August Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM (begins 8.27)

At a glance…

  • No NightLife this week.
  • We need LOTS more help for the first home game on September 9.
  • Don’t forget to complete our surveys & Annual Release Form!
  • Parents – we’d love your help with our meals on Sundays!

NightLife

NightLife this past week was good for the soul. Spending time around the table, worshiping together, and having small group discussions was a joy.  We meet from 5:00-7:00 in the Youth Area and have a $5 dinner each week.

If you are new to NightLife, we hope you’ll consider taking the NightLife Challenge and commit to being with us 4 weeks in a row to see if it’s a good fit for you. (We think it will be!).

Please note: there will not be NightLife on Sunday, September 3 due to Labor Day Weekend. We’ll be back on September, 10!

Kick-Off Follow Up

This past Sunday night, we celebrated a new year of Youth Ministry altogether in Parish Hall. We shared a meal, worshipped together, and heard about what we have in store for this year.

Below, you’ll find the links to our forms/surveys. Please take some time to fill those out (it won’t take long!) to help us plan for the year ahead.

As always, if you have any questions, reach out to Jenny at @jcross@churchstreetumc.org.

Annual Release Form

Student Survey

Parent Survey

Football Parking Fundraiser

For each of Tennessee’s home football games, we have the incredible opportunity to park cars on our campus and raise money for our Youth Department and Youth Choir. Each weekend, we tithe (give 10%) of our earnings to a Parking Lot Maintenance Fund, and the remaining is divided evening between the two groups.

It requires a significant amount of volunteer support to make this fundraiser work, and we ask all families to volunteer for at least two shifts during the season. Please use the link below to sign up and learn more.

We need lots more hands for the first game on September 9!! Please consider volunteering. Shifts will be 8:45-1:15 and 12:45-5:15!

Football Volunteer Sign-Ups

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Youth Breakfasts

Youth Dinners

 

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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MAD in the City 2023

MAD in the City Info

MAD in the City is almost here!! We are looking forward to a week of serving our city together. Below, you’ll find a packing list and general schedule.

Here are some important notes I’d like to bring to your attention.

  • We are staying overnight this year! Girls will stay in Youth Sunday School rooms, guys will stay in adult Sunday School rooms on the main level of the CLC across from the Gym.
  • 5:00 PM Sunday drop-off. Bring yourself and all your gear to the Youth Area on Sunday night.
  • 5:00 PM Thursday Pick-Up. We will dismiss from the Youth Area on Thursday afternoon.
  • If you have to depart and return at some point, please text or email Jenny that info before Sunday.
  • On Monday, some of our group will attend Urban Air with Wesley House. I’ve attached the waiver for that event below. Please print waiver and bring with you on Sunday!
  • On Tuesday night, we will have a pool party at Holston Hills (thanks, Osborns!!). You’ll need a swim suit and beach towel!
  • On Sunday night, you’ll be assigned a crew that you will work on all week. (For those of you who sing in choir, this is similar to the crews on Choir Tour!) Some crews will be: Breakfast, Supplies, Lunch, Activities, Runners, Dinner, etc.

MAD in the City (which stands for Making a Difference in the City) is a way for us to intentionally be the hands and feet of Jesus in our own community. We will be working with Wesley House Community Center, Beacon of Hope, Emerald Youth Foundation, Operation Backyard, and many of the ministries within Church Street. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of mission work. Join us in prayer as we ask for protection, stamina, joy, and impact as we do our best to love our neighbors well.

As always, if you have any questions, send them my way! Looking forward to a great week together!

Grace and peace,

Jenny

P.S. You will probably receive another email or two from me before the week is done.

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Senior Spotlight – Jackson McNutt

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Jackson McNutt!

What high school are you graduating from?
Knoxville Catholic High School
What are your plans for next year?
I want to be a car mechanic
What is your favorite bible verse?
I don’t have one
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheeseburgers and fries
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Try to remember things better
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
101 Dalmatian’s, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, The Avengers
What is your top book recommendation?
Ready Player One
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
The resurrection retreats
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Learning about something I am interested in
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Senior Spotlight – Rachel Duncan

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Rachel Duncan!

