Rion and Dillon: the Leprechauns

I was on vacation last week, but that didn't mean magic didn't happen at First Pres. We hosted a fundraising dinner for the Shepherd's Inn of Elizabethton. This is a domestic violence shelter for women and children that is directed by one of our members, Paul Gabinet.

The Shepherd's Inn provides a critical need for Carter County and they need the finances to do their work. Last week a St. Patrick's Day dinner netted some cash. Two of our church's youth, Dillon and Rion, helped serve.


Thanks to the Johnson City Press for promoting this event and for the great pic! To make a donation or to inquire about services at the Shepherd's Inn, call 423-543-0180.

Dillon and Rion will join eight other youth on an Appalachia Service Project week in June. We are having an auction to raise funds for that this coming Sunday after church. The youth will provide a meal for that. Check our web page for some of the auction items. Y'all come!

Senior High Retreat

The Holston Presbytery Senior High Retreat is February 6-8 at Appalachian Christian Camp near Erwin.

This is most fun event for senior highs that the Holston Presbytery Youth Council hosts.

Youth & Young Adult Ministry offers the Senior High Retreat on February 6-8. This favored annual event for 9th-12th graders, planned by the Youth Council, is featuring this year’s theme as Faithbook.com(unity) with Danny Dieth as key leader.

This year’s event will be at the Appalachian Christian Camp. Contact YYAM office for details and registration or call 423.926.2522.

Let me know if you are interested or need more information!

Appalachia Service Project

We are participating in the Appalachia Service Project, June 7-13. We have spaces for ten youth, entering 9th graders and up. Four adults have volunteered to chaperone:

John Shuck
Richard Brosmore
Randall Rogers
Lynn Williams

Get your application to me by February 1st with your $25 deposit.

Check out the website!

Super Bowl Party

Hey Everyone!

Pat and Bobbie Connelly have invited the youth (grades 6 and up) to a Super Bowl party at their home, February 1st.

They will have dinner for us at 6 p.m. The game starts at 6:30. Their phone is 926-5181 and their address is 1804 Glen Echo Road in Johnson City. email CONNELLY@mail.etsu.edu RSVP please!

Hope to see you all!

Facebook for First Pres. Youth!

I have created a Facebook for First Presbyterian of Elizabethton Youth. This is for youth, parents, and leaders. It is another way to connect. If you are on Facebook, join us! If not, join Facebook! This is a closed group in that to join you must be approved by me.

Here is the link.

Youth Overnight Tonight!

Youth Overnight Friday to Saturday! January 16-17

For grades 6-12

Starts Friday at 6 p.m.

At seven we are driving down to the Bonnie Kate to see Marley and Me http://thebonniekate.com/movies.asp?movie_id=62221

Bring $$$ for movies ($6) then back to church for some games and plans for the coming year.

We finish Saturday at 9 a.m.

Bring friends and $3 for pizza and soda. $$ for your own movie and snack. Sleeping bag, etc.

For youth who will be 14/entering 9th graders, we are doing the Appalachia Service Project June 7-13! Need to get your application to me by February 1st!

Check the youth site on the webpage www.fpcelizabethton.org to download the application.

Appalachia Service Project, June 7-13

The week of June 7-13 is the only week remaining for us for the Appalachian Service Project. I am going to grab it and plan for it and hope we can get some folks to attend, adults and youth, age 14 and up.

I need to know now about who wishes to go and I hope you all can.

Here are the costs.

Per person cost is $215.

Work Crew fee is $450.

We can do some fundraisers between now and then.

The date is final. This is all that is left. I have saved for us 14 spots and we need at least two adults for five youth.

I am hitting the bricks this week to see who is interested.

I want you all to be interested. It is going to be great.

Call me with questions.

Overnight January 16-17

Do not schedule anything for Friday and Saturday, January 16-17!

We are having an overnight. Bring your friends.

6 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday.

Among fun things, we are also going to calendar some events for this year!

Grades 6-12!!

Betsy Bash!

We are hosting an overnight for the presbytery for grades 6-12. Here is the flyer.

Youth Rally This Sunday, August 10!

Hey Everybody!

The Holston Presbytery Youth Rally is this Sunday. I am the director and my lovely spouse is doing the music. Vivian Haile and Deborah Sheffey are on the planning team! This is for all youth grades 6-12.

We will meet after church in the parking lot, have lunch and head to Greeneville! We need to be there by 2 p.m. So bring $$ for lunch and for supper when we return.

Let me know if you can go (and I hope you can!!!) Call me at 943-0634. Or e-mail johnashuck at embarqmail dot com

We may also need a driver...

