SDUC Youth Blog

March 10 - Mustard Seed Community Supper

2012-02-29T00:13:00.000-08:00

Reading/Candle Lighting for Lent

2012-02-24T15:39:00.000-08:00

We have a reader/candle lighter for April 1, but we are still looking for someone to read/light candle in March... the date has changed from Sunday, March 11 to Sunday, March 18, so if you are interested, let Aaron know... he will send you the words to read.

Confirmation and the SDUC Youth Program

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

The topic of confirmation classes has come up several times since I started here at SDUC, and it's something that I would like to address in this blog posting. My main priority as youth minister has been to provide depth opportunities for faith exploration and Christian education for all participants, and having not heard a great deal of interest from the youth themselves, Confirmation has been put on the back-burner in lieu of more immediate goals like the 30 Hr Fast and the Mustard Seed. These opportunities have received a very positive response from most people.

Another part of this conversation has been related to my limited number of hours to fulfill the Youth program, and for this reason I have needed a significant amount of expressed interest before making a Confirmation course a priority.

That said, I am aware that perhaps more information about Confirmation needs to be put forward for new youth participants to evaluate whether this is something they would like to receive in future.

It can be somewhat difficult to explain Confirmation as there are many ways
to describe it...

Confirmation: Giving voice to your faith and asserting your belonging within the United Church of Canada through Membership (A brief outline)

Baptism, and the Re-affirmation of Baptism
Some of you were baptized as an infant or at another time in your life, and some of you have not been baptized... Baptism is a symbol with various interpretations in different faith traditions, and finds its origins in the story of John the Baptist (see Mark Chap 1). In the United Church it symbolizes the welcoming of the individual into the Christian faith and the Church community (in this case, St David's UC). In the case of newborns being baptized, it is the parent's commitment to raise the child in the Christian Tradition (Our "Christian tradition" being how our relationship with God and Jesus affects how we live out our relationships with others and creation in this light). Confirmation allows the participant to articulate their own faith as a grown person.

An Assertion of belonging within the United Church of Canada
While you don't have to be a member to participate in the United Church, membership is an intentional way to claim a stake in the Church community. By becoming a member you are, in a way, saying - "I agree with the values and beliefs of the United Church of Canada, and I want to add my voice to the conversation around how we shape and live out those values and beliefs in the future". You are able to contribute to the decisions made by the community, both at St David's and at the Conference and National Church level if you so choose. (An example of this is being able to vote on whether our church performs same-sex marriages). You can then also seek to participate in the ministry of the Church itself (like becoming a Youth Minister! Aaaarggh!)

Participants of Confirmation classes are not required to become United Church members at the end of the program, but instead are invited to think about their faith and what it might mean to be a member of the United Church, and then decide if baptism/re-affirmation of baptism and membership is right for them.

What I need from interested SDUC Youth: If you are interested, please contact me asap, as I am going to have to figure out when to run the program (most likely early Fall). Recent Grade 12 Grads will also be welcome to attend.

Questions of any kind? youth@sduc.ca. thx and ttys - Aaron

Youth Ministry Framework

2012-02-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

For the past year or so, the Youth Committee has been diligently working on a new Framework for the Youth Ministry Program at St David's... It outlines the foundational purpose and values of our program, and will serve as a guide in moving forward as a Christian community.

Part of the process has been putting this together from the previous 2004 Mission Statement, and I'd like to take the time to thank the Youth Committee for all their hard work in making this happen.

Our next steps include circulating the document for feedback and revision.
We are looking for volunteers from both youth and their parents who would be willing to take the time to read over the document and give us their thoughts and feedback on how it speaks to our community's needs.

We recognize that not everyone will have the time to do this, but if you are interested, please email Aaron and he will send you a copy.

Friday Feb 24: 100 Mile Supper - Cancelled

2012-02-12T21:45:00.001-08:00

My parents have offered up their place in Dalhousie as our venue. (315 Dalcastle Mews NW) I will be purchasing food for this event on the Weds. and Thurs, so I need to hear from you no later than Weds.

