H2H cancelled this week

Most of the students who are consistently a part of Heart 2 Heart have contacted me to say they won't be able to attend this week. We are canceling H2H for Thursday, Feb. 14th, and will resume at the next scheduled meeting time.
AE

GCYM Facebook and Myspace Groups

In case you didn't know, there are GCYM "groups" on both Facebook and Myspace. I'm listing the links below. If you have an account on either with either of these services, please join our group. This in another great way for you to get information about what is going on in the Grand Central Youth Ministry.

CLICK HERE for our Facebook Group.

CLICK HERE for our Myspace Group

AE

iPod Stuff

Several of the teens got iPods for Christmas, and have been asking me about helpful software, etc for them. Here are some helpful links:

• CLICK HERE for lots of really helpful programs (all/most seem to be free)
• CLICK HERE for another great list of iPod utilities to download (mostly free)
  
• CLICK HERE to download HandBrake, a free program which allows you to convert video content for you ipod (DVD's and stuff)
• CLICK HERE for Christian Audio's website. They give away one free audiobook each month.
• CLICK HERE for tons of free classic audiobooks.
• CLICK HERE for Songbird, an opensource alternative to iTunes.
  

Hope this helps,
AE

Free Trial Subscription to Risen Magazine

I got my fist issue of Risen Magazine in the mail yesterday and it looks pretty good, especially for those of you who are into music. Here's the description of the magazine from their site:
"RISEN MAGAZINE talks straight up with the people who shape culture in the worlds of action sports, fashion, film and music.

We talk about life, death, truth, deception, fear, courage, God and the afterlife with some of the most interesting minds on the planet.

Risen is committed to exploring culture through the prism of faith, transformation and truth."

CLICK HERE for to get a free trial subscription (3 issues, no obligation)
AE

Christmas Book Recommendations

Several parents and students have asked me for book recommendations for Christmas gifts (you read that right...teens are asking for books for Christmas). I've added a sidebar on this blog with some of my recommendations or you may check out the entire list by clicking HERE . I included descriptions and comments on each book to help you decide. Also, I will note that the two Donald Miller books are available at Family Christian Store in a single volume called Donald Miller Greatest Hits, that was not available on Amazon. Hope this helps.
AE

Vote for Zach Hunter!

Here is an opportunity that I thought you might be interested (ht ysmarko)

"we at youth specialties just found out that zach hunter has been nominated as a cnn hero in the youth category. the winner is determined merely by vote (which, since zach doesn’t have a big organization behind him like some of the other nominees, is unfortunate). but we’d love to get the votes going!

winning would allow zach to appear on a prime time special with anderson cooper, to talk about modern day slavery, and how he (zach) feels god is calling his generation to bring freedom. there’s a cash price also; and zach has already said he would donate it for aftercare and education of rescued child slaves.

help us get the word out — to your churches and youth group and friends.

vote here (btw, the info is wrong: it says zach has raised $20,000 to end slavery. that’s how much zach has personally given, from speaking fees and book royalties. he has raised well over 10x that amount.)

you can vote as many times as you like until monday at noon."

Retreat Info

Parents,
We are really excited about the upcoming retreat this weekend! Our theme will be Transformers, and we will be talking about the transformation that God desires for our lives, our relationships and our world. Even if your teen hasn’t signed up, they still have time. The last day to sign up is Wednesday (those signing up on Wednesday may have to wait a few days for their T-shirt). Students may sign up in class, on the bulletin board, or online at www.gcym.blogspot.com Be sure to take a look at the retrein this messagat schedule by clicking on the retreat dates on the above calendar. We’re looking forward to a great weekend together.
Retreat FYI
Chaperones
Adam & Dana Ellis, Ben & Bobbie Bice, Erica Cameron, J.T. Spivy
Things to Bring
• Sleeping bag or Sheets etc. for a twin size bed
• Pillow
• Towel and washcloth
• Toiletries
• Bible
• An extra change of clothes (some of Saturday’s activities will be a little messy)

May God bless you, and may He bless the world through you,
Adam Ellis
Youth Minister
Grand Central Church of Christ

Belpre Youth Rally Sign Up

Nov. 16-18

Theme: Awaken

Registration Fee: $25

You may sign up in class, on the GCYM Bulletin Board, or by leaving a comment on this post. You must sign up by Sunday, Nov. 4th to avoid a $5 late fee.

T-Shirts will be available for purchase at the Youth Rally for $10.

Fall Retreat Sign-Up

November 9-10, 2007
Theme: Transformers...Transform your life, your relationships, and your world.
Cost: $15
Place: Rippling Waters
We will be leaving at 4 p.m. from Grand Central C of C and will return Saturday Night

You may Sign up in class, on the GCYM Bulletin Board, or by leaving a comment on this post. Be sure to include your T-Shirt Size.

