To all members of our Messiah's Youth Community,
We have decided to postpone Youthnite this Easter Week. So, there will be no Word for the Hungry Bible Study this Wednesday, March 26th, but we'll be back the following week, April 2nd. Instead, this Wednesday we will begin planning our Annual Youth Mission's Dinner. The Dinner, scheduled for May 2nd, is a large undertaking, and we realize we need to start now and include as many as possible in the planning. So all leaders, 412 members, students even remotely thinking of going on the trip and their parents are invited. The Mission's Trip Planning meeting runs from 6:30-8:00 this Wed, March 26th. Please reply with any questions you may have.
Blessings of the Risen Christ,
Dave
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Messiah's Youth March Update
To all Messiah's Youth, parents and leaders,
It is Lent. No, really it is. After a very busy season for Messiah's Youth we have slowed ourselves down, from a fast paced to a Lenten rhythm. From January through late February we had a rather intense (^) season of events: Confirmation Retreat, Monster Lock-In, Phat Tuesday Pancake Supper, a visit from the Teen Challenge Choir, and Acquire the Fire. Thank you to all the youth who attended, those who invited friends, parents for your support and to all the leaders who gave so much of their time. We have also seen a few new emphases, with a new Confirmation Class of ten students, a new Sr Hi Sunday School Class (known as Relevant Meet!), and a Youthnite focus on 'Being--and Breaking--Free from Drug and Alcohol Abuse.' We end this series tomorrow, March 5th, at 6:30 in theLoft, with a time of commitment. It’s Catacomb Night, with quiet worship, a very special presentation from Teen Challenge and prayer with our Healing Team. I'd especially like to invite parents to join us; I believe the information shared by Teen Challenge can lead to important and positive conversations at home.
Of course, we continue to be in prayer for our former intern and leader Emily Liddiard, after her serious car accident in Colorado. She is home in Michigan and doing miraculously well, thanks be to God. For more about Em, you can read her Caring Bridge journal.
With every blessing,
Dave
It is Lent. No, really it is. After a very busy season for Messiah's Youth we have slowed ourselves down, from a fast paced to a Lenten rhythm. From January through late February we had a rather intense (^) season of events: Confirmation Retreat, Monster Lock-In, Phat Tuesday Pancake Supper, a visit from the Teen Challenge Choir, and Acquire the Fire. Thank you to all the youth who attended, those who invited friends, parents for your support and to all the leaders who gave so much of their time. We have also seen a few new emphases, with a new Confirmation Class of ten students, a new Sr Hi Sunday School Class (known as Relevant Meet!), and a Youthnite focus on 'Being--and Breaking--Free from Drug and Alcohol Abuse.' We end this series tomorrow, March 5th, at 6:30 in theLoft, with a time of commitment. It’s Catacomb Night, with quiet worship, a very special presentation from Teen Challenge and prayer with our Healing Team. I'd especially like to invite parents to join us; I believe the information shared by Teen Challenge can lead to important and positive conversations at home.
Of course, we continue to be in prayer for our former intern and leader Emily Liddiard, after her serious car accident in Colorado. She is home in Michigan and doing miraculously well, thanks be to God. For more about Em, you can read her Caring Bridge journal.
With every blessing,
Dave
Friday, February 29, 2008
Happy Leap Year!
Just a reminder to everyone that today is a day that only comes once every four years: February 29th!!!! So enjoy it and use it to glorify God!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Acquire the Fire Deadline Extended
Friends,
I recently had the privilege of spending time with the National Director for Acquire the Fire. Kamel Glasgow, a fellow Canadian, shared much of his heart and his hopes for this year's event. I'm excited and am trusting God for an impactful event. To make sure that many youth and their friends join us I've extended the deadline to this Wednesday. All of our friends who attended the Monster Lock-In were also invited to ATF--with a discount! It would be awesome if they were personally invited as well.
Note to Parents:
We will need at least six mini-vans to drive students to and from Target Center Friday (5:30 and 10:00pm) and Saturday (8:00am and 10:00pm). We'll also need folks to help with breakfast on Saturday. Please let me know what you can do.
Note to Parents of Sixth Graders:
Let me clarify what I mean when I say that the content of ATF is geared to older youth. Acquire the Fire deals with many of the issues that today's teens face. I am becoming more aware of the pressures our sixth grader faces. I believe ATF is one tool to help Christian kids answer the challenges they face, especially those facing negative peer pressure. There is something powerful for a Christian kid to be part of a worship event where they know they are not alone. In the end, it is a parents call.
