Youth Happenings, Sunday, November 23rd

Hi All!

No youth group this Sunday, but morning activities will continue as usual.

9:00am Early Worship

9:30am Explorers in Rex Knowles

10:45pm Late Worship

We will be taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will come back together in December. Enjoy the weekend "warm-up"!

Thanks,
Sarah

A Message from the Mission Trip Co-Chairs

To all youth and adults going on the youth mission trip to New Jersey in June 2015, please fill out the form below as soon as possible. Ocean County LTRG requires this information and we would like to send it to them sooner rather than later.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EYHFTpIgDmQ-acBEWLi5BVM7xC1NZoNloOh-QqnecgY/viewform?usp=send_form

 

The fifty dollar deposit for youth participating in the mission trip is due to Tom by Sunday, November 23rd. 

Youth Happenings, Sunday, November 9th

Hi All,

Explorers Class 9:30-10:30am

Late Worship 10:45am

Youth Service Project 1-3pm

Confirmation class for 8th graders and their parents 3:30-5:00pm

For this month's service project, we will be headed to Minneapolis to serve the children and families of Mary's Place, a transitional family centered shelter. While there, we will supervise the playroom, a space that is otherwise closed without volunteer groups, but a very important area for kids to let off some steam during their stay at the shelter.  If you would like to go, please meet in the social hall at 12:30 to carpool over there.

See you Sunday!
Sarah

Youth Choir Starts Tonight! Our Youth Choir (a.k.a. “Chapel Choir”) starts tonight, Wednesday, November 5th at Macalester Plymouth from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Students grades 4-12 are welcome to join the choir. No prior experience or music education is necessary to participate—just a desire to learn and a love of singing. Rehearsals will take place in the sanctuary on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Students will sing a wide and diverse range of music. Plus they will learn the fundamentals of voice technique, sight-reading, music theory, history, literature, and discover how music is part of our church and the greater world around us. The Choir will take an active role in our Sunday worship services this year—starting in the upcoming Advent season—and will also  participate in community service work through singing. It’s going to be a wonderful adventure! Come join us for a fun and rewarding music experience! Come to rehearsal tonight for sign up or contact Brad at music@macalester-plymouth.org.   Looking forward to seeing you tonight! -- Dr. Brad Bradshaw, DMA Director of Music Macalester Plymouth United Church 1658 Lincoln Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105 U.S.A. 612-720-9271 (Mobile) 651-698-8871 (Main)

Time to make a commitment to the 2015 Mission Trip

Greetings

It is time to make a commitment to the 2015 Mission Trip to continue the work of recovery from Super storm Sandy in New Jersey. It may be early, but we need a way for the planners to be able to communicate to our hosts in New Jersey about how many to expect, and make other arrangements.

We need to collect the $50 deposit by November 23, a Sunday. This is technically a nonrefundable deposit, as no refunds ever come from the programs where we participate, but every reasonable effort has been made in the past to refund any deposit in the event the youth is unable to go.

The deposit money will go to securing our spots.

Hope everyone can go, this looks to be a very challenging and interesting week in New Jersey.

Lee

Youth Happenings November 2nd, 2014

Hey Folks:

This Sunday:

Explorers 9:30-10:30am

Youth Group 5:00-7:00pm. Game night. We will be playing board games, so bring one!


Next Sunday (November 9):

Confirmation class for 8th graders 3:30-5:00pm. Parents come too. Parents, if you have not RSVP'd your youth's involvement please do so ASAP by emailing me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org.

Peace,

Tom

Youth Happenings, October 19, 2014

Happy MEA Weekend! In honor of the fact that so many of you do so many neat things on this glorious MN school holiday, there will be No Explorers or youth group this week.

Do, however, plan for the corn maze next week and let me know if you will be there! Here are the details for your scheduling purposes:

Youth Group Corn Maze at the Twin Cities Harvest Festival

Meet: Sunday, October 26th at 3:45 in social hall to assign cars and head out.

Bring: Yourself and $12 for admission.

Return: We will be back at church around 6:30pm

e-mail sarahg@macalester-plymouth.org with questions or to let me know you'll be there.

See you then!
Sarah

Youth Happenings, October 12, 2014

Hi All!

Sunday as usual in the morning, meaning 

9:30am Explorers

10:45am  Late Worship

Post worship, things will be a little different. This Sunday will be the first of many "Service Sundays" this year, meaning we will meet right after worship for a service event in leiu of holding evening youth group.

