Dear Friend,

Time moves so fast. It's really hard to fit in time to 'just be' with each between school, work, sports, homework, music rehearsals and so on. But we found some time this past weekend when we had our first All Saints' Lock-in at the church. I'm sure there have been lock-ins at St. David's over the years, but this was my first one here with these students and it was amazing, simply because our friends were here and God was present among us.

I was exhausted just looking at the agenda as I was putting it all together. Did I have enough chaperones? What about food? Snacks? Did I put everything in the packing list? Should there be a separate one for the adults? And the list of questions kept flowing. But in the end, God was present and it was good.

There was the normal initial awkwardness between students that might not know each other very well (and now are going to spend the whole night together!) But God was present and it was good.

We ate pizza, ice cream and all kinds of wonderful (and healthy) snacks provided by our families. We danced until our feet hurt. We giggled and even teared up at a movie. We explored every single corner of the church including the Bell Tower (in the dark) and in the morning, we sang softly on the Labyrinth. It was fun. It was exhausting. But God was present and it was good.

~God's Peace,

Duana Cisney

737-704-1012

[email protected]

Week at a Glance:

Today (11/5): Youth Group (Face2Face) - Museum of the Weird ($10)

6:30 - 8:00pm - Meet in the church lobby

*6:00 - 8:00pm: "Sabbath in the City"

Check out Grace Chapel if you are an adult with a student involved in one of the ministries around the church on Wednesday evenings.

Sunday (11/9): Youth Forums

10:25 - 11:10 grades 6th - 12th. All begin in the Youth Room (#170)

*Various times: Wreath Sales in Sumners Hall

Tuesday (11/11): Veterans Day ~ Austin ISD holiday

Happening

November 21 - 23

Several of our students are going, Why don't you register here?

Happening #145

There is only about a week left to get registered. Duana will be driving teens to Houston. We have 1 - 2 seats left. Sign up today!

Youth Calendar

What are you doing? What events are you involved in?

Let us come out and support you! Let's get it on the calendar! Email Duana today!

Cross Words

Do you ever have bad days? It's a silly question, but think about it. Why do we have bad days? What makes them bad? Maybe your friend isn't nice, or says something mean. Maybe you have an argument with your parents. It could be you forgot to study for that big test or you didn't make the team. There are so many things that can put us in the mindset that we are having a bad day.

Consider this:

"I'm convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created."

Romans 8:38-39

What if we looked at our circumstances through a different lens? What if we could step back in that moment and connect to that deep abiding love that God has for us. I know that's hard...really hard, but what if we could just practice one little bit at a time? Try it with me this week. When that thing really tweaks your nerves, take a deep breath and just feel God's love. It's always there for you. Don't let your circumstances dictate your joy or happiness. Let God do that....

Praying your 'tweaks' become joys this week...

MORE YOUTH STUFF...


Our fundraising is well under way and we need YOU to come out and help. All students grades 6th - 12th grade are asked to participate in some way. It is a great thing to work as a group for the greater good. This is one of those opportunities. We are currently selling wreaths and in a couple of weeks will have ornaments to offer as well. Sign up here to be present on Sunday morning to help with sales and support the programs and missions of OUR youth ministries! I CAN HELP!	December 13 10:00 - 2:00pm Youth will help decorate Trinity Center for their annual Christmas Party. We will wrap gifts for our neighbors and then enjoy a pizza lunch. Please make plans to be present for this wonderful event!	December 19 6:30pm - 8:00pm All youth, grades 6th - 12th, are invited to "Caroling for Cans" We will walk around the Sendera neighborhood singing Christmas Carols while collecting canned goods to be donated. After Caroling, students are invited back to Duana's house for a Christmas Party!