First UMC Youth Group Blog

Survey

2011-05-04T10:51:00.002-04:00

Parents! If you have at least one child in 6th-12th grade right now, so please take five minutes to fill out the FUMC Youth Ministry Survey for Parents at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FUMCYouth

You have the chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Your feedback is extremely valuable whether or not your child is involved in the youth ministry program. This is link is only open until May 15. Thank you!!

Amy

Upcoming Events!

2011-03-03T11:43:00.001-05:00

Senior Citizens Prom

Our third annual Senior Citizens Prom, sponsored by the Youth Group, will be held Friday, May 13 from 7-9pm at J.I.M.S Place. All Youth are invited to help with decorations, serving, pictures, tear-down, and maybe a little dancing! Plans will be discussed at Youth Group.

Confirmation Breakfast

Confirmation will be held at the 10:45am service on Sunday, May 8. This year’s confirmands are: Megan Riker, Johnny Riker, Lexi Ford, Will Hinkle, and Scotty Krieger. There will be a Breakfast held in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30am for confirmands, their families, and their mentors.

Celebration Banquet

The second annual Celebration Banquet will be held Wednesday, June 1 at 6:00pm in the Life Center. This dinner honors our graduating seniors and incoming ninth-graders. Families will receive invitations in the mail and tickets are available to the rest of our church family for $5 per person.

Reach Workcamp Update

Workcamp is coming quickly! We are just eighty days away from our departure to St. Albans, WV. Our next meeting is Sunday, March 13 at 12:00pm. ALL FORMS and the FIRST PAYMENT of $165 are due at that time. Students are required to attend these meetings.

There will be a SPAGHETTI DINNER fundraiser on Saturday, March 26 from 5:00-7:00pm at the church. Campers and volunteers should arrive by 3:30pm to help.

It's aliiiive!

2010-11-11T10:48:00.003-05:00

We took a temporary hiatus from blogging for the past few months, but now we're back at it! Several things have happened since the summer months:

Our new intern, Jonathan Naylor, is hard at work and loving his time with the FUMC Youth Group
Small Groups have been created and meet every Sunday morning
Confirmation Class has five new students and is meeting weekly with Jim Rice
Several sports ministries are being developed

And...

This weekend, we are taking twenty-four students (including nine first-timers) and six adults to Kalahari Indoor Water Park!

Cedar Point Trip

2010-06-08T13:27:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, June 23^rd
$25 per student
(plus spending money for food)
Leaving from J.I.M.S Place parking lot at 8:00am. Returning by 10:00pm.

Please sign up by emailing Amy at youthministry@npfirstumc.org or
RSVPing to the Facebook event page.
You must sign up by Sunday, June 20.
All students (and friends!) MUST have a FUMC medical release form on file. Forms can be downloaded from www.npfirstumc.org.

CAR WASH CANCELLED

2010-06-05T09:34:00.001-04:00

FUMC YOUTH: THE CAR WASH HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE STORMS. You can get credit for either of these options: 1.) Come to the church to bake cookies to give out with Reach stock sales OR 2.) Help sell stock & distribute cookies after both services tomorrow.

Events on the Horizon...

2010-05-12T13:02:00.004-04:00

Our first-ever Celebration Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 25 at 6pm in our Life Center. This is a dinner to honor our graduating seniors and our incoming ninth-graders (current eighth graders). Families of the honored students eat free; tickets are available to our church community, friends, and extended family for $10. The dinner will be catered by Dantes. Be sure to contact Amy at the church to RSVP!

Our Junior Highers are headed on a road trip! Mark your calendars for a new event! Junior High Mission Weekend will be Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13. Our students (current middle schoolers) will travel to Canton to work with Hammers and Nails, as well as the Humane Society and Copeland Oaks Retirement Community. Cost is only $50 but the first half is due Sunday, May 23. Forms were mailed out last month but more are available by contacting Amy.

Brainy Stuff

2010-04-07T10:30:00.001-04:00

As many of you may know, I love to read. My coffee table is usually littered with books that I’m in the middle of perusing. (Lately they seem to be grad school text books!) One of my biggest problems with reading is this—I can never seem to finish a book! No matter how interesting and exciting the book is, I never finish it. I’ll even recommend books to other people that I’ve never finished.