CROP Walk is this Sunday and we want to have a large youth showing for this fun, outdoor charity event!

Where: St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church (right next to Luther Seminary off Hwy 280). 

When: This Sunday, October 12th at 1pm

How far: There are two options, 2.5 miles or 5 miles. I was thinking 2.5, but am open to 5 if youth are up for it.

How much should be raised: There is no minimum or max. We were asking youth to shoot for $20, but all are welcome no matter the amount raised.

Where does the money go: Proceeds go to helping area food banks, pantries, community gardens, and other hunger initiatives. You can find out more at  http://www.cwsglobal.org/crop-hunger-walk/files/crop-hunger-walk-brochure-pr1126.pdf

What should your child bring: A bag lunch, Good walking shoes, any funds raised, and the following parent consent form, signed.http://www.cwsglobal.org/crop-hunger-walk/files/chwconsentform.pdf

Do I need to register: Yes! Please let me know if you will be attending ASAP as well as setting a fundraising goal 

Youth will meet in the social hall following Sunday worship. We will be tabling  for congregational support until 12:15pm before heading out in cars to St. Anthony Park Lutheran. If you will be joining us, but would like to meet up at SAPL, please let me know ahead of time and come ready with your consent form. 

We will need parent drivers, so if you are available, please let me know. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or to register. 

I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!

Sarah

Youth Happenings, October 5, 2014

Hi all,

The air is crisp, leaves are changing, and talk of Homecoming fills our Sunday evenings. This can only mean one thing, it's fall and our program year is in full swing.

This Sunday you can expect:

Explorers Class (Grades 6-8) 9:30-10:30am

Late Worship 10:45am

Youth Fellowship 5-7pm

Mission Trip Meeting for Senior High and their parents 7pm

Looking Ahead:

Big stuff coming up!

This Sunday, be sure to sign up for the CROP Walk to end hunger. The Mac-Plymouth youth group will be forming a team to "End Hunger One Step at a Time" and we want you! Sign up with me, prior to the event either at fellowship or anytime before the event over e-mail. We will meet near the piano in the social hall right after church on October 12th before heading over in car groups to St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church for the walk. The walk begins at 1pm. There may be some sort of food for participants, but bring a bag lunch just in case.

October 19th We will not be holding Youth Programs due to MEA weekend.

October 26th Youth Group Corn Maze Trip

Thanks!
Sarah

This Weekend and a Couple of Mark Your Calendar Events

Hey Folks:

This Sunday we have...

9:30-10:30am Explorer's Class (6th-8th Grade)

5:00-7:00pm Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)

8th Graders....A letter should be on its way to your house giving details about this year's confirmation program. Contact me if you haven't received anything by next week.

2015 Mission Trip....We are going to New Jersey to help with Superstorm Sandy Relief June 13-21st. If this sounds like your kind of thing, there is a parent and youth mission trip meeting at 7pm October 5 (after youth group). Should be a 30-45 minute meeting.

Peace,

Tom

This Sunday... Big Stuff

Hey Folks:

Here's the schedule....

9:15am people who went on the 2014 mission trip meet in the sanctuary to prep for the 9:30am adult forum

9:30am Explorer's Class for grades 6-8

9:30am 2014 Mission Trippers lead Adult Forum

10:15am 2014 Mission Trippers meet in Sanctuary to prep for the Mission Trip Service. If you did not submit something for the booklet there is still a part for you.

5:00-7:00pm Youth Group for Junior and Senior High

We look forward to seeing everyone at something on Sunday!

Tom

Mission Poll: Immediate Attention Required

At the Fall Youth Retreat we discussed our options for the mission trip this year. The one plan that was brought to the group was to work with the Presbyterian Disaster Association in New Jersey for Superstorm Sandy Relief. A host church had been identified as has an organization that will provide work for us to do. 

See more details at http://oceancountyltrg.org

While the majority of the youth present supported the plan, several of the youth were missing and we want to give an opportunity for all to be heard. This poll will be here on the blog, on the youth Facebook page, and circulated through Ed's email list.

Please answer the following by Friday, September 19:

1. If you are planning in participating in the mission trip, do you vote in favor of the Superstorm Sandy relief trip?

2. Which week is more favorable for you: June 13-June 21 or June 20-28?

3. If you wish to participate in the mission trip but are not in favor of the Superstorm Sandy relief trip, are you willing to provide an alternative option by Friday? Helpful details would include lodging, work details, and cost.

