Youth

Hello Congregation!

Last call for Souper Bowl contributions! Cans can still be brought in this week. If you'd like to make a cash/check donation for the purchase of additional cans, see Jennifer at the church office.

Thanks to you, the Youth were able to collect over 500 canned good items! We will be delivering them to Metrocrest some time this month. We'd like to double our number next year, so be ready to help when the next Souper Bowl comes around.

The Youth Sunday School has begun an interesting new study of Ecclesiastes. The first chapter reminds us that we cannot find true meaning in "anything under the sun", which literally means, "apart from God". We found comfort in the fact that even great and mighty King Solomon hit rock bottom at times and wondered "what is it all about?" We discussed the idea from chapter one that "there is nothing new... from ancient civilizations to modern technological civilizations... much has changed, but not humanity. People then and now have the same struggles, the same basic needs and emotions, the same desire to find meaning in life. That means that a book like Ecclesiastes is very relevant to today's youth who are trying to figure out their place in the world. They can feel like old king Solomon really "gets" them. I am excited to lead the youth Sunday school through this series, which asks them to consider what is truly of value in their life, and points them towards fulfillment in a life with Christ.

Thank you to all who attended the Parent Meeting on Sunday. Please turn in the yellow, blue, and orange forms as soon as possible. If you were unable to attend, expect to receive the handouts in the mail this week. If you do not have youth of your own, but would like to contribute to our program with your ideas, council, or volunteerism, please contact me this week and ask for a volunteer survey!

God's grace and peace to you and yours!
--Heidi Tolle

Dear Congregation,

Your Youth would again like to thank you for participating in our Souper Bowl of Caring Event. This past Sunday, you donated another 150 cans for a total of 450! We still have a goal of 1000 cans and there is one more week to bring in your canned goods. We especially need soup, beans, and tuna.

On Sunday February 5, there will be an Important Youth-Parent meeting in the Library from 11:45-12:30. Please plan to attend. Snacks will be provided to hold you over until you make it home for lunch!

This Youth Activities Informational Meeting is for:

• parents of current youth group members
• parents of 5th graders who will be transitioning into youth group for next school year
• any adults interested in serving on our youth council or assisting on Sunday evenings

Dates and details of upcoming events and permission slips will be distributed, volunteer sign-up sheets will be on hand, and contact information will be collected, so please attend, or at least stop by to pick up the paperwork.

Last Sunday evening, our youth continued the discussion of authority that began with the Sunday morning scriptures. We talked about having authority over our own bodies and emotions, about allowing the Holy Spirit's authority to guide our decision making, and about submitting to the authority of adults in our lives whose wisdom and love for us provide a safe place for us to grow up. We also talked about the awesome responsibility we have to wield authority with care and compassion instead of an iron fist or grudging attitude when we are asked to be in charge of siblings and pets, or when we have opportunities to advise or lead our friends.

God's richest blessing to you and yours this week

~Heidi Tolle

The Chapel Hill youth would like to thank the Congregation for their very generous response to our Souper Bowl food drive. Last Sunday we collected 300 cans! That is phenomenal!

Let's not stop now! Let's see if we can get to 1000 cans! What if each family brought a case of soup, beans, or tuna from Sam's or Costco!? Wow!

Any donation is valuable, however, so get to those cupboards and look for even a can or two to pass along to our local food bank! Next Sunday is Super (S-O-U-P-E-R) Bowl Sunday! Bring in those cans!"

God's Grace and Peace to You and Yours,

Heidi Tolle

Sunday, January 15, 2012 was the first meeting of Confirmation with sponsors and parents. Looks like another exciting year with a group of fantastic youth. This year, our confirmands are; Alessandro G., Isaac S., Jack T., Alex Y., Brayson H., and Riley D. We have two fifth graders who have chosen to participate in Confirmation this year, so we have a variety of young people who are all seeking to learn more about their God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and what it means to be a United Methodist.

Each of them has been asked to pray about who they would like to ask to be their mentor through the Confirmation classes. A confirmand mentor is a mature Christian companion who is available to spend a little time with their confirmand and answer questions they might have during Confirmation. If this is an opportunity for you to match your compassion for young Christians and one of our confirmands, please let me know so we can get you together.

In Christ, Pastor JoNell

Hello Chapel Hill UMC! I am very excited to be on board as your new youth director. Thank you for your welcoming support and encouragement! Currently your youth group consists of four middle school boys and two high school boys. They are an energetic, eager, and eclectic group, which is just the way I like them!

We had fun producing and presenting our first Souper Bowl of Caring skit during announcements this past Sunday. Please remember to peruse the flyer and bring some of the listed canned items next Sunday.

During our Sunday evening lesson time, we have been discussing the very big concept of "What is faith?" Several youth will be attending Confirmation class, so it is an appropriate time for all of us to revisit our core beliefs and what they mean in our daily lives. The youth group has adopted the motto: Faith = Belief + Feet. This is a challenge to put our faith into action. Each week these students are exploring how their Christian beliefs should and do make a difference in how they approach situations in their daily lives. Beyond that, expect to see Chapel Hill's youth involved with outreach or community service projects each 4th Saturday of the month.

God's Grace and Peace to you and yours this week!

~Heidi