1 Timothy 4:12

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."  (New Living Translation @2007)

Fellowship in The Shed - Musical chairs never gets old!

 

Babysitting Night in The Shed (Lauren and Ben playing "Sorry")

 

Ping Pong tournament (Chap vs. Stratton)

 

Babysitting Night - "Sorry" seemed to be a favorite that night

 

My favorite wall in The Shed--- the art of many children and youth

 

Youth Praiseband preparing for 2nd Sabbath Service

 

Youth Praiseband singing at 2nd Sabbath Service

 

 

Some of the youth praiseband members out for dinner together!

 

One of my good friends from Brandon sent me a message about her childhood friend's two year old son who was just diagnosed with Leukemia. His name is Andrew and he is currently at Blair E. Batson in Mississippi receiving treatment. His parents have set up a Facebook page for support and prayers for the family. It is called Team Andrew. If you would like, please go to this page and like it. If not... I am asking my friends to take a "Team Andrew" photo and post it on facebook (tag me please so I can get it to Andrew's family!). They are showing these pictures to Andrew and his family as encouragement. The goal is to get pictures from all over the world. You can get creative with the way you add Team Andrew or just hold up a piece of paper with the words on it. The cooler the place the better! Can't wait to see what you come up with : ).

A-N-D-r-E-W

 

Eupora Youth are Praying for Andrew!  Go Team Andrew!

 

Easter bag goodies for the local nursing home in Eupora

Thanks to Lauren, Embry, and Logan for delivering these to the residents!

 

Youth Fundraisers

 

Working hard to raise money so they can go to Lake Junaluska, NC this summer!

 

Visit www.lakejunaluska.com for more information on our Youth Mission Trip

--Summer of 2013--

 

 

I am so proud of all our youth!  Each one of them has shown love, excitement, and dedication to this group and I am so proud to be a part of it.  I could not ask for a more caring, energetic, and loyal group!  Thank you (parents, youth, and FUMC congregation) for all of your hard work and commitment to our youth group! It is such a blessing to be a part of. 

 

 To God be the glory!

 

Upcoming Reminders & Events

Sunday, January 27th, the youth praiseband will be having practice in the shed starting at 5:00.  Bring your instruments and voices!  See you there : ).

Youth will be meeting from 7:00-8:00 on January 27th.  However, the shed is always open starting at 6:30 on Sunday nights for those who want to come hang out before youth!

Sunday, February 3rd is the last day to sign up for our trip to Lake Junaluska.  Don't forget, when you sign up you must also pay a $75 deposit that holds your spot.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Kelly!

Sunday, February 3rd we will be having our Youth Superbowl Party at the Vaughn's home!  Bring a friend and come enjoy a night of football, food, and fun with friends!

The youth will be having 2 fundraisers during the month of February so mark your calendars!!

1. Friday, February 15th (the day after Valentine's day) the youth will have a babysitting night fundraiser.  Parents can drop their kids off in the fellowship hall starting at 6:00 p.m. and will need to pick their children up no later than 11:00 p.m. The cost will be $5 per kid per hour.  However, no family can exceed $50 for the entire night.  We will be serving pizza for dinner in the fellowship hall starting at 6:30.  Hope to see you there!!

2.  Sunday, February 24th we will be having a luncheon fundraiser following worship in the fellowship hall.
Meal:  Chicken spaghetti, green beans, and yellow pound cake for dessert.  You can either eat your meal at the church or take it to go.  If you eat at the church a sweet tea will be included with your meal.  $5 per plate.  Hope you will all come out and support us!!

YOUTH:  For our babysitting night fundraiser please be in the fellowship hall at 5:45.  For our luncheon fundraiser we will prepare the food on Saturday, February 23rd starting at 10:00 in the fellowship hall.  On Sunday, February 24th please be in the fellowship hall at 10:00 to begin serving plates.
* Remember, if you are not present at the fundraiser AND helping you will not receive any of the money for your trip to Lake J.  So please come and be ready to work!!  Ya'll are doing a fantastic job!!

