Safe Sanctuary Training – This Sunday, February 26, the youth department will host Safe Sanctuary training for all adults who have not been trained previously. If you have ANY interest in helping with children or youth at Church Street, please make plans to attend this training in CLC 15 (downstairs in the youth area) at 9:50 AM. There will be a presentation, some forms to fill out, and ultimately a background check on each volunteer. Our Safe Sanctuary policy is designed to protect our children and youth as well as our volunteers. It is important; see you Sunday.

Nightlife - We will finish up our study of Philippians this week during Nightlife. Look up Philippians 4:13, it is a popular verse. What do you think it means? Come this Sunday evening and we will look at little closer at this verse and others in chapter four. Snack supper will be downstairs this week, $5 at 5:15 (please remember your $5). Nightlife volunteers WILL meet at 4:15.

Keller and her Psychology Project - Thank you to those who brought their release forms that will allow students to participate in Keller Poore’s psychology project. Keller intends at administer the test this Sunday evening. It will just take a few minutes, but Keller can’t give too much information or the results may be skewed. She would like as many youth as possible to participate. Keller will have extra copies of the release form available Sunday.

Knoxville District Game Night - Sunday evening, March 4 is the Knoxville District’s game night at Sequoia Park. We will leave immediately following choir rehearsal. The will be dinner ($5) and lots of outside fun. The evening will be over at 7:30ish. I have noticed that when we go offsite for Nightlife, lots of folks don’t come…why is that? As United Methodists, we are part of a connectional system that makes us stronger. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our United Methodist community. I hope everyone will attend. We WILL need parent drivers, who can help?

My name is Marcy Sullivan. Last weekend I went on the Confirmation Retreat for Church Street United Methodist Church. I dearly hope that all of the rising 6th graders will go on that retreat next year. The retreat is a great opportunity to meet new friends, and to develop a closer relationship with God. Marc Gamble and Rick Isbell are great leaders to go along with. It was also a blessing that Andy Ferguson came along with us, too! They always keep it fun and interesting. On the confirmation trip we went to the SEJ Heritage Center, and the World Methodist Museum. In those places we get to hear a lot about Methodist history, and the importance of some of the first Methodist people. There are also sessions that we go to. In those sessions you get into small groups, and discuss things. We make some awesome crafts too.

Before we leave on Sunday we have a church service, which is really great! You get to have a special communion opportunity to give your own parents a piece of bread and juice. That was a first time event for me to take part in. There are some moving songs in the service too. Lake Junaluska has some beautiful views for your family to explore during free time. I loved the Lake Junaluska retreat, because I felt like I was really embracing the confirmation idea, and I am understanding what it means to become part of the church. Now I feel as though I am ready to be confirmed! Thank you Confirmation Retreat!

Snack Supper - We have made the switch to move youth snack supper downstairs and everyone seems to enjoy it. In an attempt to remain connected to the rest of the Sunday evening congregation we will eat supper in Parish Hall on the third Sunday of each month. This Sunday is the third Sunday and the menu is PANCAKES in celebration of Shrove Tuesday the following week. The cost will remain $5 for us (the youth department will make up the difference with the kitchen); just be sure and let the money collectors know that you are with the youth department. See you there!

Parents’ Night Out - Next Friday night, February 24 is our last Parents’ Night Out. If you will remember, this was one of the choir auction items offered by the youth department to raise money for new choir robes. We have two families of children (four kids) and we need youth and adults to be with the kids from 6-9 PM. Marc cannot be here that night, so we will need at least two adults and several youth. The more the merrier. Please email Marc at mgamble@churchstreetumc.org or call 521-0287 if you can help.

Habitat for Humanity - Church Street is sponsoring a Habitat house during the months of March and April. LOTS of youth and adult volunteers are needed; however only youth 16 and older can work on a Habitat house. The blitz day is March 10 and this is the busiest and most fun day. The house will go from just a foundation to having four walls and a roof. It is really amazing to be a part of.  There will be two shifts that day, a morning shift and an afternoon shift. You can volunteer by contacting Patty Paul at pdpaul_135@hotmail.com

Matched - We are piloting a new program this spring to partner rising 9^th graders with rising 7^th graders. Our hope is that this will make the transition from the confirmation class into the rest of the youth program a little smoother for our rising 7^th graders and perhaps encourage our rising 9^th graders to remain active as they enter high school. It will be a mentoring kind of relationship that will benefit youth in both grade levels. We are planning an initial kick-off event for Saturday, May 5. More information will be coming soon. Rising 7^th and 9^th graders, please mark your calendar now. You will not want to miss the fun on May 5.

