Hello, CALinChrist readers and guests. I am here once again to bring you the information from the youth committee that met on November 24, 2009. We had a lot of information to be discussed, so this post will have quite some material to read.

Our meeting began with an opening prayer and a reading from the Word to set our hearts in the right place. The passage that he read was: 1 Tim. 4:8, 10-11. Denis made a major emphasis on verse 10. People will always try to reproach you, but don’t get discouraged. It is God’s way of making you into His perfect image. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Timothy 4:10). Also, do not ignore the words that were told to you. Pray so that God will help you see why that individual spoke to you.

The committee started with a question asked from one of the members of the committee. The question was pertaining to the price for the New Years. Why does everyone have to pay $40? The participants in the new year program should pay less than the guests. The discussion lead to this answer. Everyone pays the same price. The New Year’s program is from the youth, to the youth. If to consider everyone who is participating in the New Year program, then about half of the people will need a discount, or go for free. The members of the committee voted whether to keep the same price, or to give the discounts to the participants. The majority voted to keep the price same. If financial aid is needed, or for any questions, please talk to Denis.

The topics that were discussed at the meeting were summer camp, Christmas musical, caroling, leader’s retreat, the selling of the Christmas trees, and New Year Program 2010.

• Summer Camp – 6/18-28/2010
  • SSBC 2010 Summer Camp will happen in June, between 18^th and 28^th. The actual dates have not been set due to the fact that we are still figuring out whether we should do 2 camps or keep 1 camp for all. The benefit from the 2 camps is the less people and more interaction between the youth. This Saturday, some of the leaders and Denis will go to the site to check out the place, and to decide whether the place is big enough for one camp or two. Also, the list of speakers was created for the youth camp. If anyone would like to hear a certain speaker, please comment below, or let Denis or one of the youth leaders know.

• Christmas Musical – 12/23/2009
  • This year, the group of Sergey Denisevich has a surprise for us. For December 23, instead of our usual groups, we will be having a Christmas musical! The program begins at 7pm in the main sanctuary. The admission is FREE and anyone can come. The program ends approximately at 9pm. After the musical, the group is inviting everyone to transfer into the 2^nd part of the building, for tea and sweets. Attention to the youth: this will be a potluck event, so please bring something light, or sweets for tea. Set the date in your calendars and invite your friends!

• Caroling 12/24/2009
  • This year, the youth groups are getting together to go caroling. The list of the families that wants to be visited will be made. If anyone would like our youth to visit their family, please let Denis Samodarov know.

• Leader’s Retreat – Late January, early February
  • Last year’s leader’s retreat went extremely well. Everything that was created in the 2009 plan was completed, so a new plan needs to be written up. Also, leaders were encouraged to seek out any people they see in church who have the potential for a helper or a future leader. Also, one of the things that Denis wants to talk about is to have a seminar for spiritual growth for the whole youth. If anyone has any suggestions for next year, please comment or let us know.

• Christmas trees
  • Starting this Friday, as a fundraiser, the missionary team will be selling Christmas trees on the parking lot. Anyone who is interested in helping to sell the trees, please contact Lyana Tagintsev, or Igor Khashchuk.

• New Year’s Program
  • The theme for this year is Vintage style. There is a lot of planning for this year’s New Year program. The gates to parking lot will open at 10:30 pm and the program for New Years will begin at 11:30 pm and will continue into the night. The program includes great food, enlightening word, a lottery with awesome prizes, (one of the prizes is an iPod Touch), a photo studio, talent show, art gallery, live music, and more. The dress code is Vintage style, but it is not a requirement to dress up. Please have appropriate clothing. The price for the event is $40. The tickets will go on sale this Sunday, unless we run into any complications. For any questions pertaining to New Year’s, please come up to me or Lyana Tagintsev.
    • UPDATE: The tickets will go on sale Wednesday 12/2/2009

In closing, Denis asked for the leaders to keep looking for new youth who are willing to participate in the planning of youth events and activities. Denis also mentioned to the leaders, to notice anyone who has newly repented, to come up to them and encourage them spiritually. He also mentioned the people who have left the church for any reason whatsoever, to be loving and considerate towards them and call them back into the church. We are all one body with many members, and every member of the body is important, not matter how small they may seem.