New Layout and Calendar

How do you like our new layout and calendar? Notice the lesson audio links on the right sidebar.
AE

Grand Central Youth Ministry Update 9/23-29/07

Grand Central Youth Ministry Update
9/23-29/07

• There will be no Revolution on Sunday Nights in September. All teens (and parents) are encouraged to attend S.O.S. (see bulletin for details). Revolution will resume in October.
• Ryan Ice has asked for several teens to help him with the Bible Carnival. See Ryan for details. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
• Heart-2-Heart Bible Study on Tuesday, Sept 25th 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Student Center.
• Parent Meeting Wednesday, Sept 26th at 6 p.m. in the Student Center.
• New Calendars (through Dec.) should be live online and in the mail by the end of the week.
• Teens will attend P.T. on Wednesday, Sept. 26th
• TAG @ Powell Thursday, Sept 27th

Grand Central Youth Ministry Update 9/16-22 2007

Grand Central Youth Ministry Update
9/16-22 2007

• There will be no Revolution on Sunday Nights in September. All teens (and parents) are encouraged to attend S.O.S. (see bulletin for details). Revolution will resume in October.
o Ryan Ice has asked for several teens to help him with the Bible Carnival. See Ryan for details. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
• In the month of September, Teens will attend P.T. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
• We will have our Back-To-School Bible studies on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in September from 6:30-7:30 pm in the GC Student Center.
• Belief(s) Class—This week we will be covering Islam. Check the youth blog for a link to a podcast of these lessons. The link from last week will not work as that service was not compatible with our needs.
• A new calendar should be mailed out by the end of this week (9/16-22). It will also be available online. Watch the Youth Blog for details.


For the most up to date information, visit the youth blog at www.gcym.blogspot.com. Subscribe via RSS or E-mail for updates delivered electronically to you.

Update 8-08-07

Update 8-08-07

• We had a great Lock-In last weekend! Special thanks to Marty and jama Davis, Chris and Erica Cameron, Ryan and Jessi Ice and Summer Cook for all their Help in making this even t so successful!
• The details for “feeding the homeless” Saturday August 11^th have changed. You should receive a letter detailing the changes, or you can see Sam Butterfield for more information.
• The Teens will be in Primetime tonight.
• Some Teens may be asked to help get the school supplies ready for distribution during class time.
• The School Supply Distribution at TAG will be August the 23^rd. Help is much needed and appreciated!

• Back-To-School Bible Studies will be held on Tuesdays in August from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Student Center. We will be focusing on helping the teens stay plugged in throughout the school year so that they can be Jesus to the world that they live in.
• There will be a Back-To-School game night at the student center on August the 17^th. I would like to have at least four other adult chaperones. But, would like to encourage all parents to stay and play games. Please let me know if you are able to chaperone. $2 for pizza.

Get the most up-to-date information and subscribe to received updates by e-mail at www.gcym.blogspot.com

Update 8-01-07

Update 8-01-07

• LOCK -iN THIS FRIDAY August 3rd. We will start the evening by meeting at the student center at 5:30 and going to the Marietta Aquatic Center for their family night. The Cost for the entire lock in is $6. Parents, please pick your teen up by 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.
• On Saturday August 11^th, the teens and any other adults who would like to participate will be going to serve a meal to the homeless. We will meet at the church building at 10:00 a.m. to prepare lunch and then we’ll take the meals over. This is an idea that a couple of the teens approached me with. I’m very proud of them for this and ask for your help and support in this. Please help us help them in becoming more like Jesus.
• The Teens will be in Primetime next Wed. August 8^th.

• The first Back-To-School Bible Study is August the 7^th. We will be focusing on helping the teens stay plugged in throughout the school year so that they can be Jesus to the world that they live in.
• There will be a Back-To-School game night at the student center on August the 17^th. I would like to have at least four other adult chaperones. But, would like to encourage all parents to stay and play games. Please let me know if you are able to chaperone. $2 for pizza.
• The School Supply Distribution at TAG will be August the 23^rd. Help is much needed and appreciated!

Get the most up-to-date information and subscribe to received updates by e-mail at www.gcym.blogspot.com

GCYM Update 7-25-07

GCYM Update 7-25-07

· Tonight, after Wednesday night services, the teens will be going to play miniature golf in Boaz. We will caravan over there. Parents please pick your teen up at 10:00 p.m. or even better, Come Join Us for a game! Cost is $2.00

• We will be having a lock-in on August 3^rd. We will start the evening by meeting at the student center at 5:30 and going to the Marietta Aquatic Center for their family night. The Cost for the entire lock in is $6. Parents, please pick your teen up by 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.
• On Saturday August 11^th, the teens and any other adults who would like to participate will be going to serve a meal to the homeless. This is an idea that a couple of the teens approached me with. I’m very proud of them for this and ask for your help and support in this. Please help us help them in becoming more like Jesus.
• There will be a back to school game night at the youth house on August the 17^th. I would like to have at least four other adult chaperones. But, would like to encourage all parents to stay and play games. Please let me know if you are able to chaperone. $2 for pizza.

• There will be a back to school bible study on Tuesday August, 7,14, and 21^st. These bible studies are to help your teen gear there mind toward staying plugged in during the school year so that they can be the love of Jesus in their world.