Church Street vs. Church Street – I can say without a doubt, “the Church Street girls’ basketball team WILL win on Saturday.” Our two girls’ teams play each other at 2 PM on Saturday at Concord UMC. It will be lots of fun and would be great if we could fill the gym with support. While there may be some intense rivalry between the teams, there is also lots of love.  Come show your support for both teams!

Community Worship – Community Worship has moved to Monday evenings. In the youth department we are fortunate enough to get to worship with and serve dinner our local neighbors. February 13 is our turn for the first time of 2012. Please plan to arrive about 5:45 PM. We are usually done by 7:30 PM. Stephanie Richter has agreed to coordinate these efforts for 2012. Thank you Stephanie!

Parent’s Night Out - If you will remember, the youth department auctioned off two “parent’s nights out” to raise money for new choir robes. We have already hosted one evening. The next one is coming up on February 24 from 6-9 PM. Last time I gave you very short notice and many of you said you couldn’t help, but would next time. I hope we have lots of help. It will be lots of fun for all involved. Please let me know if you can join us by emailing me at mgamble@churchstreetumc.org or calling 521-0287. I would love for it to be a different crowd from those who helped last time.

MAD in the City – I apologize, but there has been some confusion about dates for MAD in the City. The dates are July 8-11. These are set and confirmed with Wesley House. Adults, as with past years, we will need several volunteers to pull the event off. Please begin considering how you might help. We will need: overnight help, breakfast coordinators, lunch volunteers, dinner hosts, a house for an evening pool party, lake property for our Sunday kick-off, etc.

Text Messaging – one of the easiest most effective ways we communicate is through text messaging. I know not everyone uses the technology and that is a decision I respect. For those who do text message, we use a service called simplyTXT to sent group messages. Many of you are already signed up. If you do not receive occasional groups text messages and would like to, please visit http://trunc.us/25hn73 to sign up. If at any time you would like to stop receiving messages, just reply stop to a message and you will be removed from the list.

Super Bowl Party – 

Snack Suppers - We heard you loud and clear…”It was a time we LOVED”, “It was a right of passage”, “We miss eating with all of our friends at once”. We are moving youth snack supper back downstairs starting this Sunday. The cost will be $5 and will happen at 5:15 PM. Beth Stubbs has agreed to coordinate dinners, but she will need lots of help. If you are willing to pitch in, please contact Beth.

Community Worship - You may or may not know that Community Worship has been moved to Monday evenings. In the youth department we are fortunate enough to get to worship with and serve dinner our local neighbors. February 13 is our turn for the first time of 2012. Please plan to arrive about 5:45 PM. We are usually done by 7:30 PM. Stephanie Richter has agreed to coordinate these efforts for 2012. Thank you Stephanie!

Parent’s Night Out - If you will remember, the youth department auctioned off two “parent’s nights out” during the choir auction which helped raise money for new choir robes. We have already hosted one evening. The next one is coming up on February 24 from 6-9 PM. Last time I gave you very short notice and many of you said you couldn’t help, but would next time. I hope we have lots of help. It will be lots of fun for all involved. Please let me know if you can join us. I would love for it to be a different crowd from those who helped last time.

The youth ministry of CSUMC loves, serves, and fosters the spiritual development of our youth, their families, their friends, our volunteers, and our community in order that they may grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with one another.

• There are LOTS of announcements today, please read carefully and thoroughly. Thanks!

IgnitionSeven - One of the challenges Reggie Dabbs left us with after Resurrection 2012 was to walk with him for the next seven days by watching a a series of videos, one each day, and engaging in bible study and prayer that accompany each video.

Sunday night during Nightlife we kicked off our own challenge asking students to carve out 20 minutes in their day to watch the video onwww.ignitionseven.com and read and respond to the accompanying scripture in the “LUP ” section of the website. Many of our youth said they would join me in doing this?

So, how are you doing? Stay with it. If you are faithful in your efforts God will bless you.

High School Bible Study - One of the goals that came out of visioning in early December was to start two mid-week Bible studies this year. We would like to begin with a high school study. We know that high schoolers are extremely busy and we want to make this as convenient as possible. Perhaps a weeknight with a later starting time at a central place like Panera in Bearden? Jenny has created a simple Google form so that you can express your desire and preferences. High school youth, please take a moment to fill it out, it will be very helpful information. Visit this link to access the form: High School Bible Study Form

New Drama Group - Many of you may have heard about the exciting new drama group that Laura Still is starting at Church Street. She made an announcement about it this past Sunday before Sunday school

There will be a meeting this Sunday, January 29, 3 PM, in the Gathering Place in the children’s area for those who might be interested. As I understand, the plan would be to have a first production ready for a dinner theater evening this spring. Sounds like lots of fun.

