Uncharted Territories...Big Deal!

Hey Everyone:

Thsi is the year of the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. You may recall one of our youth group graduates coming and telling us all about it and an earlier youth group. As she pointed out, we have not had youth attend triennium for many, many years (possibly nine). Let's change that!

Youth Triennium is a gathering of around 5000 youth at Purdue University for July 15-20, 2013 and seeks to connect youth with experiences that inspire them to be alert and active and to seek ways to connect their lives with their growing faith.

This is a major opportunity for high school youth looking to have a significant faith and leadership experience as well as make connections with others from around the country. You can find out more about the event by going to www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org .

The cost is $469.00, plus travel. We are committed to making sure money is not an issue for anyone interested in this opportunity. I just spoke with the local rep and he said if we can get back to him in a couple weeks we can probably still get a few youth on board.

Please contact me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org or 651-698-8871 if you have questions or are interested.

For those without summer jobs or volunteer positions, this could be a great way to have a major addition to your life experience but also your resume.

Peace,

Tom

Hey, It's Snowing!

...and apprarently icing. I'm above to leave for church. My instinct is to say that if you feel it is unsafe to travel, please do not. So tonight's mandatory meeting has been downgraded to "only if you can make it" safely." Please do not take any chances with safety.

Peace,

Tom

Sunday January 27, 2013

Hey All:

This Sunday...

Choir-No choir practice

Explorers-None, because we have one service at 9:30am, so be at that. Hannah B. is liturgising, cheer her on!

Annual meeting at 10:45am-show up, be a voice in the church! (Some Mission Trippers will be selling coffee and scones, I believe Henry B. is a contact for that, check on the Facebook group)

Youth Group-5:00-7:00pm, with a mandatory parent/youth mission trip meeting at 6pm for Mission Trip folk (and it will be darn good seeing all of you again.)

Peace,

Tom

December and January Schedule 2013

Hey Folks,

I won't be around for a few weeks starting December 27, so there won't be weekly updates again until later in January. Here is everything going on through January 2013. This information will also be repeated in the Here and Now and the weekly bulletins. Happy a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

12/23/12          No Explorers, Confirmation, or Youth Group

                        Youth choir rehearsal 9:00-9:30am

                        Chapel choir rehearsal 9:30-10:15am

12/24/12          Choir call time 4:00pm for Christmas Eve Service

12/30/12          No Explorers, Confirmation, or Youth Group

                        There will be no choir rehearsal.

1/6/13              Explorers for 6^th-8^th grade 9:30-10:30am

                        Youth choir rehearsal 9:00-9:30am

                        Chapel choir rehearsal 9:30-10:15am

                        Confirmation for 8^th grade 3:30-5:00pm

                        Youth Group 5:00-7:00pm

1/13/13            Explorers for 6^th-8^th grade 9:30-10:30am

                        Youth choir rehearsal 9:00-9:30am

                        Chapel choir rehearsal 9:30-10:15am

                        Confirmation for 8^th grade 3:30-5:00pm

                        Youth Group 5:00-7:00pm

           

1/20/13            No Explorers, Confirmation, or Youth Group

                        Youth choir rehearsal 9:00-9:30am

                        Chapel choir rehearsal 9:30-10:15am

1/25-1/26/13    Confirmation Retreat for 8^th grade (details coming soon)

1/27/13            No Explorers or Confirmation

                        No Choir

                        Youth Group 5-7pm; Mandatory Mission Trip

                        Meeting with Parents starts at 6:00pm

Updates on Youth Mission Trip

Here are some updates for the Youth Mission Trip.

There is an important fundraiser coming up on Sunday the 23^rd.  The task is wrapping packages at Barnes & Noble in Highland.  Sounds fun, and will be pretty good one for money.  One shift begins that day at one PM, and the second begins at five.

We need 4 to 6 youths for this event.  Please go to the Facebook Group or communicate directly with Henry B. to sign up for this event.

So far there have been a number of fundraising events, and with a few exceptions all of the volunteering has been done by members of the Committee.  Just to remind folks, the participation in fundraising is both critical to making the trip happen, as well as directly determines how much a family would have to pay in June for youth to go.

The next fund raising opportunity will be at the end of January with the baking of scones and brewing of coffee for the church’s annual meeting.

Later that evening, the 27^th of January, we will have a mandatory trip meeting that will include parents beginning at 6:00 PM.  More details to follow.