Well, I’m proud to say, I’ve finished reading (oh, within about 20 pages) a really great book. I’ve been reading The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us about Our Kids, by Barbara Strauch. This is not a Christian book, or even a parenting book, but it’s one that any parent of a teenager should own! Strauch addresses topics such as the introduction and length of adolescence (now extended to the late twenties!), the role of risk-taking, failure, consistency, and enthusiasm, all from a brain perspective! For example, did you know that the prefrontal cortex of a teenager’s brain is not completely formed until his or her mid-twenties? This is the area that makes decisions, empathy, and controlling impulses. This is also where the personality of a person exists (ever wonder why your kid seems to change friends or personas within a month?).

Fascinating stuff. From a youth ministry perspective, my mind has been blown in regards to how to treat our teenagers and what to expect from them in the area of faith. My friend Adam Lehman read this book as well and created a great description of a 15 year old disciple. He or she will:

Be inconsistent (but have a growing desire for consistency)
Be apparently hypocritical (as they learn to match behavior with thought)
Be moving away from compartmentalized thinking
Be moving outside their comfort zone
Have a unique journey of discipleship
Be teachable
Be a “rebellious” disciple (challenge and question ideas as they begin to think abstractly)

Sound at all like your child? Relax—it’s normal. Wild, but normal. While we are only beginning to understand how the brain works, research is confirming that this is a WILD RIDE for families. As a parent, you could have said that without reading this book, but it’s helpful to understand the science behind what’s happening in your child’s head.

While not always understanding things like synapses and neurons, I do know the God that created these things. And with every page I read of this book, I became more in awe of That Big Guy that created us. Seriously—who thinks this stuff up?! For me, learning became an act of worship. Maybe it will for you too?

P.S. We will be offering a parent seminar this fall on adolescence and teenage brain development this fall…but in the meantime, put Primal Teen on your summer reading list!

Reach Workcamp Updates

2010-03-18T13:31:00.002-04:00

Forms and $215 (deposit + first payment) were due last Sunday. Please turn those in asap :)

Next meeting: Sunday, April 18 9:30am for campers only

Upcoming fundraisers:

ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE Tuesday, May 4 (donations of baked goods needed)

CAR WASH Saturday, May 15 10am-1pm at J.I.M.S Place

CAR WASH Saturday, June 5 10am-1pm at J.I.M.S Place

Change in payment plan: Your final payment will not be due until mid-June after the fundraisers are over. So...breathe easy!

Reach-In? Lock-Camp?

2010-03-15T15:07:00.001-04:00

For those of you that missed the Time Change on Sunday...we did have a Reach Workcamp Meeting at 9:30am. Your forms and first payment of $165 are due NOW. Your final payment will not be for another couple of months and remember, that final payment will be decreased by the number of meetings and fundraisers you participate in. Our next meeting is April 18.

The Annual Lock-In is in just two weeks! Kick off Spring Break right with an all-nighter at the church! Friday, March 26 10pm--8am Saturday, March 27. See more details on the facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=365749771777&ref=mf

Exciting Weekend

2010-03-05T10:40:00.001-05:00

I think I'll write this update in facebook status update style:

Sitting in my office getting excited to take our senior highers to Winter Jam tonight! First on the agenda...dinner at Chipotle :)

Winter Jam is Coming!

2010-02-15T10:51:00.001-05:00

Are you signed up for our high school retreat?! This is the start of a new tradition--so get in on it now!

SENIOR HIGH WINTER JAM RETREAT: MARCH 5-7, 2010

YOUR $40 WINTER JAM ADMISSION INCLUDES:
SWIMMING, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, SHOWERS, ETC @ A LOCAL RECREATION CENTER, 5 HOT MEALS PLUS SNACKS EACH NIGHT, MULTI-SENSORY PRAISE & WORSHIP, RETREAT SPEAKER FOR THE WEEKEND, A GAME ROOM, SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AS WELL AS THINGS MONEY CAN’T BUY, SUCH AS OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET NEW FRIENDS AND A TIME TO GROW CLOSER TO GOD!

Registration and money is due to Amy by Sun, Feb. 21! Be sure to sign up by the Youth Room Door! This would be a great event to invite friends to. We will have pizza at the church Friday night before we leave.

Thought for Today

2010-02-01T09:18:00.004-05:00

Talking with your son or daughter about faith is the same as talking to them about sex. We cannot assume that "they'll learn what they need to do know at school" (or at church), nor can we simply say "Well, I hope you'll make the right choice."

Start the conversation.

Church at the Mall!

2010-01-25T13:51:00.002-05:00

Youth Group will look a little different this week! We're on the move--meet us at the Food Court in the mall at 5pm. Please bring money for dinner (your choice of fast food)! Check out more info at the facebook event page. **This is a change from the January calendar**

What are you gonna do next??

