Youth Music Opportunities

Dear Ardmore Presbyterian Families,

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 5, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., there is a special opportunity to preview two musical groups for youth, grades 6-12.

5:00 p.m. - Youth Choir

5:40 p.m. - Pizza!

6:10 p.m. - Youth Ringers

7:00 p.m. - We're finished!

**NEW - APC Youth Ringers**

 Directed by Maggie Montgomery, this group will meet in three five-week segments (Wed, 6:30-7:00 p.m.), and play a modest piece in worship at the end of each segment.  The segments begin Sep. 12, Oct. 17, and Feb. 20.

You do not have to sing in Youth Choir, nor do you have to read music, to try Youth Ringers.  Come out and try it!

APC Youth Choir

APC is one of the few churches on the Main Line to actually have a Youth Choir!  With a strong history, this choir sings several times per year.  Special projects include a biennial musical, and an annual choir exchange with Trinity Pres-Arlington, VA.  The choir rehearses Sundays after church.

So, if you've never tried our choirs for youth, why not come to the preview next Wednesday?  You can try one or both groups, and be sure to stop in for pizza (my favorite food group).

If you have questions, simply e-mail or call me.  Thanks for reading!

Gary Garletts

Director of Music

music@ardmorepres.org

610-642-6650 x23

Youth Choir, Pizza & Preview

Dear APC Youth Choir and Parents,

Summer days are waning, and a new program year is almost here!

Youth Choir Pizza and Preview happens in one week--Wed, Sep 5 at 5:00 p.m.  We'll take about 40 min. to sing through some great music for the year, including my newest arrangement of "I Saw You" by Ken Medema (composer of "The Tree Song").

Then we'll pause for a meal of pizza and veggies.  After the meal, we'll have about 50 minutes for an Introduction to Youth Ringers with Maggie Montgomery!  We hope you will try this new group.

During 2012-13 this new handbell choir will meet for three five-week segments, starting Wed, Sep 12, 6:30-7:00 p.m.  At the end of each segment, Youth Ringers will play a modest piece in worship.  You do not have to be a member of Youth Choir to try Youth Ringers, so please encourage your non-singing friends to try it!

Regular Youth Choir rehearsals begin after church Sun, Sep 16 at 11:45 a.m.

This is the year for the biennial musical.  It's "The Tale of Three Trees" on Sun, February 10 at Noon (dress rehearsal the previous morning).

Our exchange dates with Trinity-Arlington are:

• Sunday, April 7 at APC
• Sunday, April 14 at Trinity PC-Arlington

I'm excited about a great new year ahead!  Please e-mail back or call if you have any questions.

Gary Garletts

2010 Confirmation Retreat

The 2010 Confirmation Class finished their requirements with a two-day retreat, May 7-8, on the shore at Sea Isle City in New Jersey. A big thanks to the adult leaders, Scott, Nan and James. We also thank Sally for lending us her house on the shore. We had a great time, and the youth showed that they had learned a lot over the 12 week class.

Some excerpts from the work of the youth...

"Holy Father, thank you for giving us joy and laughter, and help us to feel these gifts throughout our lives."

"Dear God, let us break away from merely practicing and let us apply our faith to the real world. Help us to succeed in your name. Amen."

"Dear God, help guide me to make you number one in our lives. Help us to put nothing else before you. Amen."

"God, Sometimes it's hard to be always the good friend. Help us to make the right choices."

"Lord, help me to be brave enough but also to be meek like your son, Jesus. Amen."

"Dear Father, we pray that you will guide us to victory. We choose the path of faith over drugs to show our love and trust in you. We do not share you, Lord. You need to be first in our lives. Use your strength to help us always make the right decision for you. Amen."

2009 Harvey Cedars Youth Retreat

It's time to think about the high school retreat at Harvey Cedars. The dates are December 4-6, and we have received an e-mail which tells a bit about this year's program. If you are interested in going, contact the Ardmore Presbyterian Church office, and we will make the arrangements.

