Summer Wrap-Up

Prepping for the School Year

It’s hard to believe we are already at the end of summer! Some of our students have already started back, some begin Monday, some start later in August – but the time to shift gear towards school is here.

As we all start new rhythms of the year, I hope you plan to be a part of our youth ministry activities each week.  We are going to have a great year of study, fellowship, and worship.  And I don’t want you to miss out!

Below are some upcoming dates to mark on you calendar!  More to come.

August 14 – Promotion Sunday (9:30-10:45 AM)

August 21 – Youth Kick-Off (5:00-7:00 PM)

August 28 – First NightLife (5:00-7:00 PM)

Kick-Off Registration

Sunday School This Week

During Sunday school this week, we have a special hospitality project we are working on!  We want every member of our youth roster to feel welcomed and included.  So, we will be writing personal notes to everyone as part of our invitation to the Kick-Off.  We need lots of hands to make this happen!  We’d love for you to be a part of it.

P.S. Fresh donuts will be waiting for you!!

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Senior Spotlight – Reece Wood

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Reece Wood!

What high school are you graduating from?
Bearden
What are your plans for next year?
Going to the University of Tennessee
What is your favorite bible verse?
Numbers 6:24-26
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken tendies with Mac n cheese
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Whatever you are doing make sure you are having fun
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Rush Hour 3
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Can’t decide, so all of it! (If I have to pick something I have always liked working at the Wesley house with the kids, it was especially funny seeing some BOLT out of the theatre when a jumped scare came)
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Meeting new people and using what I have learned to be a better person!
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Senior Spotlight – Josiah Libby

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Josiah Libby!

What high school are you graduating from?
Fulton High School, Communications
What are your plans for next year?
Pellissippi
What is your favorite bible verse?
John 9: 3
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken and Pineapple Fajitas
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Take that leap
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
How to Train Your Dragon Series 1 through 3
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Walk Through Bethlehem (and even played the youngest Baby Jesus!!)
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
So many sweet challenges
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Summer Update

Upcoming Events

Below, you’ll see all of the upcoming events for the whole summer. It’s going to be such a great few weeks together! If you want some more details, click on the newsletter to read more.  If you have any questions, contact Jenny at (423) 747-8774.

  • Bible Study – Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00AM @ Church Street (Youth Porch)
  • VBS Volunteering – June 21-24, 5:00-8:00PM @ Church Street (Parish Hall)
  • June Hang Time – June 23, 3:00-4:30PM @ Church Street (walk to Cruze Farm)
  • July Hang Time – July 6, 11:00AM-12:30PM @ Church Street (walk to Farmer’s Market)
  • MAD in the City – July 10-13, all day @ Church Street (overnight)
  • Smokies Game – July 29, 5:00 PM @ Smokies Stadium

Summer So Far

This past weekend, we partnered with Operation Backyard and then went white water rafting on the Ocoee! Our crew had the privilege of building a handicap ramp this weekend for our new friends, Mr. Mac and Mrs. Bernie. They have been married 54 years and been in their home just as long. Now, they can safely enter and exit their house! What a gift to work together and provide a solution for their need. On Sunday, we traveled to Cleveland to rafter the lower half of the Ocoee. It was so much fun! We had beautiful weather, great rapids, and a wonderful trip down the river.

 

Senior Spotlights

One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog. Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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!

Head to the Youth Blog to read all the full interviews!

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Senior Spotlight – Ann Clark Bellamy

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Ann Clark Bellamy!

What high school are you graduating from?
Webb School of Knoxville
What are your plans for next year?
I plan to attend the University of Tennessee and I am currently enrolled in the Haslam College of Business.
What is your favorite bible verse?
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 28:11
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Waffles
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Ask smart questions and know how to ask for help!!! The world is waiting to help you!
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
1.) Secretariat
2.) Talladega Nights
3.) The Blind Side
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Children’s Worship with Mrs. Sue will always be special to me! The mentors that I have grown to know and love in the youth program are some of my favorite parts of Church Street!
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
I can’t wait to make new friends and join new organizations in my community! I am excited to see what opportunities there are for me to explore my faith with on-campus Christian groups!
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Senior Spotlight – Daniel Richter

One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Daniel Richter!

What high school are you graduating from?
L & N STEM ACADEMY
What are your plans for next year?
This summer I will work for a month for a sea turtle rescue in Costa Rica. I plan to attend Ohio University and major in either Environmental Science or Zoology.
What is your favorite bible verse?
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Schnitzel and fried potatoes
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
1) Your self-worth is not linked to your academic success
2) Don’t internalize stuff
3) Don’t take AP Chemistry
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
1) Avengers
2)Sharknado
3) Escape from Witch Mountain
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
My mom always volunteered with the youth group, so I started “youth” in preschool because I always got to hang out with them. Also, seeing my first bald eagle in the wild at my confirmation retreat.
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
I am looking forward to being independent and in charge of and responsible for all my decisions.
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Senior Spotlight – Sam Kelso

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Sam Kelso!

What high school are you graduating from?
West High
What are your plans for next year?
Attending FSU
What is your favorite bible verse?
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steak and Potatoes
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Be confident; walk around with your head up
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Eraserhead (1977)
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
One time Davis threw a gummy bear from one end of the gym hallway to the other and I caught it in my mouth
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Having the freedom to make my own path
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Senior Spotlight – Caitlin Carroll

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Caitlin Carroll!

What high school are you graduating from?
Webb
What are your plans for next year?
UT
What is your favorite bible verse?
1 John 4:8
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta/Mac & Cheese
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Just do what makes you happy!
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
The Proposal, The Other Woman & Soul Surfer
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Starting my own path and getting my first real job
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Senior Spotlight – Sara Katherine Bailey

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Katherine Bailey!

What high school are you graduating from?
Bearden High School
What are your plans for next year?
Tennessee Tech and major in nursing
What is your favorite bible verse?
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
burger and fries
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
don’t worry so much
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. 10 Things I hate about you
3. Mamma Mia
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Working with the kids at Wesley House during MAD
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
making new friends
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Senior Spotlight – Preston Rotton

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  And this year, we have a special Senior Spotlight series on our blog.  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this spring 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 Preston Rotton!

What high school are you graduating from?
Bearden High School
What are your plans for next year?

Go to UTK.

What is your favorite bible verse?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steak
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Step-Brothers, The Dark Knight Rises, and John Wick.
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
All the choir tours.
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Going to sporting events and being a part of the student section.
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