INSIDEOUT

Choir Tour Day 1 & 2!!!

2008-06-23T21:35:00.002-06:00

Having a great time so far! We are staying at FUMC in downtown Orlando for two nights and just got back from Go Carts...
Both performances have been so good!!!!

Thanks for your prayers...

Summertime!!!

2008-06-18T09:05:00.002-06:00

We have hit the ground running...
Our Senior High got back from the Mission Trip to Tennessee on Saturday.
We are right in the middle of our Mid High Mystery and Mission Week.
And we leave on Choir tour in 4 days!

Here's our weekly schedule just in case you weren't sure:

Monday's
3:00-5:00 - Monday Mission: a weekly mission activity(check pink box for details)
5:00-6:00 - dinner for mission peoples
6:00-7:00 - Mid High Point at youth building
6:00-7:30 - Sr High Bible Discussion at Celeste Norris' House

Wednesday's
4:45-5:45 - Praise Band Practice
6:00-7:30 - UMY
7:30-9:30 - After Hours (Unless we do a daytime activity- see activities in the pink box)

Extra things coming up:

Mid High Boat day - June 27th from 10 - 4.

Sr High Boat day - July 10th from 10 - 4.

What's happening next???

2008-03-31T08:18:00.004-06:00

April 2nd, Wednesday
10:00 - 2:00 - Clean up the Youth building! Lunch is provided!
Remember this is your youth building and I need everyone's help to keep it organized and clean! We need help with throwing out markers, sharpening pencils...to just plain wiping things off!
2:00 - we will either go to a movie or something else depending on what you all vote on!

Sunday, April 6th:
6:00-7:45 p.m. FIRESIDES on SUNDAY NIGHT after choir.
We are meeting at different houses to hang out and eat dinner together! All youth are invited even if you don't normally participate in our youth activities! We would love to hang out with you!
Where to meet:
All 7-8th graders will meet at Jack Gross' House (2706 Blackshear Ave, 433-1513, Trish) We will provide a ride for the 7-8th grade to Jack's house from CHOIR!

9th-12th graders:
If your birthday is in January - June: go to the Westmark's(3775 Bonner Road, 432-9092, Kaye)
If your birthday is July - December: go to the Sharp's(221 Beacon Road, 432-8041, Rhonda)

Coming up:
NOTICE! April 12th - Run for Missions! Looking for Volunteers!
The Run for Mission's committee is looking for some volunteers to help hand out water and to watch the children's section! If you are not running and are interested in helping our church raise money for missions - then contact Lisa Bond at lisabond@bellsouth.net

April 18-19th
Sr High Guys Overnight at Vortex Springs - watch for registration in the mail!
Swimming, Grilling, playing and praying...

April 25-26th - DATE CHANGE!
Sr High Girls Overnight on the Beach - watch for registration in the mail!
Beach, massages, manicures, praying and much more!

AWFL Mission Trip

2008-03-30T13:59:00.002-06:00

Diana and I are currently in Costa Rica on a mission trip with the Alabama-West Florida Methodist District. If you'd like to see what we're up to, check out this link and read the blog!

Fundraising for Summer Trips

2008-03-05T10:16:00.002-06:00

Youth going on Summer trips AND 6th graders hiking on the WT -
Do you need money??? Well, then here's how you can earn some:

What you need to know now:

-If you WORK the fundraisers, you personally will BENEFIT from the fundraisers. These fundraisers will not go into the general pot. Each youth will have an account and any money raised from either fundraiser will be deducted from the trip/s of your choice. (Youth Choir Tour, Confrontation Point, or Wilderness Trail) Funds raised at table sales at church on a Wednesday or Sunday will be equally divided AMONG THOSE ACTIVELY WORKING the table sale. That means helping set up the table, putting up posters, and sitting at the table and helping. (Or anything else the adults in charge ask you to help do.) Funds raised from sales generated on your own, (anything you sell on your own outside of the table sales at church) will go directly into your personal account.

-The Honey Baked Ham sale works as follows:

1. You will have an order form and take orders for gift certificates, redeemable at any Honey Baked Ham store or online, in increments of $10, $25, $35, and $50. (The certificates do NOT expire.)

2. When you take an order, you will collect a check made payable to FUMC.

3. Orders will be turned in and redeemed at the store for the actual gift certificates.

4. HERE'S THE COOL PART. We get to keep 20% of the money. So, if you sell $500 in gift certificates, there will be $100 in your trip account.

5. Certificates will be delivered/picked up. People who ordered at church will pick up certificates at church, or you will deliver to your personal sales customers that do not come to church.

-WE ARE NOT delivering any food, only gift certificates.

-Remember, Honey Baked Ham sells a lot more than ham. They have turkey, casseroles, side dishes, sauces, dips, cakes, sandwiches for lunch, etc.

