November 2008 New Town UMC Youth Ministry

Parent Newsletter

Teaching Youth to Manage Their Time The most valuable commodity God has given us is time. We only have a

certain amount of it on this earth, and what we do with our time says a lot

about what we find most important. Think about that for a minute and

then answer this question, "What do you spend the majority of your time

doing?" Another important question would be, "What is your child spending

the majority of his/her time doing?" These sobering questions remind

every parent that every moment in your family's life is worth fighting for.

The bad news is that you can't get back those hours your family has

wasted, but the good news is that God has given you more hours to live. To make the most of every

moment, consider the following when fighting for time with your family. First, you must start with the truth.

Asking the questions above is a great starting point in figuring out if you should change or continue what

you are doing. This exercise for your family is NOT intended to be a "pity party". It is simply a way to deal

with reality. Once you have the truth staring you in the face, then you can move forward with a plan.

Next, figure out how you want to spend your time and help your children make a plan as well. You

definitely need to give them some control, but remind them, for example, spending all their time playing

video games is not the best idea. Take some time to coach your children in figuring out what activities

could be eliminated, changed, or increased that would make the most of his/her time. Then, you must

teach and model a simple two letter word, "no". Not many people have mastered using the word "no"

because it's so much easier to say "yes". But, how many "yes's" have caused you to live a downward spiral

of stress and fatigue? One good thing about having a plan is that it will greatly increase your chances of

saying "no". You know what is most important because you know what you and your family should be

doing. Solomon figured out that time is precious after he had wasted many of his years. At the end of his

life, the one thing he figured out was this, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV)

Here are some signs to help determine if

your youth is on the verge of burnout:

1. Your child is acting depressed. He doesn’t want

to do anything, he has lost interest in things he

likes to do, and he has decreased attention or

effectiveness when doing things.

2. Your child is feeling some anxiety for no known

reason or he is acting over anxious. He has the

inability to relax, is not sleeping well, having

nightmares, restless, etc.

3. Your child is suffering from insomnia. He is

unable to get to sleep at night or he wakes up and

is unable to go back to sleep.

4. Your child is either overeating or under eating,

as both are a response to being stressed.

5. Your child is giving in to impulse behavior and

showing signs of emotional instability, more than

normal.

6. Your child is experiencing neck or back pain.

7. Your daughter is missing menstrual cycles.

8. Your child is complaining of stomach ache,

dizziness, dryness of throat and mouth.

9. Increased risk taking behavior can be a sign of

burnout. (parentingteens.about.com)

Students 12 to 17 years old were asked, “What

activities do you regularly spend time doing?”

(top five answers)

74% - Play sports

64% - Exercise

56% - Play video games

55% - Read a book

53% - Go to the mall

(teenage research

unlimited)

Youth were asked, "If I

could, I would spend more time:"

50% - With family.

44% - With friends.

22% - Working out/playing sports.

17% - At a paying job.

9% - Studying.

8% - With religious group.

(horatioalger.com)

Great

Questions

to Ask Have you ever really

thought about how your

child spends their time?

For that matter, have you

ever thought about how

you spend your time? Is

your family spending time

on things that last? Here

are some questions to help

your family make the most

of your time.

1. If you could be doing

anything with your time right

now, what would it be? Why?

2. What did Jesus do with his

time? (Don't accept the

"churchy" answer...really get

your family to think!)

3. Make a list of the things

you do in a day. Rank each

activity based on how much

you like doing it. Share with

the family your results.

4. On your list, what

activities are insignificant and

what activities are

meaningful? On your

ranking, where do the

wasteful and important

activities fall?

PRAY THAT:

1. God will help your child realize that each second is precious, and that

they will use the time they have wisely.

2. God will protect your child from laziness and procrastination.

3. God will allow you to set the example for your family on how to spend

time.

4. The time that you spend with your family this month will be fruitful,

encouraging, uplifting, purposeful, and memorable.

Verse of the month

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are

evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

It's very interesting that Paul reminds us not only to be careful, but to be

VERY careful in how we spend our time. We have one life to live, and

the way we live our life is obviously very important to God. It is so easy

to float through a day without accomplishing much at all. That is exactly

what the enemy wants us to do. If we are not very careful in the way

we live, our activities become unwise, and we waste valuable

opportunities to build God's Kingdom. To make the most of every

opportunity, we must start our day asking God to help us accomplish His

plan, not our plan. Ask God to help you stay focused on the important

assignments He has given you, giving much attention to your personal

relationship with Christ and to your family. Yes, the days are evil, but

we serve a God who has overcome the world. Go out and make the

most of every opportunity today.

