January 15 – “Connecting to my Future Family” Seminar.  Penn State Cooperative Extension is offering a wonderful seminar that you will want to participate in.  This seminar will train you to train teenagers in enhancing their relationships with friends and family.  I think you will find this very helpful in working with teenagers and their families.  The cost is $25 per person for the curriculum.  If you let them know you are with Knox Student Ministries then the seminar is free to you.  We will be happy to pay your way.  The seminar is 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Please bring money for lunch.  It is at the Lawrence County Government Center, 430 Court Street. New Castle, PA.  We will meet on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse Annex.  The phone number is 724.654.8370. 

 

January 24 – Youth Worker Luncheon.  You are invited to pizza and a movie about teenagers and God.  The documentary (Soul Searching) that we will be watching is based on the findings of the book, Soul Searching: the Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers by Christian Smith (Oxford Press). This 70 minute movie will help youth workers (and parents) understand what teenagers think about God and religion.  The luncheon will be held in the Religious Education Building of St. Camillus Catholic Church in New Castle from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  It’s free so bring a parent or another youth worker.

 

February 3 – Super Bowl Party.  We have rented out the Y-Zone again this year for our party.  Bring your youth group.  Your students will have full use of the YMCA’s indoor soccer field, basketball courts, and a volleyball court.  We will also have pizza, drinks, and the football game on a large 8 foot screen.  The Super Bowl party starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 9:15 p.m.  How much does this cost you?  All we ask is for every person to bring a two liter of soda or their favorite snack. What a bargain. This is a great outreach tool for youth workers.  Take advantage of this.

 

February 19 – Prayer Fellowship.  Youth Workers, do you need some support and adult fellowship in your life?  We meet every third Tuesday of the month for breakfast, laughter, and prayer.  Join us at Eat-n-Park Restaurant in New Castle at 8:30 am.

 

February 21 – Youth Ministry University.  The teenagers in your youth group are not isolated beings.  We need to reach out to their families.  Our first 2008 Youth Ministry University seminar will focus on ministering to parents.  The seminar will be called “Foundations for a Meaningful Ministry to Parents of Teenagers.” This one hour practical seminar will give you programming ideas on how to partner with and minister to parents of teenagers.  YMU will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church on Crescent Ave. in Ellwood City at 7 pm.

 

February 29 – Youth Worker Bowling Night.  Strike!!!  We have reserved several lanes at Colonial Lanes on Wilmington Road in Neshannock just for you.  Bring your volunteers, family, or come by yourself.  This is your night to laugh, bowl a couple of games and hang out with other youth workers. We are even giving away a couple of cool prizes.  Everything starts at 7 pm.  How much does it cost?  Tell the front desk that you are with Knox Student Ministries and it is free.  This is our way of saying thank you for caring for students.  You make an eternal difference.

 

March 7 – 9 – Disciple Now Retreat.  Wow!  What an amazing retreat we have for you this year.  “Guy Talk, Girl Talk” is the theme.  Christian comedians Bean and Bailey will be joining us.  We even have a crazy Dodge Ball tournament that your students can participate in.  How much will it cost?  Just $10 per person.  Hey, you even get a t-shirt.  Call Todd for more information at 724.946.3035 about this annual community wide retreat.

 

March 16 – Stations of the Cross Youth Worship Service.  Make sure your youth group participates in this contemplative, life changing worship service as your teen walks through several Stations of the Cross.  This self-running presentation includes narration, music, and video that will create an unforgettable experience for your youth group.  Worship will take place at New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Harlansburg Road in New Castle from 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm.  There will be pizza served after the worship service.

 

March 18 – Prayer Fellowship.  Everyone needs friends in ministry!  Join us this month for breakfast, prayer, and fellowship with other youth workers.  Join us at Eat-n-Park Restaurant in New Castle at 8:30 am.

 

March 29 – Youth Ministry University.  We are a county of small churches.  Believe it or not, there are around 150 churches in Lawrence County that run 150 or less in Sunday worship.  Those churches often struggle to have a dynamic youth ministry.  Our second YMU has been designed with the small church youth group in mind.  The title of this YMU is “Youth Ministry in Small Churches.”  We have invited Professor Rich Grassel, youth ministry professor at Geneva College and pastor of Conway CMA Church, to join us.  Rich is the author of “Help, I’m a Small Church Youth Worker.”  You will find his words encouraging and helpful. Pastors and youth workers are invited.  We will meet at the Wolverine Restaurant on River Road in Ellwood City for breakfast and discussion from 9 am to 11 am.  Call Todd at 724.946.3035 if you are interested in attending. 

 

April 13 – “Nothing but Nets” Youth Worship Service.  Service and worship are important to the spiritual life of a teenager.  Knox Student Ministries is asking that your youth group consider raising money to prevent malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa.  You can go to www.nothingbutnets.net for more information.   We have designed a youth-led worship service that will inspire your teen.  Worship will consist of youth sharing their faith, a worship band, praying for our brothers and sisters in Africa, and presenting our offerings to God.  Worship will be held at Westfield Presbyterian Church at 1363 Mt. Jackson Road in Enon Valley from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

 

April 15 – Prayer Fellowship.  This is a great way to meet other youth workers in the county who love students as much as you do.  We meet at Eat-n-Park Restaurant in New Castle at 8:30 am.

 

April 24 – Youth Ministry University.  Our third YMU is entitled, “How to Refresh, Delight, and Surprise Your Volunteers.”  In this one hour seminar you will get some time tested ideas that will help you keep your best workers fired up and involved.  Volunteers who are empowered and filled with affirmation are more likely to impact the spiritual lives of teenagers (and recruit new volunteers). We will meet at the Church of Genesis on 303 N Cedar in New Castle from 7 pm – 8 pm.

 

May 1 – Understanding Your Teenager Seminar for Parents.  Understanding Your Teenager is a lively, informative presentation of some of the best parenting advice you’ll ever get on raising capable, emotionally-healthy teenagers.  This is not a seminar just for parents who are having difficulty with their kids.  Instead, it’s for every parent who wants to stay close to their kids during their teen years and also wants to influence them to become the kind of youth men and women God created them to be.  Our seminar leader this year is Dr. Duffy Robbins.  Duffy is a world class communicator.  Your parents will love him, and will thank you for bringing them to this seminar.  The cost is only $5 per person (which pays for a seminar booklet).  UYT will be held at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church in New Wilmington from 6 pm – 9 pm.  Bring your parents for some encouragement, some practical ideas, and a chance to interact with other parents like yourself who care enough about their kids to sharpen their parenting skills.

 

May 6 – Youth Worker Appreciation Night.  Thank you for loving and caring for students.  Knox Student Ministries wants to let you know how much we appreciate you by taking you and your spouse out to dinner.  If you are a youth worker in Lawrence County you are invited to Soni’s Italian Restaurant on 3208 Wilmington Road in Neshannock for a buffet meal.  Join us at 6:30 pm.  No cost.  Please call Todd for reservations.  Space is limited. So don’t wait to long.

 

May 20 - Prayer Fellowship.  Join us for breakfast and prayer with other youth workers in Lawrence County at Eat-n-Park Restaurant at 8:30 am.  We are even giving away a huge door prize.  Our next Prayer fellowship will be on August 20th.