Here is the skinny!

Youth Rally
Holston Presbytery
August 10, 2008
First Presbyterian Church
110 N. Main Street Greeneville
The Bush Won’t Burn, And I’m Out of Matches (Decision Making) Wouldn’t it be great if God would just tell us what to do like he did with Moses. Yes, it takes a lot to get our attention, but that’s what the burning bush was for. So, without matches then how do I make the right decision about all the issues I face?

Schedule:
2:30 Registration, Recreation & Welcome
2:45 It’s already begun
3:30 Message/Small Groups, Refreshments
5:00 Closing Worship
5:30 Continue onward sharing your faith

Planning Team:John Shuck (Director, Elizabethton)
Donna Hunter (adult, Erwin)
Lynnea Hunter & John Cary (adult/youth, Covenant)
Carly Shaw & Emily Morrell (youth, Timber Ridge)
Vivian Haile & Deborah Sheffey (adults, Elizabethton)
Rachel Donaldson (youth, Greeneville)
Jim Kirkpatrick (Staff)

Directions: From Johnson City area, take the 11E bypass through Jonesborough and into Greeneville. Landmarks before turning off 11E include a BP station on the right. You need to take a left onto West Main Street, Rt. 321 business. Go through three lights and FPC Greeneville is on the left. From Morristown area, take 11E bypass. At the Rt. 70 So. Interchange take 11E business into the downtown. Left on N. Main. Several blocks and church will be on right. Park beside or behind the church.

Event Purpose: to help youth groups connect with other churches, to broaden youth’s understanding of their church; to develop leadership within Holston Presbytery, and to provide an outreach opportunity for young people by inviting their friends. We will conduct a safe, fun event through which we can celebrate our faith.

Summer and Fall

Hey Everyone!

Here's what's up:

There are no regular meetings in June or July. But we will have three events:

1. Hike to Grassy Ridge on Saturday, June 21st. We hope everyone can come out for this.
2. Church retreat with events for youth, Saturday, June 28th.
3. Overnight camping for youth, July 25th and 26th (Friday-Saturday).
   

For the school year:

1. We begin with the Holston Presbytery Youth Rally, August 10th in Greeneville.
2. A day service project to Asheville on some Saturday this Fall.
   
3. A big trip to Atlanta over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, Jan. 17-19, 2009.

Here is the big question. It has been suggested that we have our youth meetings for both middle school and senior high during the 11:00 hour on Sunday, like the other religious education classes. This would be our regular meeting. Then, at least once per month, we would have some other event (overnight, fun event, service event). The idea is that we might more easily swing that then trying to get regular evening meetings on Sundays.

Let's think about this over the summer. We can work on things to do such as folks to lead the middle school and the senior high (Martin Hall and the Tom Dixon Room are not being used at that time). We can work on curriculum and of course planning for our service projects.

I am on vacation and will return mid-June. We can talk further then!

Youth Rally Planning Team

I have been asked to be the director of the youth rally this coming August. We have gone to the last two. This is the big event that starts off the school year and connects middle and high school youth from around the presbytery. I am putting together a team to plan for it.

I am wondering if any of you, youth or adults, would like to help me plan for this. I asking other youth and adults around the presbytery to help with the planning as well.

The requirements would be:

1. ONE planning meeting on Tuesday June 17th at 7 p.m. (probably at the campus house), and
2. Attendance at the Rally which will be at First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 10th.
   

The big thing is your availability for both of these dates. Can you help us out?

Please let me know ASAP by returning this e-mail or by calling my cell at 943-0634. I am going on vacation for three weeks beginning Monday so I need to take care of this over the weekend. If you say YES then Jim Kirkpatrick will send you a reminder early in June.

Here is the blog entry from last year's rally!

Thanks!
John

Final Meeting Before Summer

Hey Everyone!

Our final meeting before summer is Sunday, May 25th at 5:30. We will make a quick summer event schedule.

Natalie and Allison Sheffey invite you to watch them play softball this Friday. The Ramblers will be playing 3 games Friday night at Winged Deer Park starting at 6:00. The admission is 5.00 per person but I will see if I can get a "group rate" if any of the youth come.

How many can make it? Let me or Deborah Sheffey know! It will be fun to cheer them on!

Who else has cool stuff going on this summer? Let me know so I can put it on the blog. We want to be there for each other!

Holston Camp News

Announcing ... TWO additional summer programs for 2008!

PATHFINDERS;

a Main Camp summer program for youth 10-11 years.

June 15-20 and July 6 -11!