What’s Up With Kids

• Adults and teens will spend nearly five months (3,518 hours)

next year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily

newspapers, and listening to personal music devices. (census.gov)

• The average American high school student spends five hours on

homework per week - that's the daily amount in most high-

achieving nations and less than one-tenth of the approximately 60

hours per week spent outside of school, apart

from sleeping and eating. (usaweekend.com)

• 69% of teens say they hang out/spend most of their time with a group of friends while only 8% of teens

say they hang out/spend most of their time with family. (horatioalger.com)

This page is designed to inform and educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any music or movies. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your kids listen to and watch.

MUSICSPOTLIGHT

Mainstream Artist

Background: Kid Rock, born Robert Ritchie, has

sold more than 23 million albums in the past 18

years. The 37-year-old rap-rocker from Detroit had

mostly a local fan base during the ’90s. After much

touring and teaming with MTV, Kid Rock became a

chart-topping superstar. For his next album, the

singer plans a return to his hip-hop roots.

Albums: Rock N Roll Jesus (2007), Live Trucker

(2006), Kid Rock (2003)

What Parents Should Know: Kid Rock’s style is a

wide mix of rap rock, Southern rock, hip-hop, and

blues- and country-tinged ballads. Foul language

and crude themes permeate much of his music. Kid

Rock is also known for angry outbursts and a rocky

relationship with ex-wife Pamela Anderson.

What Kid Rock Says: “My kid’s grandchildren are

set for life. But I also tell my son, ‘You see how

your dad is; if you think any of this is going to get

left behind, you’re nuts, because I’m going out

with a bang, buddy.’”

Discussion Questions: What do you think it

would be like to be “set for life”? What, if anything,

do you expect your parents to leave you? What do

you want to be known for? What type of legacy do

you hope to leave for your children?

Christian Artist

Background: Todd Agnew, 37, is a contemporary

Christian singer-songwriter with a rock-indie sound.

He has a laidback style and even performs barefoot,

but his lyrics are serious and insightful. Agnew’s hits

include “Grace Like Rain” and “My Jesus,” and his

latest album features “Our Great God,” a duet with

fellow Christian artist Rebecca St. James.

Albums: Better Questions (2007), Do You See

What I See? (2006), Reflection of Something

(2005), Grace Like Rain (2003)

What Parents Should Know: Agnew’s songs will

make kids think. Better Questions is a passionate

response to tough questions about God, such as

“Why does God still care for us when we keep

messing up?” It’s obvious that Agnew wrestles with

the very questions he poses.

What Agnew Says: “I’m just trying to get some

questions out there, the questions people are afraid

to ask in church, but also to get the questions

asked sincerely and without anger.”

Discussion Questions: What questions do you

have about God, faith, and heaven? Do those

questions ever scare you? How comfortable are you

answering your friends’ questions about God? Is it

okay to admit when you don’t know the answers?

Movie: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (releases November 7th)

Genre: Comedy Rating: PG for some mild crude humor

Synopsis: Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched

a plan so crazy it just might work. The penguins have repaired an old crashed plane. Once

aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the vast plains of Africa where our zoo-

raised crew encounters species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they

quickly realize the differences between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa...but is it better than their

Central Park home?

Discussion Questions: What are the roots of our (biological) family? What are the roots of our (spiritual)

family? Why are our spiritual roots so important to us today?

NOVEMBER2008

1 2 3 4 1 2 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

* Youth Choir * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th AdventureTeam

Youth will be in Sanctuary

for Craig Marsh

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

* Youth Choir * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group

Adventure Team

Babysitting Fundraiser (5-8 pm)

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

Junior High & High School Jeremiah

Project Lunch

* Youth Choir No Youth Group – Happy Thanksgiving!!!

30 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

Craig Marsh Services – The youth will be worshiping with the adults in the sanctuary that night.

Adventure Team Babysitting Fundraiser – This is for anyone going on the Adventure Team Trip.

