1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

The Foolish Joy of Mocking

Many students fall into the habit of mocking as a way for covering up their own insecurity. Afraid of looking stupid, some will mock others before they can become the victim. Eventually, the habit can become a lifestyle.

Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/the_foolish_joy_of_mocking/

2. Learn Their Lingo

GMAS = Acronym for give me a second.

Caraoke = Singing along with music in a car, especially loudly and passionately.

4. Links to Learn From

140 Characters of Parenting Insight [YS Blog]
http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/2009/140-characters-of-parenting-insight-2/

Teen Sex Escalation [The Source for Youth Ministry]
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=96

While Adolescents May Reason As Well As Adults, Their Emotional Maturity Lags…[Science Daily]
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007153745.htm

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
- Elizabeth Stone

So You Missed our Parents Meeting earlier this evening. Here’s a recap so that you can be informed.

Youth Meeting

• There were super cool forms to fill out, one being the yearly Health & Permissions form.
• I told you about my youth growing up, finding my own ’strangely warmed’ experience amidst a youth program, but never finding discipleship till God called on me to practice my faith.
• Our shift in programming from a traditional UMYF model to our current set up is a movement back to our Methodist roots of young adult small groups and empowering youth people to practice their faith and grow deeper in discipleship.
• We went over our weekly program set up.
• We went breezed through this cliff-notes version of our calendar for the next 12 months. If you have questions about a specific thing, just email me.
• Different with the calendar you might see, is 2 senior high missions experiences to Long Beach. One during spring break & the other during the choir tour. The plan is to have choir tour come through Long Beach to do their choir performance and the whole group will do a day of missions in the area. The size of the two missions teams will be smaller than our normal, only being 15-20 people for each. Other logistics are still working out on that one, but that’s the dream.
• We need folks to sign up to help with Warmth in Winter, Pumpkin Patch, the Missions Experiences, and Snack Supper especially. If you are willing to help with Snack Supper please email Donna Daly.
• We have added the NWG Choir to the google calendar on our calendar page. If you are having trouble seeing the details of an event, let me know. In updating the calendar viewing permission might not have been set correctly. I think I got it right, but I have been known to screw that up in the past. &:~D

If you have more questions feel free to email gavin(dot)richardson(at)hfumc.org for youth program related stuff or nwgpraises(at)gmail.com for all things NWG Choir.

cartoon via cartoonchurch.com lots of funny stuff there

Hey!

August is behind us and September is falling into place. This means school routines are becoming normal, college & NFL football is in the air, people are making last trips to the lake & swims through their pools, and we as a youth ministry are hoping to find our rhythm as well. One thing that hasn’t changed is the “Jay Leno” show, isn’t that just the Tonight Show but earlier? Should be called the Evening Show.. okay, apologies, my sleepiness makes me ramble.

• Big “Yeah God” to the news that Briana was given a cancer free report after her surgery to remove the melanoma cells. We have many folks in our community who are affected by cancer, so as we celebrate Briana & her family, we want to continually lift up those who don’t always get great news.
• Thanks to everyone who has been coming, showing up to help out with youth events the last few week weeks. Its been a real blessing to have such a great group of folks to be in ministry with.
• Parents Meeting: This Sunday in Genesis Hall, from 4:15 (get there around 4 to look at papers and stuff) till 5:45 with a break in focus at 5pm from Youth Stuff to NWG Choir.
• Basketball Players wanted to form a HFUMC Church League Team (Grades 9-12).  Registration taking place NOW!  Call or text 615 513-9170 or email merrilee.wineinger(at)hfumc.org by Thursday, September, 24 if interested.
• NWG Choir: This Week
• Youth Gathering this Week! We will be breaking into Drive Groups for the year. Will need everyone to be there.
• Fall Camping Retreat: View Photos from the Retreat
• Eikon: We have Eikon on Wednesdays from 630-730. Right now we have Improv rolling along, will be bringing back Writing and Photography and hope to start Arts soon.
• Helping with CoffeeHouse? Thanks to those folks who showed interest in doing some of the techie side of CoffeeHouse & Youth stuff. I’ll be sending out a schedule of ‘who is on duty’ for which weeks later.
• Have you downloaded & filled out our yearly Health & Permission release form? Please do that.
• Senior Photos: Some of you know Anna from being our Summer Intern, she is starting a new business as a Photographer and has some deals for those looking for Senior Pictures.
• This coming Up to check out School House Rock Live, the World Vision Africa experience, & Spirit Days.
• Take a little Action today. Take a Photo and Join the Don’t Forget About Darfur petition.
• Check out our website, especially the right side as I am bookmarking articles that I find interesting and you might find relevant to your life, parenting, school culture, research, or just something for a laugh…
• Seeking out few good Security Guards to watch the Tent, Tables, Chairs overnight from Saturday to Sunday leading to our “Spirit Days” Celebration.

Thanks again everyone for your support of the ministries & especially to Erin, myself, & now Brooks! He is doing great, he reached the 7lb 11oz mark this week & got to meet some folks from our youth community when he made a surprise appearance to the consignment sale.

shalom

-gavin

this week in eNewsletter. check this if you want to get our email newsletter.

• Eikon: We are pleased to bring back our multi-generational spirituality and arts exploration Eikon. This year we will have meeting throughout the year on Wednesday evenings. Eikon, Photography, Improv, Writing & Visual Arts. I’m excited to start back our Writing group with a friend and published author Matthew Paul Turner is going to come and share his experience and knowledge with us during the month of August. His most recent book is called “Churched” and it is a funny and poignant memoir of his early childhood growing up in a fundamentalist church environment. He is excited to be with us. Also back for another season is our Improv, Photography, and Visual Arts group. Eikon will be on Wednesday evenings from 630pm till 730pm in conjunction with WNT options. Groups are open to all ages and experiences, just come. We will meet on the 3rd floor youth lounge area follow signs.
• Eikon Arts & Writing start tonight, Improv & Photog will start up next week.
• Newly Minted 7th Graders Pool Party: is this Sunday at the Privitera’s home from 2-4. This is just for our 7th graders to reconnect & have some fun together. We will do a shuttle a little before 4 for those going to NWG Choir.
• NWG Choir: Is back & rehearsal is this week at 4pm. Don’t Miss!
• Parents Meeting: We will have our first Parents Meeting of the academic year this Sunday from 4:10-5pm. We will go over Calendar Items, Permission Forms, Getting Involved, etc. These meetings are packed with info & really quick. So be seated & ready at 4:10pm in the Youth Area. You are welcome to stay and hang for snack supper.
• Fall Camping Retreat: We are heading into the woods & into the water for this years camping retreat. Check the new youth site I’ve been working on for more details.
• Youth & Youth Leader Training: We have our second installment of our leadership trainings August 24th from 530-730pm. This is for those who are Drive Group leaders (student & adults alike) and Coffeehouse or Eikon group leaders. Dinner is provided, you bring the conversation & learning
• Do you want to help with CoffeeHouse worship or other shows? I’m looking for a few good people to teach how to do the video, projection, and what I know of sound & light board. Talk to me!
• I hope everyone enjoyed the music & ministry of Holly Cormier this past Sunday at CoffeeHouse. Check out her site, youtube & facebook, to support a fellow young person.
• I don’t know about you, but this has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. Make sure you double check your math, physics, and weather before you get any ideas for yourself.