Ministry Update - 11/14/11

Good Afternoon Parents!!

Some of this week's update will deal with ALIVE, but I encourage you to read through everything just to make sure that you're not missing any important info.  :)  If your child is not going to ALIVE, please remember to pray for the group going - that God would do some incredible things in the lives of our middle school students.

1) No Small Groups on Wed. 11/23
Due to Thanksgiving being the next day, I figure that some folks may be traveling, etc, so we will not be meeting at all on this Wednesday night.  Groups will resume on the following Wednesday, 11/30.

2) There is Middle School Service this Sunday, 11/20
Adrienne Cave will be leading the middle school service this weekend for those that are not going to ALIVE.  If your child is not going to OC, please make sure they still come to service this Sunday @ 11am!

3) Dress Code for ALIVE (optional - for fun)
In case you didn't make it to the ALIVE meeting this past Sunday, we're going to have a theme for each of the services at ALIVE this weekend.  It's completely optional, but I want to encourage as many of our students to participate as possible - just because it will be fun!  Here's the breakdown:

Friday night: Dress like a Rock Star / Rock a Mustache! - Grab your favorite shades, fedora, neck ties, etc and let's kick off the first night of ALIVE in style!
Saturday Morning: Scuba / Water Theme - Dig out your goggles, flippers, beach towels, swimmies, snorkels, etc and let's carry the theme of "submerge"!
Saturday Night: Wear Orange and/or Blue - These are our youth group colors, and we want everyone wearing them proudly for Saturday night.  We will be taking a group picture after the service, and we want to all be representing Submerge!  Feel free to be creative - hair, glow necklaces, shirts, glasses, hats, etc.
Sunday morning: PJs / Plaid / Superhero - Roll out of bed and into the Convention Center in your favorite Pajamas, Plaid, or Superhero attire and let's end the weekend with a bang!
 
4) ALIVE Forms & Final Payments
IF you have not turned in a permission slip for your child or the final payment, please make sure you do so ASAP so I can make sure that I have all of the necessary copies before we leave on Friday.
 
5) Departing Time
Please remember, we are leaving for Ocean City at 1pm on Friday.  Please make sure your child has eaten lunch before arriving at the church by 12:30pm.

If you have any questions about ALIVE or anything else, please let me know!  I'm looking forward to a great weekend!!

Again, please pray for the students & leaders that are going, and that this weekend becomes a huge catalyst for the future of Submerge!

Ministry Update - 11/9/11

Hello Parents & Leaders,

Here's your weekly update (hopefully limited to just one email this time)  :)

1) ALIVE Meeting - Sunday, 11/13 @ 10:20am
I need to meet with all of the parents of those going to ALIVE (just 9 days away!) so I can go over final details & arrangements.  Please meet in the Youth Chapel this Sunday, promptly at 10:20am.  Also, if you have any remaining balances due, please bring them in by this Sunday so I can wrap up the finances for the trip.  If you do not know how much your child has left, I can email it to you or show you tonight or Sunday.

2) Winter Meltdown Retreat
I have 2 open spots left for the WInter Meltdown retreat @ RVR - 1 boy's spot & 1 girl's spot.  If there is anyone else interested in going (or any friends), I need to know ASAP.  the spots will be on a first-come-first-served basis.  The cost is $150.

3) Sunday's Homework
I have started assigning "homework" at the end of our middle school service, that the students can do throughout the week for prizes.  This week's homework was to complete at least 3 days on the Quiet Time Sheet (available at the check-in table every Sunday).  If your child did not pick one up, they can grab one tonight at small group.  Please encourage them to work through these very simple devotions, and to make time in their week to do them.  The Quiet Time Sheets are a resource to help them begin a habit of connecting with God throughout their week (and not just at church).

4) Calendar Fundraiser
If you have any calendar money or extra calendars to turn in, please do so tonight!!