Final Pics from Connections

Our local mission trip was a great success. On Wed. our grew a little and on the last day, Wacky Water Day, we had 27 kids. The teens did a great job! Thank you to Ronda and Jeff Harper, Sudona Lombard, and Melissa Ogden for the wonderful dinner they prepared for us on Wed. evening. Also, thank you to Ryan and Jessie for all of your hard work and I would like to personally thank Jessie for being the "in house" female chaperone so I didn't have to sleep on the youth house floor!! Thank you girl, you're awesome!.

Love from Above,
Dana

Update 7-11-07

· Our “Connections” Local Mission Trip is going on now. The teens are doing great and, as parents, you have much to be proud of in them. Log on to view pictures from the week at www.gcym.blogspot.com

· Mountaineer Bible Camp, directed by our own Joe Spivy, is next week, July 15-20. Several students and adults will be attending this week of camp.

· There will be no Revolution this Sunday night (July 15^th)

· Teens will go to P.T. next Wednesday night (July 18^th)

· We will have a short parent meeting on Wednesday, July 25^th, at 6 p.m. in the GCYM Student Center.

· Special thanks to the parents who provided dinner for us on the Wednesday of our “Connections” Mission Trip.

Get the most up-to-date information and subscribe to received updates by e-mail at www.gcym.blogspot.com

First Day of Day Camp

We had our first day of the day camp today and it went very well. The teens did a great job and we of course couldn't have done it without Ryan and Jessie. We are so thankful for the love and dedication that they put into all of their work with the Powell ministry. We had 14 kids today. A few from Powell, a few from Grand Central, and a few from the community. We are praying for an even larger crowd tomorrow. The teens finished the evening out with a fun time at the Marietta Aquatic Center. The rain earlier in the evening cleared most people out and we almost had the place to ourselves. Notice the last picture of Garrett, Sam and Anna. See the grief these kids give me... :).

Love from Above,
Dana

Connections Mission Trip

The mission trip is off to a great start. On Sunday, we went to Purseley Church of Christ to worship with them. They were wonderful hosts and treated us to a picnic on a farm with great homecooking. The teens spent Monday setting up for the rest of the weeks event and last night, we had a wonderful time having dinner and playing games with the Primetimers and young adults. Parents, be proud of your kids. They did a great job preparing dinner and serving dinner to those folks. I was impressed! Thank you to the Primetimers and Young Adult group for a wonderful evening! The desserts were wonderful too! Enjoy the pictures and please keep us in your prayers this week.

Connections Mission Retreat

Connections Mission Trip Information

If you are only attending the mission trip portion of the trip, please meet at the youth house at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday to depart for Pursely

· The Kings Island trip is $75. The rest of the trip is $15. All meals are included in the mission trip portion of the week. You will need money for four meals during the King Island trip. There will be a continental breakfast at the hotel. King Island does have a water park section also.

· We will be sleeping at the youth house. Please bring appropriate bedding and toiletries. Remember that the floors are hardwood. Air mattresses are recommended. Girls will be sleeping upstairs, guys downstairs. Girls will have access to the two restrooms upstairs. Guys will have access to the shower in the basement and the half bath on the main floor. Flip flops would be a good idea.

· Bring swimwear for the Aquatic Center trip. Girls please wear only one pieces or tankinis. Guys, no speedos.

• Please remember that we are going to be working with children. Please wear decent clothing. We will trust you to know what that is. If you aren’t sure about something you should assume it isn’t appropriate.

Please feel free to call me with any questions that you have about the week. 304-210-8949. E-mail- adamellis76@gmail.com

Connections Mission Trip Tentative Schedule

Friday July 6^th- 10:30 a.m. Depart for Kings Island

Return Saturday Evening. You will need money for four meals.

Sunday

9:00 a.m. leave for Pursely Church of Christ

We will have a picnic hosted by the Pursely congregation.

Return Sunday late afternoon

Evening: Grill hamburgers and hotdogs. Free time and door knocking at Powell

Monday

Set up for the TAG day camp

Primetimers service projects

Lunch:11:30a.m. (subs)

3:30 pm. Go over to church to fix dinner for Primetimers

5:00 p.m. -dinner and games with Primetimers

devotional

Tuesday

8-10am continental breakfast

11:30 am lunch (Pizza)

12:30 pm leave to get kids

1-3 TAG day camp

5:00 pm. Dinner at Wendy’s in Marietta

6-8 Marietta Aquatic Center

devotional

Wednesday

8-10am continental breakfast

11:30 am lunch (chicken fingers and french-fries)

12:30 pm leave to get kids

1-3 TAG day camp

6:00 pm dinner provided by teen parents

7:00 pm devotional and movie

Thursday

8-10am continental breakfast

11:30 am lunch (taco in a bag)

12:30 pm leave to get kids

1-3 TAG day camp

4:45 pm head out for game in Charleston

dinner at the game (included trip cost). Game begins at 7:05 p.m.

Return to Vienna that evening. We will have students call parents on the way home