Hello wonderful youth leaders,

It's once again time to think about our annual trip to LBI for High School Harvey Cedars which is December 4-6, 2009. I'm pleased to announce that this year my Sr. Pastor Rev. Bill Borror will be our keynote speaker, and our theme will be "Encounter." Bill was in youth ministry for about 15 years prior to his Ordination, and then even worked with youth ministries for the following 5 years. He was an Area Director with Young Life as well, and has an amazing passion for youth and young adults. He has been at Media Presbyterian for 15 years now, and is an Affiliate Professor of Church History and Pastoral Ministry at Palmer Theological Seminary. I'm also pleased to announce we'll have 4th Man Furnace back again this year as our worship team.

The cost for this year has increased a bit, but hopefully not enough to make it painful. The cost for the whole weekend per person is $125; $5 more than last year. I'll need your final numbers for the retreat Monday November 9th, but I need your guesses and deposit of $100 by October 1st. Please make your deposit check payable to Media Presbyterian Church, with the memo "HSHC Retreat."

I'd love to hear back from you prior to October 1st even if it's just to say, "Yes we're in," or "Sorry we can't make it." I'd also love to hear back from you if you're interested in helping with one of several areas, namely, the Prayer Room, and group games. We've scrapped the movie time this year which will add to some fellowship time for your ministries, and hopefully some mingling between groups as well. So the biggest change to our schedule is organized chaos, errr, organized games from 1-3 Saturday afternoon in the gym, and free time from 3-4:30ish in the pool and football field thereafter.

There will be far more to come in the next several weeks but please know that I have begun praying for this event long before now, and will continue to do so as our time together approaches. I hope and trust you'll do the same.

Blessings,
Mark Boyd
Director Youth and Outreach Ministries
Media Presbyterian Church

Youth Triennium 2010

Please mark your calendar July 20-24, 2010. We will be joining over 7,000 youth and adults from around the world at the National Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Youth from the ages of 15-19 will gather at Purdue University for a time of fellowship, faith and fun. We will be traveling with other members of Philadelphia Presbytery. Since it only happens once every three years, every senior high youth will definitely want to consider it.

Check out these links...

• http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/
• http://www.facebook.com/Triennium

Youth Kick off Party!

On September 12, from 5pm to 7pm, we are kicking off the year with dinner and games at Carol Poorman Shih’s house. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call.

DATE: September 12, 2009 5-7 pm
RSVP by calling the church at 610-642-6650

New Plans for the Youth Fellowship

The Youth Leaders are excited to get to know your children as we all grow in relationship with each other and with Jesus Christ.

We have set some new goals for this year.

• to love God;
• to love neighbor;
• to build up the body of Christ;
• and to provide pastoral care to our youth.

We will try to accomplish these goals in a variety of ways. Youth Fellowship will consist of three components: a weekly meeting, monthly missions, and special events. Youth are invited to join us for any and all of these as they are able. As you can tell, some details are still being worked out. We want your input as well as your youth. We hope to finalize a calendar in the next few weeks. Below is a brief outline of this year’s program.

Weekly Meetings
This year our Wednesday night meetings will have two parts. Part One begins at 5 pm in the Parish House till 5:45 pm and will consist of games and other fellowship activities. Part Two begins around 6:15 pm, and we end at 7 pm. This component will consist of a Bible study or an exploration of an issue of our faith.

In between, we will share a meal together. Like last year, we need your help to make this possible. We are asking that each week a different youth and his/her family bring dinner for everyone (approximately 15 people). Please contact us to let us know when you can help.

Monthly Mission
In addition to our weekly get-together, we will be joining some local mission projects. We are hoping to do this approximately once a month, on a Saturday or a school holiday. We will meet at the church and travel together to the mission site.

Special Events
In past years, the youth have participated in a variety of activities, including Ski Trips to the Poconos, skating at Penn's Landing, and senior high retreats. We will continue to organize special events, and are open to suggestions for new events. This fall we are planning to partner again with other Presbyterian churches for retreats – one for middle high and one for senior high – at Harvey Cedars. Details are coming.