Friday, December 5, 2008

December 7 Announcements

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL
December 7, 2008. 9:01—10:06AM, in the Dungeon,
Director of Middle School Ministries Charlie Ridenour, teacher.
6:29—7:33PM, in Room 202, Kyle Hughes & Charlie Ridenour, Teachers
We’ll be beginning our series on Christmas this week!

Special thanks to all the parents & staff who helped out with our Middle School Christmas Banquet onTuesday Night!
A good time was had by all, so thanks to everybody who brought food, set up or took down tables, cleaned the kitchen, took the pictures and helped with the game or served in any way! As a side note, if you went on our fall retreat & didn’t get your Pine Cove highlight video (expertly edited by Grayson Schweers) contact Charlie to get it!

Next week: We’ll announce our late December mid-school family night event, so watch this space…or, maybe even check out the website: http://www.cbcmiddleschool.blogspot.com


Middle School Mid-Week Discipleship
Resumes on January 12 & 13, 2009

Christmas Eve Services: 4, 6 & 8PM, Wed. Dec 24!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Middle School Announcements for Nov. 9

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL
November 9, 2008. 9:01—10:06AM, in the Dungeon,
Brent McKinney & Charlie Ridenour, teachers
6:29—7:33PM, in Room 202, Kyle Hughes & Charlie Ridenour, Teachers
We’ll be continuing in our series on Psalms, learning about the Psalms of Ascent!

Middle School Mid-Week Discipleship
November 11. 6:57PM—8:26 PM in the Dungeon. OR
November 12. 6:47PM—8:14PM in the Dungeon.
Tuesday will be looking at Romans 12, and the Wednesday class will be in Romans 9-11.
Both nights: Boys A--G, bring soft drinks, Girls A--G, bring snacks

Middle School Christmas Banquet, Tuesday Night, Dec. 2.
Cost: $5. 7:02—8:33PM. Dress nice!
Sign Ups begin today, and full details are available on that form!

All parents/students are invited to attend a “Meet & Greet” session with our new Director of Middle School Ministry, Charlie Ridenour! Simply come to the Dungeon at 10:45AM on November 16, and we’ll have some introductory remarks followed open Q&A, and a social time to meet and get to know Charlie. We hope you can make it! Oh, yeah, if you have a Facebook account, make Charlie your friend!

Important Dates: No Middle School evening Sunday School class on Nov. 23 (LEAD meeting). Baptisms on Nov. 30 (sign ups on the info table in the main foyer).

You can get frequent updates on parent service opportunities, ministry events, parenting helps, great web links and more! Simply go to http://www.cbcmiddleschool.blogspot.com and check it out! Please bear with us as we get it up and running, okay? But there’s plenty of stuff there already!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Pine Cove Bus Reminder!

Just reminding everyone that the luxury motor coaches will be leaving on Friday, Oct. 10 at 6:30PM from the south lot at the church. Please arrive at 6PM and check in before boarding!

The plan is to return from Pine Cove on Sunday, Oct. 12 to the south lot around 3:30PM. We'll do our best to have our teens call if they're going to be signifcantly earlier or later.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Pine Cove Student Expectations, Posted Oct. 7

Crossroads Bible Church Middle School Student Ministry
Pine Cove Fall Retreat, Timbers Camp
October 10-12, 2008.
Student Expectations

