The Awakening Retreat has Begun!

I am sitting in a room with more than two hundred students and staff, lifting their voices over the ocean in praise!

We have arrived safe, a little tired and certainly full of enthusiasm for this weekend of community and communion with God. Your students are safe and happy and cared for well by our volunteer staff.

If you need to reach us in an emergency, please contact me (Nicole) at 804-399-2963 or use any numbers on your emergency contact sheet. We will use our texting service to alert you of our arrival (and your students will have their phones back at that time.)

To sign up for the texting service, just text WORD to 313131!

Retreat “To-Bring” List

Dear Parents,

Recently we sent a “To-Bring” list out to everyone who registered on-line for the retreat.  However if for some reason you did not receive this we are making it available to you here.  Keep us in your prayers.  We are anticipating a great weekend.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to spend time with your children!  Open the “To-Bring” list here.

HSM Parent Blog 2-3-12

Dear Parents,

I read this morning that Josh Hamilton, the all-star baseball player for the Texas Rangers had an “alcohol” relapse.  The 30-year-old player was suspended for more then three years for drug and alcohol use while playing previously for another team.

Josh has also been featured on the website, “I am second” a series of videos with testimony’s from people whose lives have been changed by faith in God.  So what do we do with this?  I think most of us understand that people are not perfect and we understand when people stumble.  But here is something else to remember.

I recently heard someone say that forgiveness and grace is the glue that will hold a community together.  I think we can apply that to families as well.   Forgiveness and grace is the glue that will hold a family together.   We offend and hurt one another all too often.  This is part of the human condition.  But it’s forgiveness and grace that will set us a part as a people of faith.

Before hitting “send” on this Blog, I asked a friend to read it.  My friend said it sounded a little heavy and I guess it is.  My own life these past few weeks has felt heavy with my mom being very ill.  Finding good care for my mom and dealing with the varying opinions of all my siblings has required some grace and forgiveness.  Perhaps I write from this perspective today.  All to say thank you for your faithfulness as parents and your prayers for my family.

Happenings.

*No Parent Left Behind is a seminar led by Walt Mueller, an old youth ministry guru.  He is great.  I would recommend it.  You can register on-line at www.thirdpres.org and hit the link for the seminar.  It runs Friday night and Saturday morning.  The link will also give you more information on content.  Some of our “Hope” parents are already planning to attend.

*Our middle and high school winter retreat is quickly approaching.  Please help your child sign-up on line if they would like to go.  Sign-up at www.hopecentral.com and go to the student ministry page for the “Awakening Retreat.” Please also know that we understand finances can be tight and we do have scholarship money left.

*This Sunday Middle and High School Ministry will meet together from 5:00-6:15.

Super Bowl Sunday

As you all know, this coming Sunday is the SUPER BOWL! a.k.a. the day the Giants are going to beat the Patriots…again This Sunday is going to look a little different because we want to give students the opportunity to watch the game. We will be having Middle School and High School BOTH starting at 5pm on Sunday night and ending at 6:15pm. It will be our standard break down including snacks, games, worship and a message. All staff will be on board, so it is going to be a very fun and energetic night! Yet again, this will be a great night to bring friends! Hope to see everyone on Sunday!

GO GIANTS!!!

HSM Parent Blog 1-12-12

Dear Parents,

I read somewhere recently that we tend to measure how we are doing “inside” by how people look to us on the outside. Most people I interact with look pretty put together to me.  I think I might be a real mess.  But then again, after having honest conversations with real friends, most of us feel like we are barely hanging on. It feels like I am saying “no” to my children more then “yes”.  It feels like the other shoe could drop at any moment. Even if my son or daughter seem to be doing pretty well, I hurt for them if I think they are being excluded or getting rejected by a college they applied to.  Lately I have been thinking I have to stop worshipping my worry. In other words all the focus of my prayer, all the thoughts in my mind are more about my worries then about my God who loves me and who holds my life and the life of my family in his hands. So, here is a verse for you today. “Ah sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

Don’t worry most people may look pretty good to you on the outside but if they have kids, if they are doing life like you are doing life, you are not alone in your struggles.  Love and Peace to you today.

~Pete

Scheduling:

January 13th-G-Force Go Carts and Inflatable Social for Middle School. Must fill out a waiver to attend:  G-Force-Minor-Waiver.  Meet at Hope 7:00, Return to Hope 10:30. Cost $20.00

The Parent meeting scheduled for this Sunday January 15th has been moved to January 29th. We will meet from 5:00-6:15. Please make every effort to be there. We will be discussing the upcoming winter retreat, the summer opportunities and changes in the way we can effectively do student ministry.

January 21st (Saturday night) High School Scavenger Hunt Social. Meet at Hope 7:00. Event Ends 10:30. Cost $5:00.