Feb 22 - Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper / Worship

2012-02-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

An annual tradition at SDUC ...
Click here for more info.

This Sunday: Bring Milk Jugs

2012-02-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

This week we are going to have Janet Melrose and Lars Renbourg, guests from the Calgary Horticultural Society, come and speak about Winter Seed Sowing, and she will present us with some opportunities to take part in urban gardening around the city.

Bring 3 clean empty milk jugs to YouthChurch, and if you have some seeds you would like to plant, bring those as well.

This Sunday: Food Inc. Part Two

2012-02-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

This week we watched the last third of the film "Food Inc.", and followed up with questions... if you didn't get a chance to see the film, it has been streamed in it's entirety and you can watch it here:

Watch Food Inc HD 720p in Activism & Non-Profit | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Also, I thought I would post a short youtube about Polyface Farm, a farm featured in the film:

And for those who are up for it - Here's how you properly take apart a chicken (warning - guts on display)

More Teen Spirit

2012-01-31T12:18:00.000-08:00

Future dates for this event:
Sat March 10, 4 - 8 PM
Sat April 14, 4 - 8 PM

Please note that more dates can be booked to facilitate demand

Lego Man in Space

2012-01-30T16:03:00.001-08:00

Science projects should be this cool.

Teen Spirit for February

2012-01-25T16:00:00.000-08:00

This Sunday: Food Inc.

2012-01-25T00:36:00.001-08:00

This Sunday, as we delve further into our urban gardening theme, we will be watching a documentary film about some of the systems and processes that go into large scale farming, along with their consequences. While this film features farming practices in the United States, it raises important questions about large scale farming practices common to most industrialized countries like Canada. Warning: super-gross meat processing footage.

Community Dance - Friday Jan 27

2012-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

It's Already Here (& I'm Scrambling to Keep Up)

2012-01-18T23:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit of a late start this year, and I am still assembling some of the Teen Spirit events for the winter, but I am also excited that we will be working with the Calgary Horticultural Society on some urban gardening this spring! We also have some really interesting opportunities lined up with the Mustard Seed, as well as our 30 Hr Fast for the Nature Conservancy... so keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground.

THIS SUNDAY:

This week's YouthChurch we will be getting right into our year's Urban Gardening theme by exploring what the often-used term "Community" really means...

Youth at General Council

2012-01-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in going deeper in your involvement in the United Church?

The United Church of Canada’s General Council is a denomination-wide gathering which meets every three years to elect a new Moderator and to approve new church policies. In addition to 358 delegates called commissioners, approximately 250 guests, observers, youth, children, staff, and volunteers will be present for the week-long gathering. Commissioners are selected by the church’s 13 regional Conferences and represent an equal number of lay people and ministry personnel.

There are two ways for youth to participate in General Council—you can be elected by your Conference to serve as a Commissioner at General Council, or chosen by your presbytery to participate in Youth Forum. Click here for more info and registration forms.

The 41st General Council of The United Church of Canada will take place at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Ontario from August 11 to 18, 2012.

Sat Dec 17 - A Big Day

2011-12-07T21:30:00.001-08:00

Saturday, Dec 17th will be a big day...

At 10:45 am we will meet at the church for an Interactive Christmas Reflection (It involves a Nativity Set, but I can't tell you how).

At 1:00 pm we will drive down to the Mustard Seed Sorting Centre. It is located at Bay 27, 4216 - 54th Ave SE (It is at this point that I will mention from the depths of my heart how utterly appreciative I have been for the driving that has been undertaken by parents during my time here at SDUC) The Sorting will finish at 4 pm.

We have booked 17 positions for volunteering. A minimum of 3 positions will need to go to adults. RSVP youth@sduc.ca as soon as you know you are coming. You must RSVP by the deadline, as I will not be able to accept last minute arrivals. RSVP Deadline is Weds Dec 14.

There will be snacks, but please bring a bag lunch.