1. I understand that the adult staff is on this trip because they want me to have so much stinkin’ fun that I’ll have to have plastic surgery to have my smile removed from my face when I return. Hence, I will do what they say to do, when they say to do it, and how they say to do it and be a shiny, happy person all the while.
2. I understand that the nice folks at Lone Star Coach employ professional drivers who have gotten plenty of rest and have great buses in great condition. I will listen to the professional, rested driver and obey all the instructions given as if they will lead me to buried treasure and a life of leisure. I will pick up my trash on the luxury motor coach. I will not spill anything in the luxury motor coach. I will do everything possible to keep the motor coach luxurious.
3. I understand that I’m amped about this trip like a squirrel on Red Bull. However, I will no allow my emotions to run unchecked. For example, if an adult asks me to be quiet so I can hear the teacher, a response might be, “Yes. I will, and I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive me.” An example of an improper response might be, “Why don’t you shut your fat mouth, pinhead?”
4. I understand that any and all injuries and/or illnesses will be reported IMMEDIATELY to my cabin leader. If it’s for real, it will be dealt with in a courteous and compassionate manner by trained professionals at Pine Cove. If you’re whining just to whine, your cabin leader may mock you repeatedly and relentlessly for being a whiny-faced whiner.
5. I understand that there will be no PDA (public OR private displays of affection) at any time while on CBC property, luxury motor coaches, Pine Cove property. You will also refrain from PDA until you move out of your parent’s house or the age of 28, whichever comes first. There will be NO guys in girls cabins or girls in guy cabins FOR ANY REASON, EVER.
6. The legal drinking age on this trip is one day older than Ron Stewart. If you think you qualify, please tell your parents. Parents, if you are told this, please contact a licensed counselor because they’ll need that more than a weekend at Pine Cove. This legal age also applies to fireworks, cussing, cheating, tobacco, narcotics and anything else you even have a remote doubt about.
7. I understand that food & drink are necessary for our species to survive. Hence, out of consideration for the human race to continue, I will attend all meals ON TIME, I will EAT said meals (even if I’m not all that hungry). I will care for the human race and perpetuate the species.
8. I understand that sleep is NOT a weakness. Hence, I will be considerate of others when it is time for “lights out.” Failure to comply with this mandate will involve Brent pulling your bottom lip over your head. Brent will not be responsible for corrective plastic surgery should this method be applied.
9. I understand that the purpose of this trip is to spend time in the Word and evaluate where I am in my walk with Christ. In order to make this happen, I will attend all club meetings and events on time and with a good attitude. I will follow the schedule and think and ask intelligent questions to my cabin leader. This is nothing to joke about. Just keep reading.
10. I understand that this trip allows me to make new friends. I understand that because Pine Cove can’t assign cabins beforehand that I may not get to be in the same room/bus/event as my VBFF (very best friend forever). I will go out of my way to work out problems in these areas and will do my very best to serve others and invite people I don’t know to sit at my table and all that jazz. I will be social and friendly. Social and friendly does NOT negate rule #4. In other words, if you hold hands or smoochy-smoochy, you can’t say, “But I was JUST being SOCIAL and FRIENDLY!”
11. I understand that practical jokes are supposed to be fun and all, but I promise NOT to do any this weekend. All that winds up happening is that clothes get ruined, beds get rendered unsleepable and clothes get goofed up. I WILL not tough anyone else’s bed, clothes, luggage, purse, wallet, etc. for any reason. Yes, throwing a cup of water into someone’s purse or bed is considered touching it.
12. I understand that NO open beverages (other than water bottles) or food will be allowed to be eaten in the cabins. I will eat and drink outside my cabin, and I will throw away any trash I create. There’s been a lot of talk about carbon footprints and we need to keep Al Gore happy. We also need to keep wildlife fun out of our cabins. Allowing a raccoon in to snack on your open Doritos bag is not really wildlife fun. Speaking of carbon footprints, I will pick up any and all trash I create on the luxury motor coach, too.
13. I know that if I have a personal music device, I will only use it when I’m sitting on my bunk or lying down in bed. Violators will have their iPods or other Mp3 players given to raccoons so the wildlife can have fun. The same for cell phones. Mobile phone reception at Pine Cove is unreliable.
14. I understand that any and all things NOT specifically covered in these rules will fall under that category of WWJD. If I do not know what Jesus would do, I will not guess at what He would do. I will ask a cabin leader. If they don’t know what Jesus would do, then I’ll ask Brent. He can usually figure out WWJD. If he can’t, he’ll make something up because he usually tries to be a big shot and doesn’t want to look silly, so you can just do what he says he thinks J would D and you’ll probably be safe on that.
15. Upon my return to CBC and life, I will choose to be a shiny, happy person. Yes. I’ll be tired. Yes. I’ll have had a long weekend and have homework to return to. Yes. I’ll be crabby. But, since my parents were gracious enough to pay for my trip, and they were kind enough to make sure I was packed and had everything I needed, I will choose to open up and tell them about all the great stuff I learned about my relationship with Christ, as well as choose to be kind and nice and pleasant. I will consider hugging them and meaning it. I will even tell them I love them and am thankful for them giving me such a great opportunity. In fact, I will choose to be kind and pleasant and loving and caring and grateful to my parents because they rule and are awesome and really have my best interest at heart. I understand it’s the least I can do to be loving and social with them upon my return.



