Day Two in NOLA

No cockroach sightings yet, however we stay on guard. Today we saw Laura Plantation, where we were exposed to the rich history of the Creole people, and the reality of the slaves on the plantation. We took a walking tour from a sassy New Orleans native, who was a descendant of a plantation owner herself. We also were lead on a tour of the places where Katrina hit hardest by the knowledgeable Norm and Nicole. When we got back, we met the rambunctious RHINO staff. We ate some red beans and rice and got to chat with the compassionate Cody, Wyoming group. Then we did some singing and sermons with awesome Ashley and Andy. We wrapped up our day with a pick-up game of pool basketball and some games. Now we look forward to beginning our work with Camp RHINO tomorrow morning.
     See ya! -Kira and Maddy
P.S. Shoutout to Team Uno.
P.P.S. Shoutout to Team Turquoise.

Day One in NOLA

We emerged from the buses, tired and disoriented, into the hot and humid weather. We've taken over 2 floors of Tulane's Willow dorms. Some people swam, while others played games. We're excited to see the French Quarter tonight, and get to work on Tuesday! Kira's scared of cockroaches. We'll keep you updated!
-Maddy and Kira

Getting there is half the journey...

...assigning rooms is the half. The co-chairs at work...

Morning in Mississippi

Slowly waking. Most of the youth slept well. Anyone taller than about 5' and older than 30 slept for 20 minutes at a time in every possible uncomfortable position. 

Picnic in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (thanks for the food, folks)

Last year was hot and buggy. This year, not so much. Nice break from the bus, though.

Last Minute Great News

Just got the word...

No Pillows or sleeping bags required! Tulane is providing everything. Now you have more room in your luggage.

Bring a towel though.

We're Heading Out...

Hey Folks:

It's almost that time. Tomorrow the bus arrives at 12:30pm at the O'Shaughnessy parking lot at Saint Kate's. Get there by 12:45pm at the latest so we can pack up for a 1:00pm departure.

Bring any forms and payments not yet handed in, everything you need for a week on the road, and food for the picnic Saturday evening. (And make sure you've completed the online form, see below)

If you have any last minute questions, contact me at 612-716-3150.

Thanks to the co-chairs and adult and youth members of the committee for putting this trip together and to the congregation for making it possible!


Peace,

Tom

Mission Trip Update

Hey Folks:

About half of us still need to fill out the St. Bernard's online form. See my previous post for information and link. This needs to be done ASAP.

Peace,

Tom

One More "To Do" To Get Done

Hi Folks:

Just received an email that the online work form and waiver that the Saint Bernard Project (the people working with Camp RHINO) is available to be filled out. So let's get it done!

Go to....

http://www.formstack.com/forms/sbp-register

....and fill in "Camp RHINO-St. Paul, MN" as the group name.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Peace,

Tom

Mission Trip...Details Emerging

Hey Folks,

Here is the latest on the picnic, commissioning service, and departure.

Saturday May 31, 2014 at 12:00pm

From Maddy Frawley, co-chair of the committee...

For the picnic (this saturday at 12) my family is providing the main dish. If everyone else could bring a salad or other side dish or dessert that would be great. Last year we did't have very much food so make sure you bring enough to feed a lot of people and make sure you all bring something! Thanks! 

REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR FORMS AND PAYMENT! 

Sunday June 1, 2014

 1. At 9:30am worship we will have the Mission Trip Commissioning. It would be good to have all of the youth and adults there. Maddy and Julia will you put this on Facebook? I'll get it on the blog along with a reminder about the picnic.

2. After the service we will be selling the remaining coffee and tea and greeting folks. All hands on deck!

Saturday June 7

1. Because of the Macalester College reunion, the bus will be boarding at St. Kate's for a 1:00pm departure. Get there starting at 12:30pm so we can load up for a timely exit. Once St. Kate's determines where they want us, I'll post the information.

Peace,

Tom

Last day of school

Apparently the procedure for getting an excused absence for June 9th (the last official day for SPPS students), is to call your school office and let them know. While there are some finals scheduled for that day on the public school calendar, the Central office people said teachers are likely to give finals during the last full week, since their grades have to be posted by the 9th. 

Anne Bushnell

Youth Happenings, May 18, 2014

Hi, all!

School's out in less than month, birds are singing, leaves are bursting out of their buds, and if you can believe it, we've reached the end of our program year! To celebrate, we will be holding our end of the year potluck picnic on Sunday. If you haven't already, click here, to sign up for which dish you will be bringing. We have takers on sandwich bread, but no sandwich fillings or beverages if you are looking for the most needed items.

