Youth News

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May 7, 2008
Click here for the Youth Ministries Calendar! Our Youth Vision Statement: Our Youth Mission Statement: "Nurturing souls in the world through worship, fellowship, and missions with each other, the Church, and the community." Cool Web Links: PVUMC UMOM Devo'Zine devotional Key To Life UMCOR Center for Student Missions CASS St. Vincent de Paul Bob Hobbs, Jr. - Hope, Vision, Passion Arizona Interfaith Movement World Vision The Open Table Camp Coastal Outpost	Greetings! Our Senior Recognition Luncheon was so much fun. We had 10 seniors, their families, and several students and staff attend this event. A very special thank-you to George & Elaine Heredia for planning, purchasing, and preparing our amazing lunch for the seniors. THANK YOU! Oh, and check out our senior wall in the youth lounge. From now on (as long as I'm here), our senior class will get to "leave their mark on us" by putting their handprints, names, and quotes on a section of the wall in the youth lounge. Very cool! NO SML, Confirmation, Classes, or VIBE this Sunday It's Mother's Day! Please take this opportunity to show your mother you love her! Please worship and spend the day with your family today. VELOCITY MEETING next Sunday, May 18 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the Youth Lounge This is a combined meeting with the 2007/2008 & 2008/2009 Velocity teams. This is an extremely important planning session, so if you are on Velocity or will be, I need you at this meeting. Have a blessed week! In Christ, John Kouns Sunday Morning Live! Sundays from 9:30 – 9:50 a.m. in the Chapel Join us in the Chapel on Sunday mornings for SML, a community gathering, singing, and praise opportunity for students in grades 7-12. Of course, all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. At 9:50 a.m. we will break into three age-appropriate Christian development and education groups: Confirmation (which mostly consists of 7th and 8th graders and is year-round), Christian Development Class (grades 9-10), and Christian Exploration Class (grades 11-12). These groups will meet from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Confirmation Class (grade 7-8) Sundays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. in the Chapel NO CONFIRMATION THIS SUNDAY Please contact Pastor Karen or John Kouns with questions Sunday, May 11 - Mother's Day - All in 9:30 worship Sunday, May 18 - All in 9:30 worship - Youth Choir sings Sunday, May 25 - Your BURNING questions!! Christian Development Group (grades 9-10) Sundays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. in the Fireside Room (F8) NO GROUP THIS SUNDAY Start your Sunday morning with SML from 9:30 – 9:50 a.m. in the Chapel and then gather with your friends in 9^th and 10^th grades for the Christian Development class from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. This class will be led by Steven Henglefelt and McKenna Lewellen, and guided and mentored by Mary McGill, Theresa Heath, and myself. This class offers the opportunity for 9^th and 10^th grade youth to continue to develop their Christian faith and habits beyond Confirmation and to ask questions in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment. Christian Exploration Group (grades 11-12) Sundays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. in the Youth Lounge (E14) NO GROUP THIS SUNDAY Start your Sunday morning with SML from 9:30 – 9:50 a.m. in the Chapel and then gather with your friends in 11^th and 12^th grades for the Christian Exploration class from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. This group, mentored by Mary Sue Ingraham, offers the opportunity for senior high youth to engage in discussion of matters of faith in a supportive and encouraging environment. Although this is an ongoing class, there is no homework or prep required. Questions are encouraged and your opinions and views will be treated respectfully. The V.I.B.E. (Sunday evening youth group) Sundays from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please bring $3 to help cover the cost of dinner unless otherwise specified. THIS WEEK: May 11 CANCELED - NO VIBE It's Mother's Day! Spend the day with your family. COMING UP: May 18 - Dinner then Children's Musical May 25 - Youth Choir Concert June 1 - Youth Lounge Party Music Ministry "Sing to Hymn" (Youth Praise Band): NO rehearsal this Sunday If you sing or play an instrument and are interested in joining our youth praise band, please contact John Kouns Youth Instrumental Ensemble: Rehearsal this Sunday from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Youth Choir: Youth Choir practice this Sunday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Velocity (Youth Ministry Leadership Team) Our next Velocity meeting is a combined meeting with the 2007/2008 team and the 2008/2009 team. Please be present for this important meeting! Thanks. Our next Velocity meeting is Sunday, May 18, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Youth Lounge. Small Group Opportunities Our small groups offer opportunities to experience grace-filled, covenant relationships and to form and develop your faith through discussions and fellowship with your peers! This is an awesome way to dive more deeply and to explore relevant issues to you and your faith. If you are interested, please contact John Kouns or Mary McGill: Sr. High Boy's Small Group: Leaders: Fred Unger & John Smeck This group will meet this Monday from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge. If you are a young man in grades 9-12, you are invited to try out this group! This group will meet every Monday evening in the youth lounge unless otherwise specified. Sr. High Girl's Small Group: Leaders: Mary McGill & Lorilee Immel This group will meet this Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge! If you are a young woman in grades 9-12, you are invited to try out this group! This group will meet every Tuesday evening in the youth lounge unless otherwise specified. In the Community: If you have any questions concerning youth mission and outreach projects, please contact Sally Wilder at (602) 459-2333, or Ian Wilder at (602) 459-2332, or John Kouns at (602) 570-2170. As always, parents and adults are encouraged to participate in ALL of our youth mission events. The "Open Table" Update: "A Model for Transforming Homelessness into Wholeness." Click on this link for the Open Table website. Check out our videos and updates! If you would like to speak to someone regarding the Open Table ministry outreach, please email Jon Katov or call (602) 793-0533. You may also contact me, John Kouns, at the email or telephone numbers at the bottom of this newsletter. Adult Youth Workers: Mark your calendars for the following upcoming events! Cool Stuff Coming Up: PVUSD last day of school - May 22 SUSD last day of school - May 28 Youth Choir Tour - May 29 - June 1 Summer Kickoff - June 8 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 A DEEPER LOOK: God works best through humble people. When we admit we are helpless and hopeless without him, God can use us to do great things for his kingdom. Aren't you glad he made you for greatness? Every Blessing, John Kouns Youth Ministries Director Paradise Valley United Methodist Church 4455 E. Lincoln Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 (602) 840-8360 - work (602) 570-2170 - cell (602) 840-8767 – fax jkouns@pvumc.org