Respond to Erica at ericacraddock@gmail.com

Thanks for you attention to this matter:

Tom, Avery, and Erica

On time arrival from the fall retreat

We are on the way back to St. Paul and expect to arrive between 11:45 and noon at the church. Good weather, good community, good weekend. 

Youth Events This Weekend

Hi All:

This weekend, because of the youth retreat there will be no Explorers Class or Youth Group.

Next Weekend: Mission Trip Worship Service at 10:45am! We are also leading the adult forum at 9:30am. By the end of this weekend you will have your part for the service. If you are not coming on the retreat, contact me so that we can make sure your voice is heard in the service.

Peace,

Tom

Retreat Update

Hey All:

The mission trip is right around the corner...

1. Bus boards at 5:30, not 5:00. That was my mistake, sorry. Remember to eat dinner before heading over.

2. Forms and packing list are available on the MPUC website.

And, very important...

Please email me if you are attending and haven't submitted forms or otherwise notified me...we need a head count

My email is:

Tome@macalester-plymouth.org

While on the retreat youth can be reached on my cellphone # which is 612-716-3150.

Looking forward to a great weekend!

Peace,

Tom

Rally Sunday!

Some reminders for this coming Sunday (the 7th):

There will be Explorers at 9:30am for 6-8th graders

Youth Choir is on hold until October after the new music director is in place.

Youth Group (6th-12th grade) meets 5-7pm

Forms for the Fall Retreat  (September 12-14) will be available Sunday Morning. Please bring them to youth group along with payment (cost is $125.00). Ed has also sent form to folks for whom he has an email address. If you did not receive one and would like to have one emailed to you, email me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org.

Good news! We have a full adult team for the retreat. Thank you to all who volunteered.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

Tom

Save the Date(s)!

Hey Folks:

It getting to be that time! Please put the following dates on your calendar....

Sunday September 7, 5:00-7:00pm: Youth Group is back! (6-12th grade)

Friday September 12 at 5:30pm to Sunday September 14 at 12:15pm: The Fall Retreat at Pilgrim Point (6th-12th Grade)

Sunday September 21 at 9:30am 2014 Mission Trip Youth lead Adult Ed and then the Mission Trip Worship Service at 10:30am

p.s., we need a techie for getting pictures together for the slideshow and making that happening. Let me know if you are that person.

Sarah and I are both looking forward to a great year with all of you.

Peace,

Tom

Last Pictures from Norm

I have uploaded the last of my pictures from our morning at Second Harvest to the picture site (link to the right). We sorted and boxed up drinks and then got a tour of the facility. When they rebuilt, they added extra space to their frig and freezer and they rent the space to other organizations (as a matter of fact, one of their refrigerators is completely used by a wine distributor.)  The rental income from these coolers completely pays their mortgage expenses.

Arrival at church

We are cruising through Iowa with most of the bus sound asleep. If folks stay asleep we will arrive at church at about 7:30. We might take a short stretch break, which would put us closer to 8:00. 

See you at church. 

Catching up on the bus - part 2

With yesterday afternoon free, a small group of us ventured to the Louisiana State Museum (Presbytere) to visit the exhibit "Living with hurricanes: Katrina and beyond."  After spending the week contemplating the impact of the storm nine years ago, listening to stories about community and cultural rejuvenation, and observing both progress and dormancy it was sobering to experience this exhibit.  One room was a hodgepodge of oral histories, covering everything from everyday heroes in the community, to search and rescue teams, experiences at the Superdome, and stories about futile attempts at evacuation.  Another covered the engineering of the levee system and my camera cannot do justice to the wall-sized computer graphic of the map of New Orleans that showed a timed progression of the levees breaking and subsequent flooding across the area.

I learned about the "Dutch Dialogues," a collaboration between Dutch urban planners/designers, engineers, landscape architects and hydrology experts and their Louisiana counterparts around the idea of "living with water" in a planful way.  If you are interested, visit this website:    http://dutchdialogues.com

The images I'll share remind me of both the devastation (some that is still present) and the rebirth of a great city, one that gets serious when it needs to, but also knows how to NOT take itself too seriously...

This is the side of a house, marked by FEMA after searching the interior.  It indicates the state of the "hazards" inside and if anyone (or any pet - seen here) was found alive or dead.  Several uninhabited structures throughout the city still bear these marks.

These are costumes made out of the blue tarps that covered the roofs of the city after Katrina.  Initially designed for a fundraiser, the "Blue Tarp Costume Fashion Show" held in January, 2006 - these were later donned at Mardis Gras.