Winter Ski-Treat

We are taking the youth to Winterplace, West Virginia over MLK jr. Weekend January 16-19, 2009.

Our plan is to take the kids out of school after lunch on Friday to make the drive up to WV. We'll ski 'till we drop Saturday & Sunday, and drive back Monday.

The cost is going to be $110/person, and we have to send a $40 deposit per person next week, thus the deadline is this Sunday, Oct. 12th.

Please contact Thad this week to get signed up. We can cover the $40 deposit for anyone who needs it, but no one can be added after this deposit is sent.

Six Flags in less than 2 weeks!!!

If you have not signed-up and are comign with us, please contact Thad this week (by the 25th). There is no money needed prior to the 4th, just show up and pay your $15 to get on the bus...assuming you've already sign-ed up.




Here's the itenerary:
8 AM - Leave the church
10 AM - arrive at park
8 PM - Depart from park
10 PM - arrive at church.

It's pretty simple. Eat breakfast before you leave the house that morning, and lunch & dinner are on your own in the park (we're recommending $25-30 for both).

Also, I don't know if the water rides will be open or not, but I will recommend not riding any after lunch that day so you can be dry for the ride home...or bring a change of clothes.

Here's the park website if you want to look around.

Small Groups

I'm sorry this is not one of those graphically stimulating blog posts, but the tail end of this week (when I am composing this) is insane for us (closing on new house & moving in good weather between tropical storms & hurricanes). So again, please forgive the simplicity for now. I promise more on the upcoming Six Flags trip invitation.

We are changing the way we are going to be doing Sunday school in the coming weeks. My hope is that the change will have many positive results. Sunday mornings with the youth will go as follows:
After arrival & greeting time, approx. 10-15 minute lesson presented by various teachers (primariy me) who have already been recruited.
After lesson, break up into pre-designated small groups. These small groups will be carefully established with 3-5 gender & age specific members. The group members will be the same every week, as will the small group leader.
The rest of Sunday school will be with the small groups.


My hopes are two-fold:
One: That removing the teaching aspect from volunteering with the youth will result in more adult volunteers to just hang out with and pour into the youth, to build those relationships.

Two: That by having consistency (same group members & same group leader) from week to week, the youth will develope impactful relationships with one another, as well as with their small group leader.

So that's it in a nutshell. Like I said previously, teachers, I have...small group leaders / mentors / shepherds I need. If you would like to pour into the lives of the youth, but have been put-off by the prospect of having to prepare and teach a lesson, I have removed that barrier for you...please come.

Contact me with any questions, or to express interest.

Before School Begins...

...we are going to meet at Gold Cup Bowling Center on Russell Parkway Wednesday July 30th from 5:30 to 7:30. It will cost $10 per person, and that will cover food, drink, shoes, and lane for 2 hours. (You'll want to bring socks if not already wearing them).

I absolutely have to know how many are coming by Sunday night the 27th, so that we can be sure to have enough food and enough lanes. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board under the clock in the yak shack.

And then, don't forget about the

Sunday night August 3rd at the Hilliards. RSVP/sign-up by the bowling night (July 30th). On the RSVP sheet, there will be a list of things to be brought; please indicate what you can bring (drink, chips, dessert, etc.) I will email directions to the Hilliards.

Friday Night Braves Game

On Friday, July 18 we will leave the church at 3:30 to go watch the Braves take on the Washington Nationals in their first game after the All Star break. Following the game will be a fireworks show.
The cost is $25 per person for seats in left field, but you will also need eating money at the ballpark ($10 will get you a drink and hotdog).
We only have 25 tickets, so if you want to come with us please sign-up asap. The sign-up sheet is in the yak shak on the bulletin board beneath the clock.

-PS: anyone who works VBS (July 13th-18th from 5:30 to 8 PM) will have their ticket paid for.

Crossfire Schedule

Here is the schedule for this years youth week with the crossfire team:

Monday, June 9:
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner at church
7:00 – 9:00 Crossfire Program Time at church

Tuesday, June 10:
8:00 Breakfast at Church
8:30 Depart from church
9:00 – 4:00 Phoenix Center Ropes Course
4:00 – 6:00 R&R Gurrs
6:00 – 7:00 Dinner at Gurrs
7:00 – 9:00 Crossfire Program Time at Gurrs

Wed, June 11:
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast at church
10:00 – 12 Digital Polaroid panic
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch at church
1:00 – 2:00 Scavenger hunt presentation/review/scoring
2:00 – 6:00 Games at the church
6:00 – 7:00 Wednesday night Fellowship Supper
7:00 – 9:00 Crossfire program time at church

Thurs, June 12:
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast at church
10:00 – 12 Community Service Projects
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Back at church
1:00 – 9:00 Crossfire Program Time

Kickoff Summer 2008

Click on image to enlarge