Holidays, DHR and the Beach

Christmas Party - December 10 - 6:00pm - Teen Area

It is indeed Christmas time and therefore a Christmas party must be had.  Ours will be this upcoming Sunday!  This is for teens and families of teens.  Just a few things to know before arriving to the party.

1. If everyone could, please bring some sort of delicious finger food/dish. Ill just leave it wide open but if you could, click HERE to indicate what you will be bringing just so everyone knows what their competition is and we can see how things are shaping up.
2. As always, teens will continue our Christmas ornament competition.  This is simply a handmade crafted ornament that displays the most fun and creativity. Most creative ornament will win a stellar prize.  
3. Teens are to bring a gift for the gift exchange.  Only parameter is they can’t buy it.  It has to be something they already have that they are willing to part ways with….. and try and make it something someone else would actually want to have.   

That’s it! See you at the PARTY!!

DHR Foster Parent's night out - December 17th - 5:00pm-8:00pm
We have an outstanding opportunity to serve our community in a unique way.  The youth group and families, along with some other small groups will be hosting a night for Parents with foster kids to have a night out.  This will allow those parents to have a small break to get some Christmas shopping done or just have a night to themselves.  I just want to encourage anyone who can help serve that night to do so... Thanks!  

Leadership Retreat - Jan 12-15 - Gulf Shores, AL - $50

This is for those in the 10th grade-12th grade. Our leadership retreat is quickly approaching and the deadline to sign-up will be Sunday, December 31.  Sign-up achieved by way of payment.

Holiday Schedule

You’ll see this plastered everywhere over the next few weeks but just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page.  

Dec. 20 - No Wednesday Night Classes

Dec. 24 - ONE Christmas Eve Service at 9:30 with Christmas Concert to follow… no classes

Dec. 27 - No Wednesday Night Classes

Dec. 31 - ONE New Year’s Eve Service at 9:30... no classes

Just a few things

Wednesday Night November 22

We will not be meeting next Wednesday night…enjoy your Thanksgiving! 

Kid Craze - December 3 - 5:00-7:30pm

Teens will be assisting in kid craze giving the parents of the younger ones a night off.  

UY Christmas Party - December 10 - 6:00pm - Teen Area

Yep, its that time again to start thinking about all the different Christmas functions to go to.  Ours will be at the stated date and time above and more details on what to bring later!

Leadership Retreat - January 12-15

Those in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade will be having a leadership retreat designed to equip and motivate them to reach their full capacity of leadership.  More details on this to come but just wanted to get the dates out there.  That’s a Friday through Monday (MLK day)

Foster kids Christmas

The UY committed to 2 kids for our foster kids “Give a Christmas”. I have been using this as an opportunity to teach them about giving so I just wanted to make you aware in case you wanted to use this opportunity as well.  This is not supposed to be something they come to you and ask for money for, I really do want it to be some sort of sacrificial giving on their part, no matter how small it might be.  So far we are half way to our goal and they are doing fantastic!

Retreats and Sunday

Bridge Retreat - This Saturday - $10 
The teens will be conducting a retreat for the bridge kids this Saturday (October 15) starting at 10:00am.  They can either meet there at camp Tuscomba (2900 Camp Tuscoba Road, Northport, AL) at 10:00am or be at the building at 9:30am to ride the bus over.  We will wrap up and be back to the building on Sunday in time for class at 10:00am.  For those being dropped off, I will have the bus to transport them back to the building on Sunday.  The cost is $10.

UY Family Group
The teen portion of UY family group will meet at the building Sunday night at 6:00pm

UY Fall Retreat- November 3-5 - $65
Deadline to sign-up (by way of payment) is October 22.  This is gonna be a good one so we want everyone there!

Sunday, Retreats

This Sunday - Bridge Hang Night - 5:00pm-8:00pm
We are going to be having a hang night including the bridge kids in an effort to let our teens invest in some of the younger ones.  $3 to help cover food.

Bridge Retreat - October 14-15
The teens will be planning and administering an overnight retreat for the bridge kids. The retreat will be here in town at camp Tuscoba.  We will meet there on Saturday at 10:00am and return to the building during church on Sunday.   Cost will be $10

Fall Retreat - November 3-5 - $65
Our fall retreat will be at the Springville Camp and Conference Center located in Odenville, AL.  Deadline to sign-up will be October 22 and sign-up can be accomplished by way of payment.  