Dear Campers, Parents, and Camp fans:

Camp will now offer TWO additional summer programs for 2008! Pathfinders, a Main Camp program for youth 10-11 years, will take place June 15-20 and July 6–11.

After reviewing camper enrollment for this summer, including Pathfinders proved to be an easy addition. Many camp supporters find a choice to be in Main Camp essential for this age group. And, many families want an opportunity to bring all of their children to camp on the same week, especially with increasing gas prices. We planned to address these concerns with the 2009 schedule, but decided to take advantage of this year's program flexibility.

Finding a set of choices that enable you to attend your camp is our highest priority. Families who already registered for camp are welcome to choose different sessions. To do this, contact our office. We look forward to sharing this summer with you!

Thank you for communicating with us about these concerns.

Valerie

____________
Valerie Taylor
Summer Program & Marketing Director
Holston Presbytery Camp
Post Office Box 428
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-6611
www.holstoncamp.org

Holston Camp

Patti Davison, who keeps us connected with Holston Camp, sent this:

Holston Camp has 2 registered campers from our church:

1. Sam
2. Rion

Anyone else interested? Visit their website at www.holstoncamp.com

Thanks,
Patti

May Calendar

Here is what is on tap for youth in May:

Dinner and Movie! Friday, May 9th at 6 p.m. Youth are encouraged to come at 5:15 to help us serve and set up. Can you help?

Virginia Creeper Trail! Saturday, May 10th.

Youth Groups:

May 11, 18, 25: Middle School and Senior Highs meet at 5:30. Vivian Haile will lead the senior highs. Debbie Sheffey, Julie Martin, and I will lead Middle School.


Senior Highs will watch and discuss Theologians Under Hitler.



The Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Senior High Youth Group has invited us to watch the film, Why We Fight? on May 16th.

Their youth have been doing some great work with the Department of Peace. They led worship in their church regarding it a couple weeks ago. Here is the announcement and invitation:

"The HVUUC Senior High Youth Group invites you to a showing of the film, "Why We Fight" Friday night, May 16th, 7 p.m. in the HVUU Sanctuary. Refreshments will be provided. Discussion will be invited. The movie had a big effect on many of us when we watched it at our social action retreat in January, and we would like everyone to have a chance to see it. In promoting the U.S. Department of Peace, at the very least, we seek a balance of interests from our government."

So what is going on in your life? Anything we can cheer you on about? If you are in any sports, band, or other activities, we want to put them on our schedule.

Let me know! E-mail me!

May Meetings for Youth

Hey Everyone!

I think that we are now finally getting on schedule. During May, I see no conflicts, so we are going to have youth group meetings every Sunday from 5:30-6:30 with separate meetings for Middle School and High School. So get it on your calendars!

Also, we have some other events in the church that are cool.

Friday night, May 9th is Dinner and a Movie. This will be the opening celebration of our new audio/visual equipment! Dinner at 6, movie at 7.

Saturday, May 10th is the Viriginia Creeper Trail Bike Ride. We have 30 signed up already. This will be a blast. The ride starts at 11:00 a.m.

Earth Day Hike This Sunday!!!

This Sunday (April 27th), Youth (both senior highs and middle school) will meet after worship. We are going to participate in the Earth Day Hike from Hampton to Dennis Cove! So, grab a lunch after church or bring one or whatever. Make sure you bring a water bottle and good hiking clothes.

Wednesday Film, Anyone?

Movie at Milligan. Are any of you interested in attending the film, panel discussion and pizza afterward? I know it is kind of late and a school night. Let me know, ASAP, by replying to this e-mail!

For the Bible Tells Me So at Milligan College

Milligan College (Elizabethton, TN) is going to show the film, For the Bible Tells Me So, this Wednesday evening. Here is the news from Andy Olivo, a Milligan Student, who blogs at Fides Quaerens Intellectum, a key player in making this happen. It must have taken some effort, but kudos to Andy and others for pulling it off:

Our President and Dean of Students approved our showing of the documentary, and we have four wonderful faculty on board to lead the post movie discussion. We will be showing it at 7pm in Wilson Auditorium on the Milligan College campus this Wednesday, April 23rd.

Here is the synopis of the film:

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu,Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

Here is the trailer:

Ever helpful, Andy even included directions:

Directions to Wilson Auditorium:

• When turning into the main entrance of campus take main road up and park in large parking lot on the right in front of Hardin Hall and across from the Welshimer Library.
• Take the stairs up to the front of Hardin Hall and the Wilson Auditorium is in Hardin Hall through the double doors on the left of the building.
• If all else fails, find a student and ask them where Wilson Auditorium is!

So get the word out and I hope to see you Wednesday!