Overall fundraiser schedule:

Wednesday, March 5-Sunday, March 16: In addition to sales at church tables on Wednesdays and Sundays, you will be able to sell individually on your own.

Thursday, March 13: Orders due for gift certificates to be delivered by Sunday, March 16. (Certificates can be picked up at the sales tables Sunday morning. Those not picked up will be left in the front office for pick up.)

Sunday, March 16: Orders due for gift certificates to be delivered by Tuesday, March 18 or Wednesday, March 19. (Certificates will be available for pick up in the front office during the day Tuesday and Wednesday; plus we can set up tables again Wednesday for remaining certificates to be picked up.)

Again, orders for certificates sold at church will be picked up at church. You will be responsible for delivering certificates you sell on your own.

E-mail lalla@walterpierce.com if you plan to participate in the fundraiser, and let her know all work times you are available to help. Call Lalla, 516-0214, if you have any questions.

Week 5 of Psalm readings

2008-03-05T10:15:00.001-06:00

[SUNDAY]

Psalms 76, 100, 117, 131

[MONDAY]
Psalms 12, 27, 74, 97

[TUESDAY]
Psalms 29, 79, 90, 102

[WEDNESDAY]
Psalms 29, 79, 90, 102

[THURSDAY]
Psalms 58, 80, 126

[FRIDAY]
Psalms 31, 92, 127

[SATURDAY]
Psalms 32, 81, 128

Week Four Psalm Readings

2008-02-24T21:34:00.003-06:00

Sunday - February 24
Psalm 19, 119: 1-32

Monday - February 25
Psalm 23, 119: 33-64

Tuesday - February 26
Psalm 21, 119: 65-96

Wednesday - February 27
Psalm 72, 119: 97-120

Thursday - February 28
Psalm 20, 119: 121-144

Friday - February 29
Psalm 28, 119: 145-166

Saturday - March 1
Psalm 6, 120

Week 3 Psalm Readings

2008-02-18T08:26:00.002-06:00

Monday, February 18
Psalm 63, 113

Tuesday, February 19
Psalm 13, 114

Wednesday, February 20
Psalm 15, 98

Thursday, February 21
Psalm 16, 116

Friday, February 22
Psalm 17, 69

Saturday, February 23
Psalm 8, 150

Lenten Daily Readings

2008-02-11T07:39:00.000-06:00

I am reading through the entire book Psalms for Lent this year. Thanks to Mars Hill!

I am going to list daily readings every week for you to read as well if you want to!
Praying for all of you!

Week 2
Monday
Psalm 38, 106

Tuesday
Psalm 57, 107

Wednesday
Psalm 8, 108

Thursday
Psalm 54, 109

Friday
Psalm 7, 60

Saturday
Psalm 50, 111

Sunday
Psalm 62, 112

January 2008!!!

2007-12-31T12:22:00.000-06:00

Registrations for Meltdown are due on January 6th!!!! Send them in NOW!

We are starting back:
Wednesdays - January 9th
Sundays - January 13th

Meltdown is January 25-27th

SouperBowl Party on Sunday February 3rd!

Let me know if you are coming...

2007-12-06T11:07:00.000-06:00

Come Rock and Roll with us at our 4th Annual
Mid-High "RETRO" Christmas Lock IN!

When: Friday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. To Saturday, December 15 @ 8:00 a.m.

What: Hula Hoops, Bible Study, S'mores, Midnight Bowling and Movies...
Includes lots of food!

To Bring: $12, change of clothes, sleepwear (if you want), towel, sleeping bag, toothbrush and a FRIEND!!!

Please RSVP by email or 202-0619 so I know how many to plan for!

Sr High Progressive Dinner
December 15th 6:30-9:30 p.m

Meet at:
Devan Dunlap’s House
114 & 1/2 Palafox Place
232-9063 (Deborah)

Pick up at:
Ian & Brooks Macbeth’s House
2625 Tambridge Circle
434-8386 (JeriLynn)
OR the YMC at 9:45 p.m.

Click to view a map of the locations.

Bring: $10 which will go to Nothing But Nets.
Also, bring a Gag Gift for our White Elephant Gift Exchange!
DO NOT buy your gag gift. Find something in your house to exchange.
You must RSVP by December 12th by email or 202-0619.

Info for you! 30 Hour famine update too!

2007-10-29T19:19:00.000-06:00

Hi all -
The Boo Bash was great fun! Thanks for hanging upside down on Monkey Bars and for playing duck duck goose in different stores! You are all amazing!

Sr High - come join me at my house on Halloween from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.mish. I will order pizza - bring snacks and drinks to share!