Groups, Action and a Retreat

Family groups

Just a couple of things regarding UY family groups as we move forward.

• The first UY family group gathering will be next Sunday, September 10.  Those of you who signed up, I will be sending a separate email with the details about that first gathering at the beginning of next week.

• If you signed up for a different group but your teen still wants to be a part of the the teen side of things, that is absolutely ok, they can join us! We just want everyone to be connected to a group somewhere.  

Sunday Night Action Team Meeting. - 6:00pm - Youth Area 

In class we have been talking about what it looks like for each teen to step forward in their walk with Christ as well as the different ways they can lead and serve.  As an effort to give them more opportunities to invest in this youth group and church we are developing “action teams”.  This is just a simple way to provide an avenue to put them on a path of service and leadership.  Sunday night we will have our first “Action Team” meeting.  If they have been here, they know what this is and if its something they want to be a part of.  Ill be sending them all a text letting them know about the meeting but just wanted to let you as parents understand whats going on.  

Upcoming Events

Next week I will be rolling out a full schedule of all thats will be going on but wanted to go ahead and get the retreat out there.  

Retreat - November 3-5 - Springville camp and conference center in Odenville, AL - $65

groups and hump days

Family Groups

I know this won't be completely relevant to everyone but just wanted to communicate some things as family groups fire up!

1. I think it's super important that everyone find a family group to be a part of. As usual we will be having a UY family group but if there is another group you feel would fit you better, then please get connected there. 
2. Next Sunday evening, August 27, will be “Group Link”. This is an event designed to help people, who may not know what group they want to be a part of, have a chance to meet and see the groups being offered. If you plan to be a part of the UY group, please make plans to be there. If you are a part of another group, I'm sure they would want you there as well and if you don't know what group you'd like to join, well this would be perfect in helping make that decision. 
3. Our UY family group will be operating a bit differently than it has in the past. We will be creating more of a separation in what the adults do and what the teens do. While it's always good to do things as families, I think it's time to allow the parents and teens to go deeper in their times together. There will still be aspects of what we do that will be family driven, we just want to allow discussion times to be tailored to the relevancy of ages.  
4. Our first family group meeting will be September 3, 6:00pm in the youth area. We will lay out the blueprint for what is ahead and iron out some of the logistics moving forward. 

There is nothing happening This Sunday evening. 

Wednesday nights

This upcoming Wednesday night, August 23, the teens will resume meeting together. 

a few things

Wednesday nights moving forward!

We will resume our Wednesday night gathering on August 23.  However, on Wednesday, August 16 the teens will be helping out with the “Back to School Bash and Splash”…. No gathering tonight, August 9.

Pool Party at Garrett’s - Saturday, August 12 - 3:00pm-6:00pm

Garrett Welch is inviting everyone to his home for a swim party! 

Their address is:

 13918 Willow View Lane, 

Northport, AL

Everyone bring a drink with them and if you’d be willing to bring brownies, let me know.  We need like 3 batches of brownies!  

Intern Going away Party - Sunday, August 13 - 6:00pm Youth Area

Well its time to wrap the summer up and with that wrapping comes a goodbye to our interns.  This is an event for all families… not just the teens!  We will be doing BBQ but if you would be willing to bring something to help fill in the gaps, please sign up here.  

Summer Endings

Lake Day - Saturday July 29 - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Everyone bring canned drinks…. Guys bring a side dish, Girls bring a dessert item

Hang night - Sunday July 30 - 6:00pm-8:00pm

We are going to gather and hang out.  Bring $3 to help cover food!

Girls and Guys night - Wednesday, August 2

Girls:

The girls will be having a sleepover at Sunshine Pointe Cabin.  They can arrive around 7:00pm on Wednesday night and pickup will be at noon on Thursday.  Eat dinner before they come and they are to bring a snack with them!

Guys:

The guys will also be gathering for an overnighter at Zidon Avisha.  They can arrive at the church building at 7:00pm and we can ride together out there on the bus.  Pick up will be from the building at noon on Thursday.  They are to bring a snack as well!