Thank you to all,
Kelly

Give Thanks

Thank you to ALL who supported the youth yesterday in our fundraiser!  All of the money we raised will go directly to our youth to help them pay for their spot to go to Lake Junaluska, NC this summer!  Keep your eyes and ears open for our fundraisers to come in the future months.  We love ya'll so much!
-FUMC Youth Group

**If you are interested in checking out the website for Lake Junaluska you can go to www.lakejunaluska.com.  On the left you will see "Lake Junaluska SURGE Youth Events."  Click on "read more" and this will take you to the main page.  We will be there the week of June 16-20th.**

Questions?  Contact Kelly.

Fake I.D.

 

Fake I.D.: Parent Cue

1. Be a Student of What They are Learning

It’s an age-old problem—one that begins to plague us around the time adolescence hits and, if we aren’t careful, follows us around the rest of our lives. It is the question of who we are—what makes up our identity, what defines us, what makes us, us. But imagine if, instead of wrestling with these questions in the complexity of adulthood, we started to tackle them in the formative teenage years? What if we took a good, long, hard look at some of the foundational questions during the years that shape us more than any others? Who am I? Where do I belong? What is my purpose? We are going to begin to scratch the surface of identity tackling the difficult to ask—and even more difficult to answer—questions that ultimately end up defining who we are.

2. Be a Student of Your Student

When it comes to parenting styles, everyone has an opinion. And while we could all stand to show more grace towards one another when navigating our role with our kids in this tricky stage of life, I think we can all agree there are some things we may be in the habit of doing that are good and some things that could be quite detrimental. Mickey Goodman, in a recent article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Mickey-goodman/are-we-raising-a-generati_b_1249706.html?ref=parents&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl8%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D135588)  tells stories of kids who upon arriving to college and receiving a less than satisfactory grade, had their parents call the professor to try and negotiate the score. But he doesn’t stop there. He goes on to relay the story of a parent who actually accompanied their child on a job interview. Yes, a job interview. Would you be surprised to learn this young woman did not get the job she applied for?

These may be fairly outrageous examples of parenting, but according to Tim Elmore, founder and president of the non-profit group Growing Leaders, they may be more disturbing than we realize because they represent a growing trend among parents. Hovering. Over-involvement. Intervening. They are evidence that a genuine attempt by parents to protect kids has evolved into something actually harming and stunting the growth and formation of a child’s identity. Which isn’t to say this is a parent’s intention. But however pure the motive, the result is not a good one. In other words, when we parent out of fear of what our kids may experience without our intervention, the actions we take as a result can have debilitating results.

It probably doesn’t take much prompting for you to remember the day you brought your child home from the hospital. The fear and terror combined with the overwhelming sense of joy and responsibility is enough to send anyone into an emotional tailspin. As parents, from day one, we have the engrained and prevalent instinct to protect our children—at all costs. But what more studies and psychologists are finding, the cost is actually the long-term wellbeing of our child. In an attempt to make sure our kids grow up safe, grow up protected, grow up secure and grounded in their identity, we are actually keeping them from growing up at all, leaving them ill-prepared for the actuality of the real world. So when it comes time to actually leave the nest, we are sending out kids with no real sense of who they are and no real skills on how to figure out life’s difficulties for themselves.

In other words we are raising kids not just sheltered from some of the harmful influences of culture, but kids sheltered from the realities of life—who don’t know disappointment and failure—and as a result don’t know how to recover from it when they do encounter it. And we are parenting this way for the sake of our own peace of mind. Tim Elmore says it this way. “We are consumed with protecting them instead of preparing them for the future. We haven’t let them fall, fail and fear.” In fact, you could say, we have done the fearing for them—allowing our personal apprehensions to dictate the way we parent, keeping our kids from learning valuable life-shaping lessons on their own.

And so, I wonder if we would do a better job as parents if we first dealt with our personal fears—be they well-founded or not—choosing to keep our fears from governing us and dictating the method and mode of our parenting. I wonder if we learned to take a deep breath and step back, if we just might be surprised, pleased and proud of the people—or maybe more appropriately, the adults—our teenagers are becoming—even in spite of us. And I wonder, if we learned to do this, what message it might send to our kids about the promise and hope they can find in themselves without our intervention, and if they would be more empowered and equipped to handle the world as a result.

