Middle High YAC

Attention!!! Middle School youth and parents:

Saturday, November 11, is Youth Annual Conference. It will be at Noblesville First UMC from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. We will depart from Bradley at 8:15 a.m. and return around 9:45 p.m. There is a possibility some drivers will be needed.

Cost: $50/per (including potential parents who want to drive and stay - however, that's not necessary - you can simply run the "cab" service in the morning and that evening)

$25 scholarships are available to the youth of Bradley UMC who will be attending. Please let Clarinda know if you would like to receive one of these. Those wishing to receive one do have some paperwork to complete. They will be paid via "reimbursement" (upon proof of registration).

Registration deadline, without incurring a $10 late fee, is due by Nov. 1.

To register, go to: http://www.sicbym.youthsite.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=396 or:

(http://www.sicbym.youthsite.org/)

You may either register and pay via credit/debit card online, OR print the registration form and submit it and your money to Clarinda. If printing the registration form and registering via Clarinda, please get your registration form and money to her by Sunday, Oct. 29 (remember, there is no youth group that evening, so you'll need to catch her in the morning).

Please feel free to e-mail this post (using the link below) to anyone you think is interested and please encourage them to get signed up for the weekly e-Newsletter or, at the very least, to check-in at the church's website or blog on occasion.

Trip to the Boondocks!

Knightstown, IN - Several youth, families and young adults went to Boondocks Farms today. The weather was dry and sunny and everyone had a good time exploring the offerings and hangin' out with friends. (pictured above are those of school-age who wet on the trip) All youth (grades 6-12) and young adults are invited to next month's (Friday, Nov. 17) fun activity when we head to Shelbyville for ice cream at the Cow Palace and Cosmic Bowling at Blue River Lanes (reservations needed by: November 10 -- this date is firm and necessary to insure your ability to bowl...lanes will be divided and you'll be able to hang specifically with your friends and others in your age-group). More pictures from the day are available by clicking here.

Things...

Hey!! I returned today from my Annual Convocation and wanted to touch base with some quick reminders...

We'll be going to Boondocks Farms this Saturday. This is open to all families, kids, youth and young adults. We'll leave the church as a group at 12:30 and return around 3:30 p.m. All youth going must have the 2006 Insurance-Release Form on file. Anyone going without their own parents as drivers must bring a signed Permission-Release Form with them. They are available on the Church's website... Check-out http://www.boondocksfarms.com for attractions, pricing and a coupon!

First of all, remember that there is no Confirmation Class or Youth Groups this Sunday evening. However, I would love to have you join us for the Connection@Bradley Worship Experience that begins at 6 p.m. and will include updates of the Colts/Redskins game!!

Young Adults: See you Sunday morning in the still-fairly-infant class in Room 204! Attendance has been good, but it can be better!! We are looking at concepts of "Community."

Those going on the Henderson Mission Trip will leave Wednesday at 4 p.m.-ish from the church. There will not be a Sr. High Study at my house this Wednesday...

"The Ground Truth"

The following letter was e-mailed to Senior High Youth and Young Adults today. It is important for youth and their parents to read.

On Wednesday, October 4, Senior High Youth and Young Adults have been invited to a screening of the freshly released documentary movie, The Ground Truth, at my house. I received this movie today and viewed it in its entirety. Because of the nature of this documentary, the following information is being disclosed to you prior to attendance at the viewing.

All those under the age of 18 must have the below release signed by a parent. Youth will not be allowed to view this movie without bringing this signed form with them.

The film: The Ground Truth is an independent production in association with Universal Studios Home Entertainment. My attention was brought to this film via the group, Sojourners – an Evangelical social action organization (www.sojo.net). It does present a side to the War in Iraq that may not be shared by everyone, but it is my hope that it will be a catalyst for conversation. It is 78 minutes of interviews and imagery primarily with and by veterans of the current Iraq War. There are also interviews with people from the medical, science and social work professions. Many military ranks and branches are represented.

For further information (including a trailer of the movie), you may visit the websites:

• www.thegroundtruth.net
• www.aimpages.com/thegroundtruth

Outline of the evening:

• Gathering/Fellowship/Introductions (accompanied by some light snacks)
• Reading of Psalm 46 & Opening Prayer
• Viewing of the film, The Ground Truth
• Discussion of the film (with a look at John & Charles Wesley’s attitude on war and current United Methodist teaching – which is non-binding – of war, the military and terrorism as it relates to the current situation in Iraq)
• Wrap-up & Closing Prayer
  

I give permission to _____________________________ to view the movie, The Ground Truth on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at the home of Clarinda Crawford. In addition to the above information, I understand this movie contains some violent content and language. I have read the above information and done the necessary research to allow my son/daughter to participate.

Parent Signature: ________________________________

Date: __________________

Brock Gill Show

Well, this is a bit later than I was hoping to post, but there are so many new and exciting ministries going on I was caught off-guard by some of the things God's having me do!! And, on second thought, I think it was good to give all those in attendance a chance to personally reflect...

Okay...about the Brock Gill Show. For those of you who went, you got to see a very enjoyable show, right?? It was a truly awesome illusioning performance (and for only $10)! There were illusions performed all the way from cards and cut-the-woman-in-half-in-the-box to riding a dirt bike around the auditorium with a blindfold (did Mount Vernon school officials know about this?) and even doing some "mentalist" tricks on unsuspecting audience members. Most of this was done with little to know overt "preaching." However, the last talk and final illusion is what I want to talk about in this entry.

I took as copious notes as possible in the dark. I captured phrases that stood out to me while Brock spoke (these are in quotation marks) and I also jottted down my own comments or questions (italicized). Here is that draft of notes:

• "Satan is real...as real as Jesus..."
• "There is evil..."
• "Romans 6....slave to righteousness or slave to sin..."
• "Jesus is master or satan is master..."
• "Devil has plan to ruin your life...Jesus' plan is to give you new life..."
• "Bondage...strings from a controlling satan..."
• Sin is separation from God.
• "Jesus as master..."
• "Who is your master?"
• "Ask God to show you your life tonight and to speak to you..."
• [a ton of statitistics were quoted about drug use, rape, divorce, suicide, etc...]
• So much of this is being delivered in a very warring/war-tone language. Is this attractive to today's youth - given the state of our world?
• "When will this ever end?"
• [Brock talked about a book, Fatal Sins]
  
• "WHO IS YOUR MASTER?"
• "Jesus died to set you free...Jesus wants to cut away the devil's strings..."
• "He was more than a miracle worker...more than a world leader...he was God's son...to set you free from sin...get to father in heaven...your eyes have been opened tonight..."
• "God drawing you into himself...turn your life over to him...let him be your master..."
• "There is no magical saving prayer....that notion is just absolutely wrong...only Jesus saves...you have to surrender your life to him..."
• "Just say yes...that's all that you have to do..."
• "It's difficult to live a true Christian life..."
• "I choose to follow Jesus no matter what..."
• "Jesus is going the opposite direction of everyone else..."
• "[Everyone else in society] is going left and you are going right."
• Isn't that an interesting way to put it...

I want to throw this out for comment and discussion, especially to those who attended that evening, but before doing so, I want to give you a few items for reflection...

• What would it look like if Christians simply practiced what they were called to do?
• Who has ever seen or met God, or "the devil", in order to give such an accurate description?
• How does any of this, if at all, change your faith?
• How would Jesus react to the message??
• How would Jesus react to the final performance (which was a dramatic re-enactment of "the devil" having "strings" attached to an individual that led them to drugs, etc...)?
• How is evil/"devil"-ish work portrayed in our society right now?

NOW! Let's discuss!!

Peace,
mp