This month's outing - Skating/Skooting at Moe!

Turns out that 'Bounce' is SOOOOOO popular that you have to book a couple of months ahead.  So I've paid a deposit for us to go there for our October outing.  More about that soon!

But that meant we needed a new plan for our end-of-term September outing!  So... This month's event will be skating/skooting in Moe, NEXT SUNDAY 15th September.  Not everyone loves skating (don't understand that myself, but each to his or her own!) - but that's OK because apparently there's also a skooting rink, with ramps and stuff - and you can hire a skooter $4 or ripstik $5 to use there.  Do I confess?  I'd never heard of a ripstik...

I borrowed this pic. of someone riding a ripstik from a website - click to visit

What do you need to know? 

Drop off @ Church 1.00pm, Pick up @ Church 4.30pm, Sunday 15th September. 
What to bring: $15 to be on the safe side.  Covers entry, equipment hire, and snack.  But there should be a little bit of change!  
What to wear: Comfortable stretchy clothes that you don't mind being upside down in!
Can you bring friends?  Of course!  Just let me know who's coming, and they'll need permission forms filled in by their parents.
RSVP:  I need to know how many people are coming, so I can make sure we've got enough drivers and adult supervisors.  So please let me know whether you are COMING or NOT COMING, by MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY 13th PLEASE!

ALSO:  Alison can't make it this time, so I'm looking for a driver, preferably with a Working With Children Check.  Suggestions?

BBQ and Bonfire Night! Last Sunday's Outing

Well, that's what it was going to be - but God has a sense of humour!  When we were going to have a tobogganing trip, the sun came out and there was no snow.  When we were going to have a beach day, it poured.  This time, when we were going to have a BBQ and Bonfire night (doesn't that sound like a good choice for a chilly winter outing?!) we had wild wind, rain and thunder!

But the Youth Bible Group's motto is NEVER GIVE UP!!

SO... we had our BBQ and Bonfire at Katie's place - she doesn't have a BBQ, so we grilled the snags on the stove - and then rolled them in bread and tomato sauce in the traditional way;  and she doesn't have a bonfire, so we toasted marshmellows on the stove top - but hey, they went all crispy and black on the outside, and gooey and melty on the inside, just the way they do over a bonfire!  Someone ate so many he was feeling a little ill... or maybe that's because he prefers his marshmellows more charcoal than lolly...

AND we got to watch a rather peculiar animated movie - 'The Tale of Despereaux', which was definitely a warmer option than tramping through mud and long grass in a storm.

Next outing is scheduled for 15th September, and we're hoping to go to 'Bounce' in the city... what could possibly go wrong for that one??!

The Challenge...

OK, so I told the Youth Bible Group that their homework was to have a look at this blog... and that they would see something to their advantage...!  What could it be, what could it be?  ...  Here it is - this is a test of your ability to draw as well as whether you did your homework or not!

If you see this, sketch the pic. you see here, just a stick figure will do, as long as I can tell it's the same one - and show it to me after church on Sunday (you'll need  to be quick, I'm off to Ellinbank at 10.55!), or if (*gasp!* surely not!) you don't crawl out of bed in time for church, send it to me as an mms .... there's a chocolate frog in it!

This pic. tells us something about the big story of the Bible - it's not about a God who sits around hoping we'll like him.  It's about our God who comes looking for us, and does whatever it takes to rescue us.  Cool, eh?!

Term 3 in Full Swing - or Swim?

Today we started a new series - it's called 'Bible Overview', which is really random, because what it really is is an overview of the Bible.  Who knew?