5) Upcoming Dates
November 13 - Final Payments for ALIVE
November 15 - 2nd Payment for Winter Meltdown
November 18-20 - ALIVE @ Ocean City, MD!!
December 4 - "Bring a Friend Day" (Special Blind BMX Stunt show @ Submerge)

Thanks to all of you for your continued support!!

Wyred Highlights Video

Check out the Highlights video from our Lock-In on September 30.  Make sure you expand the video to get a better look!

Big Day of Serving Details

Hello Parents & Leaders,

Here is the schedule for this Saturday's Community Service Day in Frederick, MD.

6:15am        Meet @ Crosswind (Please arrive at this time, so we can depart on time)
6:30am        Depart for Frederick, MD (the van is pulling out at 6:30, no later)
7:00am        Check-In @ Harry Grove Stadium
8:00am        Kick-off Rally
8:30am        Depart for Projects
12:00pm      Lunch & Devotions
3:00pm        Block Party Celebration
4:30pm        Head back to Crosswind
5:30pm        Parent Pick-Up @ Crosswind

A few things to be aware of for the day:
1) If you have not completed the appropriate forms for this event, your child cannot participate.  Please check your inbox for an email from Pastor Mark so you can print off the forms, or pick them up tomorrow night (Wednesday) before or after Small Groups. 
2) Please make sure your child is dressed based on the weather for the day, that they are wearing comfortable shoes (not flip flops), and clothes they can get dirty.
3) Lunch is already included in the cost of the event, so there will not be a need to pack a lunch or drinks (unless your child would like to carry extra bottles of water).
4) If you have any other questions, please let me know.

I'm looking forward to a great day, and a great opportunity for our middle school students to serve the Frederick community!

Wyred Information Packets

If you are just now finding out about the all night lock-in that is coming up on this Friday (September 30), don't worry - you're not too late! :)  Just make sure you download an info packet at mycrosswind.com/submerge, and fill out the Conduct Contract & the Emergency Medical Release Form (along with $10) before you come on Friday.  If you need extras, we will have them available at the check-in table when you arrive.  Make sure you also read over the Info Sheet, so you know what to bring and what to leave at home.

If you have any other questions, email us at the address printed on the post cards & the info packets.  See you all on Friday!!!

New Lock-In Activities!!

Here are a few things that we have been "showing off" that will be featured at the upcoming lock-in on Sept. 30. 

The Angry Birds will be making a special appearance next Friday in a unique round of Dodgeball as well as Angry Birds Shoot-Out. 

In Dodgeball you will be able to hurl an 8" plush Angry Bird at an opposing team and take aim at your friends instead of just little green pigs. In Angry Birds Shoot-Out, you will get to shoot small sized birds at various target and see how many pigs or pop stars you will be able to take out!

We will also have Fruit Ninja Kinect for the XBOX 360 where you can perfect your skills at slicing various fruit with your whole body!  There's even a multiplayer mode where you can challenge your friends! 

If you haven't gotten a packet already, download one at mycrosswind.com/submerge and shoot us an email so we can get an idea of how many people to prepare for.  Invite your friends, and don't miss out on the best lock-in you will ever experience!

Lock-In Poster & Info Packet!!

Hey everyone!  I'm getting really excited about our upcoming Lock-In on September 30.  It's going to be one of the BEST events of the year, so make sure that you don't miss it...and invite your friends! 

Also, here is the poster that you can print out and share with your friends (just click on it to enlarge) or you can pick up some invite cards during our middle school services, and pass them out too.  Whatever you do, DON'T MISS THE BEST LOCK-IN YOU WILL EVER GO TO!!!


Each week during our middle school services (Sundays @ 11am) & our Small Groups (Wednesdays @ 7pm), I will announce a new element that will be appearing at the Lock-In.  Make sure you come hang out with us so you can get a first look at the pure awesomeness of Wyred 2011.

If you need to download an info packet, you can find it at mycrosswind.com/submerge.  Just scroll down to the "Coming Events" and download the PDF link.