With every blessing,
Dave
I recently had the privilege of spending time with the National Director for Acquire the Fire. Kamel Glasgow, a fellow Canadian, shared much of his heart and his hopes for this year's event. I'm excited and am trusting God for an impactful event. To make sure that many youth and their friends join us I've extended the deadline to this Wednesday. All of our friends who attended the Monster Lock-In were also invited to ATF--with a discount! It would be awesome if they were personally invited as well.
Note to Parents:
We will need at least six mini-vans to drive students to and from Target Center Friday (5:30 and 10:00pm) and Saturday (8:00am and 10:00pm). We'll also need folks to help with breakfast on Saturday. Please let me know what you can do.
Note to Parents of Sixth Graders:
Let me clarify what I mean when I say that the content of ATF is geared to older youth. Acquire the Fire deals with many of the issues that today's teens face. I am becoming more aware of the pressures our sixth grader faces. I believe ATF is one tool to help Christian kids answer the challenges they face, especially those facing negative peer pressure. There is something powerful for a Christian kid to be part of a worship event where they know they are not alone. In the end, it is a parents call.
With every blessing,
Dave
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Summer Events
Here are the dates for our 2008 summer events:
Mark your calendars!
(and don't forget to check our events page where you can get all our events and subscribe via RSS or iCal)
- All Church Retreat @ Crosswoods: June 13-15th
- Jr. High & Confirmation Camp @ Crosswoods: June 15-20th
- Sr. High Mission to Winnipeg: June 24th-July 2nd
- Sonshine Music Festival July 17-19th
- Great Adventure Camp (VBS): July 29th-August 1st
Mark your calendars!
(and don't forget to check our events page where you can get all our events and subscribe via RSS or iCal)
February Youth Update
Dear Parents, Leaders and Students,
First let me thank all the parents and leaders who helped to make our Monster Lock In a great success. Thanks to you we were able to welcome over 65 youth to Messiah. Please don't forget that Acquire the Fire is also coming very soon. Last year we made a special purchase of tickets. We reserved 50 places! We’re confident we can fill them. That is why, if a student attended our Monster Lock-In, they earned a $25 discount toward ATF. Our registration fee covers the ATF ticket--regularly $62--as well as transportation, Pizza Friday night, Breakfast at church, and Lunch and Dinner out on Saturday. (We can also offer the same scholarship to those with demonstrated need. We don’t want lack of cash to keep you away, so please talk to me. Thanks)
Of course, Lent is right around the corner. This Lent, Messiah will again offer a number of mid-week ministries. These ministries are intended to enhance our journey together with Jesus toward Holy Week. (Look for other opportunities as well, such as our Lenten Reconciliation service, in the March Newsletter.) This month look for the following:
Phat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tues, Feb. 5th, 5:30-7:00pm
Messiah’s Confirmation Class will again serve a delicious “All You Can Eat” meal of pancakes, sausage and fresh fruit. There’ll be special fun for the kids and live music for your dining enjoyment. Tix are $6 per person, or $4 per person for families or groups of four or more. Tickets will be on sale at Coffeehour, or call the church, or e-mail info@messiahepiscopal.org to reserve your space. All proceeds go to fund the Confirmation Class Annual Retreat.
Teen Challenge Comes to Messiah
Youthnites in February will focus on “Being--and Breaking Free--from Drugs and Alcohol.” As part of that focus, the Teen Challenge choir will be featured in Sunday worship, on Feb. 10th, to share their story of breaking free from drug and alcohol addiction through Christ. We have also reserved 20 spaces for Messiah parents, teens and youth leaders to attend, “A Night to Know the Truth” with MN Teen Challenge on Monday, Feb. 25th. Look for more info in the bulletin.
Wednesday Gather & Grow Nites for Lent begin Feb. 13th
Gather & Grow Nites meet Wed, Feb. 28th through March 19th. We’ll begin with soup together at 6pm, followed at 6:30 by Adult Christian Education, Festival Choir, Kidz Klub (K-5th gr), and Youthnite. Childcare is provided.
Family Formation on Gather & Grow Nites
Family Formation is the Adult Education focus for Gather & Grow Nites during Lent. We’ll begin with an overview of the Church & Your Family on Feb. 13th, followed by two weeks on Spiritual Disciplines for Families (Feb. 20 & 27th). We’ll then spend another two weeks (March 5th & 12th) unpacking a Messiah Parental Tool Kit: Tools to help our kids be Christ Centered, Healthy, Safe and Free from Drug and Alcohol Abuse. We’ll conclude Gather & Grow Nites in Holy Week with an Inter-generational Seder Supper on March 19th.
I invite you all and trust that many will take advantage of these excellent programs, all made possible by our wonderful lay leaders.