2010-01-11T14:38:00.002-05:00

There's a line that the quarterback of the winning Superbowl team delivers at the end of every game. The reporter says, "...You just won the Superbowl...what are you gonna do next??"

"I'm going to Disney World!!" he announces.

Well guess what, folks. We can go to Disney World. Reach Workcamp has partnered with Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" volunteerism program. If you participate (as a youth or adult) at Reach WC this year, you will have earned a free day at Disney. Check our more details here: http://reachwc.org/pages/disney.shtml.

Still planning your family vacations? Build Reach AND Disney into your plans!

New Year...New Opportunities, New Chances, New Experiences!

2009-12-31T14:28:00.002-05:00

First, let me apologize. Due to a pretty crazy final month of grad school, I've been rather neglectful towards this poor blog. Hopefully I'll regain the balance now!

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! It's been a great year for our church and for our youth ministry. Here's a brief list of highlights from the 2009 FUMC Youth Ministry:

Five of our youth led a VBS and worked on a construction site in La Ceibita, Honduras
Held our first ever Senior Citizen Prom for the elderly of our community
Sent a record number of youth and adults on our 12th (?) Reach Work Camp in Annville, PA
Graduated ten seniors and sent them off to college with our prayers
Confirmed twelve sixth- and seventh-grade students as members of the church
Packed a dozen Operation Christmas Child boxes to be sent to children in Panama, Madagascar, and Southern Darfur
Senior high students cooked dinner for the New Philadelphia Homeless Shelter
More of our students joined small groups and began inviting friends to do so
Several students made decisions to make Christ a more integral part of their lives, beginning to process what it really means to be a follower of Jesus

...and these are just a few highlights! Our students continued to represent Christ to their friends at school and on the field. We're looking forward to another fantastic year in 2010...filled with new opportunities, new chances, and new experiences. Here's a few to spark your interest:

Senior High will be attending a high-school only retreat in March put on by the UMC
Junior High will have their first ever "Junior High Mission Experience" weekend of service in June
Small groups for every age bracket
Our 13th year at Reach Work Camp this July, serving in Hurricane, WV
Sending four youth to serve in Honduras in January
Holding our second annual Senior Citizens Prom
Beginning a new Confirmation class in October

and much, much more! This is a new year, a new chance for you or your child to take advantage of the many opportunities in our youth ministry! See you there.

This Week's RealParents Newsletter...and a little more

2009-12-10T19:49:00.002-05:00

Here's the link to this week's RealParents Newsletter as presented by Youth Specialties! I apologize that it's been awhile since it has been posted...my email apppears to be eating this email before I can read it.

Just a reminder...there is regular Youth Group this Sunday! We will be talking about small groups, being in community, and what that means! Come check it out.

Sign-ups are still open for the ULTIMATE SNOW DAY. Are you in??

Return of the Blog!

2009-12-02T15:08:00.002-05:00

I'm back! Sorry about the lack of updates the past couple of weeks. We had a great time at Fall Retreat, then took the weekend off to spend time with families for Thanksgiving. But now...it's December, it's Advent, and we're right back in the swing of it!

This Sunday:

"First Sunday" traditional Sunday School--meet in the Youth Rm at 9:30am
"World-Changers" small group is meeting at 5pm with Jordan
Junior High is 5-6:30pm (Please bring $2 for dinner)
Senior High is 6-7:30pm (Please bring $2 for dinner)

Upcoming Events:

Christmas Party, Sunday, Dec. 20 6-7:30pm
Senior High Service Project--Dinner @ Homeless Shelter...be sure to get your ingredient from Amy!
ULTIMATE SNOW DAY--Weds, Dec. 30 9am-9pm at Brandywine...cost approx. $50 or $60...more details soon!

Fall Retreat Details

2009-11-16T14:38:00.001-05:00

It’s time! Fall Retreat is THIS WEEKEND! Here is a quick look at the details you need to know:

Location: Skyview Ranch, Millersburg

Emergency Contact: Amy 330-904-1573 (cell)

Departure: FRIDAY 6PM **Meet in the Youth Room**

Return: SUNDAY 12PM **Please pick up your son/daughter at the main church building along 2nd street**

Packing:
Sleeping Bag/Bedding Materials
Appropriate outerwear for the weather
Old clothes (for outdoor activities)
Sneakers/Hiking Boots
Towel
Shower accessories/toiletries
Flip-flops (for showering)
Bible/Notebook
**Cell phones or ipods are permitted but at your own risk. The camp and the church are not liable if you lose them. Also, they are not to be taken into worship…just like at Workcamp, you can use them in your room**

Miscellaneous: Paintball ($15) and Horseback riding ($8) are available on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. Please send your student with the appropriate clothes and payment for this activity. This is run by the camp, not our ministry. **For Paintball…you may bring your own gun. However, if the temperature drops too low, they will not allow us to play.**

Junior Highers to take over Dollar Tree!

