November has been great fun for our St. Philip’s youth!  The Middle Schoolers attended a retreat to Carmel for the 24 Hours Diocesan event for Middle Schoolers.  We had a great scavenger hunt all over downtown Carmel, where we especially loved the Sharper Image store, candy shop, and a silly dog store, and we only briefly unnerved the security staff at Tiffany’s fine jewelers.  Then we went back to All Saints Episcopal Church for dinner, movie, curriculum, ice cream, and bed.

In the morning we attended the family service led by Jan Wood, wrote skits, and finished at the beach with a picnic lunch.  What a fun weekend!  I get to lead this one and it’s a huge privilege to hang out with Middle Schoolers from all over the diocese.

We’ve continued with the Evening Prayer on occasional Sunday nights 7-8p.m. Fr. Barry came and did a nice Eucharist with us.  It reminded us that the Last Supper is really very sad, and it’s a bittersweet sort of party.  It’s become very casual lately, last night we came in our jammies and did a lovely worship by candlelight in the sanctuary.  We tied soft cord bracelets on our wrists to remind us of how we are tied by the Holy Spirit to the Creator of the universe, and that we’re never alone.

For December we pull back on the youth schedule a bit due to the ramping up of youth music ministry in preparation for the Pageant and Christmas Eve family service.

 

ST. PHILIPS YOUTH SCHEDULE:

December 4                    MUSIC REHEARSAL A.M.

                                     YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE, 7-8P.M

 

December 11                  MUSIC REHEARSAL, A.M.

                                     MATINEE, SV CINEMA “THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE”

                                     NO WORSHIP SERVICE TONIGHT,

 

December 18                  PEACE CANON REHEARSAL SUNDAY A.M.

December 24                  7 P.M. FAMILY CHRISTMAS SERVICE

 

February 3-5                  SNOW TRIP #1                         SIERRA SUMMIT

February 24-26               SNOW TRIP #2                         DODGE RIDGE

 

March 31- April 2           HAPPENING: RENEWAL RETREAT FOR HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS

 

April 28-30                    NEW BEGINNINGS: RENEWAL RETREAT FOR MIDDLE
SCHOOL STUDENTS

 

The Diocese is still planning on two mission trips this summer: Sierra Service Project and Venture Out.  Those dates will be available by the end of January.  These events aim to provide opportunities for fellowship and spiritual formation among youth and to provide renewal for adult mentors.

About the ski trips: Last year we didn’t like the snow or the drive to Sierra Summit, but Dodge Ridge is pretty fun.  We did do a St. Philip’s day trip last year with parents and youth that worked well for us.  We got up early, drove up, skied all day then drove back after the lifts closed at 4:30 pm.  I’d be willing to do that a couple of times this winter, once per month say? On a Saturday? Talk to me if interested!

             Carter Potts, Middle and Senior Youth Group Coordinator