the UK. Click the image below to check out the video of one of the pieces they performed at Gloucester Cathedral:
Alison, Kiran, Becca, and I will all be departing for Columbus, Ohio at different points this weekend to attend the General Assembly of our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Kiran will be representing Lynchburg College, Becca will be working with Global Ministries, while Alison and I (along with several other UCC clergy) will be attending workshops and worship services, connecting with friends and colleagues from all over the country, and bringing back energy and ideas for our congregation. I'll look forward to sharing more about our experiences next week.
Read on for info on the UCC Ringers homecoming concert here at UCC, upcoming youth outings to Putt Putt and Burger's Lake, our annual Back-to-School Retreat, and more.
Grace and peace, |
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RSVP today for upcoming summer youth outings
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We have two summer youth events coming up during the last week of July, and you can RSVP online to save your spot:
Our high school youth (plus incoming freshmen) will enjoy a night of go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and more at Putt Putt Golf & Games in Hurst on Tuesday, July 28. The group will meet at UCC at 7 p.m., cost is $10 per person.
Our middle school youth (plus incoming 6th graders) will cool off with a swim day at Burger's Lake on Thursday, July 30. The group will meet at 1 p.m., cost is $10 per person.
RSVP online here so that we can ensure enough drivers are ready to transport youth to both of these events.
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UCC Ringers homecoming concert and luncheon - July 26
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Our high school handbell choir, the UCC Ringers, return from their eighth concert tour of England next week. After a few days to catch up on their sleep, they will present a homecoming concert on Sunday, July 26 at 12:15 p.m. in Walker Fellowship Hall. In addition to performing the music from the tour, they will share pictures and stories about their experience spreading the love of God through music.
To RSVP for the concert and reserve a box lunch, contact Marsha Hodges at marsha@uccftw.com by Wednesday, July 22. Lunch is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under (capped at $40 per family).
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UCC Youth Back-to-School Retreat is coming August 7-9
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Summer is ending soon (I know, right?) and it's time to start looking ahead to a new school year with UCC's youth ministry - starting with the annual Back-to-School Retreat! This event brings together our incoming 6th-12th grade youth for a weekend of worship, fun, prayer, and community building at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. This year's retreat will take place August 7-9 at Briarwood Retreat Center near Flower Mound (meeting at 7 p.m. and returning in time for Sunday school) and participants can register and pay online. The cost is $50, and full or half scholarships are available upon request. Registration deadline is Wednesday, August 5.
Click here to get more information, register, and download a packing list and schedule. And get excited about a great start to the new school year!
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Sunday School Sabbath month continues through July 26
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Sunday school classes for youth and children began a month-long break on 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...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 9-20: UCC Ringers England tour
July 28: High school go-kart outing at Putt Putt
July 30: Middle school swim day at Burger's Lake
August 2: Mission Trip shareholders luncheon
August 7-9: Youth Back-to-School Retreat
August 16: Youth Family Roundup - 10 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
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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