2009-11-10T11:16:00.002-05:00

This fall's Junior High Service Project is THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15! We will be making Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children in third world countries. (Confirmation Class did this last year.) Each student needs to bring $5 to Youth Group Sunday (normal times), and we will carpool to the Dollar Tree to pick out small gifts for a girl or boy to be placed in a shoebox to be shipped overseas. You can read more about this awesome ministry on their website!

Drinking my weight in orange juice as we speak...

2009-11-04T10:59:00.002-05:00

H1N1 paranoia...tensions rise.

Everyone Can Give a Corner

2009-11-02T14:44:00.003-05:00

Last night we talked about service. Junior High looked at the passage from Matthew 25 where we get that famous line "Whatever you do for the least of these...you do for me." Each of us came up with three ways to serve this week--ask your middle schooler how they are serving!

Our high schoolers watched a dvd by pastor Rob Bell from the Nooma series. Check it out here. Bell challenged us that we each have a "corner" to share with someone else. We always have some way to share with or serve others.

With your November calendar, you should have gotten a list of upcoming service opportunities! We have one THIS WEEK! :) Meet at the church WEDNESDAY at 3:30 with a rake (or leaf blower!) and we will head to a church member's house to rake leaves. If you are unable to meet at the church, we will be in the 600 block of N. Broadway (by the park).

Newsletter...and a Contest?!

2009-10-28T13:45:00.001-04:00

Here is this week's Real Parents Newsletter! First adult and first youth to email/text/facebook me that they saw this blog post wins a prize! :)

Just a few reminders...

2009-10-23T15:14:00.002-04:00

If you're going to the Haunted Corn Maze Saturday night, we're meeting in the Youth Room at 8pm! Cost is $15 per person and you need to have a current med form filled out or on file!

Youth Group resumes NEXT Sunday, November 1st! 2009 isn't done yet--we've got a lot more to pack in! Make an extra effort to be there to hear about service projects, trips, retreats, fun events, and more! Plus, get your ideas in for the 2010 events and lesson topics! Don't miss it!

Registration for Fall Retreat went out in the mail today. So now you can find it on this blog, the church website, the Tower, AND your mailbox :) Don't miss out! It's gonna be great!

Parent Newsletter

2009-10-21T13:22:00.001-04:00

Hey Parents! Want some news? About youth culture? In the form of, oh say, a newsletter?? Well here you go! :)

Rivalry Week!

2009-10-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

This week in Youth Group we talked about healthy rivalries versus unhealthy rivalries. Ask your student to give you an example of each! Also, take a moment and read through The Message's interpretation of a well-known passage:

Matthew 5:42-44 (The Message)

Love Your Enemies
38-42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Newsletter Time!

2009-10-16T12:00:00.001-04:00

Here's this week's Real Parents newsletter, courtesy of Youth Specialities!

Youth Group is back to normal this Sunday!
Jr High 5-6:30
Sr High 6-7:30

Please try to remember to donate $2 for dinner supplies...if you forget, we promise, you can still eat as much as you want :)

Fall Retreat Info has ARRIVED!!

2009-10-13T16:56:00.005-04:00

Fall Retreat Oh-Nine will be the weekend before Thanksgiving (Fri, Nov. 20-Sun, Nov. 22) at Skyview Ranch in Millersburg. We are joining with seven other churches from the area as well as Off The Wall Ministry.

Click here to download the registration form. Registration and payment are DUE NOVEMBER 1! Turn them into the church office, my mailbox, my front door, whatever--get them to me! Please note--you also need to have filled out a 2009-2010 FUMC Medical Release Form. If you are having trouble with these links, you can access both forms from the Church website (http://www.npfirstumc.org/) or they are in the folder outside the Youth Room door!

The theme this year is "TAKE HOLD!" There will be live music, speakers, and more fun stuff--flag football, paintball (extra $15), horseback riding, and tv's to watch the Bucks beat Michigan! So...what are you waiting for? Grab a friend and get those registration forms turned in!