Safe Sanctuary Training - Safe Sanctuary is a policy that we have at Church Street designed to protect our children and youth as well as the volunteers who work with them. Most of our volunteers were trained a number of years ago and it is our intention to retrain everyone after the policy has been reviewed by our church Safety Committee.

In the mean time, we have several volunteers (and potential volunteers) who have not completed Safe Sanctuary training and need to do so. A training has been scheduled for those folks for February 26 during Sunday school from 9:50 -10:40. There will be a presentation, handouts, and paperwork to complete. A background check is a part of the initial Safe Sanctuary training and is required by our policy. If you have not been trained, please make plans to attend this training.

Girls’ Basketball - Girls’ basketball is in full swing. We had great games this past Saturday with a win for our younger team, the Night Furies. Our older team, the Protestant Princesses had a hard fought and respectable loss. Please join us for a game. You can view schedules by visiting this site: http://sites.google.com/site/westknoxbasketball/schedule. They would LOVE to have cheering sections.

Parking Hangtags - Church Street is entering into a partnership with Republic parking where they will manage our lots for most all events. Obviously we will retain parking on Sunday mornings, evening, football games, and other church events. Weekday parking, community events, and random off the street parking will all be handled by Republic.

We have been asked to place a small Church Street parking decal in the lower driver’s side of our windshields to let Republic know that we are allowed to park in the lots anytime. Youth who drive and adults, if have not picked up a parking decal, they are available at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings. I will also try to have a few available on Sunday to hand out.

Curriculum Retreat - The Youth Ministry Architect guys are coming back February 10-12 for a curriculum retreat. It is that weekend that we will make a plan for what we will study in youth ministry over a six-year time span. We will ask the question, “What is it that we would like youth to have been taught when they graduate 12th grade at Church Street?” We will then work backwards from that questions and develop a systematic plan for teaching those things over a six-year period. After the plan is developed we will begin matching the topics and lessons with appropriate quality curriculum. If there are adults or youth who are interested in curriculum and would like to be a part of this process, please let Marc know. It will require a Friday evening and Saturday morning commitment.

Here are a few options:

1. 1. Print the res2012_photo-video-release-form, fill it out, scan it, email it back to me.
2. 2. Print the res2012_photo-video-release-form, fill it out, take a picture of it with your cell phone, text it to me (604-8239)

Thank you for your help. The inconvenience now will pay off with a smoother evening Friday.

Here is a little reminder of why we celebrate this time of year:

Just a few announcements today.

 Christmas Sunday – We will not have Sunday school in the youth area this Sunday. We will be joining with other Sunday school classes in Parish Hall (9:45) to hear Steve Roberts share another of his holiday stories. There is also only one worship service on Sunday at 11 AM.

Resurrection – Please visit the website for Resurrection 2012 information and an online registration form. Registration is due January 1.

Vision Retreat – The first weekend of December several folks gathered with the Youth Ministry Architect consultants to develop some guiding documents for our youth program. You may view the process and final documents here.

Have a blessed rest of the week and a very Merry Christmas,

Resurrection is Holston Conference’s annual retreat held in Gatlinburg, TN at the convention center. Church Street attends January 13-15. All youth, grades 6-12, are invited and welcomed to join us. We leave, on a school bus, Friday afternoon at 5:30 PM and return on Sunday at approximately 3 PM. The cost for the retreat is $100 and covers transportation, lodging, and event registration fees. Students will also need money for six meals (most fast food) and whatever spending money they would like for event T-shirts, CD’s, etc. We also ask that they bring a few extra dollars for a Youth Service Fund offering.

We stay at the Sydney James Mountain Lodge on Airport Road. Students room with their friends in age appropriate groupings. Event chaperones are situated throughout our block of rooms so that all students are safe and cared for. There is a block of free time on Saturday afternoon. Middle schoolers are not allowed to roam Gatlinburg without a chaperone at any time. High schoolers are given a bit more freedom as appropriate.

Packing list: Bible, comfortable warm clothes, comfortable shoes, toiletries, money for six meals, souvenirs, and YSF offering. You do not need to bring bedding or towels.

To make registration easier, we are trying online registration. Just fill out the form below and submit it (if for some reason my username and email are already in the fields, please overwrite them with your information). Please note that if you have not turned in an annual medical release form for your student, you must do so before leaving on this retreat.

Registration is due January 1.