For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Hanging of the Greens

On Sunday, November 24, we will have youth group as usual from Noon-3PM. Then, on December 1, the youth group will participate in the annual Hanging of the Greens celebration at church. This is the time in which we decorate the church for Christmas. It is a lot of fun, and a great way to help our church family! We will eat together while we’re decorating, and regular Youth Group shenanigans will follow. We’ll end, as usual, at 3PM. Please plan to be there–Bryan and I will both be there to participate as well! –Sarah

Christmas Dinner Table Service

The all church Christmas Dinner is on Saturday, December 7. The Youth Group is providing table service. We will be helping Chef Clyde prepare and plate the food, and then serving the tables. Please wear black (or dark) pants or a skirt and a white shirt. You can wear Christmas bling/hats/aprons/reindeer antlers, etc. Please be at the church by 6PM. We will have pizza for dinner at the church!

High School Coffee Talk

Starting in December, from 3-4PM each Sunday immediately following Youth Group, the High School students are invited to Starbucks with me. We’ll take some time to talk and enjoy each other ‘s company. I will provide transportation to and from the church in the church van.

Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange

On Sunday, December 15 we will have our annual Christmas party. A big part of this is the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Everyone should bring a wrapped gift for the gift exchange. It should be a funny gift, and can either be something that you already own or, if you buy it, you should NOT spend more than $5. Please DON’T put a tag on it. These should be anonymous–that’s part of the fun!

UMCE Youth Vision Planning

Hi Youth Group Families!

I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying the run up to the holiday season as only busy, busy families can! As we enter the new year, I would like to enlist your help in planning and putting together ideas for the Youth Group in 2020. We’re calling the new program The 2020 Vision, and it’s going to include a number of new and reinvigorated initiatives for our middle and high schoolers.

To that end, I am hosting a UMCE Youth and Parent Advisory Board lunch at the church on January 4 at noon. I would like to invite you to come and participate in this initiative. Here are some of the things that I’d like your help and input with planning:

1. Upcoming mission trip ideas and fundraising
2. Bringing back the Youth Sunday School program
3. Sarah’s weekly coffee with the high schoolers
4. Lock-Ins
5. Your Special Activity ideas
6. Devotional Curriculum
7. Lunch Sign Ups and Chaperoning
8. Any other ideas you’d like to share
9. Youth Mentorship and social support
10. Effective communication channels for parents and youth

I will also be looking for volunteers to help with the following, so please give some thought to whether or not these are areas that you would enjoy helping with:

1. Lunches and youth group chaperoning
2. Mission planning
3. Youth Sunday School teachers
4. Curriculum selection

I hope you’ll plan to join us! Please let me know if you’re able to attend, so that I know how much food to prepare.