My apologies for this getting up late, we've had a busy day and the WiFi has been cranky! Your first reporter is Taylor Smith:
"Today was a great way to start off camp. In the morning Matt tried to videotape, when there was no tape in the camera! For only being the first day, I'm having a great time and meeting many new people. In the dining hall there's an ice cream bar with many different choices in toppings.
This year Jay's study session is in the media room of our library @ Fredonia.
This year there was a variety of classes to take like Sex Under a Tree (not like it sounds) and A Walk with Mom G. They're very fun and interesting. After classes we went to lunch, had rest hour and then went to our second class. For free time a bunch of people went to Starbucks. We listened to Matt and Alexis jam on their guitars. Avery and Pat shared some jokes as well.
We actually have the pool for all 5 days we're here. It's good because so far it's been humid but the heat hasn't gotten in the way of anyone's fun! Tonight's evening activity was game night! It was a lot of fun had by all. Me, Autumn, Kelsey and Liz played football with the boys. It was quite intense, hot and fun. After playing games like Episcopoly and Apples to Apples we had Compline then called it a night. I had a great first day at camp! There was many fun things to do and many people to share it with. I hope tomorrow is just as good as today was.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Newsletter June 21
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Newsletter Jun 14
Wow, still lots of things to do between now and the start of Senior High! It should be a lot of fun. So hang in there as the final days count down. These are always the toughest days as I remember. It's so nice out THERE and it's such a drag in HERE! Summer's coming, I promise!
There's lots more stuff going on.
Check the youth ministry web page EYouthWNY.org ,
Find us on Facebook
Thanks.
Other Events on the Calendar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Commission -
The June meeting is held Tuesday evening at Senior High Conference.
Please contact if you wish to attend (and aren't attending the Conference)
The next meeting of the Commission will be in September.
Youth Commission encourages all young people in Middle and High School to attend our monthly meetings
Happening #27 -
November 12-14, Camp Pioneer, Angola
Applications are available on the website (HERE)
Camp Dates -
Senior High - June 27 - July 3
Junior High - August 8-14
Sleep Away - August 18-21
Check for camp applications HERE
Check the Youth Ministry calendar for the most up to date dates!
SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)
Prayer seems like one of those things that you just OUGHT to know how to do. But I'd be willing to bet that a lot of folks aren't really comfortable doing it. So maybe you just skip it. You're losing out on a great part of a life in faith so let's take a look at Jesus' advice.
First step: Pray for God's ears, not other people's. Praying in public makes some people nervous. I don't really blame them for saying silly things to God in those moments, but you can sometimes tell they're worried about "sounding right" to the people around them. They work in a few churchy phrases because they've heard everyone else do it. Jesus told his listeners to do their praying behind closed doors -- in secret.
Why? For one thing, it weeds out all the wrong motives. The Jewish religious leaders gave each other spiritual brownie points for style and form in their public prayers, but they were missing the point of talking to God. When you're alone, you know you're not impressing anyone with your prayer-talk. You're more likely to talk to Him straight out of your own life, not out of someone else's prayer fashion handbook.
Of course, you're not going to pray in secret unless you're convinced God is listening. Prayer in secret is an act of greater faith in the God who cares so deeply about you. Jesus promised that our invisible Father listens and rewards those prayers. You don't need to step up to the microphone for Him to hear and answer you.
Think: If you ever pray in front of people, do you pray any differently than you do when you're alone? Are you ever tempted to try to impress people with your prayers? How likely are you to pray when nobody is looking?
Pray: Ask God to help you talk to Him more often when nobody else is around.
Do: God a closet handy? Try praying in it today. No, you don't really need to pray in a closet for God to hear you, but trying it once or twice might make you more aware of how you're talking to God.
A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2010 Youth Specialties. Used by permission.
Facts, Quotes and Shots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGETTABLE FACT
99% of people cannot lick their elbow.
(OK how many of you are going to check? I did. I can't)
POTENT QUOTABLES
Often it is the most deserving people who cannot help loving those who destroy them.
~ Hermanne Hesse
The opposite of love is not hate; it's indifference.
~ Elie Wiesel
PARTING SHOT
What bird can lift the most?
A crane.
EYouthWNY store
This is a way for us to show everyone our involvement in our church and to help support all the youth ministries. The money raised by the stuff at our store is used by Youth Commission to help make camps, and Happening, and mission trips and the Bishop's Ball a little bit better. If you haven't checked out what's available recently please do.
2010 camp t shirt t shirt
Get the 2010 camp t-shirt for only $10. If you'd like to get something else with the camp logo on it let me know and I'll try to arrange for it!