Blessings,
+Dave
First let me thank all the parents and leaders who helped to make our Monster Lock In a great success. Thanks to you we were able to welcome over 65 youth to Messiah. Please don't forget that Acquire the Fire is also coming very soon. Last year we made a special purchase of tickets. We reserved 50 places! We’re confident we can fill them. That is why, if a student attended our Monster Lock-In, they earned a $25 discount toward ATF. Our registration fee covers the ATF ticket--regularly $62--as well as transportation, Pizza Friday night, Breakfast at church, and Lunch and Dinner out on Saturday. (We can also offer the same scholarship to those with demonstrated need. We don’t want lack of cash to keep you away, so please talk to me. Thanks)
Of course, Lent is right around the corner. This Lent, Messiah will again offer a number of mid-week ministries. These ministries are intended to enhance our journey together with Jesus toward Holy Week. (Look for other opportunities as well, such as our Lenten Reconciliation service, in the March Newsletter.) This month look for the following:
Phat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tues, Feb. 5th, 5:30-7:00pm
Messiah’s Confirmation Class will again serve a delicious “All You Can Eat” meal of pancakes, sausage and fresh fruit. There’ll be special fun for the kids and live music for your dining enjoyment. Tix are $6 per person, or $4 per person for families or groups of four or more. Tickets will be on sale at Coffeehour, or call the church, or e-mail info@messiahepiscopal.org to reserve your space. All proceeds go to fund the Confirmation Class Annual Retreat.
Teen Challenge Comes to Messiah
Youthnites in February will focus on “Being--and Breaking Free--from Drugs and Alcohol.” As part of that focus, the Teen Challenge choir will be featured in Sunday worship, on Feb. 10th, to share their story of breaking free from drug and alcohol addiction through Christ. We have also reserved 20 spaces for Messiah parents, teens and youth leaders to attend, “A Night to Know the Truth” with MN Teen Challenge on Monday, Feb. 25th. Look for more info in the bulletin.
Wednesday Gather & Grow Nites for Lent begin Feb. 13th
Gather & Grow Nites meet Wed, Feb. 28th through March 19th. We’ll begin with soup together at 6pm, followed at 6:30 by Adult Christian Education, Festival Choir, Kidz Klub (K-5th gr), and Youthnite. Childcare is provided.
Family Formation on Gather & Grow Nites
Family Formation is the Adult Education focus for Gather & Grow Nites during Lent. We’ll begin with an overview of the Church & Your Family on Feb. 13th, followed by two weeks on Spiritual Disciplines for Families (Feb. 20 & 27th). We’ll then spend another two weeks (March 5th & 12th) unpacking a Messiah Parental Tool Kit: Tools to help our kids be Christ Centered, Healthy, Safe and Free from Drug and Alcohol Abuse. We’ll conclude Gather & Grow Nites in Holy Week with an Inter-generational Seder Supper on March 19th.
I invite you all and trust that many will take advantage of these excellent programs, all made possible by our wonderful lay leaders.
Blessings,
+Dave
Monday, January 28, 2008
One Awesome Night
Hey Guys!
Thanks to everyone who was a part of the Monster Lock-In this past weekend! We had around 75 students who came so thanks for inviting your friends and making this our biggest event! But don't forget to invite your friends to Acquire the Fire too. It's coming up fast so make sure to grab a permission slip and get it into Dave ASAP. This is an awesome way to help your friends meet Christ and for you to grow in your relationship with Him as well. So don't miss out!
Thanks to everyone who was a part of the Monster Lock-In this past weekend! We had around 75 students who came so thanks for inviting your friends and making this our biggest event! But don't forget to invite your friends to Acquire the Fire too. It's coming up fast so make sure to grab a permission slip and get it into Dave ASAP. This is an awesome way to help your friends meet Christ and for you to grow in your relationship with Him as well. So don't miss out!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Lock-In Deadline Extended
As of Monday there are 51 students signed up for the Lock-In. Please don’t miss out, there is till room for you and your friends.* We need all applications here at Messiah by the end of this Wednesday’s Youthnite. By the way, this week is Small Group night, so we’ll be having Pizza (suggested donation of $2 per person.)
Note to Parents and Leaders:
We are still in need of five adults who are willing to spend the night as either Security or chaperones. We especially need female leaders. We also need at least three more to help serve breakfast and do clean-up in the morning. (*Without these additional numbers we will need to cap total registrants at 60 in order to guarantee a safe event for all students.) Please get back to me by Wednesday.
