Winter Youth Retreat has been Rescheduled!

IgeekGod. Doyou?

The Presbytery of Des Moines invites youth (grades 6-12) and leaders to a Winter Youth Retreat Feb. 5-6, 2010 at Union Park Presbyterian Church, 1307 Thompson Ave., Des Moines, IA 50316.

The Winter Youth Retreat will include group activities and social time for the youth starting Friday evening at 7 p.m. On Saturday, we’ll be tubing and sledding at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317. Kids can be picked up at Sleepy Hollow at 2 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Youth participants must have their parents signature on the liability release form in order to participate. Saturday’s breakfast and lunch are included.

Who will be there?
6th-12th graders, youth leaders and pastors, others by arrangement only.

When does it happen?
Friday, February 5th – 7 p.m. Registration
Saturday, February 6th – 2 p.m. Close

Where is it?
Union Park Presbyterian Church
1307 Thompson Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-266-4700

Don’t bring:
Valuables including: electronic devices, rollerblades, skateboards, personal stereos, alcohol or drugs.

Things to bring:

• Sleeping bag/Pillow


• Toiletries including toothbrush/toothpaste, etc.


• Coat/Hat/Gloves


• Snowpants/long underwear


• Flashlight


• A change of clothes or dress in layers


• Snacks/beverages to share


• Bible


• Registration/Permission Form


• Liability Release Wavier

Registration forms:
Participants must complete the registration/permission form and the liability release wavier prior to the event. These can be downloaded online. Send completed forms to:

Dennis Britson, Moderator
1110 E. 6th St. #12
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-988-1360

Scholarships are available!
A limited number of $15 scholarships are available on a first-come first-served basis. Please note on your registration form if you are in need.

Note to leaders…
If you are sending in registrations for a group, or are planning to bring registrations to the retreat, please let Dennis Britson know the number of participants so the proper quantity of materials can be ordered.

DoyougeekGod?

Reminder of Thursday’s Lunch & Learn session, February 19

This will be the second in our Communications Lunch & Learn series for our Presbytery members and the topic is on Christian Education and learning what curriculum is available for all ages. We’ll meet from Noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, February 19. The Presbytery’s POINT Person Sara Lamb will be giving us her picks for Vacation Bible School programs. (P.O.I.N.T. stands for Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching and is a network of Presbyterian educators who offer Christian education expertise and curriculum interpretation skills to churches in their area.)

If you are involved with your church’s Christian Education programs, a youth leader or serve on your church’s education committee, you are encouraged to attend the meeting at the Presbytery of Des Moines, 2400 86th St., Suite 20, Urbandale, IA. (We are located behind the Perkins on the corner of 86th and Hickman in the Westview business complex.)

Don’t forget to bring a brown bag lunch. A microwave and a refrigerator stocked with beverages are available for your use. Sara asks that everyone bring their favorite curriculums to share.

Mark your calendars for future lunch and learns:

• February 19 – P.O.I.N.T. Tips and Tricks on Christian Education curriculums and VBS


• March 19 – (Re)Visioning Your Church


• April 16 – Web Site Writing and Optimization so Search Engines will find you


• May 21 – Evaluating your Churches Communications Efforts


• June 18 – Blogging 101 and Podcasting for Pastors


• July 16 – Learn about Khadamat Sudaniya’s Ministry


• August 20 – Social Networking Online with Youth (Facebook, MySpace and Twitter)


• September 17 – Annual & Statistical Reports, Newsletters and E-announcements (bring samples)


• October 15 – Public Relations 101 – How to Get Church News Noticed


• November 19 – How to use Photographs in your Church Ministry