BUT! Best of all - the amount that we are sending to World Vision's 30 Hour Famine this year IS: $9,040.38!!!!! We are helping to feed and educate 25 kids this year!
Congratulations!!!!!!

30 Hour Famine info

2007-10-09T13:48:00.000-06:00

Congrats to all of you that fasted this past weekend! We have raised close to $7000 so far!!!! That is almost as much as last year - and without certain help!!!! We are feeding 19 kids for an entire year at this point...HOW AMAZING! Keep asking for donations and turn them in when you get them.
I had a great weekend with all 32 of you - and I am honored to share to in these life changing experiences with you.
Be Blessed this week.
Em

STARVE HUNGER - 30 Hour Famine

2007-09-11T19:46:00.000-06:00

October 6-7th

Okay, here's the deal...we are fasting for 30 hours to raise money for World Vision.

www.30hourfamine.com

Last year we raised over $7000 - so what's our goal for 2007?????

Saturday, October 6th - we will start the famine at 6:00 a.m. and come together that day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (So you will spend the night in your own bed).

Sunday, October 7th - we will wear our shirts to the services on Sunday and then we will break our fast together at Noon.

Pick up your permission form and turn it in as soon as possible.

There are 25 t-shirts for the first 25 to raise $60.

I am ready to help feed more than 20 students for one year again!!!! We CAN do it.

The next couple of weeks...

2007-08-06T07:56:00.000-06:00

Hi all - Our end of the summer event is THIS Wednesday, August 8th:at 6:00 - UMY and 7:30 - Summer Trips and other stuff Pictures. Bring any pics you want to exchange OR email them to me so I can add them to our slideshows. Also, bring toppings for our Ice cream Sundays.

Just in case you haven't heard - I am having surgery on my right foot on Friday, August 10th so I won't be around for a couple of weeks. You are welcome to come by my house and visit me if you want - just call first!!!

COMING UP!!!
Sr High Fall Retreat at Laguna Beach Christian Resort
"OPEN WIDE"
Panama City Beach
August 24th-26th
Cost: $80 and bring dinner for Friday night
There is another option if you can't join us till Saturday morning.
YOU WANT TO BE HERE!!! Watch for our postcard.

Mid High Fall Retreat at Miracle Camp
September 7th - 9th
Cost: $60 and bring dinner for Friday night.

3rd Annual Eggstravaganza
UMY Kick Off @ 6:00 p.m.
Wear clothes that can get messy and get ready to have fun! Who will be this years Champion???

Perspectives of Youth 2007

2007-07-19T19:34:00.000-06:00

Katie Moore:
Youth 2007 was simply an amazing experince for me. I was able to hear from many different speakers, such as Bishop Linda Lee, Bishop Minerva Carcano and Mr. Ray Buckley.
I got to experience hilarious acts from Bob Stromberg, 321 Improv and even the "puppet guy" Taylor Mason. I also had the chance to listen to some christian bands and whether I was dancing to The Katinas or feeling the love that the group Fusebox brought, I definately was having a great time, and all of these things just happend during the worship services.
During the splatshops I had the opportunity to take Liturgical Praise Dance with Julie Hermann, Casey Rigsby and Mrs. Lalla Pierce, now we were suppose to go to different splatshops but once we discovered that the dancers would be performing at the last worship service we decided to stick with the dance class. So when that Sunday morning came around, all four of us represented our church in the dance piece that took place in the service. That entire week not only let me step out of my comfort zone but gave me the tools and time to become closer to God in ways I never thought possible.
Our youth group is wonderful and I'm glad I got to take this trip with not only my peers but with all the adults who went as well.

Choir Tour is heading home

2007-06-22T05:32:00.000-06:00

It's Friday morning and while I wait for the 8 girls in mine and Heidi's room to shower - I thought I would update you all about our week.
It has been fantastic at Lake Junaluska! Very, very relaxing - in a way that most of us don't get a chance or try to do often. So many of your students have loved playing frisbee, praying, singing, laying on blankets under the trees, walking around the lake, heading up the hill to the cross, running, laughing, being still and mostly enjoying being together.
5 of our adults sang in the adult choir - while 6 of our mid high's and 23 sr high's sang in their choirs.
Mark Miller was the director of the Sr High choir and they LOVED it. Everyone of them had a good time with him and singing his songs. You will hear a lot about how much he loves music, his skills and how he made their experience so real. I wish you could have watched and listened to them sing last night.
Our Mid High's director was Kevin Kelly - and it took them a day or two to warm up to him and the experience but they also had a great time and their concert was so amazing!!!!

We are starting our journey south after the worship service and will be in Atlanta tonight before we head HOME! See you soon!

