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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Youth Happenings 9/30/12

9:30am-10:30am Explorer's class for 6th-8th graders
10:45am-11:45am Worship service for everyone
5:00pm-7:00pm Youth Group for 6th-12th grade

Thanks to everyone for participating in last week's mission trip adult forum and worship service. The mission trip planning committee met later that evening and should have some updates in the next couple of weeks regarding the 2013 mission trip.

Peace,

Tom

Friday, September 21, 2012

Important Details for Mission Trip Sunday (9/23/12)

Hey All:

This Sunday is the Mission Trip Worship Service. Here is everything you need to know:

We are the subject of the adult forum. Let's have a good showing for this. Meet Marsha in the Sanctuary at 9:15am and when I am done with the early service in the Plymouth Room, everybody come on in.

At 10:15am we will meet in the Santuary to prepare for the service. I have prepared bulletins for each of you that indicated when you go up and read your piece. I also have some liturgy pieces (call to worship, prayer of confession, and benediction) so if you are so inspired. And hopefully three of you are. I will also be looking for a few folks to help with the children's time.

If you have not written a paragraph yet, bring it with you. We'll make it happen.

Wear your t-shirt we got on the trip if you can find it.

Any questions or concerns, please contact me. Let's knock this one out of the park!

Peace,

Tom

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dates to Remember

September 14: Fall Retreat, we leave church at 7pm, so show up for packing the cars at 6:45pm. You can find a packing list in the posting from a few days ago, but please be especially mindful that phones, music players, or any other electronic devices are not allowed.

September 16: We plan to return to church to noon so that you can pick the youth up after the late service. No youth fellowship that afternoon.

September 23: Youth Mission Trip Service at the 10:45am service! The youth are also leading the adult forum at 9:30am. Please show up at 9:15am for this. Those who participated in the 2012 mission trip will be preparing for the service this weekend at the retreat. Ninth graders and those who did not participate are invited to show their support for their peers by being service.

September 23: This date is also the start of the Explorer's class for 6-8th grade. It goes from 9:30-10:30am. It is considered part of the confirmation program.

November 11: The first meeting of the 2012-2013 confirmation class for 8th graders. This will meet from 3:30-5:00pm and parents are asked to be there.

March 17, 2013: The Confirmation Service at the 10:45am service.

Thanks and Peace,

Tom

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Can It Be?

Normally we are still putting all the pieces together up until the last minute, but I think we are good to go for the Fall Retreat. We have 34 youth going and just enough seats for everyone so pack light and show up at 6:45pm on Friday.

This year we have buildings for both the boys and girls, so there will be plenty of space for everyone when we arrive.

Adults (other than me) spending the weekend are Ed Steinhauer, Marsha Berry, Mike Weckesser, and Cathy Gnatek. Dean and Sara Sabetti will also be up with us, so there will be plenty of chaperones/adults. My thanks in advance to them for giving their time and their talent!

People transporting youth are Jim Berg, Laura Donovan, Lee Schafer, and Michael Florey. Many, many thanks!

If you need to reach your youth during the weekend (or vice versa), I will have my cell phone with me. The number is 612-716-3150.

We'll see you Friday, but please contact me in the meantime with any questions or concerns.

Peace,

Tom

Friday, September 7, 2012

September 9, 2012 Youth Program

Hey All:

This Sunday is Rally Day. Though Explorer's Class does not begin until the 23rd, Youth Group will meet 5-7pm. Brian and I are looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Please bring forms and checks for the retreat to youth group. We have 34 youth signed up and have found a fourth chaperone. Two more are need, however and probably three drivers. Please see the previous post for more details. If you are interested in chaperoning or driving and want to know where we are going, visit: http://koinoniaretreatcenter.org/ .

Peace,

Tom

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wow! Plus, a Packing List and Other Forms

Hi Folks:

Thanks for your response to my request for confirmations that youth are attending the retreat. We are currently looking at 33 youth going, but I believe that number is going to increase. This is the largest group we've had that I'm aware of. The grade range is broad so new folk should feel very welcome as should people for whom this is their umpteenth retreat.

So, three things:

1. Here are links to the event flier and health form if you haven't submitted one yet, as well as a document that contains a schedule and a packing list.

https://products.connectionpower.com/products/common/devedit_uploads/flash/16391/YouthDocuments/Fall2012RetreatSchedulePackingList.pdf
https://products.connectionpower.com/products/common/devedit_uploads/flash/16391/YouthDocuments/Fall2012YouthRetreatFlier.pdfhttps://products.connectionpower.com/products/common/devedit_uploads/flash/16391/YouthDocuments/Fall2012RetreatConsentForm.pdf

2. Currently we have three adults going: Youth Elders Ed Steinhauer and Marsha Berry and me. It would be nice to have a better adult/youth ratio. If you want to get away for a nice weekend and you enjoy working with youth, this is your chance. There is not a lot you have to do except be a caring presence for our youth. Contact me ASAP if this interests you as we need to run background checks. Email me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org


3. Assuming six adults with cars, we still need, as with years past, supplementary drivers: folks who might enjoy a car ride and can take a car full of youth, drop them off or come pick them up, or both. Please contact me if you are willing to do this. Again, please email me with your availability.

This is a logistical challenge that we are very fortunate to have, though we need your help.

What a great start to the year!

Peace,

Tom

Monday, September 3, 2012

Important Notices for Parents and Youth

Parents and Youth:

The youth programming season is fast upon us. Here is a short to-do list for you....

1. Remember youth group starts next Sunday. It goes from 5-7pm. It is for grades 6-12.
2. There is no explorers class (for grades 6-8) next Sunday (the 9th). Nor will there will explorers class on the 16th because of the Fall Youth Retreat.
3. Speaking of which, the Fall Youth Retreat is September 14-16. Koinonia needs to have an idea of how many youth are coming. Even if you don't have your form in, at least send me an email letting me know whether or not to expect you.
4. Prior to the retreat I will be posting a packing list, so.....
5. Make sure you are signed up to receive blog update notifications.
6. Senior high youth: be thinking of mission trip ideas to discuss at the retreat.

Contact me with any questions. I'm looking forward to a great start of the year!


Tom