~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekly E-News January 22, 2016
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Dear youth and parents,
Alison, Tyler, and I are really excited about a new partnership between UCC's youth ministry and the Alliance For Children (AFC) that kicks off this Sunday. Though lots of different groups have volunteered to help AFC in the past, this will be the first time the organization has formed an ongoing relationship with one church that will regularly work on service projects and other initiatives throughout the next year. We're looking forward to all of the good that will come from this connection, and hope that you can join us as we begin the initiative with a visit to AFC this Sunday afternoon.
Grace and peace, Russ
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Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat registration deadline is today!
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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.
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Youth groups visit Alliance For Children this Sunday
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This Sunday, January 24, our evening youth groups will move to the afternoon as both the middle school and high school youth visit the Alliance for Children. Alliance for Children (AFC) is a local nonprofit children's advocacy center and describes itself as "the only Tarrant County non-profit organization involved directly in protecting children from abuse through coordinated and teamed investigations with law enforcement, Child Protective Services, Cook Children's Medical Center, the District Attorney's Office."
Alison and Tyler recently had a great meeting with AFC staff members to discuss a continuing relationship between UCC's youth and AFC. This Sunday, the youth will have an opportunity to tour their facilities and learn about the nonprofit, so that future service projects will be enriched by an understanding of all that the organization does for local children.
Youth will gather for lunch at 12:15 p.m. in the 3rd floor kitchen, then depart for AFC at 1:00 and return by 3:15. The lunch will replace that evening's snack supper, so please bring $3 for the meal or check off your meal card.
Parents: If you would like to drive to/from AFC or join us for the tour, please contact Tyler at tyler.heston@uccftw.com.
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No Sunday evening youth groups / children's groups
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Due to the youth group outing to Alliance for Children on Sunday afternoon and the JYF Midwinter Retreat this weekend, CYF, Chi Rho, and CCF/JYF will not meet this Sunday evening. Youth and children's groups will return to their normal schedule on January 31.
Youth handbell choirs will follow their normal rehearsal schedule this Sunday.
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Register for Just Say Know sexuality education classes
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Our church is pleased to offer "Just Say Know" sexuality education classes again this year. This program provides comprehensive human sexuality education for youth and children grounded in Christian spirituality that fits who we are as University Christian Church. The schedule for 2016 workshops is as follows: Elementary school workshops (grades 4-5 with a parent) Sunday, February 28, 12:15-3:45 p.m. Separate workshops for boys and girls Middle school workshop (grades 6-8 with a parent) Sunday, February 21, 12:15-3:45 p.m. One workshop, boys and girls separate for Q&A at the end Cost is $20 for the first registration, $10 for each additional child registered from the same family. Registration cost includes lunch, course materials, and a copy of Kate Ott's book Sex+Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence. (If your family already has a copy of the book, subtract $10 from your first registration.) Scholarships for all courses will be available upon request. Click here to register, and be sure to invite friends and neighbors to take advantage of these classes! For additional information on topics covered in the courses, click here for content overviews from the publisher, CLER Ministries. Questions? E-mail Jennifer Lanter at jennifer.lanter@gladney.org.
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See a great movie at the Reel Religion Film Festival
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UCC is excited to host the 13th annual Reel Religion Film Festival next weekend (January 29-30). There are lots of great movies to choose from that suit different ages and interests, and it's all free! Showtimes are 6:45 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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Snack supper volunteers needed for 4 upcoming Sundays
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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:
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 24:Youth group field trip to Alliance For Children - 1 p.m.
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
February 21: Just Say Know middle school workshop - 12:15-3:45 p.m.
February 28: Just Say Know elementary school workshops - 12:15-3:45 p.m.
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More ways to keep up...
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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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