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.