Goodbye, ladies and retreat

Surprise Going Away Party for Hunter -Sunday, March 3 -6:00pm -Youth Area

For those of you who might be new to UY, Hunter was our summer intern for our 2015 and 2016 summers.  More than just being a former intern, Hunter has continued to invest her time, energy and life in this group of teens over the past several years.  I absolutely can not calculate the value she has brought to the development of our group and especially our girls.  She is a special person and we have been blessed to have had her around even after her internships were over.  It is time for her to move on to her next stage of life and she has accepted a new job in TN and will be leaving Tuscaloosa around the middle of March.  Sunday night we are going to have a going away party to express our appreciation for her and pray over this next season of life.  Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be provided but we need your help with sides and desserts.  You can sign up HERE to bring something.  Also, we will be putting together an alabama/tuscaloosa specific gift basket for her so if you would like to donate to that, you can give some funds to me, Glisa or Kristin.  One of the things we wanted to put in the gift basket was a book comprised of letters to her from teens and parents.  If that is something you would like to contribute to, Ill be accepting those letters through Sunday morning.  I am aware this may be a conflict for those of you who are in other family groups but this seemed to be the only time that would work with Hunter’s work schedule before she leaves.  I hope those of you who are available will be able to make it… and remember we are attempting to keep this a surprise!! 

Girls Night Out - The Queen Bees Ball 

Lindsey Cornelson along with some other girls from her family group are coordinating a girls night out at her home on Friday, March 29 at 6:00pm. This is a semi-formal attire event but sort of a joking semi-formal event meaning just wear something old or borrowed or semi-formal funny.  Ill send a reminder as we get closer to it.  

Spring Retreat - April 26-28 - $70

We will be going to Woodland Christian Camp and Retreat in Temple, GA for our Spring retreat.  Deadline to sign up will be April 14.  

Register your teen HERE

Pay online HERE

Gather, retreat, graduation and summer time

UY Family group this Week

We will be gathering at the Geddie home to share a meal together at 6:00pm Sunday.  Their address is 16659 Sunshine Pointe, Northport AL 35475.

Spring Retreat - April 26-28 - $70

We will be going to Woodland Christian Camp and Retreat in Temple, GA for our Spring retreat.  Deadline to sign up will be April 14.  

Register your teen HERE

Pay online HERE

Graduation Sunday

We will be celebrating our graduating seniors on Sunday, May 5!

Summer

Summer is rapidly approaching so I want to go ahead and get the big dates out there.  Something new on the calendar is going to be a Mystery “Mission” Trip for our high schoolers.  There has been a pretty large demand by those who went on the mystery trip last year that we do it again so I figured we will but this time add a large dose of purpose to it.  The plan is to travel and stop and do missional work in 3 different communities.  Ive already warned them that this trip will be much different than last year’s so they are mentally prepared to know that this is indeed mission trip.  While there will be fun in the mix, they should be prepared to get their hands dirty serving the communities we will be visiting.  Anyway, just thought I would drop an explanation for this new addition.  Below are the dates for our bigger items but as you know there will be plenty of smaller opportunities sprinkled in between for them to get involved.  

Kid’s Camp (formerly VBS) June 3-6

Mystery Mission Trip - June 14-21 - (high school)

Jr High Summer Retreat - June 28-30

Camp - July 21-26

3 snippets

Superbowl Bash - This Sunday - Teen Area

Kick-off is at 5:30pm so get there just before that or whenever you please.  Im not going to do a sign-up for food, let’s just all commit to bringing some delicious food you think everyone would enjoy and have a great time together feasting and watching.  Again this is for the all UY and Families!

Tonight

Teens will gather at 6:00pm tonight to continue our alpha series we started last week.  I really do think this series is going to be a great thing to make us all think about some things we should always be thinking about but often don’t.  I do hope your teen can make it!

Spring Retreat - April 26-28

Ill hold off on sign-ups for this but I wanted to go ahead and get the dates out there.  We will be going to Temple, GA to Woodland Christian camp and retreat center.  

Lead, Alpha, Family and Food

Pray for our Leadership Retreat

A solid group of 10th, 11th and 12th graders will be leaving this Friday for our leadership retreat.  Please pray that God use the time we have to shape and develop the direction of our youth group as well as the leadership potential within those attending.  

