Scholarships for College Students

If you are going to college and you want some money for it go to these links. United Methodist Higher Education Fund or the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. You probably won't be able to apply for many of these scholarships until the first week in January, but some of the deadlines are as early as January 15th! So take a look at the requirements and get yourself some money for college.

Parent Resource #1

Hi readers. So every once in a while I'm going to post resources for parents. You'll be able to spot them easily enough because they'll be labeled and titled with numbers. For our first entry I want to suggest a book that is a standard parenting book. Its called How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. Its by Faber and Mazlish. * Here are a few thoughts derived from the book by another youth minister, Jeff:

Listen with full attention.
Put down your phone, turn your chair around, and quietly listen to the whole story.
Acknowledge their feelings.
Instead of jumping in with questions or advice, start with simple phrases that indicate you care: "Oh." "I see." "Tell me more." Coupled with caring attitude, these are invitations for a child to explore his or her own feelings, and possibly come up with their own solutions.
Give the feelings a name.
We deny a child's feelings by saying things like "Everything's okay," or "Don't freak out." But when we say, "That must have been frustrating," or "Sounds like you're pretty mad," then we convey an empathy and understanding that leads to constructive conversation.

For more thoughts and ideas on having meaningful conversation with your child get the book (you may even be able to borrow it from the local library). It could change the way you interact with your child so give it a try!

*Group Magazine Nov/Dec 2010

ALIVE

Hey. If you are looking for extra info on ALIVE here it is. This is the link to the leaders packet. It has the schedule for the whole weekend and lists contact information for our Hotel (Quality Inn).
Please have extra money for food! You will need money for dinner Friday (We'll be stopping for fastfood in Delaware), lunch Saturday (fastfood), dinner Saturday (something nicer like Applebee's) and lunch Sunday (more fastfood). I'll let you decide how much money you'll need, but we'll never let you starve. I promise. There is an indoor pool at the hotel.

We leave Friday (11-19) from the church at 4pm and will return Sunday (11-21) at about 4pm. If you need anything else let me know!