On the Crisis in Uganda

2007-06-19T22:05:00.000-06:00

In the midst of all the excitement of summer, I've just received word that our resolution, written and approved by the members of our Youth Choir, has been approved by the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference and will move on to the General Conference in 2008. Congratulations guys, this is an ambitious step to a solution. You can download a copy of the resolution here.

2007 Choir Tour

2007-06-17T15:56:00.000-06:00

The youth have arrived at Lake Junaluska!!! We arrived about an hour ago and after buying our food for the week - we are now getting ready for our first worship service this evening.

Just in case you don't know - we stayed at St. Johns UMC in Sandy Springs, GA. The church had two different families that let our entire youth group come from the evening to swim and shower before we went to bed both nights. That was nice because the church only has 1 shower.

The weather on Friday was cool and amazing for our day at Six Flags.
Yesterday we visited and sang for Sandy Reeves, Caroline Terry and Fran Jones. What a blessing for us to get to spend time with them before we played the rest of the day. The Seniors had their dinner with Rick and Heidi at a Dave and Busters type restaurant while the rest of the youth spent time in a mall and ate greek/italian food.

We sang "Joyful, Joyful" at St. John's this morning and then started north to get to North Carolina!!!

More info soon...

Summer has begun!!!

2007-06-08T10:25:00.000-06:00

What a great week we have already had! Manna Food Pantry, Bible Studies, Catch Phrase, stories and of course the beach at night(I love the beach at night).

Just a reminder that VBS begins on Monday, June 11th and all 7th-12th graders are invited to help in crafts or drama with VBS. Let me know if you are interested!

Also, our first ever Mid High Mystery Week for 6th-8th graders - starts on Monday, June 11th at 9:00 a.m. - please bring bathing suits(a modest one), closed toed shoes, suntan lotion, towel and a hat! It is going to be an amazing week!

We do NOT have Mission Monday in the afternoon on Monday - because we will be working with VBS or the Mystery Week...
Have a great weekend!

A Valediction

2007-05-20T20:57:00.000-06:00

Congratulations seniors and good luck! Remember, life is a choice.

A month of giving.

2007-05-02T16:27:00.000-06:00

April has come to a close and with it our fundraiser for Malaria Awareness Month. We raised $476.52! Combined with the $1000 raised by the adult sunday school classes, we more than exceeded our goal.

That money will serve villages all over Africa by providing 150 nets to those who need them most. Congratulations everyone, we came together to serve and succeeded!

In addition to the malaria crisis in Africa, the Youth Choir also did their part to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Northern Uganda.

After watching the Invisible Children movie, the choir met to write and approve a resolution to be submitted to the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. If approved at General Conference, it will become part of the Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church in 2008. See a copy of the resolution here.

Again, congratulations everyone. We are making a difference!

Send a net. Save a life.

2007-04-01T02:18:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed the new colors we've got going on the hompage. This is in recognition of Malaria Awareness Month.

Malaria is a preventable disease, yet it kills over 500 children every day. To help solve this problem, UMY is joining the Nothing but Nets campaign to send special bed nets to African families.

These bed nets decrease the transmission of malaria by 90% and are the most cost-effective solution to the African malaria virus. $10 will buy a net.

So, during the month of April, our Sunday school offering will go directly to Nothing but Nets to save children in Africa.

Spread the word, bring money, and pray, for these are the things this Christian community are made for. We will make a difference.

Lent? Why do we give things up?

2007-02-22T15:45:00.000-06:00

First of all, if you want a great explaination of what Lent is and why we observe it - check this site out.

I have to be honest, Lent caught me off guard this year. One minute we are leaving Meltdown and now I am in day 2 of Lent. So I had to change gears pretty quickly.

Lent has always been one of my favorite times of the Christian year... I like a challenge and it is a challenge for me to remember. To remember that I have been given a gift through the death of Christ. So I try hard to create space to prepare for the resurrection of Christ.

What did you give up? Have you given anything up? Have you added anything? I am no longer watching tv in the morning - which I have started to do since I've been running with Heidi early in the am. For the next 39 days, I will be reading through a book called "Dangerous Wonder" by Michael Yaconelli and the book of Proverbs. My prayer for myself and this youth group is that we do use this time to try... try to listen for God's still small voice and to create space for Him to speak to our hearts.

If you did give something up - let us know!!!! On here!!!

Blessings to all of you

Our Veils

2007-02-05T21:02:00.001-06:00

For those who attended the Meltdown retreat this past weekend, you heard of the concept of veils, those attributes, actions or idiosyncrasies that conceal or otherwise obscure ourselves from clearly reflecting our Christian love on others (and ourselves).

Be they apathy, double standards, ignorance, indifference, or distraction, they are ever present and serve to separate ourselves from Jesus and the universal love (service) that he taught.

May we all go about to recognize our veils, and seek to lift them, together, for these are the things this Christian community is for.