Christmas Party

It's time to start planning the annual youth Christmas party. The location will be at the home of the Sears family in Calvert City. The party is scheduled for Friday, December 14, 2007 with the time TBA. Dan should be announcing our departure and return time from and to the Ministry Center in Sunday's bulletin. We are asking students to bring one funny party gift to exchange and to bring one child's gift to give for Operation Angel Tree, an organization that gives presents to children whose parents are serving time in prison. All are invited and friends are always welcome. Let's celebrate Jesus' birthday!

The Golden Compass

Parents might be wondering what impact culture has on their teens. As youth workers, we encourage parents to help their children biblically engage culture, which means more than merely opposing culture, we want to find ways to bring Christ to the center of our lives, especially our art and entertainment. The new movie, The Golden Compass, offers parents and concerned adults an opportunity to engage their teens and present a biblical world view about the surrounding culture, which often obscures the message of Good News in Christ. The following link (click on the hyperlinked movie title), written by the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding, is a voice which challenges us to critically engage movies like The Golden Compass with our teens and with Christ.

Reminder

A reminder to all that there is no youth group this Sunday, November 18, 2007 or Wednesday, November 21, 2007 due to Thanksgiving celebrations. Enjoy your time with family and friends and if you are looking for a place to be thankful, give Dan or Ruthanne a call, we can always make a place for more people. We are grateful for our youth...

Operation Christmas Child

The youth will be meeting at the Wal-Mart in Benton to fill our boxes for our Operation Christmas child. The high school and middle school are each taking one child. We will meet at 10:00 am this Saturday, November 17th at the Subway. Bring $5-10 to help purchase items to fill our boxes and fill the life a child in need.

Youth Camping at LBL

It's time to get ready to camp! We will be leaving Friday, October 26 after school and finish Sunday, October 28 after the morning service. Bring your sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking shoes, bible, and a tent if you have one. The cost for this trip is $18. We'll be playing ultimate frisbee, touch football, tiger ball and more. We will also enjoy Tommy's famous chili. It will be a great time of fellowship.

Trunk Or Treat

The youth will be decorating their trunks again and handing out candy to our community at Memorial Park in Calvert City. We need candy donated to the church and the youth come out Wednesday, October 31, 2007. We will meet at the park at 5:00 pm. See Dan if you have any questions. Looking forward to some great trunks.

Bonfire and Communion

This Sunday, October 21, 2007, at 6:00 pm we will have a bonfire and youth communion service at the Ministry Center. Come out and join us as we worship together. Bring a friend.

See you at the Pole 2007

Join your school for prayer around the flag pole. MCHS meets at 7:50 am in front of the flag pole by the buses. NMMS meet at 7:45 am in front of the school. Don't miss this opportunity to pray for your campus.

Youth Rally at Jonathan Creek

Tuesday, September 25th we'll be joining area youth groups for a youth rally to prepare for See You at the Pole 2007. We leave from the ministry center at 6:15 and will return by 9:15 pm - invite a friend and come out.

Wil Graham Celebration

This Saturday, September 15, the youth will be attending the Wil Graham Celebration. We will be leaving the Ministry Center around 5:40 and returning at 9:30 pm. Come out and hear great music, hang out with friends (new and old), and be refreshed as we listen to the Word. Looking forward to seeing each of you there...

Time Change

Just a reminder that next week, August 15, 2007, youth group will start at 6:30 pm. We are lining up our time with the Awana start time, so come out half an hour earlier. We'll wrap up between 7:30-8:00 pm.

August Heat

Thanks to all who participated in the youth rally and senior legacy night - the weather was hot, but the time together was great. The photos for both are on facebook. We are working with youth roots to see if they can add an album feature to their photo section to make uploading photos as easy as it is on facebook (right now we have to add them one at a time - that's why there are so few). Upcoming for the rest of August we have a church day at Venture River park scheduled for August 18. The event is open to all area churches and the link to the event is http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com/. The topic will be "How to be an example in our schools," and the worship/speaking part is from 5:30-8:00 pm. We are tentatively planning on leaving the ministry center around noon, but the time is subject to change depending on how long we want to stay at the water park (8 hours might be a bit much if it's a sweltering day). There will be a lunch special deal - $3.95 per person for hot dog or slice of pizza, chips and small drink. You can also pack your own lunch and eat outside the park on the picnic benches. The church rate that is being offered for the day is $13.00 per person with a minimum of 15 in the group. We are also planning on participating in the annual "Muddin' for Missions" in Cunningham, KY, August 22. Stay tuned for more details. Did you know you can read the bulletin announcements for Pathway at our website? The church website has been recently updated and now features the weekly bulletin - if you missed Sunday announcements or were out of town, you can see what happened or if anything has changed. Check it out at http://www.pathwaybaptist.org/.