The EYouthWNY store
*All "surf report" internet links and "potent quotables" are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties or the Diocese of WNY.
copyright 2009 :: Youth Specialties
300 S. Pierce St. // El Cajon, CA 92020
Contact Information
There's lots more stuff going on.
Check the youth ministry web page EYouthWNY.org ,
Find us on Facebook
Thanks.
Other Events on the Calendar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Commission -
The June meeting is held Tuesday evening at Senior High Conference.
Please contact if you wish to attend (and aren't attending the Conference)
The next meeting of the Commission will be in September.
Youth Commission encourages all young people in Middle and High School to attend our monthly meetings
Happening #27 -
November 12-14, Camp Pioneer, Angola
Applications are available on the website (HERE)
Camp Dates -
Senior High - June 27 - July 3
Junior High - August 8-14
Sleep Away - August 18-21
Check for camp applications HERE
Check the Youth Ministry calendar for the most up to date dates!
SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)
Prayer seems like one of those things that you just OUGHT to know how to do. But I'd be willing to bet that a lot of folks aren't really comfortable doing it. So maybe you just skip it. You're losing out on a great part of a life in faith so let's take a look at Jesus' advice.
First step: Pray for God's ears, not other people's. Praying in public makes some people nervous. I don't really blame them for saying silly things to God in those moments, but you can sometimes tell they're worried about "sounding right" to the people around them. They work in a few churchy phrases because they've heard everyone else do it. Jesus told his listeners to do their praying behind closed doors -- in secret.
Why? For one thing, it weeds out all the wrong motives. The Jewish religious leaders gave each other spiritual brownie points for style and form in their public prayers, but they were missing the point of talking to God. When you're alone, you know you're not impressing anyone with your prayer-talk. You're more likely to talk to Him straight out of your own life, not out of someone else's prayer fashion handbook.
Of course, you're not going to pray in secret unless you're convinced God is listening. Prayer in secret is an act of greater faith in the God who cares so deeply about you. Jesus promised that our invisible Father listens and rewards those prayers. You don't need to step up to the microphone for Him to hear and answer you.
Think: If you ever pray in front of people, do you pray any differently than you do when you're alone? Are you ever tempted to try to impress people with your prayers? How likely are you to pray when nobody is looking?
Pray: Ask God to help you talk to Him more often when nobody else is around.
Do: God a closet handy? Try praying in it today. No, you don't really need to pray in a closet for God to hear you, but trying it once or twice might make you more aware of how you're talking to God.
A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2010 Youth Specialties. Used by permission.
Facts, Quotes and Shots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGETTABLE FACT
99% of people cannot lick their elbow.
(OK how many of you are going to check? I did. I can't)
POTENT QUOTABLES
Often it is the most deserving people who cannot help loving those who destroy them.
~ Hermanne Hesse
The opposite of love is not hate; it's indifference.
~ Elie Wiesel
PARTING SHOT
What bird can lift the most?
A crane.
EYouthWNY store
This is a way for us to show everyone our involvement in our church and to help support all the youth ministries. The money raised by the stuff at our store is used by Youth Commission to help make camps, and Happening, and mission trips and the Bishop's Ball a little bit better. If you haven't checked out what's available recently please do.
2010 camp t shirt t shirt
Get the 2010 camp t-shirt for only $10. If you'd like to get something else with the camp logo on it let me know and I'll try to arrange for it!
The EYouthWNY store
*All "surf report" internet links and "potent quotables" are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties or the Diocese of WNY.
copyright 2009 :: Youth Specialties
300 S. Pierce St. // El Cajon, CA 92020
Contact Information
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Diocesan Convention Youth Delegation
Every year a delegation of high school aged young people are chosen to be the voice of youth at our Diocesan Convention. This is an important role and one that has had a real impact on the direction of our diocese.
We are called to get representation (if possible) from each Deanery so we need to select 8 youth. This is open to ALL high school aged youth of the diocese. You don't need to have been active in any of our other diocesan programs. If you are interested in how our church is governed and would like to be part of it please download an application.
Convention is October 29-30. Activities start Friday morning (this IS an excused absence since you will be actively involved in a church governance activity. A written excuse will be provided on diocesan letterhead if you need it.) If you can not arrive till Friday afternoon that's fine. We do ask that you be available for all of the rest of convention (which is over by 3 PM on Saturday).
Joining us this year will be the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and there will be an opportunity for the delegation, along with other youth and young adults, to meet separately with her.
All of your expenses are covered by Youth Commission. If selected you will be given a list of what you need to bring and other information in preparation for your duties.
This is an amazing leadership opportunity, a chance to learn and grow AND a great additional credit on your college applications and public service requirements for graduation.