“Fight the good fight of faith, TAKE HOLD of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
- 1 Timothy 6:12

From Dogs to Hogs

2009-10-06T08:26:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all who came out for the Blessing of the Animals last Sunday! I pet some beautiful dogs (and one adorable kitten in a box) and our church families got to meet other family members they don't often see.

Just a reminder...there is no Youth Group this Sunday due to the HOG ROAST! Delicious food, entertainment, and games start at 4pm. I am still in need of some youth to help run the games--text or email me.

Our Father who art in...WOOF!!...

2009-10-01T14:01:00.004-04:00

This Sunday is our Blessing of the Animals. Bring your dog/cat/lizard/hamster/parrot/crocodile/rock to J.I.M.S Place Sunday at 5pm. We'll pray over your pet and snap a picture for you to take home! Note: Younger siblings do NOT count as pets :)

Youth Group will be *after* the Blessing, combined Jr & Sr High from 6-7:30pm at the church. Please bring $2 for dinner.

Laser Quest!

2009-09-30T10:19:00.000-04:00

Parent Newsletter and Laser Quest Sign Ups!

2009-09-24T14:51:00.004-04:00

Here's the link to this week's YouthSpecialties Parent Newsletter "Real Parents." Find something interesting? Something you disagreed with? Comment on this site!

Also--we are going to Laser Quest this Sunday..here's the details:

Sunday, Sept. 27
Meet in Youth Room @ 4:45pm
$15/youth
Must have current medical form on file (www.npfirstumc.org/christianedyouthministry.htm )
Must have signed up on Youth Room Door

Who Are You?

2009-09-21T18:10:00.003-04:00

At Youth Group last night we talked about our identity--if your name was in the dictionary, what would your definition be? Here were some of the answers:

"A cheerleader"
"Daughter of Mike and Diana"
"Soccer player"
"United Methodist"
"Rock star dude!"
"Caucasian/White"

We had a great discussion about what our "definitions" might be, but then there was a new question--how would God write your definition? We looked at a list of "I am..." statements, this list composed by Neil Anderson. Each student picked one that seemed significant to him or her. Some popular ones were:

Ephesians 2:10
I am God's workmanship.

Colossians 1:13-14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

John 15:15
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Check out the list--what stands out to you? How are you basing your identity in Christ?

Pix from the Amazing Race!

2009-09-16T10:22:00.004-04:00

9.13.09....IT'S HERE!

2009-09-10T10:29:00.003-04:00

Youth Group kicks off this Sunday, Sept. 13th at 5:01pm. Bring a friend or an entire team and get ready for the race of your life! Meet in the Youth Room. Parents can pick up at 6:30pm.

Gooo Quakers!

2009-09-05T13:01:00.002-04:00

Great job Quakers on your home win against Westbranch last night! What a blow-out! Pumped to watch Joe Behrendt make some great kicks, and Josh Bichsel (sophomore-soon-to-turn-super-star) get some action as QB in the fourth. This was my first home game due to some major schedule conflicts last fall, and it was an awesome experience. QTs looked excellent--way to go Paige, Preston, Steph, and Emily! Tried to make faces at Livi Powell who was cheering directly in front of me--she coolly ignored me...probably a good idea! :) Band sounded great. Also got to see all of the other fall sports introduced! Can't wait to get to more games and matches. Headed out to the boys and girls varsity soccer games against Dover tonight!

P.S...I may live in Quakerland, but I'm a big supporter of our youth in Dover sports! Abby Helbling is rocking the tennis courts, Rachel Foltz is dominating 8th grade v-ball, and Megan Foltz is introducing the world to her super-speed in middle school cross country!

First September Post!

2009-09-03T10:27:00.003-04:00

Ah, fall. Well...September anyway! As much as I hate change, I love this transition into football season, cooler temperatures, school, etc...I'm a contradiction, I know.

First off, here's this week's Youth Specialities RealParents Newsletter!

Second...did you get your September calendar??? More importantly, did you get your super cool Amazing Race tattoo? Our Amazing Race (Kickoff Party) is Sunday, Sept. 13 from 5-6:30pm and if you show up with that tattoo, you'll win a prize! Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to be outside. Want to create your Amazing Race team ahead of time? Bring a couple of friends along!

The momentum doesn't stop there! The Youth Group is rollin' full steam ahead! Sunday, Sept. 20 is our first "normal" (are we ever normal?) youth group meeting...Junior High 5-6:30pm and Senior High 6-7:30pm. Please bring $2 for dinner.

Then on Sept. 27, bring your competitive spirit! We are rockin' THREE games at Laser Quest! Meet at 4:45pm to head up to Canton. More info to come soon!