Upcoming Events

We have several events coming up: Friday, July 20 will be our high school all-nighter, Wednesday, July 25 after youth group will be our middle school all-nighter. Attend the grade that you were last year. For the month of August we are planning to join a Paducah area church ultimate frisbee competition at Mike Miller Park, Wednesday, August 1, and an area-wide church day at Venture River Saturday, August 18, and then we'll be Muddin' for Missions again in Cunningham, KY, Saturday, August 25. We'll post more details as things get closer but be sure to save these dates. All these events are posted on our youth group calendar on Youth Roots (you don't have to be a member to view the calendar), so be sure to join the Pathway Youth group on the Youth Roots site. Again, photos of the youth are regularly posted on the Youth Roots secure website.

Home from Camp

Sorry for the lack of communication on Thursday and Friday - so much happened that we didn't get a chance to post anything. Your students are home now and you've probably heard the stories of the slurge fest (the photos are great!), Shane dislocating his knee (he handled the whole situation amazingly well and is hanging in there on his new crutches), the silly string war between Krista and Dru's room, and mattress surfing down the hallway. Our group alone raised over $750 to send students to church camp in the impoverished eastern European country of Moldova. Two out of three campers in Moldova pray to receive Christ as Savior and the total offering for the camp was $4500! That amount will send 300 students to camp ($15 per camper). While we had a great time, the point of impact we continue to pray for is that the moments of spiritual confession will result in truly changed lives for the students. They are a remarkable group and be sure to ask your student about what s/he learned in their T.A.W.G. time, bible study, and team building sessions. Our speaker, Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, did a fantastic job of challenging the students to take risks and now they need to decide what risks God is calling them to take as individuals and as a group. Many have prayed about full-time ministry, re-dedication, and family reconciliation. We will be presenting about our experience at camp this Sunday, July 1, at 6:00 pm. If the students are involved in music they need to be there at 4:00 pm, and if they want to help out with the service, be there at 5:15 pm. After the service we'll be playing Ultimate Frisbee at Mike Miller - bring $3 for pizza. We should wrap up at the park around 9:30 pm. Continue to pray for all the decisions and commitments that were made during this week and plan for your student (s) to be a part of church camp next year - June 24-27, 2008.

Youth Roots Photos

Many have asked questions about how to view photos of the Youth Group on the Youth Roots site. After signing up, hit the "Groups" tab at the top of the page. A search options will appear and search for the name "Pathway Baptist." Our group should come up under the leader name "drcrapo." Select the Pathway Baptist Church Youth group and then look to the lower right side. An option "Join this group" will be there and you can request to join the group. The request will go to Dan and once he approves, you should be able to view all the photos. We have limited the access of the photos to only members, friends, and family so strangers on the internet cannot view them. We implemented this precaution in order to prevent people from being able to download the pictures who aren't affiliated with our students. I know it's an extra step, but we do everything we can to protect your students. Let us know if you have any difficulty with the Youth Roots site!

Wednesday at Cedarmore

For many students, camp might be the earliest they wake up this summer. Even Bekah was awake at 7:00 am. Many are eating breakfasts (with a lot of cajoling from their leaders), but no one is starving. The food is actually excellent and the volunteer staff serves so graciously. In our checkpoint time last night (which was much cooler and quieter than previous meetings-thanks for praying) the students shared what they had learned in their T.A.W.G. (time along with God), team building sessions, and from the evening worship. The words poured out as students confessed, repented, and challenged one another in their walk and testimony. The theme of one has proved to be effective and powerful. Many students confessed living two or three lives: one at school, home, and church. I am sure many adults could learn from and relate to the truth that these students are learning that the only life worth living is the one life we live in Christ. While the music, activities, and blobbing has been great, the students agree that the best moments are our time as a group to be challenged in the word and build up each other in our faith. Today Amber, Lauren, Jansen and the youth band will perform in the Stage Night and there are always a few nerves before the event. Several students have already responded to receive Christ for the first time and we are still praying for decisions in our group. Please continue to pray as this is the most critical force upon which we rely. Remember your bracelet - by now it should be irritating your arm and hopefully reminding you how few adults truly invest in young people. We are so proud of our church and their faithfulness.