What high school are you graduating from?
West High School
What are your plans for next year?
I plan to go to UT and study Plant Sciences with a minor in Design Studies.
What is your favorite bible verse?
Philippians 4:8-9
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A breakfast burrito with green chile
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t overthink things
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
My Cousin Vinny, While You Were Sleeping, The Quiet Man
What is your top book recommendation?
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
The scavenger hunt we did at mad in the city last summer
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Taking interesting classes and meeting new people!
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Summer Update 2023

Weekly Schedule: 
Worship – Sundays, 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – Sundays, 9:45-10:45AM
Bible Study – Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00AM

Hello friends! What a JOY it was to serve alongside so many of you during MAD in the City last week. I cannot really put into words how special the week was. Thank you for serving with generosity and enthusiasm. I’m so proud of you and grateful to be in ministry with you.

If you want a look at what MAD was all about, click below to see the photo album!

This week, our schedule is light. But join us for Bible Study! And we lift up all our students who attend year round schools who are returning to their regular schedules over the next couple of weeks. You can do it!

  • Bible Study – Wednesday from 10:00-11:00. Join Jenny on the porch as we continue our Wesley Prayer Challenge.

MAD Photo Album

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars for these exciting upcoming events! As always, if you have any questions, contact Jenny!

July 25 – Hang Time (5:00 PM in the Youth Area)

August 6 – Smokies Game (2:00 PM at Smokies Stadium)

August 13 – Promotion Pep Rally (9:45 AM in the Gym)

August 20 – Confirmation Orientation (9:45 AM in the Youth Are)

August 20 – Youth Kick-Off (5:00 PM in Parish Hall)

August 27 – First NightLife (5:00 PM in the Youth Area)

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Senior Spotlight – Alana Johnson

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Alana Johnson!

What high school are you graduating from?
West High School
What are your plans for next year?
Double Majoring in Musical Theatre and English at Western Carolina University
What is your favorite bible verse?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Stefano’s Pizza and Cinnamon Sticks
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t value other people’s opinions over your own happiness
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Love Simon Booksmart Brave
What is your top book recommendation?
One Last Stop
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
8th grade choir tour in New York
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Making new friends
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Senior Spotlight – Sara Logan Cada

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Sara Logan!

What high school are you graduating from?
West High School
What are your plans for next year?
Tennessee-Knoxville with a major in supply chain management!
What is your favorite bible verse?
Proverbs 3:5-6
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
So hard, but I’m gonna have to go with spaghetti and meatballs
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t let other peoples opinions dictate who you are!
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Batman, Cinderella, and 10 Things I Hate About You
What is your top book recommendation?
A Night Divided
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Singing Wagon Wheel during MAD in the City! I can still remember the chills
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Making new friends and being able to further my faith in a new environment!
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Senior Spotlight – Reese Wineland

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Reese Wineland!

What high school are you graduating from?
Webb School of Knoxville
What are your plans for next year?
Attending the University of South Carolina
What is your favorite bible verse?
1 Peter 5:7
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chili
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep pushing forward and don’t give up!
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
1. Clueless 2. Legally Blonde 3. Howl’s Moving Castle
What is your top book recommendation?
Truth Be Told by Sue Divin
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
SLA 2022
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Meeting new people and discovering my interests.
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Senior Spotlight – Kitely Sherman

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Kitely Sherman!

What high school are you graduating from?
Hardin Valley Academy
What are your plans for next year?
Agnes Scott College: majoring in Political Science
What is your favorite bible verse?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Anything my mom makes!
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t rush the growing up
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Little Women (2019), Tangled, Knives Out
What is your top book recommendation?
The Year of Magical Thinking
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Joining youth group in 6th grade :,)
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Meeting new people and places to love!
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Senior Spotlight – Clara Suters

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.

Meet Clara Suters!

What high school are you graduating from?
L&N STEM Academy
What are your plans for next year?
Going to Belmont University to study publishing
What is your favorite bible verse?
Lamentations 3: 22-23
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Spaghetti
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t worry about what everyone thinks of you, do what you think will make you happy.
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Knives Out, Pride and Prejudice, and Murder on the Orient Express
What is your top book recommendation?
I would have to say the The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I love the world building and how the plot is intricately woven.
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
My favorite church street memories are all the ones where I am a hanging out with some of my best friends. Whether we were at nightlife, choir practice, on a retreat, at Panera at 7:00 am, or on a bus together for 10 hours, I always had some really meaningful, or just entertaining, conversations and experiences.
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
I am excited to be able to learn more things about myself and am excited to meet new people. However, I am also extremely excited to decorate a dorm room.
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