Abide #5 - Thursday June 3 - 6:00pm - Youth Area

We Worship

Lock In - Friday August 4 - 8:00pm-8:00am

It’s that time again… Cost is $10.  If it works better for your schedule, they can be picked up before 8:00.  

Hang Night - Sunday August 6

We hang out

Pool Party at Garrett’s - Saturday, August 12 - 3:00pm

Garrett Welch is inviting everyone to his home for a swim party!

Intern Going away Party - Sunday, August 13 - 6:00pm Youth Area

Closing out the summer

Camp is over and we are rounding the corner to the end of the summer.  Over the next 3 weeks we will be jamming in lots of opportunity for your teen to get more connected to the group in some way.  I will roll out those dates in the next few days but needed to go ahead and get these upcoming events on your eyes today.  

Hang Night Sunday July 23 6:00pm-8:00pm

We will have a hang night tomorrow night (July 23). Some of the younger dads in the congregation have asked to play a softball game with us so we will be doing that.  Even if your teen doesn't want to play, they can still come hang out and we will have other games going on.  They can eat before they come or bring something with them.  Snacks and drinks provided.  

UCC Softball Game - Wednesday, July 26 6:00pm-8:00pm

There is a church wide fellowship this upcoming Wednesday.  Food will be provided so come out and have dinner while watching a softball game.  All are invited!

Abide #4 - Thursday July 27 - 6:00pm - Teen Area

We will spend the evening in Worship… All are invited

Lake Day - Saturday July 29 - 2:00pm-7:00pm

This is our last lake day so we are going to turn up the food a little bit.  In order to do so, we need your help.  Grilled Chicken will be provided.  Everyone bring can drinks, guys bring side dishes, girls bring desserts!

Upcoming

Abide #3 - TOMORROW NIGHT - Sunday July 9.  6:00pm - Youth Area

This is a slight date change from what I sent out at the beginning of the summer.  Not Monday but Sunday night.  This is for anyone who would like to join us for a night of worship… not just the teens!

Camp - July 16-21

If you registered a teen and have not paid, tomorrow (Sunday) would be a splendid opportunity to do that… $125.  Camper information and details will be emailed out to you guys on Monday July 10.

Abide #4 - July 27

Lake Day - July 29 

Abide #5 - August 3

DEADLINE!!! and Worship

Camp Deadline is July 2 --- THIS SUNDAY
Camp is July 16-21 and cost is $125.  You can register your camper online HERE.  Payment can be handed to me past due date since I will be out of town this upcoming Sunday, but it is really important for us to know who will be participating this year by July 2.... so again, register HERE.

Abide #3 - Sunday, July 9 - 6:00pm - Teen Area

Splashing, Water Falls, and Adoration

Lake Day - Saturday, June 24 - Sunshine Pointe - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Everyone bring drinks - Girls bring dessert item and guys bring a side dish.  

Camp - July 16-21 - Fall Creek Falls - $125

Deadline for sign up is July 2!  Click HERE to sign up a camper!

Abide #3 - July 9 - 6:00pm

Just want to extend the invitation for this worship event to anyone who would like to be there.  They previous two have been really great and I look forward to worshiping in the moment that has been created. Michael Cooper will be leading this Abide on July 9.

Lake, Camp, Worship

Lake Day - June 24 - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Camp - July 16-21 - Fall Creek Falls - $125

It’s time for Camp!!  Camp is for those entering the 5th grade - Graduates.  Click HERE to register a camper and deadline for sign up is July 2.  

Abide #3 - Sunday, July 9 - 6:00pm

Ladies, mission, worship, outing

Girls Night - Saturday June 11 - 6:00pm-8:00 -Lindsey Cornelson’s home

Some of the younger mom’s are planning a hang out night with our teen girls this upcoming Saturday.  It will be at Lindsey Cornelson’s home.  Her address is:

3110 31st St 

Northport, AL 35476

Guy's night - Saturday June 11 - 6:00pm-8:00pm - Church Building.
Since the girls will be gathering we figured the guys might as well get together and hang out as well.