3. Action Point

I think we would all admit that one of our biggest parenting faux pas come when we try to live vicariously through our children—trying to fix what was wrong circumstantially for us or in us by the way we treat and raise our offspring. The problem is, when we do this, we still don’t’ end up “fixing” ourselves and oftentimes we end up “breaking” our kids in ways we didn’t expect. So use this time with your teenager to create an honest dialogue over your own fears, personal shortcomings and hopes for them and give them the space and time to do the same.

Share with your teenager the fears you have for them. (Think specific—not just the really “obvious” or “big” fears. Think of the every day fears that may not seem that big to anyone else but drive you and your parenting.) Can you think of anything from your own personal experience as you grew up that caused you to have this fear for your child? How has your personal fear dictated the way you parent?

Family psychologist John Rosemond says this about encouraging our children and their dreams. “It’s time we tell them that doing great things starts with accomplishing small goals.”

Does it seem like a scary thing to allow your child to do this? What are some of the big goals you have in mind for your child? Does the way you parent encourage or hamper their big dreams? What are some of the small, more attainable goals you can set for them—that don’t scare you to death, but also give them a proper perspective on what is required to make their dreams happen? Ask your teenager what are some of the big dreams they have for themselves—and ask them what are some smaller attainable things they can begin to accomplish now that will help them as they strive for these bigger goals. How can you help them make this happen without over stepping your bounds and doing too much?

Ask your teenager if there are things they see in your parenting that are really just your fears being played out. Are there areas they feel stifled by you? Are there areas where you are too controlling? (Try not to feel judged or defensive if they do have something to say.)

What can you do as a parent to better support them and equip them as they journey towards discovering who they are and who they want to be?

Get connected to a wider community of parents at www.orangeparents.org.

@2012 Orange. All rights reserved.

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas...

Upcoming Youth Fundraisers and Events:

-Saturday, December 1st: Christmas Market. The youth are heading up Methodist Munchies this year!! Come out and support your youth group and purchase some great food!!

- Friday, December 7th: "Date Night" fundraiser. For all you parents who are looking for a night of Christmas shopping without the kids or a night out to eat check this fundraiser out!! You can drop your kid(s) off at 5:00 at the church and we will keep them as late as 11:00. Dinner will be provided. Cost is $5 per kid per hour. However, no family can exceed $50 for the entire night!! If you have questions, feel free to call or message Kelly. Sign your kids up in the foyer! Thanks. 

The youth will be keeping the nursery during the Christmas Cantata service on December 2nd. Youth please be there at 4:30. Youth Group will follow the service starting at 6:30 in the shed and ending at 8:00. 

- Sunday, December 9th: Youth Progressive Dinner: 
- meet at the church at 6:00.
- Appetizers at the Carney's home at 6:15.
- Dinner at the Pittman's home at 7:00.
- Dessert at the Mccafferty's home at 8:00.
- Return to the shed no later than 8:30.
***  If you are interested in helping any of the above people with food please contact them or Kelly and we will let you know the best way to serve. Thanks!!

Youth Christmas Party + Dirty Santa Gifts on Sunday, December 16th!! Starts at 7:00 and ends at 8:00. Tacky Christmas attire is encouraged. Best outfit wins a prize!!

The youth will be Christmas Caroling on December 16th during the afternoon as well!! Don't be surprised if we knock on your door! More details to come.

- No youth on December 23rd or December 30th. Youth will meet again on January 6th.

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Holiday and are getting excited about Christmas right around the corner : ).  Let me know if I can serve you in any way.  You know how to find me!

-Kelly 

Right Around the Corner

-  There will be NO YOUTH this coming Sunday, November 4th due to the Cluster Song Fest event that is at 6:00 in our sanctuary!  Multiple churches from the surrounding communities will be joining and leading us in worship.  Come support your youth praiseband as they play!! 