Can you drive for any part of this event? Email youth@sduc.ca

Next Sunday Dec 11: The Festive Sweater Bake Sale

2011-12-04T13:57:00.001-08:00

Next Sunday we will once again be doing another bake sale after church to fundraise money for the Mustard Seed. If you would like to contribute baking to the sale we will need a couple of things to help it go smoothly:

1. If your parents are helping with the baking, please make sure you help them! Considering it was you as a group who decided to do another bake sale this year, I want to know that you have contributed more than just taste-testing to the final product...

2. It would really help if you could include a list of ingredients with your baking, in case of allergies. If you need to photocopy your recipe book at church, that can be arranged. Gluten-Free baking is more than welcome.

3. If you could tightly seal the baking using either Seran wrap, a zip-loc bag or new fridge container, that would be much appreciated. If you have a sense of what the price is (somewhere in the range of 5 - 10$ is usually pretty good) go ahead and write the price onto the container.

4. Someone mentioned bringing hot chocolate to serve along with the baking. If you are interested in providing this, please send me an email so I know if this is happening or not, and can coordinate appropriately.

5. Last but not least, don't forget to wear your ugly Christmas sweaters!

We will be setting up the tables during church, along with rehearsing for the Dec 18th service.

Questions? Send an email to youth@sduc.ca. See you all next Sunday!

This Second Sunday of Advent: A Day of Rest

2011-11-30T18:55:00.001-08:00

This Sunday we will be having a Day of Rest. We will do a short worship, (communion will be on another Sunday), but given the insanity that Christmas usually becomes, I wanted to set aside some time for you all to get rest.

As always, there will be sand gardens and a sleeping room, so bring with you any of the following items: a pillow, a book, a journal, a sketchbook, a saying or quote on a piece of paper, or a small symbolic object upon which to focus your meditation. We ask that you leave your electronic devices with your folks, as we take a break from our hectic day to day lives.

Teen Spirit Dec 2: Sock Night

2011-11-27T15:39:00.001-08:00

Our first Mustard Seed event we will be assembling socks for the Mustard Seed's Christmas Stocking Stuffer Program. I have included the list of items to bring that will go into each sock we put together. Please bring these items and a sturdy pair of socks (or multiple pairs, if you would like to make several pairs.) If we are missing any items we can make a quick stop to London Drugs/Safeway. We will also make cards to go with the socks for those we are giving to.
Feel free to invite friends.

Date: Friday, Dec 2
Event Time: 7 - 9 pm
Location: St David's UC (downstairs)
RSVP by Thurs Dec 1

Our First Sunday Of Advent: Three Wishes

2011-11-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Our first Sunday of Advent we opened our Christmas season with some glimpses of life on the street courtesy invisiblepeople.tv.

These short videos feature homeless people from across North America sharing their own story of living without a home, the causes of their misfortune and what they have experienced. This is our intro to our work with the Mustard Seed, and reminds us of who we are serving. I have posted a large selection of them below, and you can find more at invisiblepeople.tv. Click on the stacked screen symbol on the youtube toolbar to scroll through the stories.

Christmastimes

2011-11-25T00:44:00.001-08:00

Here is a small schedule for activities and fundraising happening around Christmas... in case you wanted to mark your calendars. Please feel free to participate where you are drawn to be.

Teen Spirit Friday Nov 25: Bowling!

2011-11-20T11:39:00.001-08:00

RSVP by Weds Nov 23

What will happen this evening is we will show up at 6:15 to see if we can get first-come-first-serve lanes open during league play, and if we can't get some lanes, we will go and eat (I will confirm where) and come back to our booked lane at 9:15 pm. Please note my contact phone# in case of logistical issues.

Firepit - Nov 18

2011-11-10T18:31:00.001-08:00

The New Teen Spirit Winter Events (Updated)

2011-10-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

Rick Mercer on Teen Suicide

2011-10-27T16:00:00.001-07:00

This Sunday: A Day of Rest

2011-10-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we will be having a Day of Rest. This will be a Sunday where Janice will lead us in a celebration of Communion, and then we will enter into intentional rest, taking time to recharge our bodies and our minds.