Abide #2 - Monday, June 12 - Teen Area

Sneedville Mission - June 18-22 - $100

Sign up HERE

7th & 8th Grade Outing - June 15-16

We are going to do a campout for those going into 7th and going into 8th.  To sign up simply get me $10.

Stuff

Lake Day this Saturday - Sunshine Pointe 

Starts at 2:00pm and ends around 7:00pm.  

1.Everyone bring can drinks

2. Guys bring a side dish

3. Girls bring a dessert Item

Sneedville Mission - June 18-22 - $100

Sign up HERE

7th & 8th Grade Outing - June 15-16

We are going to do a campout for those going into 7th and going into 8th.  To sign up simply get me $10. 

Sneedvile Sign up and other stuff

Sneedville Mission - June 18-22 - $100

As previously mentioned those going into 9th-12th grade will be traveling to Sneedville, TN to work with the community there.  While there we will be conducting a day camp for the kids as well as working on several water projects providing people with clean water who currently don't have it.  We will leave on that Sunday, June 18 and return Thursday, June 22 in the afternoon.  Money helps to cover lodging, food, and supplies for the camp and water projects.  If your teen is going, you can sign them up HERE and turn in the money at your convenience.  

VBS - June 5-8

Deadline to sign up to volunteer (at least if they want a free T-shirt) is this Sunday June 27.  Click HERE to sign up.

Abide - June 30 - 6:00pm - Teen Room

Our first Abide night of worship will be this upcoming Tuesday.  

Lake Day - June 3 - 2:00pm-7:00pm - Sunshine Pointe

We play at the lake.

Burgers, Booster Booster, Gather, Reflect

Kick-off Cook-out this Sunday - 6:30pm

It is officially time to kick the summer off.  This Sunday at 6:30pm we will gather at Bowers park (Minnie Sellers Pavilion).  Come join us and meet the interns and welcome the new 7th graders to the group.  Click HERE to sign up to bring something.  

VBS June 5-8

If you are willing to help with VBS in any way register HERE as a volunteer.  Also, if your teen is planning to be there for the week encourage them to register as well so we make sure to get them a shirt!

Wednesday Nights

We WILL be meeting this Wednesday night May 17 but remember that starting next week there will be NO Wednesday night gatherings for the teens during the summer months

Abide-A Night of Worship and Reflection

Our first Abide will be 6:00pm Tuesday, May 30.

Summer - Ready, Set... GO!

Kidcraze - This Sunday - 4:30pm-7:00pm - The Building

This Sunday the children’s ministry is providing the parents a night out to themselves with a chance to drop their kids off at the building.  The teens will be helping to entertain the Kids for this but we are in need of a few adults who would be willing to be there as well.  Let me know if this is a way you would be willing to serve. Dinner provided.

Interns

Our Summer interns will be arriving in town on May 20th to spend the next couple of months helping make our summer stupendous.  The girl intern is Ashlynn McNeal.... most of you probably know Ashlynn as she was here for a couple of months this winter helping out.  Ashlynn is from Lebanon, TN and will do an outstanding job working with our girls.  The guy intern is Cody Price.  Cody is from Cincinnati, Ohio and is a student at Lee University in Cleveland, TN.  So glad Cody will be with us this summer and look forward to everyone getting to know him.  

Summer Kick-off Cookout - May 21 - 6:30pm - Bowers Park

Sunday evening May 21 we will be having a Kick-off Cookout to welcome Interns, new additions to the youth group and officially kick-off our summer.  Sign-ups to bring stuff coming soon.

Wednesday Nights this summer

Starting May 24 the teens will not meet on Wednesday nights during the summer months. Two reasons for this.  1) When you factor in VBS, Trips, and family fun nights there aren't many Wednesday nights that would end up happening anyway.  2) By doing so, it will allow us to pour energy and resources into starting something new…. see below.

Abide - A night of worship and reflection

Sprinkled through out the summer we will gathering for something we are simply calling "Abide".  This will take place five different times across the summer weeks.  This will simply be an evening of worship and reflection focused on what it means to Abide in Christ.  Dates of these nights are listed below in upcoming dates.  

Vacation Bible School - June 5-8

VBS will look a little different this year and I believe will be super awesome.  It will be taking place at the building and will be in the evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm.  If any of you would be interested in helping in any way click HERE to register as a volunteer and indicate in what way you can help.  