-Dave
Note to Parents and Leaders:
We are still in need of five adults who are willing to spend the night as either Security or chaperones. We especially need female leaders. We also need at least three more to help serve breakfast and do clean-up in the morning. (*Without these additional numbers we will need to cap total registrants at 60 in order to guarantee a safe event for all students.) Please get back to me by Wednesday.
-Dave
Monday, January 7, 2008
January Youth Update
To the Messiah's Youth Community:
Parents, Students and Leaders
Happy New Year to you all! I trust the Christmas season gave you all time together with your families. Our Christmas break is coming to a close and we are ramping up for a wonderful winter season of Youth Ministry here at Messiah Episcopal Church. Our Youth Team just finished a prayer and planning retreat and the excitement was palpable. This Sunday Sunday School is back and this Wednesday, Jan. 9th, sees another Youth & Family Potluck. Youthnites follow, with this month’s theme of "Reaching Your Peers," some practical teaching on friendship evangelism. Look for some of our large, fun and life-changing events as well, with our Monster Lock-In on Jan. 25th and Acquire the Fire on Feb. 15th-16th. Because we were able to purchase a bulk of tickets for Acquire the Fire lat year, we can make this very special announcement: students who pay their fees for the Monster Lock-In in January earn a $25 discount toward Acquire the Fire in February.
Two future notes:
First, our Youthnite theme for February is "Know the Truth," helping families learn about, prevent and overcome chemical dependency. Look for more info soon.
Second, a new Confirmation Class begins in Lent. Our current class concludes its classroom work at the end of January and moves into ministry internships. There will be an info meeting for interested parents and students, mature 8th graders and up, Sunday, Jan. 27th.
Also, look for exciting Summer Ministries info in our February e-mail.
With every blessing for 2008. And, please bookmark our new blog, faithfully updated by Dwight Reynolds and Kevin Hendricks.
Dave
Parents, Students and Leaders
Happy New Year to you all! I trust the Christmas season gave you all time together with your families. Our Christmas break is coming to a close and we are ramping up for a wonderful winter season of Youth Ministry here at Messiah Episcopal Church. Our Youth Team just finished a prayer and planning retreat and the excitement was palpable. This Sunday Sunday School is back and this Wednesday, Jan. 9th, sees another Youth & Family Potluck. Youthnites follow, with this month’s theme of "Reaching Your Peers," some practical teaching on friendship evangelism. Look for some of our large, fun and life-changing events as well, with our Monster Lock-In on Jan. 25th and Acquire the Fire on Feb. 15th-16th. Because we were able to purchase a bulk of tickets for Acquire the Fire lat year, we can make this very special announcement: students who pay their fees for the Monster Lock-In in January earn a $25 discount toward Acquire the Fire in February.
Two future notes:
First, our Youthnite theme for February is "Know the Truth," helping families learn about, prevent and overcome chemical dependency. Look for more info soon.
Second, a new Confirmation Class begins in Lent. Our current class concludes its classroom work at the end of January and moves into ministry internships. There will be an info meeting for interested parents and students, mature 8th graders and up, Sunday, Jan. 27th.
Also, look for exciting Summer Ministries info in our February e-mail.
With every blessing for 2008. And, please bookmark our new blog, faithfully updated by Dwight Reynolds and Kevin Hendricks.
Dave
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Happy New Year!
Hey Messiah's Youth,
Hope you all had an awesome Christmas and our excited for the new year after celebrating the birth of Jesus. At the start of the new year it is important that, aside from our new year's resolutions, that we committ ourselves to growing closer to Christ in 2008. It may be something like committing more time to prayer and scripture reading or perhaps simply seeking to develop more godly qualities such as patience and humility. It may be difficult, but we cannot stand still in following God, we must always seek to become more like Christ and the beginning of the new year is a great time to look for more ways to do this. My prayer is that we can encourage each other to do this at church, at school, at home, and everywhere we go so we can show the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to those around us. So Happy New Year to all of you and I hope to see you at the potluck on Wednesday!
- Dwight
Hope you all had an awesome Christmas and our excited for the new year after celebrating the birth of Jesus. At the start of the new year it is important that, aside from our new year's resolutions, that we committ ourselves to growing closer to Christ in 2008. It may be something like committing more time to prayer and scripture reading or perhaps simply seeking to develop more godly qualities such as patience and humility. It may be difficult, but we cannot stand still in following God, we must always seek to become more like Christ and the beginning of the new year is a great time to look for more ways to do this. My prayer is that we can encourage each other to do this at church, at school, at home, and everywhere we go so we can show the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to those around us. So Happy New Year to all of you and I hope to see you at the potluck on Wednesday!
- Dwight
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