If you or your parents have any questions please contact the Youth Missioner at 716-432-1946 or through my email.
Applications can be downloaded HERE. You need to have your application submitted BEFORE June 28, 2010.
We are called to get representation (if possible) from each Deanery so we need to select 8 youth. This is open to ALL high school aged youth of the diocese. You don't need to have been active in any of our other diocesan programs. If you are interested in how our church is governed and would like to be part of it please download an application.
Convention is October 29-30. Activities start Friday morning (this IS an excused absence since you will be actively involved in a church governance activity. A written excuse will be provided on diocesan letterhead if you need it.) If you can not arrive till Friday afternoon that's fine. We do ask that you be available for all of the rest of convention (which is over by 3 PM on Saturday).
Joining us this year will be the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and there will be an opportunity for the delegation, along with other youth and young adults, to meet separately with her.
All of your expenses are covered by Youth Commission. If selected you will be given a list of what you need to bring and other information in preparation for your duties.
This is an amazing leadership opportunity, a chance to learn and grow AND a great additional credit on your college applications and public service requirements for graduation.
If you or your parents have any questions please contact the Youth Missioner at 716-432-1946 or through my email.
Applications can be downloaded HERE. You need to have your application submitted BEFORE June 28, 2010.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Fun Youth Ministry Video
Yeah the whole games in the sanctuary thing? Been there, done that. Won't go into details but let these words chill you....kids in among the pipes of the organ.
Yeah, not so good.
Yeah, not so good.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Newsletter Jun 7
Our camp season starts very soon. Did you know that there is a countdown timer for each of our camps on the camp page at EYouthWNY.org? You can check to see just how long it is till we all get together for a really great time again!
Senior High is doing OK but we could still have room for more. Some cool new stuff this year (and secret ducks!), Junior High and Sleep Away have LOTS of room so spread the word!
Plans are underway for the young people of our diocese to spend some time with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katherine Jefferts Schori. Bishop Katherine will visit with us TWICE over the next calendar year. The plan is to have High School and Young Adults meet with her during the Diocesan Convention in October and for Middle school youth meet with her when she comes for the consecration of our new bishop in the spring. Details are still being worked out (you think YOUR schedule is busy? You should see hers!) but keep checking back as the dates get closer.
There's lots more stuff going on. Check the youth ministry web page
EYouthWNY.org ,
Find us on Facebook
*************
Other Events on the Calendar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Commission -
The June meeting is held Tuesday evening at Senior High Conference.
Please contact if you wish to attend (and aren't attending the Conference)
The next meeting of the Commission will be in September.
Youth Commission encourages all young people in Middle and High School to attend our monthly meetings
Happening #27 - November 12-14, Camp Pioneer, Angola
Applications are available on the website
Camp Dates -
Senior High - June 27 - July 3
Junior High - August 8-14
Sleep Away - August 18-21
Check for camp applications on the website
******************
SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
This isn't the way I usually think of ambition. If I'm feeling ambitious to live for God, at all, I want to do BIG things: Witness to every person at school. Build an orphanage with my bare hands. Memorize the New Testament . . . in Greek.
But Paul wants us to think of a long-term strategy to help unbelievers to notice Christ in the way we live every day -- not just in the BIG things we do to "change the world."
Lead a well-rested life (not a silent one). Pay more attention to how you're living than how everyone else is living. Get a job and do good work so you can be a giver and not a taker.
Doing the opposite may lead people to think following Jesus leaves us exhausted, judgmental, lazy, foolish, and broke.
Think: What's your plan for your life? Will it help you to lead a restful, wise, and working life that will be respectable to those who don't know Jesus?
Pray: Ask God to help you to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands in a way that earns Him the respect of outsiders
Do: Make a quick list of 3-4 Christians you respect. Notice how these qualities do (or don't) fit into their lives.
A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2010 Youth Specialties. Used by permission.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Facts, Quotes and Shots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGETTABLE FACT
Take your height and divide by eight. That s how tall your head is.
POTENT QUOTABLES
We cannot truly face life until we face the fact that it will be taken away from us.
~ Billy Graham
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.
~ Winston Churchill
PARTING SHOT
The prospective son-in-law was asked by his girl friend's father, 'Son, are you able to support a family?'
'Well, no, sir,' he replied. 'I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves.'
*****************************
This is a way for us to show everyone our involvement in our church and to help support all the youth ministries. The money raised by the stuff at our store is used by Youth Commission to help make camps, and Happening, and mission trips and the Bishop's Ball a little bit better. If you haven't checked out what's available recently please do.
