Newsletter

Unity of the Brethren

YOUTH

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Newsletter

Unity of the Brethren Youth E-mail newsletter #26.08

June 30, 2008

!!!

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You are Needed!!!

YES – YOU!!!

The State B.Y.F. (all the youth of the Unity of the Brethren Church) need YOU to step up and volunteer to serve on the Leadership Team!

Sure…you know what that is!!

The State Leadership Team is the group of teenagers and adults who plan the fantastic retreats we have throughout the year. They meet around August to plan out the year and meet prior to each retreat to plan it out. During the retreat, the Leadership Team members lead activities, help out, and generally run the retreat.

I’d be glad to tell you how you can join this awesome group!!

All you have to do is ask your sponsor or pastor for a Leadership Team Application. Complete the questions on the application and ask your parents and sponsor to sign it indicating that they think you are up for the job! Then just mail it in to Kimberly Stewart, 407 Kates Way, Hutto, TX 78634. At the convention this summer, you may be asked to stand up and introduce yourself, so that the delegates will know who you are. Then be prepared for an awesome 2008-2009!!!

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Summer Retreat, Convention, Volleyball Tournament

July 26 & 27

It’s just around the corner!

Hope you are making plans to attend!

Convention Paperwork (delegates, report, rosters, etc.) due June 30^th!

Registration forms, $25.00, Code of Conduct due July 5^th!

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We STILL need a volunteer to represent the B.Y.F. at Board of Trustees meetings.

Guys…this is really important! If we don’t have a representative, then we don’t have a voice in what happens at the camp.

Contact me ASAP if you will serve!

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State Leadership Team Applications

There are 6 openings for youth and 4-6 openings for adults wishing to serve on the State Leadership Team for 2008-2009. If you are interested, please complete the application and mail it to Kimberly Stewart, 407 Kates Way, Hutto, TX 78634.

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Summer Camping Program

What a bunch of fun and learning!!!!! All three camps had great campers, great staff, and great opportunities and experiences. Thank you to all of the campers who participated. Thank you to the directors, counselors, pastors, and nurses who gave of their time, energy and talent to provide awesome camps for our young people. Thank you to the Hus Encampment Board of Trustees for overseeing the facilities and programs so that we are able to have these opportunities.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next summer!

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State Youth Coordinator Position Open for Application

Any person interested in the position of Youth Coordinator for the Unity of the Brethren Church should submit a letter of interest and a resume to Rev. James Hejl at jhejl@austin.rr.com or 309 Cherrywood Circle, Taylor, TX 76574

Applications accepted through June 30, 2008.

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Caldwell Brethren Church

Seeking applicants for position of Youth Director

Contact Reverend Jim Heckman for more information

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Verse of the Week!!

“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgmenet on himself."
1 Corinthians 11: 28-29

Thought for the Week!!

“Live longer by worrying less!”

Upcoming EventS

University Fellowship Gatherings ---

On a break until next fall. If you will be entering college, be sure to let Bro. Mark know your contact information and college campus so you can get reminder emails and postcards next year!!!!

Send Rev. Mark Labaj your updated addresses!! mlabaj@swbell.net

Summer B.Y.F. Retreat,

Convention & Tournaments!

July 26 & 27, 2008

See You At The Pole

September 24, 2008

Deadlines!!!!!

June 30 – Convention Paperwork; Leadership Team applications

July 5 – Summer Retreat Registrations

Prayer Requests!

The military and their families – U.S. and all others around the world

(with special thoughts for former BYF members and Unity children)

Those hurting – in whatever way

The lost, the hungry, the searchers, the confused, the wayward

The Unity of the Brethren denomination, local churches, and youth groups

Pastors and youth workers

Schools, teachers, administrators, school boards

Local, state and federal government leaders

People around the world who don’t know Christ and those trying to reach them with the Good News

Members of the State Leadership Team

The Synodical Committee

Faith Fellowship Brethren Church, Bryan – new church development, Pastor Kay Polasek

Good News Fellowship –West Palm Beach, Florida, Pastor - Rev. Henry James

Jill Miller – YWAM student, now in India for training

Unity missionaries/Unity supported missionaries: Ray, Laurie, Zachary & Meghan Griggs (Honduras); Rob, Anne, Ruth E., & Philip Thiessen (Mexico); Michael, Caroline, Samuel, & Ian Woo (Asia); Tony, Elizabeth, Tabitha, & Kendra Bragg (Middle East); and David, Loyce, Julie, Pasang, Jennifer, & Linda Sonna (Asia)

Missionaries Willam & Manami Hull family in Saltillo, Mexico and their children - Emiko, John, Shinji, Ayumi, Hiroshi, and Sayuri

Wycliff Bible Translator missionaries Jonathon and Erin Wright and son, Adon

Mas Alla – Youth Mission Opportunity

Missionaries Blake and Dawnya Kimbrough and their 3 children, Isabel, Abigail, and Issac in Isoka, Zambia, Africa. (Ron and Dee Winsman's daughter and family)

Everyone affected by terrorists.

