Ridge Student Ministries

December Update

RESURRECTION '22

(Signup Deadline Sunday Jan. 2!)

RESURRECTION is an incredible retreat opportunity that we've taken in years past and unfortunately had to miss last year! The event is back and we strongly encourage you to make room for this one!!

Come hangout in the Smoky Mountains for one of the nation’s largest gatherings of United Methodist youth! Great music and moving messages combine each year to breathe life into us as a mid-year boost! We’ll stay in cabins together and attend the conference, sitting together as a group among a few thousand other teens aiming to grow deeper in their faith!

This year’s cost will be $145/person, which will include cabin lodging, conference fee and transportation, plus breakfasts, one dinner and plenty of snacks. You are able to use $ already earned from Flamingos, or any raised in our upcoming Gift Wrapping, toward the cost of this trip!!

We need signups and $35/person deposits no later than JANUARY 2, 2022!!!

Sunday Night Ridge 5:30 M.S. / 7:00 H.S.

More Pics from Youth!

Here's a quick breakdown of what to expect from our Sunday Night Meetings, whether you come to Middle School or High School:

-Free Time with a variety of recreational options, table games, fun snacks and opportunities to catch up with friends

- All Group time involving cooperative games or team challenges

- Peer Group Time with Bible discussion led by Students in Leadership

- Series-based, interactive Message with Harrison that partners with Peer Group discussion

- Occasional: Worship Music, Theme Nights, On-Site Service Projects

Note: In December and Early January there are seasonal adjustments, please see included schedule for specifics!

Current Theme:

SPEAK and ACT

Are you all-in for Jesus? Ok, great - but... what should be different then? How do you put this faith into actual practice?

Based on James Chapters 2 & 3, We've recently been talking about the ways our speech and action should represent our commitment to Christ. We've talked about the power of words, choosing speech that builds up, and how action and belief compliment each other. Ephesians 4, Colossians 4, Psalm 119 and more.

See a Discussion Sample!

Snack Volunteers Needed!

We no longer do dinner on Sunday evenings but instead provide snacks and drinks for the students! To mix up the variety, we're asking parents to partner with us by taking a Sunday to provide and set out our snacks! You can even partner with another family. Use your creativity and if possible try to hang at youth in person - a great way to meet our students.

We plan for about 70 total each week, please use the signup genius below to choose a date!

Sunday Night Snack Signup

(Weekly Meetings & Classes continue each week UNLESS designated below)

Sun December 5: SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH (Including CHRISTMAS SERVICE PROJECT) 5:30pm and 7:00pm

Wed December 8: Gift Wrapping Fundraiser Begins 5:00-8:00pm

Sun December 12: “Decade the Halls” Theme Night at YOUTH MEETINGS (Dress up as your favorite retro Christmas movie character!) 5:30pm and 7:00pm

Wed December 15: Gift Wrapping Fundraiser Continues 5:00-8:00pm

Thu December 16: Christmas Caroling 6:30-8:00pm

Sun December 19: Christmas Parties (home locations - TBA) 5:30-8:30pm

Tue December 21: Ice Skating Trip 10:30am-2:30pm

Wed December 22: Gift Wrapping Fundraiser Concludes 5:00-8:00pm*

Movie Night 8:00-10:30pm

Fri December 24: Help w/ Lantern Project for Christmas Eve Services 4pm/6pm

Christmas Eve Services 5:00pm and 7:00pm

Sun December 26-

Sun January 2 No Youth Meetings!

Fri January 7 Serve dinner at Greensboro Urban Ministries 5-8:30pm

Sun January 2: Deadline to signup for RESURRECTION 2022! ($35/deposit)

Fri-Sun Jan 21-23: RESURRECTION 2022 - Pigeon Forge, TN!

*Additional Gift Wrapping Times may be set up in December if deemed necessary

WRAPPING FUNDRAISER

Ok, so if you missed this a couple years ago here's a brief overview (see links for further info):

* Interested customers will bring us their gifts, we wrap them for them. We have tons of really cool and trendy supplies.

* Students can earn $ toward Resurrection, retreats or missions by participating. We'll train you on how to wrap.

* You don't have to like wrapping to contribute, there are other ways to work at each session.

* The amount everyone earns depends on the number of customers and orders, so spread the word! Share our wrapping site link, which describes the whole process!

Download Flyer/Info:

WRAPPING WEBSITE

SIGNUP FOR SHIFTS

"Decade the Halls" Theme

Sun December 12

Middle School 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m.

High School 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.

