This Sunday - Next Saturday - Retreat

Super Bowl, This Sunday, 5:00pm

Just a quick reminder that if you or your teens are planning on coming Sunday for the Super bowl event to click HERE to sign up to bring something.  We will be in the teen room.

Media Mania Workshop - Next Saturday, February 8 - 1:00pm-3:00pm
After watching the quickly developing and changing landscape of social media and over all media consumption of teens in our culture today I feel very strongly that this is a discussion we need to have.  During these two hours we will talk about all the different media platforms that are hitting your kids and have an open discussion on what role you have in this area of their life.  I really hope you can find time to make it.  I know Saturdays are valuable, but again, I think there is a real need for this type of thing.  If your teens or children need to come with you, I will have a movie for them to watch in the next room.   Let me know if you have any questions.  

Retreat - March 14-16
Again, these are our spring retreat dates and deadline to sign up is March 2.  Cost is $55

Reminder - Super Bowl - Retreat

Date Night Reminder - This Saturday
From 5:00pm-9:00pm drop your kids (all ages) off at the building and have an evening together. Food will be provided for them.  This is also being angled for the teens as a chance to serve and hang out with those younger.  

Super Bowl Party - Sunday February 2 - Teen Room - 5:00pm
Standard Rules here - Food, Football, Fellowship.  We are going to get together and partake in those things.  Come and bring your favorite snack food and/or drink and we will watch the game together, or at least the commercials.  Click HERE to sign up for what you will be bringing.  Once you have selected what you will bring, it will then take you to a page where you type in the “comment” area the specifics of what is that you're providing.  Example: I either check “Snack food” or “Drinks” and then in the comment I type “chips and dip” or “2 liter drink” or whatever you choose.  That way we can see what everyone is choosing to bring so we all don’t show up with 25lbs of pigs in a blanket.  Also you need to type in your name below but you don't have to put in your email address... ignore that.

Spring Retreat - March 14-16

Alrighty, retreat time is approaching so I just wanted to reiterate the dates and basic info.  We will be going to Timberlake Retreat Lodge in Millport, AL.  The cost will be $55 and the deadline is Sunday, March 2.  Let me know if you have any further questions on this event and I'd be glad to answer them.  

Change for Monday

I made the mistake of assuming the big bus would be available on Monday when I planned this little Birmingham excursion.  My assumption was incorrect and I apologize for the flip flop of plans here.  We won't be going to Birmingham but we will still hang out for the day and play some games here at the building.  

11:30am - 3:00pm - Have them bring $5 for lunch and snacks.  

Worship, Movie, Fun day, Date Night, Media Mania

Wednesday Night - 6:30pm - Teen Room
Let me reiterate what it is we are doing on Wednesday nights. Everyone is invited.  We want this to be a time where you feel welcome to bring people with you.  This Wednesday in particular, I think, will be a good opportunity to invite someone.  Take some time before you come to pray about drawing near to God during this time of worship and reflection.   

Old School Movie night - This Saturday - 6:30pm-9:00pm
This upcoming Saturday night the teens are invited to the building for a movie.  We’re gonna bust out the VHS player and watch a throwback from the 80’s.  Drop them off at 6:30pm, pick them up at 9:00pm. Dinner not provided but popcorn and drinks will be.  

Monday Fun day - Next Monday
Next Monday when everyone is out of school we are going to take a little road trip to Birmingham to just hang out and have some fun. Here’s the game plan:

Have them bring their own sack lunch, Ill have drinks.
We will leave at 10:30am from the building 
We'll go to Veterans park in Birmingham, eat our lunches and play games.
Then head over to Treetop Adventures (go-karts, laser tag, putt-putt etc)
Here’s group pricing on that - Click here for pricing
Be back at the building by 4:30

  
Date night - Saturday January 25
Ok let me be clear, this is not a youth event, it is for you the parents.  I want to provide you guys with an opportunity/excuse to have a night to go on a date.  Obviously I don't know the first thing about being married but it just seems like common sense to have some time where you just hang out with the person you are married to… no kids.  Now I realize some of you don't need me to designate a night for you to be able to pull that off but in some circumstances it might be helpful to have a place where you can take your kids, leave them for a few hours, and go eat dinner together and hang out.  So, on Saturday January 25, simply come by the church building, release your children there at 5:00pm and go spend time together.  We’ll say 9:00pm is the wrap-up time.  If you have kids that are not in the youth group, that is totally fine.  Ill be inviting the bridge kids to join us and Im going to use the evening with the teens as an opportunity to let them serve and reach out to those who are younger.  So, all youngsters are welcome.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Media Mania Workshop - Saturday, February 8, 1:00pm-3:00pm
This is designed to open up conversation, provide you with resources, and heighten the importance of your emphasis as a parent to navigate the world of media your teens are exposed to daily. In the past couple of years things have changed and have changed fast, in particular in the social media arena. I think it would be wise for us to examine what that means for the development of your children.  Ill provide you with more detailed information as we get a little closer but I wanted to go ahead and throw that date out there so you can make plans to be a part of it.  I realize a couple of hours on a Saturday is asking a lot but I feel very strong that this is not only something that will be helpful but something that is deeply needed.  

Bridges of Faith

This is info I meant to include on that last post but completely forgot.  There is a group from the Bridges of Faith coming tomorrow night (Saturday) to our building.  These are orphans from the Ukraine visiting here in the US for a few weeks and they are coming to Tuscaloosa tomorrow.  If your teen is available we need some of them there to help play games, hang out with them and make them feel welcome.  Again, sorry this is such short notice, I totally dropped the ball here.  This is a great opportunity to serve and I hope some can make it. It starts at 6:00pm in the auditorium and we will be done at 8:30pm.  If you know that your teen can make it let me know.  Just shoot me a text, my number is 615-429-2929.  Thanks