Hello! Welcome to 2023!
We had a nice family time this morning, sharing prayer requests for the year ahead. Jane and I considered what might be our ‘word of the year’ and we both landed on the same one; ‘focus‘. Yes, I do need to visit the Optometrist, but more seriously, we want 2023 to be more focused than 2022.
My particular focus will be on building bridges between the Bible and present-day life. Or, how studying God’s actions in the Scriptures will help us see and co-operate with what He is doing today. Thanks for praying for us!
Here are the three headlines for today, in chronological order.
- CAYG Leaders Training.
CAYG Volunteer leaders are invited to RSVP here and join me and your teammates for a time of prayer and preparation as we look ahead to the Spring Series.
2. CAYG Tubing Trip to Boyce Park.
It is the end of an era. For the last few years Rhonda Smith has organized a number of wonderful Ski Trips for CAYG at Hidden Valley. But the resort is now under new ownership who no longer offer group rate discounts on weekends or holidays.
So what was a $29 ski ticket in 2019 is now an $80+ day pass!
But we can still have fun in the snow! A much more affordable and accessible alternative is Boyce Park and I am inviting CAYG-ers and Chaperones to join me on the afternoon of Sunday January 15.
We meet at Ascension at 2.30pm and then drive in cars to Boyce Park for a two-hour tubing session ($17 for Allegheny County residents) from 3:00-5:00pm, before returning to Ascension for some warmth, games and pizza, saying goodbye at 6:30pm.
But note this carefully. You HAVE TO BUY YOUR OWN TICKETS!
And tickets only go on sale a week in advance. So set your alarm for Monday January 9th!
This rsvp google form is mainly to organize rides and the pizza order but it also has links to buy tickets and to print the necessary waiver.
Folks who want to ski can do that and be part of the fun, but the main CAYG focus will be tubing.
This will be a different kind of experience, but I’m hopeful it might include some who wouldn’t have normally come out to Hidden Valley. RSVP here!
3. Spring Series begins Friday January 20th and Sunday January 22nd.
I am really looking forward to diving back into Genesis on a Friday and Sunday night, with both evenings syncing up again to the old pattern of 6:30-8:30pm.
I am assuming that those involved in the fall will be back in the spring, but do let me know if you won’t be making it or are planning on bringing a friend this time!
We are all so thankful for all of you who prioritize investing in these friendships, growing in faith, hope and love, and for bringing such joy to me! Do keep praying for our gatherings and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Church of the Ascension Youth Group 