Improv Update

Hello all!

Unfortunately, the crowd for Improv Night last night was one DCE Intern, one youth, and one parent.  Improvisational acting requires more people that.  We need plenty of participants, and we need participants who can take turns acting and being the audience.

Please let your youth leaders know why attendance was so low on this event even though the youth seemed excited leading up to it.  A youth group isn't really a youth group without youth participating, and youth, it is YOUR youth group.  You showed unity Wednesday night in building our purpose statement; now you need to join together and participate to help make this youth group the great supportive environment you want it to be!

Due to the lack of crowd for Improv Night, the small group went to the youth and parent's home for some fun hang out time including the Wii, random wrestling, and hide and go seek in the dark of the yard.  Here are some pictures of the tired participants after all that fun:

Purpose!

Per the meeting after confirmation Wednesday night, we now have a purpose statement for Zion's youth group:

The purpose of Zion Lutheran Youth Group is Sharing Worship and Interaction with Spirituality by Serving.
Abbreviated SWISS (which means cool t-shirt ideas are in store!)

Sarah will soon be handing out sheets with our new purpose statement to the youth to ask them to explain what it means to them.  Then either a volunteer or she will compile those explanations into one encompassing explanation of the purpose statement which will be included in the youth ministry policy manual that Sarah is working on creating for Zion.

Join us and help us to live out our new purpose statement in Christ as we share in worship, interact and enjoy fellowship, grow in the Word, teach others about Christ, and serve Him!

Another Purpose Meeting!

Calling all youth and families and youth leaders!  Don't forget that this Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, we are having another meeting to create a purpose statement for our youth group.  This will occur after confirmation class, probably around 7:30/7:40.  Even if you couldn't make it to the first meeting, please come help us at this one so that we can help better define the purpose of Zion's youth group!

NYG Update!

We had another meeting for the National Youth Gathering preparations yesterday (Sunday), and here are the updates:

• Penny Wars are on for all of February!  Put pennies *and now dollars* in the jar you want to win for negative points, and put nickels,dimes, and quarters in the jar you want to lose for negative points!
• Anyone in the congregation or even outside can "buy stock" in the NYG youth group.  This is essentially a donation, but your dividends would include a thank you note from the group, a postcard from the Gathering in July, an invitation to a post-NYG event at which the youth will share what they learned, and most importantly the chance to help Zion's youth go on this once-in-a-lifetime event to learn about Jesus and their faith with tens of thousands of other youth from around the U.S. and world!
• This Sunday, Feb. 7th, the NYG youth will be serving breakfast for lunch.  There will be hashbrown casserole, sausage, possible crepes, and more!  Join us and support the group in their fundraising.  This event will be a freewill offering.
• The NYG youth will be serving a soup dinner before the first Lenten worship service at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17th.  Each NYG family will need to bring a soup to share and are asked to arrive at church by 5 p.m. to help set up.
• The Bowl-A-Thon, our biggest NYG fundraising event, will probably occur in early May.  Watch for details!

We are still looking at our travel options, and we decided that we will be attending the Rocky Mountain District event at the Gathering.  This will be a 2-hour riverboat cruise including food (chicken nuggets, hot dogs, nachos, ice cream bars, 2 drink coupons) and fun activities.

We also began working on the group covenant so that youth, parents, and leaders can all take part in making the rules.

We will meet next on Wed., Feb. 10th after confirmation, so around 7:30/7:40 p.m.