Anyway, the plan is that in 15 sessions, we get a bird's-eye-view of the big story of God and human beings, through all of history, from when it all began up to now.  The coolest thing is that when we've got that big picture clear, it gets much easier to 'get' where different bits of the Bible fit in.
SO... we started by jotting down a whole lot of events from the Bible, 5 or so from each person, and put them in order.  We were pretty good at some parts of the Bible, but there were some shaky bits too!  Like, when exactly did Amos prophecy that Israel was in deep do-do?  Was it before or after Darius the Mede threw Shad. Mech. and Abed. into the fiery furnace??
And did Naomi sort out Ruth's love-life before or after Jonah went deep-sea diving in the first (fully organic) submarine???
The BIG question is, will we be able to answer those questions after we've done this series????
Anyway, if you want to get the jump on the course, click on the pic. at left - there's a website that takes you through it...
Or you can just turn up next week, for part two!

What our youth minister wants for Christmas...

            What do I want for Christmas?  I’m glad you asked!  I have a list - it’s not long, but may involve some expense for some - no, for all of us… I want every teenager who could claim they belong to Warragul Anglican Church to have their own Bible, in a version they can easily read.  I want each of them to be able to explain what makes someone a Christian, versus another faith. I want each of them to know in their bones that they belong to our church family, and are wanted, known, respected, valued, and missed when they aren’t there.  I want each of them to know that they have a ministry among us, not only to peers and children younger than themselves, but to the whole church.  I want every one of them to sense Jesus with them, moment by moment, their Saviour, King and Friend.

            Which is why I’m loving our Youth Bible Group on Sunday afternoons - it’s Christmas every week, because I’m seeing our teens sharing their knowledge and questions and concern for their school mates and hopes about life with each other, and I’m seeing them grow in maturity and love and knowledge of God week by week.  It’s why I love spotting our teens on the sound desk and in the music group and reading the Bible and welcoming, and especially chatting with folk of every age over morning tea.  And why I get a thrill when I hear someone praying for our kids - and even more when I hear our kids praying.

            I’m really looking forward to the combined St Paul’s School and WAC Carols on 9^th December, because some of our teens are going to minister to us in music that night.  That same morning, we’re going to celebrate as a few more young’uns graduate from Salt Club and take their place among the adults on Sundays, 

and I’m excited, because I’m looking forward to hearing them lead us in prayer, challenge us to share our faith, show us the way as they welcome people over a plate of biscuits, spur us on to give to people in need, and step up to be the leaders of the next generation.

            And I’m bouncing in my chair as I look forward to Sunday 16^th December, when a couple of our teens plan to confirm that this faith we share is their faith, before the Bishop and the whole church. 

            After all this, unwrapping presents on the 25^th could be a bit lame…!

Beach Day 9th October!

Who's ready for some sun and surf?  The plan is that we'll leave from St Paul's after the morning service, at about 11.30am.  You'll need four things:

- Sun screen, sun hat, long sleeves, rash vest - whatever it takes to protect you from skin cancer!
- Gear for mucking about at the beach - swimming gear, balls, cricket bats, badminton racquets, camera, towel...
- Money for lunch, munchies (we'll probably go to Makkers...)
- To RSVP!  Please let Katie know if you're planning to come, so we know how many cars we'll need.

Youth Group Action Term III

Youth Group for term 3 is up and running!  Check it out, and we'll see you there!

Sunday, 4th September - movie and dinner night - we're watching 'Ladyhawke' (not the band - the movie starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer)

Sunday, 11th September - Dr. Who night - come in character!

Saturday, 17th September - Snow Day!  or if there's no snow, which seems likely,  Indoor Rock Climbing

Sunday, 18th September - everything begins with the letter ‘C’ - even the food...

Friday, 23rd September - Lock-In at St Paul's to celebrate the end of term!
Sunday 25th September - Youth Group is in recess - but we'll see you at the 9.30 service, and on Sunday evening, have a great time, relaxing with your mates...
Sunday 2nd Octobrer - Don't forget to put the clocks forward one hour!!

Friday, 7th October - Yep, it's school holidays - but Games Night is still on!

Sunday, 9th October - Beach day, because the warmer weather is on its way!  Yay!  Please RSVP to Katie