Tuesday at Cedarmore

We arrived safely at Cedarmore after a small part needed to be replaced on our trailer. Fortunately, Pastor Mike noticed the missing part before it became an issue. The students mostly laughed, slept, and ate their plethora of snacks on the way up. When we arrived the students were greeted at the entrance by a staff member who prayed with each of the vans/bus. The craziness then began! We got a group photo, did the wave, registered and found our wonderfully air conditioned rooms. Our first big event was the first evening meeting and energy filled the room as the students poured into the dark room with loud music (ask Meaghan), high fives from counselors, and dizzying lights. Our theme is One and the camp pastor shared with the students how they are part of one story - the biblical story of God creating, redeeming, and restoring this world and God's people. Of course he shared in such a way that mingled laughter with impact. Our students gave him a thumbs up in our checkpoint time as a youth group at night. Our only distraction was our checkpoint room which was sandwiched in-between two other groups with thin walls between us, but today we heard that we will have a much bigger room for our group of 53, and it will be quiet since only our group will use it. Checkpoint time is probably one of the most critical times at church camp and God has already met our need by ensuring this will be a time where we can focus on what God is communicating to us as a group. We wrapped up the evening with our "Girl Time" and the guys with their "Dude Sessions" and some went to bed, while others revelled in new friends, jokes, and Kenny's threat to turn on the heat if they didn't go to sleep. Students shared that they appreciate their counselors, especially the energy they bring and the way they have demonstrated wanting to know each of the students. Our group did team building and had their first POI session. If you want to see photos of these activities, be sure to check out our secure youth roots site and ask to be a member.

God is already at work and the staff at Cedarmore have been praying since last August for our youth. The spiritual dedication makes such a difference and Elizabeth said last night, "we are so free of distraction here, we can hear God, I guess that's why you take away our cell phones." God is working and we are faithfully praying - we'd love for you to join us.

Details for Church Camp

We leave Monday, June 25 and will return Friday, June 29 around 5:30 pm. Be at the ministry center at 6:45 am!!! If you still haven't turned in a medical release form, POI, or your balance, bring it Sunday. Each student can bring a suitcase (no more than 50 lbs.), a carry-on, and a bed roll. Coolers will be provided by the church for cold items. Students need spending money or a sack lunch for the ride up and lunch money for the ride home. Spending money while at camp is optional. Dan has list of items students should and should not bring. A reminder that students should not have cell phones or other electronic devices (mp3 players, dvd players, etc.). Students may also want to bring a black trash bag for wet or muddy clothes/shoes. Be sure to pack one pair of gym shoes (and lots of socks) for rec games. We are pumped about what God can do with us as a group. We are thankful for each student and family who has made a commitment to be a part of this week. Please join us in prayer throughout this week and the weeks ahead.

Items most commonly forgotten:

• Bath towel and hand towel
• Bible, notepad, and pen
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Bug spray (with deet)
• Extra bag for wet/muddy clothes
• Water bottle
• Sturdy Gym Shoes (i.e., no flip flops on the rec field)
• Aqua Socks (for water games)
• Jeans (if riding horses)

We will be posting updates about camp on the blog, so stay tuned. If parents or friends would like to see daily uploaded photos of camp, please join our secure online youth group site at http://www.youthroots.com/ and Dan will add you as a user who can view the photos.

Swimming at the Donald's

This Wednesday there is no official youth group due to VBS, but we don't want to miss out on our last Wednesday before we leave for Cedarmore. Instead, we'll be swimming at the Donald's pool. Same time (7:00-8:30 pm), but different location. Contact the church if you need directions or call Miss Beth or Ruthanne if you need a ride.

Ultimate Frisbee Sunday

This Sunday (June 10) is a big deadline: notarized medical release forms are due, point of interest (POI) sheets for the students are due, camp deposits are due, and orders for t-shirts and polos are still being taken. If you have a question regarding your remaining balance for church camp, be sure to give Dan a call or send him an email. Sunday night we'll be continuing with our summer series, "Let My People Think." After the combined 6:00 pm service, the youth will leave for Mike Miller park to play some Ultimate Frisbee. We are asking everyone to bring $2.00 to help cover the cost of the sub sandwiches and soda pop. After consuming our 'health' food, we'll play until 9:30 pm. Parents can pick up their student at the park or make other arrangements. We'll see you Sunday...

(Image from www.frisbee.lv/public/userimages/lay2.jpg)

Hot chickens

A special thanks to all our parents, youth, and volunteers who have worked so hard on our fundraiser. Sunday, June 3, is your last chance to buy a chicken (the pork is sold out!). Come out and help us sell our remaining chickens and stick around that evening (6:00 pm) for Washington Street Baptist and their choir. We'll be having an ice-cream social afterwards and everyone is welcome. Be sure to thank a Certified Holy Smoke member for their 72 hours of service to our youth - we are so blessed to have this ministry in our church family.

