Fall Kick-Off Edition

Dear <<First Name>>,

It's hard to believe that school has begun! And life around Oakland is about to kick into high gear! Please take a few moments to read the important announcements below, and make sure that you attend the Youth and Parents Meeting, this Sunday (August 22) at 4:30pm in the Youth Room).

We welcome a large class of 20-something rising 6th graders. And we will spend some great time together on an early Fall Retreat -- August 27-29. I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday and starting off the new year well!

Peace.
David

Youth and Parents Meeting -- Sunday at 4:30pm in the Youth Room
All teenagers (6-12 grade) and their parents are invited and highly encouraged to attend this important meeting. We will talk about the overall youth ministry, upcoming activities, youth supper sign-ups, and opportunities for leadership and service. There is simply no substitute for being at this meeting. So, plan to come and get the year off to a great start!

Things to consider before the meeting:

• Questions that you have about youth activities or events
• Possible dates that you could provide youth supper (each family provides 1-2 meals per year)
• Potential areas of service (Youth Council -- teens, Youth Advisory Team -- adults, chaperones, Sunday and Wednesday night workers

Fall Retreat at Camp Canaan -- August 27-29
To kick-off the fall, we will spend a weekend together at Camp Canaan, which is just down the road but feels a world away! We will spend the nights in their new cabins, tackle the high and low ropes course, and enjoy some great time together. We will gather at Camp Canaan at 5:30pm on Friday night and dismiss from Camp Canaan at 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon. Visit www.campcanaan.org for information about the camp, location, and facilities.
Our theme for Bible study and worship will be “Called Out” and will focus on following Christ together as a group/church. We will carry this them throughout the fall semester in Sunday Night Live! There will be no cost for the retreat thanks to a generous donation from a church member. Sign up online at www.obcyouthministry.com!


Sunday School Promotion -- August 22
Youth SS promotion will happen this coming Sunday. Be there to begin the new SS year on the right foot. Dunkin Donuts and drinks will be provided. We will continue using the FatihElement curriculum (www.faithelement.com), which integrates video resources into Bible study. Also, we welcome the rising 6th grade class into youth Sunday School this coming week!


Betsy Powers to Be Ministry Intern this Fall
This fall, we welcome Betsy Powers to be a student ministry intern at Oakland. Betsy is a seminary student at Gardner-Webb Divinity School and resides in Rock Hill. As a requirement of her Master in Divinity program, she must complete a 10 hour a week, unpaid ministry placement. Betsy is originally from Kentucky and graduated from Georgetown University (KY), has worked in several church settings in Tennessee and North Carolina. Betsy will work alongside David with teenagers on Sundays and college students on Tuesday nights.


Check out www.obcyouthministry.com for a calendar with all upcoming youth events!