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     Weekly E-News

                    March 25, 2016

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in this issue



Dear youth and parents,

As we head into this Easter weekend there are a lot of great opportunities on the horizon! I'm especially excited that today we are opening registration for the Just Say Know high school retreat, a new event we are offering at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose. Jennifer Lanter and I met this morning to hash out the schedule and topics we will be covering, and we feel really good about what we have planned. This event is based on the Just Say Know high school class (which we offered in 10 two-hour afternoon sessions in 2014) and re-works it into a weekend retreat format with updated information and topics to reflect feedback from the class two years ago. It's designed to pick up where Eighter's Camp left off, providing relevant, comprehensive information and activities to help older youth make healthy choices related to sexuality and relationships in high school and college.

Read on for info about the retreat, as well as two upcoming lock-ins, programming changes this Sunday, a Prom Dreams volunteer workday, summer camp registration and more. 

Grace and peace, 
Russ   




CYF Good Friday Lock-In for grades 9-12 tonight!              
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From Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for High School:

All CYF youth (grades 9-12) are invited to a lock-in tonight (March 25). For those that do not have school, the lock-in will begin at 3 p.m. on the third floor with movie and binge-watching of TV shows. If you do have school, you are welcome to join us as soon as you can after you're done with school! The rest of the evening includes attending the UCC softball game, playing dodgeball and Mario Kart, worship, and a surprise midnight trip! In the morning, Bob and Carol Stewart will be making us delicious breakfast burritos before we end our time together at 8:30 a.m. This is definitely a lock-in you do not want to miss!

Please bring $10, a snack to share with the group, and all of the things that you will need for an overnight at the church (toiletries, sleeping bag, pillow, etc.) If you have questions, contact me at [email protected]. See you next Friday!   
   


Prom Dreams Boutique volunteer work day tomorrow              
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Prom Dreams Boutique, a ministry of University Christian Church that provides free prom dresses to local girls who need them, will open for its sixth season on March 31. Over the last five years this ministry distributed dresses, shoes, and jewelry to over 500 girls - all of which is made possible by volunteers who sort donations, organize the boutique, and help each young woman select just the right dress.

There will be a volunteer work day tomorrow (Saturday, March 26) from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. to help prepare the space for next weekend's opening. Come help out tomorrow if you're available, and e-mail [email protected] for more information about volunteering with Prom Dreams in the coming weeks.
  
   


Youth programming changes this week for Easter Sunday 
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There are a couple of programming changes this week, and we want to make sure everyone is on the same page for Easter Sunday:
 
Sunday school:
There is a church-wide Easter potluck brunch in Room 211 at 10 a.m. Sunday school classes for all age groups will not be meeting this week. Come enjoy great food and fellowship between the 9:00 and 11:00 services!   
 
Youth groups and handbell choirs:
Chi Rho, CYF, youth handbell choirs, and children's programming (CCF-JYF) will not meet on Easter. Our normal Sunday evening schedule will resume on April 3.  

We hope to see you at one of our three Easter Sunday worship services: 6:45 sunrise service in the courtyard (Alison is preaching!) or traditional 9:00 and 11:00 services in the sanctuary.  
   
 


Chi Rho April Fools Lock-In for grades 6-8 on April 1            
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From Tyler Heston, Assistant Minister for Middle School:

On Friday, April 1, all 6th-8th grade youth are invited to an April Fools themed lock-in. We will play games, watch a movie, and do other fun activities. The lock-in will start at 7 p.m. Friday and end at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. We will have snacks on Friday night, but youth should eat dinner before arriving.

Bring $5 to help cover snacks and supplies, and be sure you have everything you need to spend the night at the church (sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, PJ's, and an optional change of clothes). If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected] or 901-335-1202.
    
   


Just Say Know high school retreat April 22-24  
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Our high school youth have an opportunity to learn more about the connection between sexuality and spirituality on the Just Say Know retreat, April 22-24 at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose. Over the course of the weekend, 9th-12th graders will work their way through a comprehensive sexuality education program that prepares them for challenges they will face in high school, college, and beyond. Jennifer Lanter is directing the retreat, and sessions will be led by UCC adults who have completed training to serve as Just Say Know instructors. Adult leaders are committed to creating an environment where youth can get accurate information and have frank, affirming and open discussions in a setting where they can enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

The retreat cost is $50 per person, and scholarships are available upon request. For a schedule, list of topics covered, and packing list, click here. To register for the retreat, visit uccyouth.org/justsayknow.
 
 


Register online for summer camps at Disciples Crossing          
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disciples Crossing cross

Our church camp, Disciples Crossing in Athens, has a full slate of camps for children, youth, and families available this summer, and now is the time to sign up and take advantage of early bird pricing. As an additional discount, UCC automatically covers half of the cost for every participant from our church. That means that a week-long camp with a regular price of $370 is only $170 with the early bird discount and UCC supplement. For a promo flyer with dates and descriptions for all the camps, click here
 
Signing up for summer camps this year is a two step process:
1. Sign up through UCC and pay online at uccyouth.org/camps
2. Register and complete your health forms at disciplescrossing.org/registration  

The UCC discount and any parking funds or scholarship monies can be selected on UCC's registration and payment page before proceeding to the camp website. Please be sure to complete the sign up process with UCC and Disciples Crossing by April 15 to ensure you are fully registered for camp and qualify for early bird pricing. 
   
 


Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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March 25: CYF Lock-In (grades 9-12) - 7 p.m.
April 1: Chi Rho Lock-In (grades 6-8) - 7 p.m.
April 22-24: Just Say Know high school retreat - Riverbend Retreat Center
May 1: Youth Sunday worship services
May 4: Senior Banquet   



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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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