Wednesday Night Alpha Series

Next Wednesday, January 23 the teens will be starting a 10 week series called the Alpha series.  It’s designed to make them think about their faith through facilitating discussion about it, as well as equip them to better share their faith.  If there is any space for you to encourage your teen to be a part of it, then please do so! The Wednesday night schedule this semester will go as follows:

Jan 23 - Alpha Session 1

Jan 30 - Alpha Session 2

Feb 6 - Family Worship night (no UY class)

Feb13 - Alpha Session 3

Feb 20 - Alpha Session 4

Feb 27 - Alpha Session 5

March 6 - Family Worship Night (no UY class)

March 13 - Spring Break (no UY class)

March 20 - Alpha Session 6

March 27 - Alpha Session 7

April 3 - Family Worship Night (no UY class)

April 10 - Alpha Session 8

April 17 - Alpha Session 9

April 24 - Alpha Session 10 

2 Things on Family Group

1. We will not be meeting this upcoming Sunday as we will still be away on our Leadership Retreat.

2. Sunday, January 26 will be the Family Group Training at the building.  This is for all family groups at our church and will from 5:00pm-7:30.  Food will be provided at 5:00 and childcare is provided from 5:30-7:00. 

Super Bowl Bash - Feb 3

Instead of meeting in a home to eat for family group, we will gather in the Youth Area to watch the Super Bowl and eat delicious food.  This is for all UY and Families!

Happy New Year!

Leadership Retreat - Jan 18-21 - $50 (10th, 11th, 12th Grades) 

Deadline this Sunday.

Sign up Here

Pay Here (be sure to select UY leadership retreat in the drop down option)

Hang Night - This Sunday - 6:00pm-8:00pm

The teens will be gathering at the building to hang out together.  Dinner will be provided.

Family Group this Semester

We’ll have a bit of a rocky start for various reasons but will hopefully settle in to a steady routine by February.  We will follow the same format as last semester and meet in homes on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month to share a meal together and meet at the building on the 2nd and 4th weeks for discussion.  The month of March will look slightly different with 5 Sundays and spring break to rattle things around.  If you would be willing to host one of the family meals in your home click HERE to do so.  Below is a snapshot of what to expect on Sunday nights for the month of January.  

Jan 6 - No family group but “Hang Night” for teens at the building

Jan 13 - Discussion at the building

Jan 20 - No Family Group (leadership retreat)

Jan 27 - Family Group Training - This is something all family groups will participate in at the building that night… more info to come.

Reminders and Gatherings

Christmas Party this Sunday - Dec 9 - 6:00pm - Teen Room

If you are willing to bring some food, click HERE so we can plan effectively.... pretty please.

Wednesday Nights

Dec 12 - Regular UY Gathering

Dec 19 - "Behold"

Dec 26 - Not Meeting

Jan 2 - Not Meeting

Jan 9 - Resume Regular UY Gathering

Leadership Retreat - Jan 18-21 - Wedowee, AL $50

Sign-up HERE

Pay HERE

Gather, Give, Santa, Lead

Family Group This Week

This will be our final family group gathering for the semester and we will be meeting at the Geddie home.  Their address is: 16659 Sunshine pointe, Northport 35475. 

Foster Kid Christmas

Just an FYI that UY is taking on 2 of the Foster Kids for Christmas.  I have been encouraging them to find a way to give towards this in a sacrificial way.  This is not meant for them to come ask you for money but rather for those who can, use the money they get via job/allowance/chores to practice the discipline of giving.  So far they are doing a fantastic job and we are well on our way to our goal.  Just wanted to let you guys know in case you wanted to use this as a teaching opportunity!

Christmas Party - December 9 - 6:00pm

As mentioned before, this is an event for UY and families.  We will gather in the teen room at 6 on Sunday, Dec 9 to partake in Christmas festivities.  As is tradition, there will be a homemade ornament competition with the winner receiving a prize.  This is always just a great event to get together and have some fun.  We all know a good Christmas party doesn’t exist without great food… that’s where I need your help. If you can help bring an award winning edible item click HERE to sign up.  If its not award winning, that’s ok too.

Leadership Retreat - 10th-12th grade - January 18-21 (Fri-Mon -MLK weekend) - Wedowee, AL/$50

The Leadership retreat has a few different objectives:

1. To spend time working on the idea and characteristics of leadership and what that looks like for them to use the gifts God has given them to serve in leadership. 

2. To spend time in worship and study just trying to provide opportunity for spiritual growth.

3. It's a time where they get to help roadmap the direction of our group through developing vision and planning events/activities around that vision.

4. It provides a time for the older ones to be with just the older ones and feel a little more mature and special.

This retreat in the past really has been a pivotal place for not only the older ones in our group over the years but also the group as a whole solidifying direction and empowering strong leadership within our group.  I hope if you have a teen in this age range that it will work our for them to join us.  Deadline to sign up will be Jan 6. You can very easily sign them up by clicking HERE.  Payment of $50 can be given to me (checks to UCC) or Click HERE to pay online!