-Praiseband:  Please meet in the sanctuary this coming Sunday at 4:00 with your instruments to set up and practice for Cluster Song Fest.  Thanks. 

- MAY'S CORN MAZE TRIP:  Friday, November 9th we will be taking a group out to the Corn Maze.  Meet at the church at 4:45 and we will leave at 5:00.  The corn maze closes at 10:00 so we should be home no later than 10:30.  Bring around $15.  This will get you into the corn maze and allow you to eat dinner. 
Parents, I need a few drivers to help me get the youth out there and back home.  Please let me know if you are available!  Thanks!

- For youth on Sunday, November 11th we will be packing and wrapping shoe boxes to send off for Operation Christmas Child.  All youth should bring an empty shoe box and small gifts to put in their shoe box.  Below are some examples of items to buy for your shoe box.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!  Wrapping paper and other supplies needed will be provided. 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

-         Feel free to take one of the “Operation Christmas Child” brochures home with you and read all about the wonderful opportunities we have to serve children around us!

                ITEMS YOU MAY DONATE:

- Shoe boxes (standard size)

- Small plastic containerS

- Wrapping paper (Christmas)

               GIFTS TO DONATE:

-                      $7 (each box we wrap must include a $7 donation in it for shipping the shoe box).  If you don’t want to buy gifts, donating $7 would be a wonderful way to help!  Please leave your $7 donation in the envelope in the foyer labeled “Operation Christmas Child.”

-                      School supplies:  Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

-                      Toys:  Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), slinky, etc.

-                      Hygiene items:  Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

-                      Other:  T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

-                      A personal note:  You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.  (If you include your name and address, the child may write back).  Please leave notes in the envelope labeled “Operation Christmas Child” in the foyer. 

-                      DO NOT INCLUDE:  Used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food, out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans

**PLEASE PLACE ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS/DONATIONS IN THE LARGE BOX SITTING IN THE FOYER LABED OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD.  THE LAST DAY TO DROP OFF ITEMS FOR DONATION WILL BE NOVEMBER 10^TH.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

- There will be NO YOUTH on November 18th or 25th due to Thanksgiving break.  We will return to youth on December 2nd with our progressive dinner night!! 

- The youth will NOT be having a youth fundraiser during the month of November due to everyone travelling for Thanksgiving!

-UPCOMING YOUTH FUNDRAISERS:

Saturday, December 1st:  The youth will be in charge of "Methodist Munchies" for Christmas Market.  We will be serving pimento cheese sandwiches, taco soup, drinks, and chips.  Hope to see you there!!

Friday, December 7th:  BABYSITTING NIGHT.  Whether you use this for a date night for you and your significant other or a night for Christmas shopping (or whatever!!) we would love to take care of your children for the evening!!  Be on the lookout for a sign up sheet in the foyer with more details to come. 

Important Dates You Will Not Want to Miss!!

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- PUMPKIN CUT:  Sunday, October 21st, starting at 7:00, the youth will be carving pumpkins outside the shed.  Please bring your own pumpkin and knife to carve with.  The rest will be provided!

- Youth praiseband practice on October 28th at 5:30 in the shed.  This will be our last practice before we play at Cluster Song Fest so please be present! 

- Don't forget about the youth's next fundraiser coming up on October 28th following worship service!  Meal:  Chili, cornbread, and dessert.  $5 plates.  Dine in or carry out.  Sign up for a plate in the foyer.

- On October 28th the youth will be having a Halloween themed scavenger hunt around Eupora.  Come dressed in your best halloween costumes!  Best costume wins a prize!!  The scavenger hunt will begin at 7:00 and we will need a few parent volunteers who are willing to drive each team around! 

- OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD:

If you are interested in participating in the youth's Operation Christmas Child project this Christmas we would LOVE your help!!  For details on how you can be of service check out the fliers on the table in the foyer.  If you have further questions, please contact Kelly. 

 MAY'S CORN MAZE DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED!!! 

SUPERHERO THEMED!

Have a great week : )

-Kelly