All sorts of exciting things...keep checking back for more info, listen for announcments in service, and even watch facebook!

New Youth Sunday School Options!!

2009-08-24T10:12:00.002-04:00

Trying something new this fall, hoping to spark some life into our Youth Sunday School program...check out...

CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN SUNDAY SCHOOL

We’re giving you options for Youth Sunday School this fall! Try out something new during the 9:30am hour:

First Sundays

Meet in the Youth Room at 9:30 for interactive Bible study and fellowship for the first Sunday of every month (incl. Sept. 13)

Other Sundays:

Choose Small Group
~Meet with your small group

Choose Coffee
~Grab the Question of the Day and go to the Daily Grind

Choose Leadership
~Help lead children/preschool Sunday school (sign-ups will be provided during First Sundays)

Choose Music
~Work with the praise band to learn new skills

Choose Bible Study
~Join an adult study group

One More Volunteer Meeting!

2009-08-20T10:05:00.003-04:00

Here's the link to this week's Youth Specialities RealWorldParents Newsletter!

Thanks to all who helped out with the Guys' Cookout last Saturday at the Foltz Farm! The guys had a great time!

Just a reminder--there is only one more VOLUNTEER TRAINING on Sunday, AUGUST 30 AT 9:30AM. You *must* be re-certified in Child Protection Policy each year...this comes from Church Council, not me. Additionally there are some other resources I'd like to talk about. So please mark your calendars! Sunday, August 30th 9:30am.

Parents

2009-08-12T14:56:00.002-04:00

Here's a link to this week's RealParents Newsletter, presented by YouthSpecialities.

For those of you that missed the Parent Meeting on Monday night, you can pick up info on the Welcome Table this week.

Don't forget--the Volunteer Meeting is this coming Monday, Aug. 17th at 7pm in the Youth Room. You *must* attend this to be certified in Child Protection Policy. Everyone is re-certified every year. If you can't make it, please contact Amy!

Bigger and Better!

2009-08-08T11:36:00.002-04:00

Well we survived our camping and white water rafting trip! Pics soon to come! We had seven adults and twelve teenagers camping out in Hico, WV last Monday night. Tuesday we got up bright and early, donned our swimming gear, ate a pop-tart or two, and took a rickety bus ride to our entry point of the New River. We spent five hours on the river, stopping once for lunch. The rapids were mostly class II and III (some of which we could swim through!) and two class IVs! It was a a blast! If you missed it, don't worry--we'll do it again next summer! (Possibly as a part of our Reach Workcamp...hmm...)

On to our last event of the summer--the Guys' Only Cookout! We love our teen guys and we want them to have events specifically for them as well! Jeff Foltz has offered to open up his farm to our guys so they can cook-out, goof off, and just be guys! It is next Saturday, Aug. 15 from 7-10:30pm. Meet at J.I.M.'s Place and you will carpool to the Farm. Bring a few buddies--the more the merrier, right?!

Rafting Reminders..

2009-08-02T12:39:00.003-04:00

MEET AT J.I.M.S PLACE AT 1:30PM ON MONDAY. WE WILL RETURN BY 6:30PM (at the latest) ON TUESDAY.

What to Pack??

For Camping...
Sleeping Bag and Pillow
Appropriate pajamas (remember, you may have to get up at 3am to pee!)
Allergy meds/inhaler/OTC meds as needed
Any toiletries—there is a showerhouse at the site, if you so wish!

For Rafting...
Swimsuit
Clothes (shorts, tshirt) to wear over swimsuit
Sneakers, water shoes, or Tiva-type sandals—No Flip Flops!
Sunscreen
Towel and dry clothes for the trip home

Miscellaneous...
Spending money for dinner (Subway) on the way down and any souvenirs

**Per church policy, there is to be no drugs or alcohol brought/consumed/thought about during this trip.**

Website: www.narr.com

Location: http://www.narr.com/driving-directions.html

Rafting Details and Parent Newsletter

2009-07-23T10:05:00.003-04:00

Yet another new issues of Youth Specialities Parent Newsletter: Real World Parents!

My favorite quote this week:

Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.
- Zig Ziglar

Just a reminder--I'll be on vacation all week, so not in the office. Emails may or may not (likely, the latter) be returned. Forms and payment for the rafting trip can be turned in to the secretary during regular office hours. On Monday, Aug. 3rd, we are meeting at J.I.M.'s Place at 1:30 pm!

What to Pack?? For Camping...

