December 3, 2009
Updates from Elley!
Merry Christmas! I pray that you and your family are able to fully enjoy this holiday season for the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ to the world! As the Holiday quickly approaches, I pray that you can stop bask in the presence of Immanuel–God with us!
There are serveral things to update you about in this week’s blog.
Last weekend, ten youth and four adults went to Loucon for the Fall Retreat. The theme of the week was “What is Love?” We talked about the self-giving nature of God’s love, what happens when we want to do our own thing and we ignore God’s love, and how even in difficult times God is with us and is loving us. Jonathan Powers shared about his relationship with his wife, Faith, and the similiarities with his relationship with God. Will Solomon led worship for the weekend and shared about how Christ was with him and revealed his love to him through an incredibly difficult situation. We also had many opporunities to enjoy God’s marvelous creation, as we played capture the flag, climbed in a high ropes course, ziplined, and enjoyed a campfire. It was such a blessing to spend time with each other and to share in this experience with the group!
This season let’s spend some time remembering those who may not have a family with whom to celebrate Christmas. The United Methodist Children’s Home is collecting gifts to give to the residents. Youth who were present at the November 29th youth meeting took home two gift items to purchase and return to the church. Please bring those to the youth room between now and December 13. We’ll gather those up and make sure they get to the Methodist Children’s home. If we weren’t here on Sunday, please check out the home’s wish list at http://www.kyumh.com/Wishlist_Kentucky_Methodist_Childrens_Home.htm.
With Christmas coming around, there is time for celebration! On Sunday, December 13th, youth and parents are invited to join us for our annual Christmas party! We’ll be meeting in the youth wing of the church from 5-7. Youth, please bring a “white elephant” gift, which is something that you have that you don’t necessarily want and that you don’t spend money on. Examples from last year include a life-size Angelina Jolie cut-out, old toys and board games, and a Jonas Brothers box. Be creative! Wrap it up and bring it with you for our gift exchange. Also, if each youth would bring some sort of party food, drink, or dessert to share.
I have received a wonderful gift from my grandfather for my upcoming graduation in May. He and I will be traveling to the Holy Lands on January 19. I will be gone for three weeks total, and will return for church on Sunday February 7 (Super Bowl Sunday). I am so blessed to have this opportunity with my 88 year old grandfather! During this time, I also had arranged to travel to Florida to visit my parents who are living there for the winter. Obviously, being gone for three weeks may be a bit concerning, but plans are already being made so that some of our volunteers are able to step and lead youth group. There will also be opportunities for the youth to lead some service projects with they children’s ministry during this time. More info will come about all this later, I just wanted to inform you now about the excitement.
