April, 2010

We met again on April 26, 2010 at St. John’s UCC to discuss our pass events as well as our upcoming events.

Carla advised that we earned $364.01 at our recent Treasure Sale and Bake Sale.  This event was specifically focused on our upcoming family trip to Knoebels on May 22.  Nathan and Tabitha Serfass are planning this outing.  All Youth attending and assisting earned a free trip to Knoebels for the day (wrist bands are $20.00 each) (Books of tickets can also be purchased for $10.00 each).  All others will be asked to pay ½ price for the trip.  Tabby has asked that anyone interested in attending the trip please contact her by May 19, 2010.  Her email address is tabbybar@brpc.net.  All participants will receive an email containing all of the necessary information for the trip by Friday, May 21, 2010.

Reese and Ashley Badman led the Sleepover and Support our Troops event on May 7 & 8, 2010.  Several children attended and much fun was had by all!  The children learned several songs, If you’re happy and you know it, Out in the Woods, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, He’s Got the Whole World, Baroomba Bubblegum, Make New Friends, Do Your Ears Hang Low, Baby Bumblebee, and Red Balloon.HeadHwe

  The children also had the pleasure of hearing the Legend of the Vinder Viper.  For those of you who missed this event, you definitely missed a lot of fun!!  The event wrapped up on Saturday morning with breakfast.

We discussed scheduling an Outdoor Challenge Event to be held at St. John’s UCC in the grove.  We would like to invite other area Youth Groups to this event.  We are looking at dates in July and August.  The event would require teams to sign up.  Each team must be compromised 50/50 with teens and family members.  More information to follow in the near future.

Lisa Shellhammer is gathering information for a Quarter Auction.  We are hoping to schedule this event at the end of this year or possibly the beginning of next year.  More information to follow in the near future.

Pastor McLean wasn’t able to attend our meeting.  However, Salem United Methodist is looking into scheduling an event in the Fall.  Some ideas are a talent show, music, drama, etc.  More information to follow.

Tabitha Serfass is also working on order PAYG t-shirts to be worn at our events.  The cost is estimated to be between $10-$12.  All size shirts can be ordered, including toddler sizes.  Please respond with your input as to how the shirts should be distributed, regular participants free or ½ price, etc.  We will also be able to sell the shirts at events.  If you are interested in buying a shirt regardless of the cost, please provide the sizes of shirts which you would like to order ASAP.

Pastor Paul Schofstall provided those in attendance with a list of things which our youth could benefit from.  PAYG is actively working on those things.

Elsa Kerchner of the Times News has attended a few of our events and meetings.  She was very gracious in writing an article which was recently published in the Times News about PAYG.  We thanked her for her recent article.

Much discussion was had as to how to make PAYG grow.  It seems that we have many people following our group but not many people attending our events.  If there is something that we can change, please let someone involved with PAYG know ASAP so we can make the changes to allow our group to grow.

Several of us will be attending a Youth Event at Penn Northeast Conference on Sunday, May 26^th from 2:30 to 4:30.  If anyone else would like to join us, please let me know ASAP so I can RSVP to PNEC.

We have many new and exciting events coming up in the near future.  Please feel free to share your love of PAYG with your neighbors and friends in the Palmerton Community.

**As always, if you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please immediately advise.  If you wish to have email addresses added to this list, please also advise.

**A list of current events is also included in this email**  **See Below**

List of Current Events (to be updated on a monthly basis)  (Also see us on FACEBOOK)

September/October                            First UCC of Palmerton                     Hayride

(date & time to be determined)         457 Delaware Avenue           

                                                            Palmerton, PA  18071                                      (Cost depends on

                                                            Contact ~ Ed & Lisa Shellhammer                # of people

                                                            (610) 379-0528 ~ Lisa                                      attending)

                                                            egslms@ptd.net ~ Lisa

October                                               St. John’s Episcopal Church              Halloween Event

                                                            345 Lafayette Avenue

                                                            Palmerton, PA  18071

                                                            Contact ~ Kent Stauffer

                                                            con2hau@yahoo.com

Date to be Determined                       St. John’s UCC                                   The Traveling Lock-In

                                                            891 Columbia Avenue                  (Details Below)

                                                            Palmerton, PA  18071                    Presented to you by:

                                                            Contact ~ Carla Schmidt               Lutheran Student Movement (LSM)

                                                            (610) 826-2050 ~ Church                Susquehanna University

                                                            stjohns1@yahoo.com ~ Church

                                                            610-442-2966 ~ Carla’s Cell

                                                            pnutbutr85@aol.com ~ Carla

Purpose – The purpose for LSM’s traveling lock-in is to show youth a good time that is also God filled. We want youth to know that they are a treasured part of the Church and to experience good Christian fellowship among those close to their age.

Plan – We have planned a flexible schedule that will be used at each of our traveling lock-ins. Our plan is as followers: Introduction, Name/Get to Know You games, 1st session, game, 2nd session, games, 3rd session, worship, lots of games, movie/sleep, morning devotion, and discussion of practical application.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there any cost?

Nope, the lock-in is free. The only expenses for the church are for snacks and breakfast.

On what days/at what times should the lock-in begin and end?

The lock-in runs from either Friday into Saturday or Saturday into Sunday. The lock-in usually begins at 7 pm, and end the next morning around 9 am. One idea is to have the lock-in start Saturday night and have everyone go to church together on Sunday morning.

Are there any dates that are unavailable for the traveling lock-in?

Yes! Susquehanna University students have breaks throughout the school year. These include fall break, thanksgiving break, Christmas break, spring break and Easter break. The Vice President will let you know when those dates are. Also LSM traveling lock-ins do not run during the summer season.

Does an adult member of the church have to be present?

Yes, an adult member of the church is required in case of emergencies. It is wise to have one person around who knows the youth and the area well.

What about food?

The church should provide snacks and breakfast in the morning.

Can youth from other church be invited?

Absolutely, as long as your LSM contact knows the approximant number of youth attending.

Who will be leading the lock-in?

3-5 leaders from the LSM group will be leading the activities.

Does the church have to be Lutheran to enjoy LSM’s traveling lock-ins?

No! While LSM is a Lutheran based community, it is by no means exclusive. A good handful of our members are not Lutheran and we are better for it.