Youth Group Update - 1.23.14

Hey folks,

I'm back from Michigan and looking forward to meeting with our great group of kids again.  I just wanted to give you the update on where we are headed.  

This Week:

This Sunday night we will meet at our usual time of 6:00-7:30.  We will jump right back into discussing our mission project.  Thanks to the hard work of the kids and adult volunteers, we raised over $900 to put towards our mission project.  We will review the ideas that the kids had and see how we might be able to implement them.  We will also start talking about what it means to be a Christian in today's world, where it seems like its ever harder for our young people to make a full claim on their faith.

Next 2 Weeks:

There will be no meeting on the week of February 2 as I will be away at Fowler with the God Squad and then some of you will be watching some kind of sporting event or something that night...

Then, on the following Sunday, February 9, the Youth Group will be meeting for lunch after church, instead of our usual evening meeting.  We will meet from 11:30-1:00 and we will discuss lunch details later.  The reason for this is that we have our transitional consistory meeting that evening, which I can't miss.  So keep your eyes on your email for this.

Forward Motion:

Our mid-year check-ins will begin in February, so please be ready for that.  This is a really important time for me as the Youth Group leader, you as the parent, and your children as the student to connect in a way that moves our programming forward.  Please make every effort that you can to be present with us for these meetings.

Also, I will be working on a Spring schedule over the next few weeks and do my best to get that to you as soon as I can.

Thanks so much for being great parents of great kids!  See you Sunday!

In Peace,

Jordan

YG Update 12.12.13

THIS WEEK:

This Sunday we are meeting for our dress rehearsal on Sunday at 4:30.  This will give us about an hour to go over everything one more time before the big shindig!  Please have your kids consider their outfits and any props that they need.  I am asking them all to have some sort of festive head gear, whether it be Santa hats or reindeer antlers or elf hats.  Whatever they can find easily.

NEXT WEEK:

With all the Holiday festivities, there will be no youth group on Sunday, November 22.  I realize that many of you will be having family gatherings then, so I've decided to stay out of the way of the Holiday.

SHORT BREAK:

After the Christmas Program is over with, we will be on break for a short time before resuming Youth Group activities in late January, as I will be away in Michigan.  I will keep you posted as to the schedule a little bit later on.

SIGNING OFF:

That's it for now.  Have your kids ready for Sunday night with props and attire and warm clothes for our outside portion.  And have a blessed remainder of this Advent Season.

In Peace,

Jordan

Youth Group Update - 12.6.13

Hey folks,

Just a reminder that we have re-arranged the Christmas Program to allow for a simpler presentation and a less stressful season of Advent.  Please remind your kids to be thinking about their skits and working on things as we look ahead to another week of rehearsal.

We will likely be rehearsing on Sunday December 15 in the late afternoon, so the kids can only have to come back to church once.  I will have more details about this in next week's update. 

Also a reminder that is important for our children to be with us in worship that they might begin to understand the rhythm of Christian Community.  I know that sometimes its a challenge to get them out the door and believe me, I understand how busy life is these days, but I also feel that is so good for our kids to view our Community in the most important act that we do together, which surely is worship.

I hope that you all are having a blessed Advent this far and that you are able to find time in the business to be in the presence of your family and friends and to remember why it is that we celebrate this beloved season.

In Peace,

Jordan

Youth Group Update - 11.21.13

Here is your Weekly Youth Group Update:

Last Week:

I'll go ahead and say it... we had a rough rehearsal last week.  Though I'm not discouraged as I know how these kids like to take it down to the wire with learning lines. ;)  However, Brian and I would be perhaps just slightly encouraged if the children had their lines down a bit more for our next rehersal.

This Week:

Two very important things for the kids for this coming Sunday.  We have two baptisms in church on Sunday and this is the kind of thing that is great for young people to witness.   If you can bring them to church with you, it would be great for them to be a part of the baptismal vows that our congregation takes in these moments.

Secondly, please have them work on their lines and be ready for rehearsal on Sunday night.  It would be helpful for everyone's confidence if we had a really great rehearsal, so if you can take them aside and spend a few minutes with them on their lines that would be great.

Thats all for now.  As always, I really appreciate how much you all communicate with me in regards to you're child's attendance.  Its so helpful for me going into a meeting to know who will be there and who won't.  Thanks for that!