John S. is hiring the coach bus this week, and the budget is coming together.  At this time the trip expense per youth out of pocket will probably be between $200 and $250.  And, of course, that assumes that the youth fully participate in fundraising.  For those who miss a bunch of the events, the cost will be quite a bit higher.

Sunday the 16th-Super Early Edition

Hey All:

OK, it's the Christmas party this week. More on that below.

First, Sunday happenings:

No 9:00am Service
9:00-9:30am Youth Choir Rehearsal
9:30-10:15am Chapel Choir Rehearsal
9:30-10:30am Explorers (6th-8th grade)
10:45-11:45am Worship-It's the Christmas Pageant!

3:30-5:00pm Confirmation (for 8th grade)

5:00-7:00pm Christmas Party:

Grades 6-8, bring a main dish
Grades 9-10, desserts
Grades 11-12, healthy stuff

Sam will be firing up the homemade soda maker (thanks Sam)

All, please bring wrapped White Elephant present, which according to memory is a gift under five dollars (can even be a re-gift).

Also, bring movies and games and we'll make sure all this goodness mixed together makes this the best Christmas party of the 21st century. Not just so far, but forever.

I look forward to seeing you all,

Tom

Sunday Update!

I've tested the roads and they are pretty bad, so no confirmation or youth group today. Stay inside.

That said, Roger Barr will still be reading his story at 4pm and Brian and I will be here, so if you don't get this message, you at least won't show up to a closed building with no one in it.

More on next week's party later thsi week.

Peace,

Tom

Youth Happenings December 9, 2012

Hey All:

Here's what's going on....

December 9, 2012
Worship 9:00-9:30am
Explorers 9:30-10:30am
Worship 10:45-11:45am
Confirmation 3:30-5:00pm
Youth Group 4:00-6:00pm-NOTE THE TIME CHANGE and that there will be NO DINNER!
We will be attend Roger Barr's reading of his Christmas Story and then finish planning the Christmas Party. Because I will be with the confirmation class at 4:00pm, look for Brian.


December 16, 2012
No 9:00am worship
Explorers 9:30-10:30am
Worship 10:45am-11:45am (Christmas Pageant)
Youth Group 5:00-7:00pm Christmas Party at Church
What we do know so far, is food-related:
Grades 6-8, bring a main dish
Grades 9-10, desserts
Grades 11-12, healthy stuff

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Tom

Youth Reminders for Sunday

This Sunday starts a series of unusual times for youth group because of the season we are in and the events we do. Nevertheless I hope to see you all for the events we have planned!

So.....

Sunday, December 2, 2012
We meet from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Some will shop for the Aliveness Project families and others will help with the Round the Table Carol Sing Set Up. Marsha will be bringing in a ton of Subway sandwiches. Please remember to bring $20.00 as able to donate toward holiday baskets for the families we adopted.

We need an extra parent or two who can drive a handful of youth to Target to shop. I will be able to take four, but it would be nice to be able to have 6-8 more youth working on this part. Ask your parents, or if you are a parent, let me know if you are available.

Call or email me if there are any questions.

Peace,

Tom

Youth Happenings for the Rest of the Year

Youth Happenings-Please note special times and instructions for each Sunday

November 25: No Confirmation or Youth Group. Thanksgiving Weekend.

December 2: Youth Group is 12pm-2pm. We will be shopping for Aliveness Project Families (bring $20.00) and helping set up for Round the Table Carol Sing. No Confirmation.

December 9: Explorers at 9:30 am. Confirmation is at 3:30pm.Youth Group is 4pm-6pm. We will be attending Roger Barr’s reading of his 2012 installment of his annual Christmas story. No meal that night so eat first.

December 16: Explorers at 9:30am. Confirmation is at 3:30pm. Youth Group Holiday Party at 5pm (at church). More details to follow on the party.

December 23: No Explorers, Confirmation, or Youth Group. Winter Break

December 30: No Explorers, Confirmation, or Youth Group. Winter Break.

Urgent need for more volunteers Wednesday.

Hey,

The Youth need two - three more folks for the Kowalski's Bagging fundraiser on Wednesday, 11 -5.  Go to Facebook group ASAP for details. Or text/call  Maddy Frawley.

Sounds like a fun one.

It is also a good one for the money it will raise.

If this great fundraising opportunity doesn't get done due to insufficient participation, it will mean an additional $25 per youth in fees come June when the cash participation amount is figured out.

And just so everybody understands, this opportunity is also one that will count when it comes time to see who did want, out of the fundraising effort. As in prior years, youth will need to participate in these kinds of events, or their families will have to come up with more dough to go on the trip.

