Hey All!

Since the last time we talked via 5minute eLetter a lot has happened & some of it wasn’t planned that way. We are still moving along and building our youth community for this coming year. As everyone probably knows, Erin & I welcomed Brooks Foster “The Pellet” Richardson to the family on August 16th, only 6weeks early. No problem.. Well, we are adjusting, mom & boy are great and I am getting back into work as usual.

• We have run into some safe sanctuaries issues since the start of fall. Nothing major but finding out that some of you fabulous leaders have not been certified through our Safe Sanctuaries process. Whatever the case may be, per our guidelines, no one who hasn’t gone through the screening & training process is allowed to be in leadership (that covers leading programs to helping out) for youth & children programming. There is a training this evening in the Companions class where you can get all that set behind & moving forward. If you cannot make tonight, please keep tuned in for the next available training. The safe sanctuaries team has been doing them pretty regularly since we started this last spring.
• Eikon:Writing, Improv & Photography will be on for this evening. We hope to finish the start of Arts & have all four groups rolling by next Wednesday. These are multigenerational misfit communities, come out if you are interested.
• NO NWG Choir: This Week
• NO Youth Gathering This Week either. We traditionally take a breather on Labor Day & Memorial Day weekends for Family time & Rest for our Leadership
• Parents Meeting: Due to the surprise arrival of Mr. Brooks, we postponed our Parents Mtg for that day. We will now be trying out a joint Youth/NWG choir mtg on September 20th, 415pm – 5pm for Youth, 5-530/45 for NWG Choir. Location in the church has yet to be determined..
• Fall Camping Retreat: The camping retreat went off really well thanks to a great crew of adult leaders. From what I know everyone came home in one piece and some even want to change their daily occupation to River Rat. View Photos from the Retreat
• Youth & Youth Leader Training: We will be rescheduling our last training session before we break up into our drive groups for September 8th from 530-730. I know its right on the heels of a long weekend, but make sure to do your homework and be there, we will be going over a TON of stuff.
• Helping with CoffeeHouse? A few of you have mentioned wanting to help out with CoffeeHouse sound board, tech stuff, etc. We are going to do a crash coarse Sept 13th, from 11am to 12. Right after we get done that Sunday
• Have you downloaded & filled out our yearly Health & Permission release form? Please do that.
• 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.
• In the world of, “I can’t believe what I just saw” (or heard) may I suggest I will leave youth ministry if something like this happens at my church or youth event…

Thanks everyone for your support of the ministries & especially to Erin, myself, & now Brooks!

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.