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     Weekly E-News

                January 8, 2016

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in this issue



Dear youth and parents,

Happy New Year! There are a lot of exciting things coming up for UCC's youth ministry in 2016, including a lock-in for 6th graders, two new high school studies on Sunday mornings, midwinter retreats at Disciples Crossing, Just Say Know sexuality education classes, and more. Keep an eye on the e-news in the coming weeks so that you can take advantage of these great opportunities!

It was great to see many of you in the cast, behind the scenes, and in the audience at the 40th Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival. This was actually my first year in the cast (typically I'm one of the clergy in a performance, but this year I was a woodsman), and also my first year with a child in the cast (Bell was a Sprite). I really enjoyed seeing the festival from a different perspective, and I encourage you to sign up to be a part of it next time if you haven't done so before. Below is a cast and choir photo from this year:



Read on for more information on the 6th grade lock-in, new high school classes, retreats at Disciples Crossing, and more.

Grace and peace, 
Russ   





Sixth Grade Lock-In this Saturday night at 7 p.m. 
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From Tyler Heston, Assistant Minister for Middle School:
 
This Saturday, January 9 we will be having a winter-themed Sixth Grade Lock-In! This is  an event for all UCC sixth graders to gather together and get to know one another better. We will play games, watch a movie, and do other fun activities! The UCC high school youth serving as mentors in the Roots program will also be helping to plan and lead this event. The lock-in will start at 7 p.m. and end after Sunday School on Sunday, January 10. 

Bring $5 to help cover food and supplies, and be sure you have everything you need to spend the night at the church (sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, PJ's, clothes for the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday).
If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] or call my cell at 901-335-1202. 
 
 


New high school classes start this Sunday morning         
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Our high school youth will begin two new 8-week classes during the Sunday school hour this Sunday morning:

Our 9th-10th grade youth will be starting Generation Change, a personal finance series for youth based on Dave Ramsey's popular Financial Peace University program. Stuart and Linda Smith will be leading the class, which will help youth to understand money and resource management as spiritual practices while teaching basic budgeting principles.

Our 11th-12th grade youth will begin a series called "Preparing for Life After High School," focused on topics related to transitioning from high school to college and young adulthood. Daniel and Rebecca Terry will lead the class, and plan to focus on a mix of topics that will help participants think through the challenges and opportunities that await them after graduation.

For more information on each of these studies, click here for a parent letter.
 
 

  


Register today for winter retreats at Disciples Crossing          
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Our youth have the opportunity to join others from Disciple churches around the area for two upcoming retreats at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. The Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat for grades 6-8 will be February 5-7, and the CYF Midwinter Retreat for grades 9-12 is February 19-21. These annual retreats offer youth the opportunity to grow closer to God and one another through worship, recreation, prayer, small groups, and interest groups that include options like sports, dance, art, service, photography, and more.
 
Participants will meet at UCC at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday of each retreat to share a charter bus to camp, and will return around 12:15 p.m. the following Sunday. UCC covers half of the registration fee, bringing the cost down to $50 per person. You can use your football parking fundraiser income to cover the cost, or request a scholarship if needed.

Registration is a two step process: Sign up and pay online with UCC at uccyouth.org/retreats first, then complete the Disciples Crossing registration and health form at disciplescrossing.org (click on "Upcoming Retreats"). Online registration must be completed by January 22 for Chi Rho and February 5 for CYF.
 

  


Snack supper volunteers needed for next semester     
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Youth parents! See the youth up close, personal and appreciative by serving Snack Supper on Sunday night. Snack supper is a great way to see and get to know the youth, and it's fun!

The commitment is for one Sunday evening, from about 5:30-6:45 p.m., plus cooking or shopping time - you decide how much time you want to spend on preparation. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. in the third floor kitchen for around 50 youth, children, and college students. All the paper goods, cutlery, drink supplies, and most condiments are there for you. You provide the food, fix lemonade (provided), serve everything, and clean up.
 
The third floor kitchen can be used anytime after 2:30 p.m. on Sundays for advance prep. (Sandwiches are just as popular as anything else, so cooking isn't required if that's not your thing.) If you prefer to purchase all or part of the food already prepared, that's great too. There's also a fridge and freezer you can stash things in. You can choose to donate the meal, or you can be reimbursed up to $100 if you provide itemized receipts. You will receive a reminder e-mail the week before your snack supper that includes additional useful tips and suggested menus.

Ready to volunteer? Use the link below to select a date:

 
 
 


Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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January 9: Sixth Grade Lock-In - 7 p.m.
January 10: Sunday evening youth/children's programs resume
January 13: High school Bible study resumes 
February 5-7: Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat (grades 6-8) at Disciples Crossing
February 19-21: CYF Midwinter Retreat (grades 9-12) at Disciples Crossing 



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Staff Links
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Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Tyler Heston, Assistant Minister for Middle School - E-mail Tyler
Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for High School - E-mail Alison
Susan Henry, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Susan
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