Thanks,

Youth Happenings Sunday, November 18, 2012

9:30am-10:30am Explorer's Class for 6th-8th grade
10:45am-11:45am Worship
3:30pm-5:00pm Confirmation Class for 8th grade
5:00pm-7:00pm Youth Group*

* The youth mission trip committee will meet at 6pm.

I look forward to seeing everyone Sunday!

Tom

From Mission Trip Co-Chair Maddy Frawley

Fundraising Opportunities:
Leaf Raking: This Saturday 10-6ish? As many people as possible Contact Jimmy Morrissey for info
Coffee Sales: Every Sunday, 3 people per week sign up with Julia Schafer
Kowalski's bagging. At least 8 more people! Wednesday November 21 11am-5pm (SPPS has the day off). Contact Maddy Frawley.

Youth Happenings Sunday November 11, 2012

Hey All:

Here's what's happening Sunday....

9:30-10:30am Explorer's Class for 6th-8th grade
10:45-11:45am Worship
12:00-1:00pm Congregational Mission Conversation. Let your voice be heard on what mission means to you and what you think it should mean for MPUC. This is a whole congregation event.
3:30-5:00pm Confirmation for 8th graders and their parents
5:00-7:00pm Youth Group for 6th-12th Grade

Important: Mission Trippers...send your Give to the Max emails now! See the previous entry for details.

Very Important for Your To Do List: Give to the Max Info for Mission Trippers

Thanks to Katie Sterns and Chris Kemp (and others), we are up and running on an alternative to the letter writing campaign. This one just requires a copy and paste and send to your family and friends through email. Give to the Max Day is November 15, so send as many of these off and as soon as possible and then on November 15 send a reminder.

Please remember that participation in fundraising affects the amount of your out of pocket cost. This is an easy way to take a chunk out of that.

The letter can be found at this link.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BceSQOFa3xo7S3FiyuyBdtcAlzew-3y8Vc94boGLGlc/edit

Youth Happenings Sunday November 4, 2012

9:30-10:30am Explorers Class for 6th-8th grade

10:45am-11:45am Worship. Simon Brown is liturgist. If you would like to be liturgist some Sunday let me (Tom) know. I always enjoy working with one of the youth as the liturgist.

5:00pm-7:00pm Youth Group. Most likely activity based since we had a mission trip meeting for the Sr. High and an educational event for the Jr. High.

*The Mission Trip Planning Committee will be meeting during youth group (after dinner).

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Tom

Youth Happenings Sunday October 28, 2012

9:30am-10:30am Exploers Class for 6th-8th grade
10:45am-11:45am Worship (all grades)
5:00pm-7:00pm Youth Group for 6th-12th grade

Very Important Reminder: there is a mandatory parent/youth meeting for those wishing to go on the 2013 Mission Trip this Sunday 6-7pm in the Plymouth Room (upstairs)! Youth, come for the first hour of youth group in the fellowship hall and then join your parents at 6pm for the meeting.

Peace,

Tom

Mission Trip Fundraising: Youth Coordinator for Coffee Sales Needed!

From Tanya Bell:

The last two years we have had requests to add coffee sales to the fall – so here we are!!!!  We will sell coffee at church over three Sundays in November and again next Spring.  We can also do personal sales if you have loyal customers who will buy from you (good holiday gifts!).  We will post the order form a bit later.

For now – we need a few volunteers.  We need a youth to lead the effort and confirm volunteers for the Sundays.  We will need youth to sign up for a Sunday – the dates are November 3, 1o and 17.  We need at least two each Sunday.  We also need someone to make signs (bright and suggesting Holiday sales ideas etc..)

Thanks!

Youth Happenings October 21 and 28

Hi Folks:

This Sunday (October 21) there is no Children's Education, Explorer's Class, or Youth Group because of MEA weekend.

The following Sunday (October 28) will be the first parent /youth meeting regarding the 2013 mission trip. Participation is mandatory for those wishing to go on the trip. It will go from 6:00-7:00pm.

Peace,

Tom

Youth Happenings for October 14, 2012

This coming Sunday....

9:30-10:30am Explorers Class for grades 6-8
5:00-7:00pm Youth Group for grades 8-12. Part of the time the senior high will meet separately to talk about where the 2013 Mission Trip is going to be, don't miss it! This is not the parent/youth meeting, that will be scheduled later.

Important Note: The following weekend (Sunday, October 21) there will be no Sunday school for K-5th, Explorers class for 6-8th, or youth group because of MEA weekend.


Have a good week,


Tom