Sleeping Bag and Pillow
Appropriate pajamas (remember, you may have to get up at 3am to pee!)
Allergy meds/inhaler/OTC meds as needed
Any toiletries—there is a showerhouse at the site, if you so wish!

For Rafting...

Swimsuit
Clothes (shorts, tshirt) to wear over swimsuit
Sneakers, water shoes, or Tiva-type sandals—No Flip Flops!
Sunscreen
Towel and dry clothes for the trip home

Real World Parents, presented by Youth Specialities

2009-07-16T10:05:00.001-04:00

Take a look at this week's parent newsletter from our friends at Youth Specialities!

Thought For the Day

2009-07-13T11:06:00.006-04:00

"God puts us through the good times, so we can show others how we praise Him through those times. God lets us journey through the hard times so we can show others how we praise Him through those times, as well." -Francis Chan

White Water Rafting

2009-07-09T16:02:00.003-04:00

For those who were curious for more info on the White Water Rafting Trip, here's a quote from the NARR (narr.com) website:

Lower New River Trips
This is our most popular trip, and a great introduction to whitewater rafting! The Lower New River starts slow, builds momentum gradually and delivers some mighty punches - at all water levels. You are small in the vastness of the scenic and lush gorge. The rush of the rapids makes you feel otherwise. Commercially guided trips are required to use rafts on the Lower New and NARR offers two raft formats: Standard (maximum nine plus guide) and High Adventure (maximum five plus guide).

It's mostly class II-III rapids with a couple class IV thrown in. I've rafted this a few times and enjoyed it a lot! There's a guide in every boat and they take great care of you. Sign-ups have ended but if you still want to go, I need to know ASAP! We've got a solid group of 30 kids and adults so far. Cost is $85 and I need your $20 deposit this week, plus forms. The NARR form and the church medical form are by the Youth Room door. You do need to fill out the church medical one...we have to do new ones every year.

Heeeeyy Mommmm!

2009-07-09T10:52:00.002-04:00

Here's the link to this week's Real World Parents Newsletter. Speaking of which...parents, mark your calendars for the Fall Parent Meeting on Monday, August 10 at 7pm in the Youth Room.

Half-Way?!

2009-07-07T09:54:00.003-04:00

We are currently halfway through our summer! Unbelievable, isn't it? Seems like I just began planning for summer activities, and most of them are either in progress or finished! We returned from Reach nearly two weeks ago and (hopefully!) we've all recovered. This was my second year and while there were challenges of course, this week really was awesome. Our youth are fantastic and it's been a real honor to watch God work in their lives.

Moving on to bigger and better (if possible!)...Hot Summer Nights, our 3-week series on relationships, began last week and continues again tomorrow. We'll be discussing topics such as the ways guys and girls view dating relationships, what the Bible says about sex, "how far is too far" (how I love that question!), and redemption. We also have guest speakers--this week, our new Christian Ed director, Jessica Moser, and her husband, Adam.

Mini Golf Mondays began yesterday...this is another 3 week series but it's full-on competition! We meet at Tuscora Park at 3pm and the best average score at the end wins the Golden Putter. Even if you're a little over par, it's still fun--the ice cream afterward is soo worth it! After yesterday's game, Graham Sabo is in the lead! Who can beat him??

2009-06-17T14:22:00.002-04:00

Here's the link to this week's YS Parent Newsletter!

Want to send us mail at camp?

Joe Schmoe
c/o Reach Workcamps
Annville-Cleona S.D.
500 South White Oak Street
Annville, PA 17003

It's a great day for a workcamp!

2009-06-15T14:16:00.002-04:00

The forms are signed.

The vans are rented.

The money has been raised.

The meetings are finished.

The time has been set: 7:45am next Sunday--we're heading to WORKCAMP!! :-)

Please do keep our team in prayer next week as we head out. There will be no blog updates (my phone is not THAT cool...still the basic 0-9 numbers and I'm cheap, so no web) til we get back, but I'm looking forward to an awesome time! We've got 25 kids and 5 adults going, the most we've ever had! I feel so blessed to be a part of this once again (and much more relaxed, since I went last year too!). We've got youth going for their SEVENTH time and some for their very first. Even our adults are first-timers! We've got an English teacher, a "handyman," a retired scientist, and a business owner. One of our adults is 67 years old! And he's dedicated to working with middle-schoolers. (We'll get the psychological evaluation back soon...)