The Importance of Church Camp

I know when this time of year rolls around, as youth leaders, our hearts become heavy for the students that we see are not planning to go to camp with us this summer. Those who have been, know the impact of getting away from all the clutter and distraction in our lives and just being completely available to whatever God wants to do in in our lives. In eight years of going to camp I have never seen God fail to meet with the students and leaders in our youth group. He convicts, encourages, breaks hearts, mends hearts, builds relationships within the youth group, sends rest and peace and most of all just meets each of us at our point of greatest need. For my own children, this has been the one summer event that everything else is planned around. I believe this is an amazing tool that God uses to recenter our kids and help them to build a support system to face the struggles that teens are bombarded with on a daily basis.

Smoking Chickens?

It's that time of year again to wash, smoke, and sell our chickens (and pork this year). Pathway Baptist's own Certified Holy Smoke is ready to help us out again. We'll be washing and selling chicken June 1-3, so keep these days open. Parents can drop off their youth at the old Main Street church at 3:45 pm on Friday in the gravel parking lot. Do not park in Draffens lot on Friday since they are open until 4:00!!! The washing should last about 2 hours at most (end around 5:30 pm). We'll meet again to start selling chickens on Saturday at 11:00 until 3:00 (we'll wash chickens again in-between). Students may want to bring a sack lunch on Saturday and a cold drink - we will have a cooler available. This fundraiser is an easy non-salmonella way to earn some money for camp. Students are pro-rated for their time based on their arrival and departure from the fundraiser. The more we sell, the more money goes to each student.

Q: How much does this delicious BBQ cost?
A: Chicken $7
Pulled Pork per pound $7 (Sunday only for the pork)
Q: Can people buy in advance?
A: Yes! See Dan on Sunday for a ticket.

Working at the Car Wash Update

The two car wash fundraisers for church camp have helped students earn roughly $1000, which will be pro-rated based on the amount of time each student was at each car wash. We will be dividing the money out between 20-22 students at each car wash. Special thanks to Calvert City Quick Lube and 1st Kentucky Bank of Draffenville for generously donating the water and location. Special thanks especially to Kenny and Beth Solomon who worked so hard with our youth to make sure we all gave a product worthy of Pathway's name. We met quite a few people who had never heard of our church and our students did a terrific job of representing Christ to the community.

Ichthus 2007

This year's theme for the Ichthus music festival in Wilmore, Kentucky is Uprising. Check out the website and see a full list of the bands and speakers that will be performing this year. Let Dan know asap if you plan to attend. Tickets are $90 (includes all three days plus the food and gas that we are providing), or you if you are over 15 years old, you can sign up to volunteer as a worker for 9 hours and earn a free ticket. We depart from the Ministry Center Thursday, June 14 at 6:45 AM (yes, AM). Bring a lawn chair, clothes you don't mind getting sweaty in, toiletries, extra water, bed roll, bible, and some clothes for Sunday morning (we return Sunday, June 17 around 9:30 AM). We'll provide the food for daily meals, but bring extra money if you want to purchase fast food or stuff from vendors.

Have You Turned In Your Medical Release Form?

Church camp is June 25-29 this year and we are pumped. Camp Cedarmore requires every student with his/her parent(s) to fill out a medical release form. All medical release forms must be notarized (see Dru Donald) and turned into Dan by June 10, 2007, along with the remaining balance for church camp. The total cost we are asking students to pay to attend Cedarmore is $220 (roughly $150-200 less than the national average). There is one more fundraiser before camp this weekend - be sure to participate!

Facebook, Logo, & Basketball

Pathway Youth can now be found on the internet. Last week we opened a Facebook under Daniel Crapo (check for updates in My Events) and this week a blog. Crazy! If that was not enough Pathway Youth may be looking at a new logo; ie the picture above.

In other things, Pathway HS Guys played a good game against Briensburg Baptist. We fell short 59-51. Sam and Kyle Forte suffered blows to the knee and eye respectivley. Keep Sam in your prayers as his buised knee will take some time to heal.

Next Time,

Daniel Crapo

On Your Mark Get Set...

The Blob? No, this is the Blog for Pathway Baptist Youth. The aim of this Blog is much like the Blob from Church camp. No, this blog is not much like the Blob at all. Seriously? I'll save the rambling for later. The forthcoming will be put together by Dan and Ruthanne Crapo and Kenny and Beth Solomon. This blog will do the following:

• Give reflections and considerations of Pathway Baptist Youth group
• Give thoughts about youth culture
• Give a sort-of-narrative of Pathway Youth (written and pictoral)

Thanks
Daniel Crapo