Those who hate others so much they become terrorists.

Rev. Milton & Jean Maly and family as they rebuild their home.

Macie Merz as she follows God’s calling as a campus missionary at Texas A&M with Great Commission Ministries

Pastor Pavel Kozak and his wife, Stana as they establish a new church in Litomerice, Czech Republic – an area with a lot of students; and their home church - Maranatha Church in Decin – for lay leaders taking a more active role while the Kozak’s work in nearby Litomerice.

Pastor Kay Polasek – healing

Blu and Darbi Tidwell and their two kids, Caedmon and Cambree, as Blu finishes seminary in 2008 as the planning is underway to return to Zambia, Africa and start an orphanage for HIV orphans and to evanglize and build churches. (Ron and Dee Winsman's daughter and family)

Justin Benner – healing and recovery

Fojtasek Familya

John & Laura Huey (my cousins) as they prepare for a mission trip to Romania, taking along a 13 year old boy, Daniel, who has a heart for missions.

University Fellowship Gatherings:

Free food, fun, & fellowship!

1^st Sunday --- Austin, Kerbey Lane Café on the Drag -- 6:00 P.M.

1^st Monday --- College Station, Fuddruckers – 6:00 P.M.

(But --- on a break until the fall semester!)

YS Newsletter

"CHRIST" BY STUDENT LIFE

In this 48-week devotional, you'll spend time reading Old Testament predictions of Jesus, stories about Jesus, what he taught, and the miracles that he performed.

Learn more about "Christ" here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=414

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

FOLLOW THE LEADER: JESUS AS A TEENAGER

Memory Verse:
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother'--which is the first commandment with a promise--‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Introduction:
Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine that Jesus had parents. How do you parent the Son of God? And how does God in the flesh honor his parents' authority? This week we'll take a look at how Jesus responded to his earthly parents. This will be one of the most important parts of your journey to deepen your relationship with Jesus.

Your parents were put into your life for several reasons:

1. They see the real you no one else sees. They're the first ones to see if your walk with Jesus is real or if you only put on a front. Whenever you come home, you take off your mask and the real you comes out.

2. They're supposed to model godly character for you. Believe it or not, the majority of us will eventually take on most of the characteristics of our parents. That's good news if you have godly parents, and it's something you'll have to resist if your parents haven't been good role models.

3. God gives parents a unique ability to discern danger for their children. If you'll learn to listen to them objectively, then God will use them to protect you from destructive relationships and situations.

4. Most parents love their children and desire the best for them. All children desire a heart connection with their parents and need that relationship to be healthy.

If you don't live with your parents or if your parents have failed to fulfill their God-given responsibilities, then God will be your Parent. In fact, many of the Old Testament men and women whom God used were orphans or from one-parent families.

Okay, let's get ready for a week of learning more about Jesus. Remember, he designed you, and he knows how you're wired. Ask God to give you an open heart as he teaches you from his Word this week.

DAILY DEVOTIONS

Day 1
Luke 2:41-50

It's difficult to imagine God having to yield to his earthly parents' authority. In the passage you just read, Jesus didn't stay with his parents. After three days of searching, they finally found him in the temple. Then Jesus honestly told them he had to do the will of God.

A misunderstanding (common among parents and teenagers) took place, yet Jesus never raised his voice. The important thing is not that misunderstandings happen between you and your parents; the important thing is your response to them. God will use conflicts and trials to help you grow. It's almost like a test. Tests reveal both what you know and what you don't know.

Write down some of the weak areas in your relationship with your mom or dad.

Spend a few moments taking these areas to God and asking him to improve them. Also, ask God to give you wisdom this week in relating to your parents.

Taken from "Christ: The Life of Christ--The Basis of Faith" by Student Life, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=414

2. SURF REPORT

~ Next Step: Your life after high school
http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/nextstep/default.aspx

~ Teen Writing Contests
http://www.davidbarrkirtley.com/teenwriter/Contests.html

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

A species of earthworm in Australia grows up to 10 feet in length.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."
~ L. M. Montgomery

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."
~ Henry James

5. PARTING SHOT

Today's chunk of wisdom: "Never kick a cow chip on a hot day."--Will Rogers

“You have one life. Do something.”

Mike Yaconelli

If you are receiving this email newsletter then you are a member or friend of a youth group of the Unity of the Brethren Church who has requested to receive the newsletter or been asked to join the distribution list. Understanding that circumstances change - If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, simply reply and request to be removed.

(note: links do not imply endorsement by the Unity of the Brethren ---- - All links to other Internet resources are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties. *All "surf report" internet links and "potent quotables" are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties. )

Youth Specialties portion -

Bible Challenge Question from:

Trivia Stampede – www.rinkworks.com/trivia/trivbible.cgi

Or Bible Brainteasers, Bob Phillips

OR Bible Trivia, Robyn Martins

Thought for the Week from: