Group Building

You need to know:

-1. If you can, remind your parent helpers that you can’t wait to see them!

-2. Guide Huddle is on Feb. 29 this month! Ash Wednesday services are on Feb. 22 (4th Wed.).

-3. Ash Wed. Thrive Challenge: Get your group together for the 7:15p Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary or the Parish Life Center. It is a 4th Wed. but a great opportunity for you and your small group members (and families) for worship. For added affect, meet beforehand at Arby’s or a pizza place together.

-4. Sexuality Learning Event Materials are on the Thrive Guide page on the website (click link).

As you continue to love and nurture your group and fellow Guide(s)…

Blessings on every good decision you make towards helping everyone know and love God and each other.

(We don’t just live… we thrive!)

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” 1 Cor 10:23-24 (NRSV)

Don’t Go Gaga For Sex

Materials Here

All The Stuff You need to know:

-1. Some 8th graders will be absent due to U-High’s orientation.

-2. Great Guide Huddle! Great chance to catch up with your fellow Guides and spend some very meaningful time in prayer.

-3. Survey Results the survey results can help direct questions for your group and even spark discussion. Click Here to see more.

-4. Sexuality Learning Event Materials (Jan/Feb) are on the Thrive Guide page on the website (click link).

It’s Good To Be a Guide and Parent

It should be no secret that being a parent AND a Guide has advantages. How you take advantage of your calling as a Guide-Parent depends on you. We hope this serves as a reminder of the blessings you have that you might not have noticed or have forgotten.

Guides over the years have reported:

- I get to spend some additional time with my son/daughter.

- We have great discussions on the way home from Thrive.

- I see junior high culture from many different points of view rather than just from my own family’s.

- My son/daughter and I share a spiritual experience and can talk about it (even if we aren’t in the same group).

- I have learned so much more about my son/daughter.

- I have an excuse to pray and look at scripture with my child and it’s helped our family to do likewise at home.

- My son/daughter is allowed to share with me what they think is going well in the group and what needs improvement.

- It allows my child to see me as a spiritual leader in addition to being mom/dad.

And so much more…

DOES GOD TWEET? 
Spring Retreat 2012

March 16-18, 2012

Join us for a weekend that you will not forget. We head up to LOMC in Oregon, IL to hear the stories, shout the songs, experience faith, and never want the weekend to end.

“Does God Tweet?” Seems like a strange question, but how do you communicate with God? Isn’t there some way we can get a direct line to Heaven? Indeed, God wants a relationship with us. Come and discover the many ways to talk to God.”

$80 per person (includes all but one meal, housing, and more)

Online Deposit/Payments Available: CLICK HERE
Please turn in the registration form to Rob in the church office. 

CLICK HERE to see more pictures from last year’s retreat.

The February ParentLink helps you and your child make the leap from struggles with trials to embracing them as an important part of your faith journey.

Check out this month’s edition for some ideas, comments and tips. Find this month’s ParentLink Edition Here.

Music reviews of the rock band The Black Keys and crossover band, The Fray, as well as movie reviews of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Gone plus the video games SSX and Mario Party 9.

Check out the reviews in this month’s theParentLink.

Visit these external links for news and interesting articles. Agree or disagree but always be informed!

• Spying on Teens: Is High Tech Tracking Unfair? [huffington post]
• Marijuana and Alcohol Use Among U.S. Teens [univ. of michigan]
• What People Experience in Churches [barna group]
• For Parents, ‘The Talk’ May Need A Reboot [usa today]
• Teenagers Want Face Time More Than Texting Time [readwriteweb]
• Teenage Boys: From Sweet Sons To Narcissistic Teens [the washington times]
• Six Ways to Be a Media-Savvy Parent in 2012 [common sense media]
• Teens as Young as 14 Engaging in Group Sex [abc news]

TIME: To Be Announced

Wednesday Evening, April 18, 2012

WHAT IS TASTE WORSHIP?

IS THIS JUST A CONCERT?

WHO CAN ATTEND? Can non-Thrive or Jr. High families attend?

WHAT IF A PARENT CANNOT ATTEND? Can my son or daughter attend by themselves?

WILL CHILD CARE BE PROVIDED?

IT’S CALLED TASTE WORSHIP, IS THERE A MEAL AS PART OF THE EVENT?

HOW MUCH DOES THE EVENT COST?

WHO IS PEDER EIDE?

SUNDAY, MARCH 4
2:00-3:30pm
Parish Life Center

Come join us to learn more about all of Jr. High Ministry (6-8th grades) with emphasis on our Wednesday evening program called Thrive!

We ask each family to come prepared with $30 payment (online payment available), a few names of same-gender/grade friends you might want to be in a small group with.

We need adults passionate about God and willing to help youth be passionate as well. We already have a few parents ready to be a Thrive Guide next year – how about you?

Download the Thrive brochure: CLICK HERE

For more information about our Thrive program visit the Thrive page: CLICK HERE

It was nearly girls vs. boys in a game of Bible Mad Gab at Genesis on January 22, 2012.

We really can’t remember who won. We had fun don’t ya know!