An Update from Kara

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Hello Youth and Youth Parents!

Happy last day of August 2010! (Where oh, where has this year gone?!) This weekly e-newsletter is a great way for me to be in touch with you. I hope you will take note of the things coming up. I will leave some things in from time to time, so look for the asterisk to indicate which articles are new … though the older articles are here to serve as a reminder of things not to forget.

*Bad News/Good News -- Pizza Party this Wednesday is Moved Back an Hour
Bad news: I can’t be in two places at once. Good news: (1) The Church-Wide prayer emphasis this Wednesday night is for the Children’s Ministry. Join me and others in the Fellowship Hall at 6:15 p.m. to pray for our children, their families, and those that invest in their spiritual development at Second-Ponce. (2) You can still join me for pizza! After announcing in SS that the pizza party couldn’t take place from 6-7, Charlotte Bunch and Sarah Bruns decided we could still go get pizza at 7:15 at Fellini’s on Peachtree. Meet us in front of the Adult Choir Room after Prayer Meeting and we’ll walk over to Fellini’s together. We’ll be back to the church no later than 8:45 p.m.

SPdL Sunday School Schedule September and Beyond...
I look forward to being in the Youth area and getting to talk with students before Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Thanks to those who are bringing breakfast each week. This is a great time to hang around "the food" and catch up. I will continue Jonathan's tradition of having a family bring something light each week. At 10 a.m., I will open with announcements and prayer requests. This is an important time for students to be "in the know." About 10:10, Middle School and High School will divide for lessons with their group. A huge thanks to the teachers that invest in teaching our youth -- Margie Coggins and Brian Cole with the Middle School and Kristen Dean and Patty Lamb with the High School. Also thanks to Youth Leaders, Steve Mulaik and Matt Sapp for being on stand by and giving of their time while not formally teaching a set group every week.

Project 4:12 on Wednesday Nights
The weekly Wednesday night youth activity, Project 4:12, allows students the opportunity to serve God through drama and song. I am looking forward to this time each week with Anne Thomas, our faithful leader. We'll meet in the College Classroom Room (A232) from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Our kick-off meeting will be Wednesday, September 8. This group has the opportunity to participate in a weekend Choir tour with Tucker First United Methodist Church June 25 to 27.

*Let Me Know You Can Join Me for Lunch Sunday, September 12 by this Wednesday
Let's dream dreams for the Youth Ministry over lunch, Sunday, September 12. I've got a Youth Calendar and dates to share and hope this is a good opportunity for you to hear my heart and get to know me as I get to know you and your family. Cost for lunch will be $5/person with a $20/max per family. Please reply to this email by Wednesday, September 1 and let me know your family can attend so I can try and get the most accurate count to Glenn for lunch.

Fun til 5 in September:
Middle Schoolers are invited to hang around after church for a mystery trip until 5pm on Sunday, September 19. Cost $10/person plus lunch.
(If you are reading this and send me an e-mail ... your student will be entered in a drawing to have an all-expenses paid Fun til Five event participation.)
High Schoolers are invited to hang around after church for a mystery trip until 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 26. Cost $10/person plus lunch.
(That drawing...for your having read this e-newsletter will take place TOMORROW on Wednesday, September 1. Make sure you reply before then and let me know if your family will be able to attend the Youth lunch on Sunday, September 12.)

*Save the Date:

• Youth Fall Retreat: Saturday, October 23 to Sunday, October 24 - Ridgecrest, NC, Theme: Elements of Faith. Cost $100 for any SPdL Youth and $75 for any friend of a SPdL Youth. (Note the date change…we’ll depart Saturday morning at 8 a.m.)
  
• Family Christmas Progressive Dinner: Sunday, December 5 – Cost: FREE.
  
• Youth Ski Trip: Friday, January 14 to Monday, January 17. Cost: around $325.
  
• Disciple Now Weekend (and Youth Sunday): Friday, February 25 to Sunday, February 27. Cost TBA.
  
• March Mission Madness, Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27. Cost TBA.
  

Youth: Send me Your Sports, Arts, and Lunch Schedules
I want to see you play ball, perform in the arts, be recognized by an organization, and support your academic endeavors by eating lunch with you at school. Send me your schedules so I can do my best to see you in your element -- on the ballfield, on stage, or at school. I'm only able to schedule things on my calendar when you give me the opportunity to.

*Interesting Articles You Might Enjoy
“More Teens Becoming Fake Christian”
   [cnn.com]
“Start a Successful School Year and Keep it Going”
   [parentfurther.com]

*Forgettable Fact
The Pacific island of Nauru’s economy is almost entirely based on bird droppings.

*And finally...most important to the Youth -- Breakfast Schedule for Sunday School:
This Sunday, September 5 – the Volkert Family
Next Sunday, September 12 – the Shaw Family

Hope you have a great week and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday! Dr. Sapp concludes his sermon series on the 10 Commandments.

Kara
---
Kara Blankenship
Minister to Families with Children and Youth
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church
404.591.4375