In Peace,

Jordan

Youth Group Update - 11.15.13

Hey folks,

This week's update is a short one as all we really need to do is to restate the time for rehearsal.

Christmas Play Rehearsal:  Sundays 5:30-8:00.  Dinner is served at 5:30.

Please remind your children that we will be going without scripts in front of us this coming Sunday night.  So if you can set aside some time to work with them on their lines prior to that, that would be great.

Thanks so much and as always, please remember to communicate with me if your kids won't be with us for any reason.

Thanks,

In Peace,

Jordan

YG Update - 11.9.13

Hey folks,

Last Week: 

Our rehearsals are up and running for the play and thats the only thing left for this season as we go forward.  The Spaghetti Supper was a huge success with our Youth Group raising over $900 to support our mission project coming up in the winter/spring.  Thanks to all of you for coming our and for bringing your kids along to help.  It was a great event! 

Play Rehearsals:

Our play rehearsals will be every Sunday night from 6-8 pm , with dinner at 5:30.  Please note this change from our regular schedule.  This change will allow us to be able to better prepare your kids for the Christmas Program on December 15 so that they feel more confident about their presentation.

As always, keep me up to date on when your kids will be unavailable for something as its great for me to know.

Thanks for everything you do to support this program! 

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update - 10.31.13

Hey folks,

Here is your Youth Group Update for this week.

This Week:

Our meeting after church this Sunday will be used for preparation for the Spaghetti Supper.  So this means that we need the whole Youth Group in church this week.  I repeat---- THE WHOLE YOUTH GROUP IN CHURCH THIS SUNDAY!  ;)  As I said last week, its really helpful when we have a good crew, so please do your best to get them out of bed and into the pews!  ;)

Play Rehearsals Begin This Sunday

Our Sunday evening meetings from this week forward will be used for play rehearsal for the upcoming Christmas Play on December 15.  There will be dinner served at all of those events at 5:30.  These dinners have been graciously donated by families in our congregation.  Play rehearsal will then begin at 6:00, when dinner is concluded and go until 8:00 PM.  This little bit of extra time will allow our kids to feel more confident and comfortable when the performance rolls around.  So, have your kids ready to eat at church on Sunday at 5:30 and be there to pick them up at 8:00. 

This is sure to be a great play this year as its designed to be a dinner theater.  Also, it was done a number of years ago, so our director, Brian Hodgkins, knows his way around the script!   

Spaghetti Supper Details:

When the Youth Group meets on Sunday November 3 after church for prep work, the jobs will be chosen/assigned then.  So yet another great reason to have your child at church that day so that they can get the job they've been hoping for! 

Monday, November 4 we will need a volunteer or two or three to help roll meatballs.  This is a highly coveted position, so I will take the first three kids who volunteer. 

Then on November 5, please get your kids to the church as soon as they can after school.  The Supper begins at 4:00, but we would like to see everyone by 3:00 so that we can take care of last minute set up and discuss protocol for serving and bussing and such.

I think that's all for now.  I will be out of touch this weekend, so if you have any questions about the Spaghetti Supper, please just get in touch with Jim Holbrook or Sue Kapusta.

Thanks again for your continued communication on your child's availability for Youth Group functions.  It is extremely helpful to know who's coming and who's not.

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update 10.25.13

Hey folks,

Here is your Youth Group Update for this week.

This Week:

There is no meeting after church this Sunday as I will be out of town.  There will, however, be Youth group on Sunday Night from 6:00-7:30.  This meeting will be led by the God Squad, so it is sure to be fun and different!

If your child has still not received their script for the Christmas Play, please have them see Brian Hodgkins on Sunday night at Youth Group to get their script.  Rehearsals are starting on November 3 at 6:00 PM and we will be going over the lines at that point.  So it will be good for your child to be familiar with them by then. 

Next Week:

Our meeting after church on November 3, that's next Sunday, will instead be used for preparation for the Spaghetti Supper.  So this means that we need the whole Youth Group in church Sunday November 3.  I repeat---- THE WHOLE YOUTH GROUP IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3!  ;)  Seriously though, it will be easier with more hands on deck, so please make sure that your bring your kids to church that day. 

