Spring Break, etc.

Parents and Teens,

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather. I know my family is. This letter is to update and inform you of current happenings within our student ministry and of upcoming events.

First of all, I wanted to remind you that we are encouraging the teens to attend the OVU lectures with their parents this Sunday night. The speaker is Harold Shank, who is the author of the book “Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor”, which was studied by several of our students in relation to the Powell Ministry. His topic will be “Making Disciples of our Children”. It is our opinion that it will be extremely beneficial for parents and teens to attend this together.

Secondly, a couple of weeks ago, I gave the teens an application and commitment contract to become a part of a teen board that will help plan activities and events within our student ministry program. If your teen wants to be a part of this group, they must feel out the information sheet. Please help your child with these forms and contact me if you have any questions concerning this matter. I need these back as soon as possible.

I know that some of you are going out of town for spring break but, for those of you that are planning on being here, we have planned a few activities. I have attached a schedule of those activities. Even though the teens will be home during the day, I have planned most activities in the evening to avoid any problems with transporting them since many of you will be at work.

We are currently working on planning calendars for the spring and summer. We will get those to you as soon as possible but are waiting to be able to have the input from the teens from the teen board discussed above.

The spring retreat is scheduled for May 18^th-19th at Rippling Waters Campground. The cost will be $15. More details to come.

In Him,

Adam Ellis

Youth Minister

Grand Central Student Ministry Spring Break Schedule

· Monday April 2-- Bowling at Emerson Lanes 2-4 p.m. The cost will be $1.50 per game with free shoe rental. Please RSVP so that we can reserve enough lanes.

· Tuesday April 3—Movie at the youth house from 2-4. If you need help getting your teen to this, please let us know.

· Wed. April 4-- Youth house will open at 5:00pm. Please bring $4 for pizza. $2 will go for the cost of the pizza and $2 will go to the Honduras mission fund. Please RSVP for this event so we know how much pizza we need.

· Thursday April 5—Grand Central will be taking TAG to a minor league baseball game in Charleston. Please see Ryan for details.

GCYM UPDATE 3-28-07

GCYM UPDATE 3-28-07

• The screening of Invisible Children went extremely well. We were joined by youth groups from Belpre, Lynn St. and 36^th St. Special thanks to everyone who helped out, especially Melissa Ogden and Erica Cameron. Thanks also to Oliver, Nicole, and Esther (and any other teens), who helped prepare and serve soft drinks to our guests.
• Parents, check out the Invisible Children website at www.invisiblechildren.com for more info if you’d like to engage your children in a dialogue about what they saw
• I’ll also be happy to provide you with a copy of the film to review to aid you in having a conversation with your child(ren).
• There will be no Revolution this Sunday Night. Like many of the community groups, we are encouraging parents and teens to attend the evening Lecture at OVU. The speaker is Harold Shank, who is the author of many books including “Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor” (which was studied by several of our teens in relation to Powell Ministry). His topic is “Making Disciples of our Children”.
• We are in the process of forming a committee of teens to help in intentionally planning youth ministry activities. Teens wishing to participate must fill out an application (for informational purposes) and a commitment (the commitment must also be signed by a parent). These should be turned in as soon as possible.
• We are in the process of planning many upcoming events such as: a spring retreat, an amusement park trip, a local mission trip, and much more. Details coming very soon.
• ·Summer calendars coming soon.

The GCYM Weekly Update is available in the foyer every Wednesday Night.

It is also available online at www.gcym.blogspot.com

Subscribe on this site for the Update to be automatically delivered to you via e-mail.

GCYM Update 3-21-07

GCYM Update 3-21-07

· A “very special” Rally will be held in the Grand Central Fellowship Hall this Sunday from 3-5:30 p.m. Youth groups from Grand Central, Belpre, Lynn St., and 36^th St. will gather together for praise and worship and also a screening of the documentary “Invisible Children”.

o Parents should have received a letter in the mail from Adam about the nature of this documentary.

o If you would like a copy to preview before Sunday please see Adam as soon as possible.

o This event takes the place of Revolution this week.

o Please respect the posted ending times for all events.

· We are in the process of forming a committee of teens to help in intentionally planning youth ministry activities. Teens wishing to participate must fill out an application (for informational purposes) and a commitment (the commitment must also be signed by a parent). These should be turned in as soon as possible.

· We are in the process of planning many upcoming events such as: a spring retreat, an amusement park trip, a local mission trip, and much more. Details coming soon.

· Summer calendars coming soon.

· Next Wednesday teens will be in P.T. in the Fellowship Hall.

The GCYM Weekly Update is available in the foyer every Wednesday Night.

It is also available online at www.gcym.blogspot.com

Subscribe on this site for the Update to be automatically delivered to you via e-mail.

Delay on this week's update.

Emma's in the hospital with rotavirus this week, so there will be a delay on this week's update. I'll try to have a detailed update posted here and mailed out to you by this Friday. It sort of depends on what happens with her. Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns. I am, as always, available to talk.
AE

GCYM Update 3-7-07

• "Rally" has been tentatively rescheduled for March 25th. (This means it will not take place this Sunday night, so we will have Revolution at the usual time).
• We will not be cleaning the Student Center tonight. We will clean Sunday Night during Revolution. The house will still be open at 6 tonight if you want to just hang out.
• Grant Wharton is teaching all teens on Sunday mornings at the Student Center.
• REVOLUTION is held on the 1st-3rd Sunday nights of every month from 5-7 p.m. at the Student Center.
• Teens normally meet for class at the Student Center on the 1st-3rd Wednesday Nights of each month at 7 p.m.
• Current series: Story
• Download audio of Adam’s lessons at www.ellisadam.podomatic.com
• · Teens go to P.T. on the 4th Wednesday Night of every month.

· The GCYM Weekly Update is available in the foyer every Wednesday Night.

o It is also available online at www.gcym.blogspot.com

§ Subscribe on this site for the Update to be automatically delivered to you via e-mail.

ABC News Video on Enterprise Tornadoes Featuring My Dad

ABC News ran a story tonight on the tornadoes in Enterprise that featured my Dad. CLICK HERE for the video.
AE

The Tornadoes in Enterprise, AL

My parents (Keith and Lynn Ellis) live in Enterprise, AL. My pregnant wife and my daughter were visiting them this week. Yesterday (Thursday) morning, Mom, Dana and Emma went to Montgomery to help my sister shop around and get ready for her upcoming wedding. My family is all fine, and I am extremely thankful. Yet, every time I have said that prayer in the last 24 hours, I have been struck by the fact that there are those who don't get to pray that prayer. One of the teenagers who died in the High School went to the church that my Dad preaches at. My Dad was called on to tell her family that she had died. My Dad's strength continually amazes me. Another girl (who I know pretty well) was injured, but will live. The school followed the correct procedure and had the student gather in a hallway for safety. Those one one side were killed while those on the other side were buried in debris, but lived. I don't have a neat theological formula that helps explain that. I'm thankful that my family was spared that kind of loss. I hurt for the parents who sent their kids to school, never to speak to them again. I hurt for the families that are sitting in hospital rooms of their children. I hurt when I think of their confusion in relation to the God they placed their faith in. I don't think they need answers (and I'm not sure there are any answers that would help). I think they need love. I think they need the support of their faith communities. I think they need our prayer for the peace that passes understanding. Please join me in lifting this community up in prayer.
AE