Youth Voice August 2002

so much

going on!!!

I had to change the format of this month's Youth Voice to try and fit all of the activities and information in one mailing. PLEASE share this mailing with your parents so that they can also stay on top of everything. On a personal note, I am in the middle of a move and am trying to stay in control of my own moving chaos. As of September 15th I will have a new home address and telephone number (call the Church Office or Alison for the details). Please update address sheets accordingly.

September

11th

Memorial

Service

Junior and Senior High youth are invited to attend a memorial service at the Cathedral to honor those lost in September 11th. We will meet at church at 6:30pm and carpool to the Cathedral together. I may need a few adult drivers for this event. Sign up by calling me at church or signing up on the youth board in the parish hall. A parental permission slip is required for each youth wanting to attend.

Camp

Heartland

The Senior High youth worked very hard on their mission trip to Camp Heartland last month making trails and carving signs. One project included delivering the videos the Junior High group collected and organizing a new video library. An article about the trip by Stephanie Schmit (complete with photos) can be found on the Diocesan web site www.episcopalmn.org or on our web site at www.visi.com/~wilderness.

BINGO

This month’s BINGO game will be on Saturday, September 21st at 1:45pm. Please meet at the White Bear Care Center (2nd and Florence) if you are interested in helping with this important (and fun) ministry. Encourage your friends and parents to join you in this short (1:45 to 3:00) special service to create a fun afternoon for shut-ins. No experience or preparation is necessary – just bring a smile.

Fall

Diocesan

Youth

Event

October 4th and 5th This year’s fall DYE combines Junior and Senior High youth (6th-12th graders). The Cathedral is hosting the event using the theme “Faith, Culture and Contemporary Media: Where is God?” The event includes a concert with musician Fran McKendree. Sign up on the youth board on the parish hall or by calling Alison at church if you would like to attend. Those who sign up will receive permission forms to sign and return to the Cathedral. I will be attending as a chaperone.

Did

you

know?

Youth Event Permission forms can be downloaded and printed from the St. John’s webpage at http://www.stjohnwilderness.org. All of the information from the youth voice is also printed on the website in case you lose your monthly letter. Go check it out!

DATES

REMEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Sun., Sept. 1st at 6:15 pm	10th Grade Confirmation meeting with mentors
Sun., Sept. 8th during Ed. Hr.	RALLY AND REUNION SUNDAY
Sun., Sept. 8th from 6:00-8:00 pm	Senior High Youth Group
Wed., Sept. 11th at 6:30 pm	Leave from church for Sept. 11th Service
Sun., Sept. 15th at 11:00 am	Youth Ministry Meeting
Wed., Sept. 18th at 6:15 pm	9th Grade Confirmation meeting with parents
Wed., Sept. 18th at 7:00 pm	Junior High Youth Group Meeting
Sat., Sept. 21st at 1:45 pm	BINGO at the Care Center
Sun., Sept. 22nd from 6:00-8:00pm	Senior High Youth Group
Wed., Sept. 25th at 7:00 pm	Memorial Service for Father Joe, No Confirmation or Junior High Youth Group

Rally

and

Reunion

Sunday,

September

8th

Please join us during the Education hour on September 8th for a chance to learn more about youth ministry at St. John’s. It’s important that all of you Junior High students bring your parents to this event so that you can get registered for Pre-Confirmation Sunday School. Classes are being taught by Janet Waller and Kathryn Schneider this year using the Group curriculum. Please join us as we give tours and provide information about what we have been doing in the youth programs.

Search

Committee

Youth

Representative

Marissa Mahanna, a member of the senior high youth group, has volunteered to represent the youth voice on the search committee for the new rector. Marissa will be attending meetings and interviews to help select the best possible candidate for our church. If you have any input or questions about the search for a new rector, please call Marissa.

Best

Christmas

Pageant

Ever

There will be a meeting on Sunday, October 13th at 4:00 pm for anyone interested in being involved in the play. Please bring family schedules, as we will ask you to list all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule. The play is open to anyone Sunday School aged and above. Anyone who wants to be involved and commits to the rehearsals will be cast, but we will do some script reading and acting on October 13th to determine parts.

Youth

Ministry

Meeting

Please join us for the September youth ministry committee meeting on Sunday, September 15th at 11:00am. Youth feedback is always appreciated. Come and help make the decisions that shape the youth program.

TEC

Weekends

Mark your calendars. The fall TEC weekend dates have been announced:

Great North TEC in Hibbing, open to 9th-12th graders, will be held Oct. 18th – 20th ($25 fee)
St. Paul TEC open to 10th-12th graders will be held Nov. 15th – 17th ($35 fee).

If you would like an application to attend a TEC weekend this fall, please give me a call. Also, it is important that I talk to your parents if you are interested in attending so that I can better explain what a TEC weekend entails. I will be attending both weekends again this fall. I asked if any of the teens that went to a TEC this last spring would like to share anything about their experience. Here are the responses . . .

My first TEC was this spring, St. Paul #138. Even though it was a church retreat, I learned a lot more about myself than I learned about the church. I also saw how when people come together, there shouldn't be any mean thoughts or actions, only kindness and friendship. If you are considering going to a TEC weekend, I would highly recommend it. If you don't think it’s for you, I ask you to re-evaluate your decision and take another look. If you still don't want to, that is up to you. Maybe you just aren't ready to put yourself out on display for so many people. However, I highly recommend that you at least try one time in your high school career. Who knows, you may like it

Agape,

Jordan Warchol

I attended St. Paul TEC last spring, and it was probably the best weekend of my life. I had so much fun, met a lot of great friends, and really grew in my faith. TEC is a retreat for all types of people, no matter where you are in your faith. I would recommend the experience for everyone in youth group- I know that you all would have a great time! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

Megan Mahoney

Great North TEC is a wonderful experience for anyone, you make new friends by talking about how your faith in God has help you through life, and you'll sing and learn so much and just have a good time. It can really change your life for the better. I will never forget my first TEC -- it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can't wait to go back!

Katelynn Pope