Additionally, it will be Sunday as usual (for the last time until fall) prior to the picnic, so here's what to expect:

9:00     Early Worship
9:00     Youth Choir
9:30      Explorers
9:30      Chapel Choir
10:45    Late Worship

See you Sunday!
Sarah

Important Mission Trip Update

Mission-Trippers:

Come Sunday for the last youth fellowship of the season. It is a potluck picnic (sign up for food on previous post) and then running around on Mac Commons.

Very Important: You will also receive an envelope containing:

1. Your bill for the mission trip

2. Camp Rhino forms

3. MPUC forms

Checks and forms are due at the Mission Trip picnic on May 31 at 12pm at the Frawley residence (1780 Lincoln Avenue).

Youth Happenings, May 11, 2014

Hi All,

Happy Mother's Day weekend! It's hard to believe, but we are down to our last two weeks of youth programs for the school year! Here's what to expect for Sunday:

9:00 Early Worship
9:00 Youth Choir
9:30 Explorers
9:30 Chapel Choir
10:45 Late Worship

No youth group this week, but looking ahead to May 18th, we will be having our end of the year picnic directly following church. Like the Christmas party, this will be pot luck style, so sign up on the Google Doc here to let me know what you will be bringing. If you have any questions, e-mail me at Sarahg@macalester-plymouth.org, otherwise I look forward to seeing you at our year-end shebang!

Thanks!
Sarah

Youth Happenings, Sunday, May 4, 2014

Hi All,

Short and sweet for this Sunday.

9:00 Early Worship
9:00 Youth Choir
9:30 Explorers
9:30 Chapel Choir
10:45 Late Worship

There will be no youth group this Sunday due to the Feed My Starving Children postponement or next week, May 11th, for Mother's Day. Stay tuned for more come on our exciting last youth group of the school year...

This Weekend...and Beyond!

Hey Folks:

First off, we have the overnight on Friday. See details in my previous post, but show up at 7pm, bring snacks and music. If someone has the stuff we need to play iPods through speakers, please bring it. We are aiming for a 10am finish on Saturday.

This Sunday
9:00am early service
9:00am youth choir
9:30am Explorers class
9:30am chapel choir
10:45am late service

Scone sales after church!

5:00pm Youth Group


Coming Up

Next Saturday: Feed My Starving Children is postponed until a later date to be determined.

Next Sunday: No youth group.

That's all for now. Peace,

Tom

Big Reminder for Mission Trippers

This Friday, April 25th, is the bread bake overnight. Mark it on your calendars and be there at 7pm. We have a special guest at 7:30 that we want to be in place for.

What's going on? Most like we'll be prepping ingredients for scones that will be baked and sold on Sunday after the service. There'll be other activities to prepare us for the mission trip itself.

I've reserved the church until noon, but we'll likely finish around 10am on Saturday after breakfast and clean up.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you!


Peace,

Tom

Happy Easter!

No Youth Activities Sunday

Youth Happenings Sunday, April 13, 2014 and Beyond

Hi All!

Hope you had a restful spring break! Now we're back to the grind and back to our usual youth schedule... at least for a week.

Here's what to expect for Sunday:

9:00am Early Worship
9:00am Youth Choir
9:30am Chapel Choir
9:30am Explorers or Adult Forum
10:45am Late Worship
5-7pm Youth Fellowship (Mandatory Mission Trip Meeting for senior high. Junior high with me, Sarah, for The Sandwich Project. We will be assembling 150 simple sandwiches to be sent to area shelters.)

ALSO, Mark your calendars! SATURDAY, MAY 3rd, we will be headed up to Coon Rapids to serve and assemble meals at Feed My Starving Children from 11:30am-1:30pm. I need to submit participant names in advance, so if you think you will be going, come prepared to sign up at youth group this week. If you are a parent and can either drive or volunteer at FMSC, please e-mail me at sarahg@macalester-plymouth.org ASAP. If we fill all our available spots, we will need three additional adults besides myself to volunteer at the site.

Thanks! See you in Church,
Sarah

Youth Happenings Sunday April 6, 2014 and Mark Your Calendars!

Hey Folks:

We're still on our Spring Break schedule, though today hardly looks like Spring!

This Sunday the schedule is:

9:00am Early Worship
9:00am Youth Choir
9:30am Chapel Choir
9:30am Explorers or Adult Forum
10:45am Late Worship

No Youth Group today but....

Next Sunday, April 13, Mandatory Mission Trip Meeting for Youth. We will be doing silent auction follow up and start talking plans for the trip. Junior High will be with Sarah.

Peace,

Tom