As always, there will be sand gardens and a sleeping room, so bring with you any of the following items: a pillow, a book, a journal, a sketchbook, a saying or quote on a piece of paper, or a small symbolic object upon which to focus your meditation. We ask that you leave your electronic devices with your folks, as we take a break from our hectic day to day lives.

This Sunday: Motown is Growtown

2011-10-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we will be watching Urban Roots, a documentary about the transformation of the city of Detroit from the automobile capitol of the world to an urban gardening oasis... Learn about how the dwindling population of Detroit is taking food production back into their own hands, and in turn creating a revolution in Farming, Food and Community.

If you are not able to make the showing, the DVD is available to borrow from the SDUC Youth media collection.

C4L Presbytery Youth Event - Oct 28

2011-10-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

(Updated info) C4L is our process to renew, affirm, and live out our commitment to making our faith manifest in the world.

Come join youth (grades 7-12) from Calgary Presbytery for an evening (6:30-10 PM) featuring Rusa Jeremic (National Office).Participants must register online. The 20$ participant fee includes a 100 mile meal, T-shirt, and programme.

This social justice program, unique to the United Church of Canada, calls us to put faith into action regarding the many obstacles to God's purposes of justice, equality, and reconciliation between people and nations within creation.

Such processes are risky and may challenge our understanding of ourselves and God's mission. This time together will explore our invitation to trust in God's grace and power to transform us and empower us to new life.

If you know you are coming, drop an email to Aaron - youth@sduc.ca

Something to think about

2011-10-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Article in the Guardian Online:
Green idealists fail to make grade, says study

"According to the researchers, people who regularly recycle rubbish and save energy at home are also the most likely to take frequent long-haul flights abroad. The carbon emissions from such flights can swamp the green savings made at home..."

Hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers (Cancelled - Sorry!)

2011-09-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Our last hike of the season... not to be missed! Friends welcome!
RSVP by Thurs Sept 29. Location map below.

Harvest at Cornucopia

2011-09-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

We will be picking vegetables to take home! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Bring plastic bags to hold your vegetables. Find a map to the location here. RSVP by Tues Sept 20.

The Wild Hunt - Cancelled! Sorry everyone!

2011-09-05T00:00:00.001-07:00

RSVP deadline Weds Sept 14!

Teen Spirit Fall Events

2011-09-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

Woo Woo! If you would like a copy, you can click on the image and then right click and "save image as".

YouthChurch Starts Up Again Sept 11/11

2011-08-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Summer is over... but YouthChurch will be starting Sunday Sept 11!!! Meet in the Youth Room 10 AM as we look at our upcoming year. Obviously, this day people may also be reflecting on certain historical events...

Boom Lake Pics

2011-08-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

To see some pics from the Boom Lake Hike (along with some other random photos) you can click here

My work on the streets of Calgary

2011-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been a participating artist in the City of Calgary's Painted Utility Box Program, and if you happen to be driving Elbow Dr over Glenmore Tr, you will see this work on the NE corner. I have outlined the process on my blog and a CTV News article about the project is here.

2010 - 2011 in Review

2011-08-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

SDUC Youth Year in Review (2010-2011) on Vimeo.

For those of you who didn't get a chance to be at our end-of-year closing worship.

A Thank You from MSF

2011-07-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make sure you all had a chance to look at the letter and certificate sent to you by Médecins Sans Frontières, thanking the group for the fundraising you did during this year's 30 Hr Fast. Great work everyone!

Boom Lake Aug 14

2011-07-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BLOG

2011-07-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Up until now our youth program's online presence has been on Facebook, which has been great for the people who are on there, but it became apparent that we needed a place online where everyone could get access to info whenever they needed it.

So I present you... our new blog!

I will be posting event info as it comes up, along with anything else people might want to put on here... if you have any photos you would like to put behind the title (the current one comes from this year's Egg Night) email it to me and I will see what I can do.

What do you think of this new blog? Like it? Hate it? If you have any feedback, let me know. You can even leave a comment below.

Otherwise that's all for now, and keep an eye out for our summer hike...