Junior High & High School Jeremiah Project Lunch – This will take place right after the 2nd Worship

service and is for all 6-8th Graders interested in going on the trip and for all 9-12th Graders interested as

serving as junior staffers. Lunch will be provided. This is for parents too – please attend if you are able.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not

hesitate to talk to me. I can be reached at

matt@newtownumc.org or (757) 258-1072

New Town United Methodist Church

5209 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg, VA 23188

(757) 258-1072 www.newtownumc.org

Craig March Services

1. A Look Back at the October: Harvest Fest was a great success!!! Thank you to all the parents and students – we had so

much help and I was very proud of all of you!!! I never heard a final count on how many kids showed up, but there were

continual lines at all the games and the candy supply was dangerously low by the end of the day. Trunk or Treat was a great success - we even had live animals this year! Our attendance is doing amazing this year – between our six different programs

we’re averaging 40-50 different youth throughout the week! Praise the Lord!

2. Craig Marsh Services: As most of you know Craig Marsh is coming this month and we’ve decided that all youth and children will be with the adults on Wednesday, November 12th (so their normal programming will not occur). We want to make sure the

kids get blessed as much as the adults! So please bring your youth and let them experience God’s presence in a very powerful way!!!

3. Jeremiah Project Lunch: Sunday, November 23rd Todd Freneaux will give a Jeremiah Project Presentation after the 2nd

worship service. Jeremiah Project is a mission organization that specializes in Junior High Missions. We have applied for a summer trip in 2009 for 10 youth. This presentation will be for all 6-8th Grade students that think they may want to go on the

trip and all 9-12th Grade students that may wish to serve as junior staffers at Jeremiah Project. Parents, please attend with your children if you are able. We do not have exact dates yet, but we will by the 23rd (we will post them as soon as we receive

our confirmed dates). Lunch will be provided.

4. Adventure Team Fundraisers and Trip Information: We will have 2 Adventure Team fundraisers – Nov. 22nd and Dec. 6th.

All youth going on the trip should participate if they are able. It will go from 5-8 pm. Also, the trip will take place January 9-11, 2009. Please confirm if your child is able to go asap, so we can nail down firm numbers for lodging.

5. Youth Choir: Tuesdays, from 6:00-6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. If your child can sing and/or play and instrument please talk to

Ed Anderson or Stacey Cooprider.

6. Adult Volunteers for Special Events: We always need chaperones and drivers for special events and service projects. If you are able to help, please send an email to matt@newtownumc.org or call 757 258-1072 and talk to Matt.

7. 9-12th Grade Female Youth Group Leader Needed: We need a female to help on Wednesday evenings for 9-12th Grade

Youth Group that takes place in room 143. We are currently using Rob Bell’s Nooma video series – it’s a great set of DVD’s that are very easy for adults to prepare for and facilitate. If you are able to help, please send an email to matt@newtownumc.org or

call 757 258-1072 and talk to Matt asap.

8. Snacks: We are always in need of drinks (soda, juice, lemonade, bottled water, etc) and food items (chips, cookies, donuts, etc) for youth groups and Sunday school classes. Please drop off any donations in the youth bucket under the youth table.

9. Fall 2008 Weekly Schedule

• Sundays (9:15-10:30 am)

o 5-6th Youth Group (Room 139) o 7-8th Bible Study (Room 136)

o 9-12th Adventure Team Bible Study (Room 143) • Tuesdays (6:00-6:30 pm)

o Youth Choir (Sanctuary)

• Wednesdays (5:45-7:30 pm)

o Dinner (5:45 pm) o Worship (6:20 pm)

o Split Up (6:35 pm) � 5-6th Bible Study (Room 134)

� 7-8th Youth Group (Room 139) � 9-12th Youth Group (Room 143)

10. November Lesson Series: Just so you know what we’re teaching your kids…

• 5-6th Grade Youth Group – Pre-Teen Grapple

• 5-6th Grade Bible Study – Chronological Look at the Old Testament (Faithweavers Curriculum)

• 7-8th Grade Bible Study – The Life of Christ

• 7-8th Grade Youth Group – The Ten Commandments

• 9-12th Grade Adventure Team Bible Study – The Gospel of John • 9-12th Grade Youth Group – Nooma by Rob Bell

Matt’s Top Ten Things All Parents

Should Know in November