Here's a list of all the youth going--pick one and pray for him or her this week:
Andrew Sopher
Dylan Teter
Paige Goodie
Jackie Cornell
Emily Milleman
Kayla Hershberger
Emily Bichsel
Lindsey Callihan
Kayla Rausch
Meredith Archer
Chris Brace
Emily Neer
Olivia Powell
Holly Wefley
Emma Mulvaney
Chloe Barnett
Adam Hershberger
Stephanie Sopher
Nicki Riker
Jared Powell
Mitchell Archer
Andy Cornell
Olyvia Ford
Graham Sabo
Owen Mulvaney

Parent Helps from Youth Specialties

2009-06-11T10:11:00.006-04:00

Here's a link to this week's Youth Specialties Real Parents Newsletter:

PS--Only 19 days, 13 hours, and 47 minutes until Reach Workcamp! :) Check out http://reachwc.org/ for more on this.

Heating Up This Summer

2009-06-10T14:22:00.003-04:00

On Sunday we had our End-of-the-Year Bash for the Youth Group! Since it's been so hot, we were able to start summer right with (what else?) a water balloon fight! We also did a few other water games--one called a "Wet T-shirt Contest." Now, I know what you're thinking..."Why the heck was my kid participating in that and why at church?!" The game was a relay and each team had a set of XXXL clothes soaking in a bucket of water at the starting line. One by one each youth had to put the soaking wet clothes *over* their regular clothes, and then run to the end of the area and back and hand off the clothes to the next team member. They could start taking the oversized shirt and shorts off on the way back, which would elicit some interesting cheers from the kids! Special thanks to Laurel and Chad for helping with games and cooking the hot dogs.

Today I'm starting to work on the lessons for our Hot Summer Nights series. What's that? you ask. Well, I'd be happy to tell you! Studies have found that among adults (i.e., those out of high school...we can argue later when adulthood begins), the majority receive a negative (either "It's bad--don't do it ever" or silence altogether) response from parents on the question of sex. For three Wednesday evenings in July (1, 8, 15) the youth will meet from 5-7 to eat dinner and talk about relationships, love, and sex. It will be an open dialogue and a safe space to ask questions. Note: This isn't a biology talk. I'm not going to explain how a girl "becomes a woman," and there certainly won't be any bananas involved! This is a time to explore what the Bible has to say about relationships, what God wants for each of us, and how we should treat each other in dating relationships. There's no age requirement nor a need to be at any certain "stage" in life. All are welcome.

Interesting Perspective for Pixar

2009-06-01T15:29:00.000-04:00

Have you seen Up? You should! Trivia: Bob Peterson, essentially the main Pixar guy for this film, is the son of our own singles minister Marlene Peterson! Here's an interesting editorial from a mom regarding the movie--do you agree?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/06/dear_pixar_from_all_the_girls.html?sc=fb&cc=fp

Ah, Summer Cometh!

2009-06-01T09:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a blast! No pics to post--but we had a great day at Sluggers 'N Putters! Most of the kids hadn't been there before, and it had been a year or two since I'd been back. With one fun pass, each youth got to pick 4 activities--gokarts, bumper boats, mini-golf, rock-climbing, batting cages, or the driving range. We definitely filled our two hours there! I was soaked when we left thanks to a few middle-school girls who shall remain nameless (plus Meredith :-)) who ganged up on me on the boats with squirt guns! Yikes!

June is going to be a pretty busy month for us (not going to lie, I enjoyed a bit of breathing room in May). This coming Sunday is our End-of-the-Year Bash from 5-6:30pm! Cookout and games...I've been thinking I want to do something like that ABC show "WipeOut"...Not sure yet how to flesh that out without major injuries, haha!

Go-Karts Anyone?

2009-05-26T11:21:00.000-04:00

Looking for something to do this weekend? Join us as we go to Sluggers 'N' Putters in Canal Fulton for mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, rock climbing, batting cages and more! Grab a friend and sign up outside the youth room door (or contact me). The cost is $15 per youth and the weather is looking to be beautiful! If you've never been there before, check out their website:

http://www.sluggers-putters.com/

We'll be meeting in the church parking lot at 2pm and hopefully returning around 5pm. You won't want to miss this!

Hello World!

2009-05-26T10:23:00.000-04:00

Hello Blogger World! Trying out a new format to get info and feedback to the families of First United Methodist Church of New Philadelphia, OH. Check back for more updates on what's new with our youth ministry (events, groups, etc.), what we're talking about, and maybe something for you to think about!

Things you'll hear about soon: Sluggers 'N' Putters trip, Reach Workcamp, and Hot Summer Nights!

Blessings,
Amy