As a parent, I understand that failure to abide by the intent of these rules as well as the letter, will result in the non-refundable trip home, of which I agree to come and pick up my child in the event of disregard for the rules.


Signed & Date:



As a student, I understand that failure to abide by the intent of these rules as well as the letter, will result in me calling my parents to come and get me after they won’t get their money back, as well as Brent raising his eyebrow at every single thing I do for the next six years.


Signed & Date:

Pine Cove Parent Information, Posted Oct. 7

Crossroads Bible Church Middle School Student Ministry
Pine Cove Fall Retreat, 2008. Parent Information Sheet

I. What to pack:
Sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, towel, flashlight, note pad/pen/Bible, appropriate clothes for the weather (please check on conditions for the weekend), a set of dark clothes for commando, clothes that can get messy, shoes & socks, shower shoes.

More importantly, what NOT to pack: shaving cream, CO2 guns, balloon launchers, sling shots, etc. Also, as a reminder, no throwing toilet paper (wet or dry), no tampering with fire extinguishers or hoses, climbing on roofs, destroying cabins or bathrooms, writing on cabins or property, water fights, skipping sessions or disobeying dining hall instructions!

A note about handheld video games, Mp3 players & mobile phones: Use of these at ANY time is HIGHLY discouraged for a number of reasons. Largely, they distract from almost every purpose of the weekend. Also, they can be easily stolen, damaged or lost. We will enforce the rule that these may not be used unless the students are in their bunks while at camp. We will discourage usage on the bus except to communicate with parents.

II. Spending money:
There is a camp store where students can purchase sodas and snacks. Souvenirs are also readily available as well (hats, t-shirts, etc.). No spending money is needed as meals and some snacks are included. Many bring enough for a t-shirt and snacks before leaving on Sunday, generally in the neighborhood of $20-25. Also, horseback riding and zip lines have extra fees associated with participation, usually along the lines of $5 as long as space permits.

III. Emergency Number:
For emergency use only, Pine Cove: 903-561-0231 or 1-800-225-9069. For any other calls you may contact your child directly on their mobile phones. Also, Brent McKinney can be reached at 972-322-3675.

IV. Special Medicines & Dietary Restrictions:
We’ve found it increasingly difficult to insure that your child medicines/instructions will be followed. Hence, it is our expectation that you will communicate with your child regarding the administration of their prescribed medications. We cannot be responsible for this.
If your child has special dietary requirements (i.e., lactose intolerance or gluten-free, etc.), please contact Pine Cove directly at the “800” number above and make them aware. Keep in mind that they’ve been in operation for over 40 years and have encountered nearly all of them. Usually, a phone call will suffice. If your child will be needing this service, please remind Brent at check-in so he can be aware.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Topics for the Week

In case you'd like to read what we'll be studying in Sunday School this week, we'll be going over Psalm 51. We're going to see how to "fix" things once we "blow" it!

Also, if you'd like to read the Romans passages for Tuesday night or Wednesday night this week, we'll be going over the last half of Romans 3...discussing the "good news" after the reality of the first two chapters.

Pine Cove Parent Meeting Announced!

On Sunday morning, October 5, we'll have a meeting for all those parents who have children going to Pine Cove for our fall retreat. It'll start at 10:15AM and be completed by 10:40AM...and we'll make sure to give you all the information you need in order for you child to have the best possible weekend at Pine Cove Timbers camp!

If you can't make the meeting, we'll still be able to get the information to you electronically and we'll post it here, but there's a lot of value in being there so you can interact with our staff as well as hear what other parents are wanting to know!

You can get a preview of the speaker's topic that weekend here and you can check out Pine Cove Christian Camps here.