OCTOBER 2010

This month begins with one of those landmark birthdays for me. Yes, there will most likely be black balloons with “Over the Hill” involved. I could write to you some blah blah blah cliché stuff about getting older, but don’t worry it won’t be quite that bad.

One thing the accumulation of years does is provide many varied opportunities to experience life. Some better than others, all worthwhile in one way or another, at the very least giving us stories to share. How boring would life be if we didn’t have stories to tell when we get together with family or friends? Or how do we get to know someone if we don’t share stories of our lives?

I have come to believe with my whole heart that creating opportunities for our children and youth to experience God needs to be the foundation of those ministries. I want them to know at a much younger age than I how wonderful it is to have Jesus’ presence in their lives on a full time basis, not just on Sunday morning. Through hearing the stories of people who came before them and the loving adults who care for them, we strive to make it real, to start giving them their own faith stories to share.

This program year has included a few additions to build on our solid Sunday morning program. We’ve had a couple exciting events which involved and incorporated our younger parishioners in the service. We’ve also done some hands on group activities to supplement lessons learned in the classroom. Preston Boyd is adding music on a regular basis, and we’re super excited about a newly set up Art Studio with Vikki White and Erica Weiffenbach. There are new Godly Play stories, several new teachers, a bigger classroom for the 3 & 4 year olds with their Beulah Land stories, as well as three newly decorated rooms upstairs for grades 4-12.

I am extremely blessed to have many amazing volunteers, all with their own stories and love to share with our children and youth. I’m pretty sure that like me, many stories come from being able to spend time and experience God’s greatest gifts with them.

Watch and listen for news of what’s coming up, not only for the children and youth, but for all ages. Check out the pages of the Chi Rho, peruse the announcement bulletin on Sunday, join the Facebook page, get your email address to Fr Joel for his updates and listen during announcement time during the service. Don’t miss out!

My hope is that everyone, no matter what age, who comes through the doors of Christ Church will find the opportunity to experience God’s love in a real and personal way, to come to know the saving grace of Jesus and what that means for them.

I ask you to please find the group or activity that appeals to you or your children and open yourself up to the possibilities. Imagine the stories you’ll have to tell.

Summer Mission Trip to Alabama

Our Youth will be going on a mission trip to Perry County, Alabama once again this summer from July 12th – 18th. We’ll be participating in a Rural Poverty Initiative with the local organization “Sowing Seeds of Hope”.
Please plan to help with our fundraising efforts. We need money for supplies for the various
projects we’ll do while in the community; including a Vacation Bible School and some home
repairs. Thank you for supporting the Mother’s Day Rose Sale. Watch for information about other events including a Father’s Day Bake Sale.

Confirmation

Confirmation preparation retreat
by: Katie mills

Walking into Trimble Hall, Zina and I were nervous. The room was quickly filled with anxious conversation as Casey O'Dell, Matthew Quick, Mama Quick, Glori Thompson, Alex Spiros, and Skylar Ramsey wandered in. We were all excited to see what Lynda had planned for us.Matty provided music as we all headed over to the Upper Room to begin. Craig Bosco pulled into the church parking lot just as we arrived. And the evening began.The atmosphere was rather relaxed as we introduced ourselves and shared a bit. We had two main talks over the weekend- The Parts of the Church done by Father Joel and Church History done by Father Eric. Yet one of the highlights of the weekend was the beach sunset. We gathered together on the beach as Lynda explained her thoughts behind bringing us here and Bible passages were read along with prayers. The van ride back was filled with the tunes of "My Girl" and "Here Comes the Sun". All in all it was a good trip. Upon our return Lynda set up for our "baptism". Silence filled the room as we each lit our candles and prayed. Lynda told us our next activity for the night was to make rosaries, which proved a much more difficult task than it sounded. But we all managed, and after praying with them, it was off to bed. Once again Craig and Matty filled Trimble with the melodic tunes of "Best of Me" and many of our favorite church songs. By that time, it was lights out and the iPods were on. The next day went by fairly quickly, with the Church History talk given. Before we knew it, it was time to go.

To briefly sum up our Confirmation weekend, it was full of music, prayers, lessons, laughter and pictures. But more importantly, it prepared us all for the big step we were about to take in our church life. While the weekend was fun, it was more about bringing us closer to God and preparing us to fully except him into our lives by our own choice.

Now looking back on our weekend together, I'm not sure if I could have made the decision to be confirmed otherwise. While the class helped a lot in preparing me, it also brought me closer to those around me who helped me figure out it was my time and that I was ready for this step. Confirmation was indeed everything I had been told it would be, and my friends were all there to help me along the way.

Pancake Supper

ANNUAL SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

PREPARED & SERVED BY THE YOUTH
FEBRUARY 5, 2008
5 – 7PM
PARISH HALL

FUNDRAISER FOR OUR YOUTH PROGRAM
DONATIONS AT THE DOOR

POINSETTIA SALE

December 2nd and 9th are the dates for our annual poinsettia sale.
Please stop by the table in the courtyard from 8:00am til 12:00pm
The plants are from Orban's Nursery
The price is $7.50 each or if you buy 3 or more, they are $6.50 each
Your purchase helps support the Youth Group
Thanks!

ANNUAL YOUTH GROUP SKI TRIP TO BOONE, NC!

Mark your calendars and start saving your pennies. The dates for the trip this year are January 2-5, 2008. The cost per person is $290 for skiers and $315 for snowboarders. (includes transportation via charter bus, 3 nights lodging with breakfast, equipment rentals, lift tickets, 2 group meals – 1 lunch and dinner at the Dan’l Boone Inn) A nonrefundable deposit of $100 must be paid by November 18th, with the balance due no later than December 19th. Let me know if you’re interested so we can determine if we have enough to fill the bus and most importantly – Think snow!!!!!


Contact Lynda Botzenhart: office 747-3709 cell 447-8266
email lbotzenhart@christchurchswfla.org

DO YOU HAVE A BLUE RIBBON BROWNIE RECIPE?

If so, let the Youth Group be the judge. We’re looking for the top brownie maker at Christ Church. Bring a batch of your best to the Youth Group on Sunday, October 21st, 5:00pm at Trimble Hall. The youth will sample and vote for their favorite. Please let Lynda know by Sunday, October 14th that you plan to participate.