2010 camp t shirt t shirt
Get the 2010 camp t-shirt for only $10. If you'd like to get something else with the camp logo on it let me know and I'll try to arrange for it!
The EYouthWNY store
Senior High is doing OK but we could still have room for more. Some cool new stuff this year (and secret ducks!), Junior High and Sleep Away have LOTS of room so spread the word!
Plans are underway for the young people of our diocese to spend some time with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katherine Jefferts Schori. Bishop Katherine will visit with us TWICE over the next calendar year. The plan is to have High School and Young Adults meet with her during the Diocesan Convention in October and for Middle school youth meet with her when she comes for the consecration of our new bishop in the spring. Details are still being worked out (you think YOUR schedule is busy? You should see hers!) but keep checking back as the dates get closer.
There's lots more stuff going on. Check the youth ministry web page
EYouthWNY.org ,
Find us on Facebook
*************
Other Events on the Calendar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Commission -
The June meeting is held Tuesday evening at Senior High Conference.
Please contact if you wish to attend (and aren't attending the Conference)
The next meeting of the Commission will be in September.
Youth Commission encourages all young people in Middle and High School to attend our monthly meetings
Happening #27 - November 12-14, Camp Pioneer, Angola
Applications are available on the website
Camp Dates -
Senior High - June 27 - July 3
Junior High - August 8-14
Sleep Away - August 18-21
Check for camp applications on the website
******************
SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
This isn't the way I usually think of ambition. If I'm feeling ambitious to live for God, at all, I want to do BIG things: Witness to every person at school. Build an orphanage with my bare hands. Memorize the New Testament . . . in Greek.
But Paul wants us to think of a long-term strategy to help unbelievers to notice Christ in the way we live every day -- not just in the BIG things we do to "change the world."
Lead a well-rested life (not a silent one). Pay more attention to how you're living than how everyone else is living. Get a job and do good work so you can be a giver and not a taker.
Doing the opposite may lead people to think following Jesus leaves us exhausted, judgmental, lazy, foolish, and broke.
Think: What's your plan for your life? Will it help you to lead a restful, wise, and working life that will be respectable to those who don't know Jesus?
Pray: Ask God to help you to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands in a way that earns Him the respect of outsiders
Do: Make a quick list of 3-4 Christians you respect. Notice how these qualities do (or don't) fit into their lives.
A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2010 Youth Specialties. Used by permission.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Facts, Quotes and Shots
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGETTABLE FACT
Take your height and divide by eight. That s how tall your head is.
POTENT QUOTABLES
We cannot truly face life until we face the fact that it will be taken away from us.
~ Billy Graham
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.
~ Winston Churchill
PARTING SHOT
The prospective son-in-law was asked by his girl friend's father, 'Son, are you able to support a family?'
'Well, no, sir,' he replied. 'I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves.'
*****************************
This is a way for us to show everyone our involvement in our church and to help support all the youth ministries. The money raised by the stuff at our store is used by Youth Commission to help make camps, and Happening, and mission trips and the Bishop's Ball a little bit better. If you haven't checked out what's available recently please do.
2010 camp t shirt t shirt
Get the 2010 camp t-shirt for only $10. If you'd like to get something else with the camp logo on it let me know and I'll try to arrange for it!
The EYouthWNY store
Friday, June 4, 2010
Journeys is here!
We've been talking about the new Junior High/Middle school aged program that has been under discussion. Well the program has been worked out, the official word is spreading and here are the forms needed!
Journeys is a retreat weekend similar in spirit to Happening but totally homegrown. It's a time for fun and laughter and some holy time with friends.
The application for middle school aged youth to attend the first weekend is HERE
The application for a youth to be on team is HERE
The application for an adult to be on team is HERE
These files are in pdf format so you will need a pdf reader on your computer. There are lots of great free readers including Adobe Reader and PDF-Exchange Viewer (this is the software on my computer)
If you have any trouble with the downloading of the documents please contact me immediately at EYouthWNY(at)gmail.com
We will eventually have a dedicated page for Journeys and online application ability at EYouthWNY.org
Journeys is a retreat weekend similar in spirit to Happening but totally homegrown. It's a time for fun and laughter and some holy time with friends.
The application for middle school aged youth to attend the first weekend is HERE
The application for a youth to be on team is HERE
The application for an adult to be on team is HERE
These files are in pdf format so you will need a pdf reader on your computer. There are lots of great free readers including Adobe Reader and PDF-Exchange Viewer (this is the software on my computer)
If you have any trouble with the downloading of the documents please contact me immediately at EYouthWNY(at)gmail.com
We will eventually have a dedicated page for Journeys and online application ability at EYouthWNY.org
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