Summer Dates (those we know of for now)

May 21 - Summer Kick-off Cookout

May 30 - Abide

June 3 - Lake Day

June 5-8 - VBS

June 12 - Abide

June 15-16 - 7th and 8th grade retreat

June 18-22 - Sneedville Mission

June 24 - Lake Day

July 10 - Abide

July 16-21 - Camp

July 27 - Abide

July.29 - Lake Day

August 3 - Abide

Summer is upon us

It is that time of year again where I begin rage with excitement as I see the summer creeping in on us.  I just wanted to go ahead and lay out several dates that are set.  As you experienced youth group parental guardians are aware, there will be many other opportunities for your teen to jump in on this summer, but the things below are the bigger ticket items and what we know so far.  If questions arise, feel free to let me know.

Graduation Sunday - April 30

All those in the UY and their families are invited to a lunch in the youth room following class to celebrate our graduating seniors.  If your family plans to attend that please click HERE before April 23 to indicate your participation and number of family members attending.  

Summer Kick-Off-Cook-out - May 21

As we have in the past, we will gather to kick off the summer and welcome new members to the youth group as well as interns.  

Lake Day - June 3

Vacation Bible School - June 5-8

VBS will look a little different this year as we will be moving it to the building and having it at night.  The teens will play a large roll in making this special and fun and it should be an overall great week for our church as a whole.  

Sneedville Mission - June 18-22

This trip will be for those going into 9th - Graduated Seniors.  We will spend the week partnering with run4water fulfilling needs in that community as well as administering a daily camp for the children there.  

Lake Day - June 24

Camp - July 16-21 - Fall Creek Falls, TN

For those going into 5th Grade - Graduated Seniors

Lake Day - July 29

Stuff

Retreat
The deadline for the retreat was this past Sunday but I know several have said they were going that I haven't heard from yet.  If that is the case for your child, you can turn your money in tomorrow night.

Next Wednesday
The teens will not be meeting together next Wednesday, March 15 during Spring break.  We will return to normal schedule the following week.

Sunday, Retreat

Widow/Widower Lunch this Sunday February 26th
This Sunday UY will be hosting a Lunch for those in our congregation who are widowed.  Lunch will begin after class is over in the Teen area.  The teens and their families are invited to join us.  I will be sending out a text later asking for an rsvp.  We hope you can join us to make this a special time for some special people.  

Retreat - March 24-26 - $80
Reminder that the deadline to sign-up your teen for our spring retreat is approaching.  The deadline is March 5 and sign-up is secured by way of payment.  

Hang, Commercials and a Retreat

Hang Night

We will have a hang night this Saturday night Feb, 4.  6pm-9pm.  $4 for dinner and drinks.  

Super Bowl Party

For those families who want, we will be watching the Super Bowl together on Sunday evening.  Kick-off is at 5:30pm and we will be in the teen area.  Bring your best Super Bowl finger foods or really anything you want and we will all pretend to be Atlanta Falcons fans together!

Spring Retreat

March 24-26 - $80 - Deadline is March 5  

Worship and Retreat

This Saturday - Night of Worship - January 28 - 6:00pm

This weekend Michael Cooper will be in town to lead our “one service” Sunday.  While he is here we thought we would utilize his talents while we have him and put on an instrumental worship evening on Saturday night, January 28 at 6:00pm in the Teen area.  We are inviting other small groups to join us as well and encouraging the kids or whoever to invite anyone they may desire.  If this is something you would enjoy, then please come join us.  One need we do have is we want to provide childcare for younger couples who would like to join us.  I don't want to pull the teens out to do this because I would really like for them to experience the worship time.  So, maybe this style of worship isn't your cup of tea but you would be willing to serve in this area for others who would like to be there child free? Or maybe you want to be there, but would be willing to take a shift to help in this area? If you can help in this area please let Rosemary know.  Thanks

Spring Retreat - March 24-26 

We will be going to Camp Lee near Oxford, AL for our spring retreat this year.  Cost will be $80 and deadline to sign-up by payment will be March 5th.

A few dates we know looking forward

Graduation Sunday - April 30

VBS - June 5-8

Camp - July 16-22