Spaghetti Supper Details:

When the Youth Group meets on Sunday November 3 after church for prep work, the jobs will be chosen/assigned then.  So yet another great reason to have your child at church that day so that they can get the job they've been hoping for! 

Monday, November 4 we will need a volunteer or two or three to help roll meatballs.  This is a highly coveted position, so I will take the first three kids who volunteer. 

Then on November 5, please get your kids to the church as soon as they can after school.  The Supper begins at 4:00, but we would like to see everyone by 3:00 so that we can take care of last minute set up and discuss protocol for serving and bussing and such.

I think that's all for now.  I will be out of touch this weekend, so if you have any questions about the Spaghetti Supper, please just get in touch with Jim Holbrook or Sue Kapusta.

Thanks again for your continued communication on your child's availability for Youth Group functions.  It is extremely helpful to know who's coming and who's not.

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update - 10.17.13

Hey folks, 

Here is your Youth Group Update for this week. 

This Week:

This weekend will be another busy one for our Youth Group here.  Most of your kids will be working the Turkey Supper as servers under the tutelage of Linda Kapusta, who is coming back from Vermont specifically for this event.  If your child is not yet signed up to do this, please bring them on Saturday to around 1:30 to jump in and start helping out.  We can always use more hands to make our dinner go smoothly. 

On Sunday, we will meet both after church and then again at our usual meeting time of 6:00 pm.  This will be an important evening meeting as we will be handing out our scripts for the Christmas Play.  This will give your kids two weeks with their parts before the first rehearsal so that we aren't starting off cold.  Please have them with us on Sunday night to get their scripts.

Next Week:

Next week is sure to be a blast as the God Squad will be leading Youth Group on Sunday night in my absence.  They always do a great job in this role and the kids have a great time. 

Forward Motion:

Shortly after the Turkey Supper is over, there will be solid information about the November 5th Spaghetti Supper that the Youth Group will be putting on.  I will get you this info as soon as I have it from the two adult leaders who are co-leading the event.  Just keep it on your calendars right now and start inviting friends and family to attend.

I think thats it for now.  I'm looking forward to our Spaghetti Supper and the work on Christmas Play.  Thanks for all of you support and for getting the kids out for Youth Group.  It makes a huge difference to our church to have such a vibrant youth program! 

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update - 10.10.13

Hey folks,

As the weather outside starts to cool down, the youth groups schedule starts to heat up.

This Week

We have two engagements this coming weekend.  Our first is the Youth Group Bonfire on Saturday night starting at 5:30 and ending at 8:00.  Our kids will be hosting as 5 other churches descend on West Glenville with their youth groups in tow!  It should be a great night of food, fun, games and singing.  All I ask is that you each bring some hamburgers and buns with you.  The typical pack of 6 or 8 should be fine.  We have some frozen here left over from the Rally Day Picnic, so if you all bring a package of each, we should be good.  

On Sunday, we will have our regularly scheduled meeting after church.  This is a very important meeting as we will be handing out the scripts for the upcoming Christmas Play.  Our first rehearsal will begin on Sunday November 3, so your child will have a few weeks with the script to get it all under their belt before we even begin rehearsals.  So please plan on having your child here with us for Sunday after church. 

Next Week

Next week, we will back to our regularly scheduled goings on with our meeting after church and our Sunday night meeting.  Remember to keep asking your kids to think about a mission project.  We had some great ideas coming out on Sunday night.  I was so encouraged to hear them start engaging the idea in a real way.

Forward Motion

Our next event after the Bonfire will be the Election Day Spaghetti Supper.  Sue Kapusta and Jim Holbrook will be helping the kids lead this along with the God Squad.   The details of this event will become clearer as we get closer to it, but for now, just keep the date on your kid's calendars and keep in mind that we will probably have a preparation party sometime before that event.

Thanks again for everything that you do to encourage your kids to participate in our programs.  Always feel free to have them bring their friends, cousins, or other relatives along with them.  Our Youth Group doors are always open! 

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update - 10.4.13

Hey folks, 

I apologize that this is late in getting out.  I have had a hectic week, with lots of things going on!  Its good to be busy, but sometimes it gets a little tiring!

