May 2006

Hi All,

Where did April go? It has been a busy month and as it gets closer to summer, the faster it will seem to go. To be honest I am a little behind this month. This past weekend I took part in Chrysalis Flight #26 at the Altoona United Methodist Church. What a transforming weekend it was. There were about 70 teenagers there and it was neat to watch them grow in Christ. What is Chrysalis?
“That growth stage between caterpillars and butterflies is called a chrysalis. On the surface it may not look like much is happening, but the delicate chrysalis process changes the fuzzy caterpillar into an awesome butterfly with wings of intricate designs and intense colors. The chrysalis process symbolizes how Christ can transform you into something beyond your dreams. It happens when you grow beyond yourself, opening your life to Jesus’ power and love.

Chysalis is the name chosen for the youth version of The Walk to Emmaus, its parent movement, because it symbolizes the spiritual growth that is essential between adolescence and adulthood. That growth is as crucial for youth as the cocoon is for the caterpillar. It is that precious time of nurturing a person’s faith for discipleship.

This three-day spiritual renewal time provides an opportunity for you to learn more about faith, to experience Christian love and support, and to make new faith commitments. The point is to inspire, challenge and equip you for a closer friendship with Christ and for Christian action at home, church, school, and community.

Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to enjoy Christ’s friendship and love and to be Christ’s friend and partner in the world. The three days focus on God’s grace, your experience with Christ as friend, what it means to be the body of Christ, and giving love to a needy world.”
If I were you I would be probably be saying ok, but what happens on a Chrysalis flight? It is three days of worship, prayer, talks given by other teens and adults, fellowship, creative expression, games, singing, and discussion. The worship is like nothing that you have probably ever experienced. It is relevant and done in a style meant for teenagers. And the music, well it is high energy and fun. The theme song for Flight #26 was “Foreverandever, etc.” by the David Crowder Band. Because the guys and girls are split for most of the weekend I am not sure what they sang, but “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline was the song of choice for the guys. I almost forgot you get to eat and eat and eat. The food doesn’t stop until it is time to go home. There is always plenty to eat at mealtime and there is always plenty of snack food and pop in between meals.

Sound interesting? Chrysalis Flight #27 is September 2-4, 2006 and will be held in Waterloo, IA at Kimball Ave. United Methodist Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you are a sophomore in high school to a sophomore in college and would like more information or want to go on the next flight, please let me know.

More than likely by the time that you are reading this the 30 Hour Famine and BOOM Sunday will have already taken place and if you missed it, you missed a lot of fun! Mothers’ Day is just around the corner … hint, hint. Make sure to remember your Mom on May 14th. I know she will appreciate it.

Because of Him,

Terry

Upcoming Meetings
May:

• Join us on the 3rd for movie night beginning at 5:15 PM for "Pride and Prejudice." This month's movie is about 140 minutes long so we should be done by 7:45 PM. This would be a great night to invite some friends, just let us know how many are coming so we can make sure that we have enough to eat (please be sure to bring $3 to help cover the cost of the meal). Are you part of another youth group? Have your youth leader get a hold of us; we would love to have you join us!
• The Crave is back and will be on the 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at Roosevelt Middle School. Parents, drop off will be at Roosevelt Middle School at 6 P.M. with pick-up at 8:30 P.M. (it may be later for pick-up if the event goes over schedule).
• On the 17th and the 31st we will worship and fellowship from 5:45 to 6:45 P.M.
• Confirmation meets on the 17th and the 31st from 6:45 – 7:45 P.M. On the 3rd the confirmation class will participate in movie night (see above for movie night details).

Events not scheduled yet will be announced as far in advance as possible so you can make plans to attend. The movie scheduled to be shown could change without warning due to availability.

Upcoming Concerts/Events
May
10th the Crave at Roosevelt Middle School
13th Hus Racing League. Youth working in the kitchen from 10 AM - 3 PM. Fundraiser
13th Chrysalis Hoot (Altoona United Methodist Church)
14th Mothers’ Day
24th Annual Hus Choir Concert - NO YOUTH GROUP
29th Memorial Day

Every Monday: Youth Prayer Time, 7PM at the old SW Target parking lot.
Every Thursday: High School Bible Study, 4 - 6 PM at the Panera Bread on Collins Rd.
Every Friday: Marion High School Bible Study, 7:30 - 8 AM.

Times subject to change.

A conversation with God
Hi God. It has been a long month for all of us Lord. All the homework, the tests, school activities, church, youth group, Sunday school and more. Be with us God so that we do not forget to spend time with you. We lift up Your name in praise as we thank you for helping us with that homework, the tests, school activities, church, youth group, Sunday school and so very much more. Lord, be with us as we end this school year and help us to make the right choices in all that we do.
Christ be in my life and in my living (place hands over chest)
Christ be in my heart and in my loving (hands over heart)
Christ be in my mouth and in my speaking (hands over mouth)
Christ be in my eyes and in my seeing (hands over eyes)
Christ be in my ears and in my hearing (hands over ears)
Christ be in my mind and in my thinking (hands on head)
In Jesus’ precious and holy name, Amen.