A 2 month overview +...

The 2 Month Outlook…

January 4-5: Ski Trip

January 11: The UUell at Down UnderUTK We will leave from the church by 6pm (I will need adult help so please let me know if you are available).  I hope we have a lot of visitors for this event.

January 13-15: MERGE

     13 – meet at the church at 6pm for dinner, we will then get Wallace ready for worship.  Worship will not begin until around 9:30 or so 

     14 – Service Project; we will meet at church at 11:30 and head to the warehouse.  We will have dinner and worship at Wallace.

     15 – Making Malorie will be leading worship during "Big Church"

January 18: The UUell resumes: PURE (4 weeks) – a look a life in it's purest form. 

January 22: Midnite and Engage begin.

January 26-28: Conclave in Chattanooga – Student Leadership Training

January 29: LEAD Team lunch

February 1: 1st Wednesday – Parents are invited to worship alongside their students

February 4: CONNECT Leadership Breakfast/Training in the UUell (9AM-12PM) - We will be starting a training session named Square One as we study together how to engage students in todays culture.  We hope to make this a quarterly event and breakfast.

February 5: SuperBowl Parties with CONNECT groups.  I thought this would be a great way for students to invite friends and for you get to know their friends in a non threatening environment. You can have it where ever you would like, just let me know so I can try and drop by as many as possible!  Student are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks.

February 15: The UUell – HABITS (6 weeks) - The formation of spiritual habits in the life of a believer.

February 26: Mission/Ministry Fair in the Atrium.  We will need to have a booth set up.

Sign Ups To Begin Soon:

High School Mission Trip – Montana, June 30-July 6: My goal this year to reach the students of Laurel, MT.  We will work on the 4th of July float as well as get the area ready for The Awakening (a student worship event which will prayerfully awaken students to love God more and reach the lost).

Middle School Mission Trip – Townsend, TN, July 30 – Aug 3 – We will be camping out in Townsend and we will be involved in Camp Ground Ministry which will include Back Yard Bible Clubs and Family Evening Programs.

Ski Trip Essentials

January 4-5
We will be meeting at the church at 8:30AM and leaving by 9AM...please be on time in order to depart on time.  We will back by 11PM on the 5th!


IMPORTANT
IF YOU HAVEN'T FILLED OUT ALL THE PAPERWORK, THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE WE LEAVE!
     PERMISSION FORM
     MEDICAL RELEASE FORM
     PERFECT NORTH FORM
ALL CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE INFO DESK IN THE UUELL OR STUDENT MIN OFFICE.


What to Bring:
Toiletries
Ski Bibb
Waterproof coat
Waterproof gloves
Chapstick
Something to cover your head (tobogan)
Something to wear under your bibb that's appropriate for the lodge (shorts and tshirt)
Quarters for locker
Money for 4 meals
Thick socks
Thermals (something longsleeve/pants)
Goggles (only if you desire them, not necessary)


What Not to Bring:
GameBoy DSi or other handheld gaming systems
Only bring your own equipment if you would like to, rental is proveded with cost...subtract $15 if you bring your own stuff
Bad attitude
Drugs
Weapons

Read your handbook if you have questions as to what is appropriate

Upcoming dates to take note of...

Here you go parents!!

Jan 4-5 – Ski Trip to Perfect North

Jan 11 – Semester Kickoff at DownUnder UTK 6-8:30

Jan 13-14 – MERGE

Jan 29 – LEAD Team Lunch and Planning Meeting

Feb 5 – SuperBowl Parties with your CONNECT groups.

High School Mission Trip: Montana - June 30-July 6 (Cost: TBA)

Middle School Mission Trip: Townsend Campground Ministry - July 30-Aug 3 (Cost: TBA)

JM

10 Reasons why your student needs to be in a small group...

we've tried hard to give you and your students an opportunity to be involved in a small group here at The doubleU.  CONNECT Groups meet on Sunday mornings and Engage is on Sunday nights for High School students while Middle School students meet for midnite (6pm).  We have designed all of these to take your students deeper in their knowledge and understanding of God's Word.  The following is a link to a post by Doug Fields on the benefits of small groups.  He's a leading Student Ministry Specialist and a father of teenagers!

http://www.dougfields.com/posts/smallgroupdad/

liveUnhindered/loveUnashamed

JM

when should you let your student use Facebook?

Jon Acuff (author of Stuff Christians Like) offers a little insight at his blog...he's got a point...

--------------------------------------------------

Later than they want.

Why?

Because posting a photo online is like getting a digital tattoo.

Once you post it, you can never delete it. It’s on there forever, traveling across the world on servers you will never have access to.

So, would you let your 12 year old get a tattoo? If the answer is “no,” then don’t let them get on Facebook and post photos. They don’t know that college admissions counselors are going to Google those photos. Future employers are going to background check them on Facebook and Twitter for years and years to come. And those are people who are actually looking with good intentions.

The entire world is going to see that photo, and though a small, small, small portion of that world represents their friends, a bigger proportion represents people who might not have the best intentions for that photo.

Scary? A little.

Realistic? A lot.

When should let your kids use Facebook?

Later than they want.

read more from Jon Acuff at his blog here: http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/

________________________________

If you do allow your student to be a part of Facebook, please keep a watch on it...

JM

Directions for Moonlight Madness

Follow the link below for directions to the fitness center at Mercy North off of Emory.  Girls bring drinks...boys bring snacks!

JM

Mercy Fitness Center

Your Role is Important

I've come across some stats for you and the importance of your role in spiritual life of your student...please take a few moments to soak this info in.

80% of students who say in church after high school said their parents provided spiritual guidance compared to 59% who had dropped out.

50% of the students who stayed involved in church said their parents discussed spiritual matters with them on a regular basis.  30% of those who have dropped out of church say they had these discussions

Those whose parents were actively involved in church, %50 stayed in church while 31% dropped out

57% of students who stayed in church said their parents expressed an expectation that they would remain in church while 39% of those who dropped out say their parents had the same expectation.

42% of students who stayed in church said their parents prayed with them regularly.  22% of students who dropped out said the same thing.

Here's what all these numbers are telling us...a parents involvement (or lack of involvement) in church plays a significant role in the life of a student.  If a parent of a student is actively involved in a growing relationship with Christ will have a major impact on the spiritual life of their student.  Culture might say, "don't meddle in your student's life, especially on spiritual matters...they need to choose that for themselves," but by doing that you're handing over the reigns to someone who doesn't have full use of the part of the brain allows students to make fully informed decisions.

If you want your student to grow in their relationship with Christ then you have to expect it and live it.  Is your example one that is leading your student to grow in his/her relationship with Christ or is it reflecting a mindset of convenient Christianity.  Is God convenient for your life or necessary?  Are you portraying that to your child?

I encourage you to expect your student(s) to be at church and I encourage you to live your life as a godly example that your would proud of them to follow!

liveUnhindered/loveUnashamed

JM

*stats are from a LifeWay study...you can find out more at www.lifewayresearch.com