This Week:

This week we will have our two regularly scheduled meetings.  One after church on Sunday and one on Sunday Night at 6:00.   For our Sunday night meeting I have asked each one of your children to bring an idea about what we might be able to do with the funds that we raise from our Election Night Spaghetti Supper.  It is very important to me that this mission project, whatever it ends up being, is owned fully by your kids.  I want to be sure that what we come up with comes from them.  So, please help them to consider how we might make a difference in our community or the world with this money that we raise on November 5.

Next Week: 

Next week, we will have our meeting after church, but not our regular Sunday night meeting.  This is because we will be very busy on Saturday night with our Youth Group Bonfire.  We have several other churches bringing youth to come and celebrate togetherness with us.  The event is from 5:30-8:00 and we will ask you all to bring food stuffs of some sort.  That information will come out via email in the upcoming week. 

Forward Motion: 

Keep November 5 on the calendar as we will be busy boiling noodles and simmering sauce!   

Also, remind your kids about our Christmas Program.  The scripts are on their way and as soon as I get them, you will have them.  Our first rehearsal is November 3, but your kids should be able to see their scripts for a couple of weeks prior to that so that they can get comfortable with their lines. 

In Closing: 

Lots going on!  This is a good thing, but always remember to contact me if you can when your child won't be joining us.  This has been working well so far and does a lot to ease any tension that I might feel.  Also, remember that your children's friends are always welcome.  Sometimes bringing a friend to Youth Group is the best way to share the love of Christ with someone else.

Thanks for all the support and for being great people to work with.

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update 9.26.13

Hey folks, 

If you're reading this, you must have made it to this week's Youth Group Update!  Congratulations.

THIS WEEK:

This Sunday we will have both of our Sunday meetings, our short one after church and our regular Sunday Night meeting from 6:00-7:30.  Please remember to let me know if your child won't be joining us.

NEXT WEEK: 

Next week, we are also on our regular schedule. 

FORWARD MOTION: 

As we look ahead to the rest of our fall schedule, please keep October 12 on your calendar.  Our Youth Group Bonfire, which the WGRC YG is hosting, will be held on that date from 5:30-8:00 at our church.  We will be gathering for games, songs, food, worship, and of course s'mores!  I will have more information in the weeks to come in regards to what you'll need to bring as far as food is concerned, but I am waiting to hear back from the other Youth Groups. 

Also under forward motion should be our Youth Group Election Day Spaghetti Supper.  Jim Holbrook and Sue Kapusta have come forward as co-leaders for us and we also have the help of the God Squad.  Once again, more details will follow, but please just keep it on your calendar for now.  That will be a Tuesday night beginning in the afternoon and continue through dinner time.  We'll need all hands on deck for that! 

Please remember to keep me posted on your schedules and to try as best as you can to have your kids join us on Sunday mornings so that we can have some consistency in our after-church meeting. 

Thanks so much for supporting your kids, our church, and the ministry that we all do together in this space! 

In Peace, 

Jordan

YG Update - 9.19.13

Hey folks,

I am very excited to be bringing you this update from our website today!  Here is what we have coming up with Youth Group.

This Week:

We will meet immediately following worship on Sunday to begin our set-up for our "Healthy Snack Booth."  Just plan on being here.  You won't need to bring anything.  I will put some of you on picture duty if you have smart phones.  So parents, its ok to let them bring them along even though we don't usually allow them.  I would like o get some extra pictures for this site. 

We will not be meeting on Sunday night since we will be at the church from 11:30-2:30.  I want to leave the kids some time to spend with their families and their homework. ;) 

Next Week: 

Next week, we are back on our regular schedule of meeting after church and then again on Sunday night from 6:00-7:30. 

Forward Motion: 

Please keep the evening of Saturday October 12 open for the kids, as we will be hosting a Youth Group Bonfire here at the church.  I will have more details here as we get closer and closer to this event. 

Also, please remember that if your child is not going to be with us for any of our scheduled meetings, either after church, Sunday night, or special events.  Please let me know, so that I know who to expect.  I know that you're all very busy and that making every event that we have is not a reality, but for me to know who's coming and who's not is very helpful in both planning and peace of mind.  :)

Thanks for all you do to support this ministry!  Your kids make this congregation what it is! 

In Peace, 

Jordan