For youth meetings on the 12th we'll have another theme night, this time challenging everyone to dress-up as movie characters from Christmas-past! Go tacky, outlandish, whatever. We'll have some fun decorations, snacks and challenges, along with our usual meaningful time of discussion. Last Sunday Night Ridge in FLC until January!

Christmas Caroling

Thu December 16

6:30-8:00pm, Meet at Church!

So much fun in years past!! No talent required :) just be willing to share some cheer with folks in need of it this Christmas.

We'll also deliver any care packages we've put together! Please let us know if any parents are interested in volunteering/driving.

Signup for Caroling!!

Christmas Parties

Sun December 19

Middle School 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

(Location TBA)

High School 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m.

(Eichlin Home)

This year we'll gather together at gracious host homes to celebrate a great year and look forward to a special 2022. Bring your favorite holiday snack to share!

Signup for Christmas Parties!!

Ice Skating

Tue December 21

10:30am-2:30pm Meet at Church

We'll head to Winston Salem to do some indoor Ice-Skating for a couple hours and grabbing lunch on the way back!

Cost is $15/person, plus bring lunch $!

Signup for Ice Skating!

Christmas Movie Night

Wed December 22

8:00-10:30pm at the Church (Gym/Cafe)

As our last hoorah before the big day, we are going to settle down to enjoy a movie event downstairs, immediately following our wrapping fundraiser. Looking forward to closing out an epic Advent/Christmas season with you!

Greensboro Urban Ministry

Don't forget to sign up in advance for our annual shift at Greensboro Urban Ministry, January 7. An excellent opportunity to put your faith in action, as we serve those in need of food and shelter in downtown GSO.

WAIT? We have our own VIDEO GAME?

You'll just have to let this soak in. Tap the pic above for all the details and to give it a whirl. Updates and new games featuring Pablo to be posted soon.

Other Program Info!

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

We had our official orientation and kickoff of confirmation in November, and had "soft started" before that. We are excited to involve a variety of teachers and mentors from the church body along with around 20 students between 7th-10th grade who are taking the confirmation journey!!

We still have room for a few newcomers if interested. Class will continue 10:00am on Sundays through May, held in the cafe adjacent to gym! Contact Harrison for more info!

Confirmand and Mentors Info!

ADULT VOLUNTEER NEEDS

Ridge Youth soars with the participation of volunteer adults in various ministry aspects. We're blessed to offer programming and discipleship to such a wide range of students! Here are some current needs you could get involved with that will help support and deepen these students' faith:

Regular Sun Night Volunteer
Teach a few weeks of Sunday School or Confirmation
Chaperone Events or Trips (See schedule)
Be a Confirmation Mentor
Start a home group that meets once every few weeks
Coordinate Flamingo Fundraiser
Be part of Adult Visioning Team

Contact Harrison for more info!

SUNDAY SCHOOL is Back

10:00am each Sunday we're back to holding Sunday School Classes. We've held a "Pre-Teen" class when needed for 5th-6th Graders, 6-8th Graders can be a part of Confirmation as a class even if they aren't participating in the process. 9th-12 graders (besides those in confirmation) will meet in youth lounge for High School SS. We have some new teachers for all three classes and we're really excited how we can grow from all of these!

FUNDRAISERS

There are plenty of trip opportunities ahead, and it will soon be time to start working toward next year's summer mission trip. We have fundraising opportunities that can cut your costs down and ensure we have what we need for these efforts.

December: Gift Wrapping Fundraiser (See How it worked in 2019!)

January-April: Flamingo Fundraiser! (See How it worked in 2021!)

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Did you know we have around 20 students serving in leadership within our youth ministry? A lot of planning and coordinating goes on behind the scenes to prepare for games, discussions, social postings, devotional videos, event selection, fundraising, missions and so much more. Not to mention a consistent presence at youth with many leading our discussion groups. Look for the students in teal lanyards and lean on them if you need a guide at youth!

SHARE YOUR STORY

With a Student Video

Throughout the school year we'll feature videos made by students for students. We encourage any of our teens that are willing to film a 1-3minute video about their faith growth, to use the link below and choose your week based on your most meaningful topic. We look forward to hearing from you!

Student Video Signup!

Don't Forget . . .

YOUTH SCHEDULE SLIDE _Updated May_ _1_.jpg

Check out the Website!

Our website is a great resource for keeping up with updates, pictures, signup links and plenty more.

Simply visit oakridgeumc.org/youth !

Stay Connected!

To join our REMIND messages, simply send a text to 81010 with the message "@orumcridge" .

You can find us on INSTA : @orumc_ridge

Or ask to join the Facebook Group: ORUMC Student Ministry