Uniteens Great Lakes UniZine
August 2007 (Archive Version)
 
Greetings!
Welcome to the new and exciting format for the Great Lakes UniZine!
 
The Great Lakes UniZine is a newsletter for Uniteen Leaders and Uniteens alike. It is also a bulletin board for upcoming events AND a forum for you to share what is happening with your Uniteen group.
 
Uniteens are encouraged to share their creativity with the region by submitting their writing, poetry, artwork, photos, etc.
 
I hope that this new electronic format for UniZine will bring you information about what is happening in our region in a faster and more efficient way and that you find it a welcome and helpful resource in your email inbox.
 
If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Great Lakes Uniteens, unsubscribing has never been easier or more reliable. Simply click the "Safe Unsubscribe" button below and you will be removed from the Great Lakes Uniteen email list
In This Issue
2007 Fall Unitreat
Fall Training Events
Youth Ministry Today Webcast
Service Projects A-Z
Notes from Eileen
Fall Unitreat - "I've Got The Power"
 
It seems like we just left Camp Storer yesterday, but it truly is time to think about the fall Unitreat. Registration packets have been mailed to chuches who have participated in the past or have requested registration materials in the past.

If your group has never attended a Unitreat, you can download the registration packet here or contact me by replying to this email and a packet will be sent to you or your group.

A Unitreat is a weekend retreat for Uniteens in the 6th - 8th grade who are at least 11 years old and their Uniteen Leaders/Chaperones. The weekend is filled with fun activities, spiritual unfoldment and time for sharing with new and old friends.  Uniteens and adults alike have found the Unitreat to be a fun and life-changing experience.

Earlybird registration date is September 17th, and final registration date is October 1st. Don't miss this opportunity for your group to grow, bond and share together.

Contact: Eileen Patra, epatra @ glruniteens.org
Fall Training Events
Uniteen Leader Training
will be offered as part of two Regional Training Events this fall:

Regional Youth Ministry Training Event
September 22, 2007
Youth Ministry Today 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (see details below)
Leading from the Heart 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Renaissance Unity, Warren, MI
This workshop follows the morning taping of "Youth Ministry Today".

$25.00 Workshop Fee includes both sessions.
(Lunch will be provided on a love offering basis)

To register, contact Diane Venzera, consultant@glrkids.org
___________________________________________________________
Growing Our Faith and Bearing Fruit
September 29, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Unity Church of Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake, IL

Workshop Topics Include: Ages & Stages, Multiple Intelligenc, Creative Bible Activities, Mickey Mouse Ministry, Sunday and Beyond.

$25.00 Workshop Fee.
(Continental breakfast & lunch included)

To register, contact Diane Venzera, consultant@glrkids.org

Youth Ministry Today Webcast
 
The Great Lakes Region Youth Consultants and Renaissance Unity are preparing to create the first ever Regional Training Webcast.
 
The training, set in a talk-show format will be taped at Renaissance Unity on September 22nd. The show will then be uploaded to the internet to be viewed across the region. It will also be aired on our local access cable station in Troy, Michigan.
 
Details about the time and location of the upcoming webcast and cable airing will be announced in the near future.

To get a sneak preview, join us as part of our live studio audience at the taping on September 22nd and stay for the special afternoon training workshop.

Taping beings at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Please plan to arrive early. Once we being taping, the doors will be closed until lunch.

To register for one or both sessions, contact Diane Venzera by emailing consultant @ glrkids.org or download a registration for using the link on the right side of this page.
Service Projects A-Z
 
Looking for service ideas for your Uniteen group? Here's a list of ideas from A-Z. (Well almost - if you have any ideas for Q, X, Y or Z please let me know!
 
There is nothing more rewarding than service to others. Help your Uniteens experience the gift of giving with one or more of these simple ideas.
 

·         Adopt a Highway

·         Animal Shelter (collect food, kitty litter, etc.)

·         Area Clean-up (grounds, area park, senior center, senior's yards)

·         Assist w/Sunday Service

·         Book Drive (Collect paperbacks for veteran's hospital

·         Child Care (provide child care for a church sponsored function)

·         Children's Hospital Visit

·         Clean Grounds

·         Clean Senior's Yards

·         Clean up an area park (good spring activity)

·         Clothing Drive

·         Deliver meals/lunches to local warming center or shelter

·         Easter Egg Hunt (organize for younger children)

·         Food/Toy Drive

·         Fund-raising for another group

·         Heifer International has a great program with lots of educational items for youth ministry programs. Check their website at: www.Heifer.org

·         Uniteens raise $ for YOU, YOU raise funds for church project. . .

·         Grass cutting for senior citizens

·         Habitat for Humanity (Check their website for projects for all ages)

·         Holiday Pageant

·         Invite younger class to an activity

·         Jump rope for pledges for a charity

·        Kids Prayer Project (Rev. Diane Venzera at consultant@glrkids.org)

·         Leaves - Rake leaves for seniors or shut-ins

·         Make/Send greeting cards

·         Seniors

·         Veterans

·         Children's Hospital

·         Meals for Shut-ins

·         Nursery care (help with the nursery during service or during a church function)

·         Nursing Home Visit

·         Offer free lemonade after service or during a church event

·         Plant flowers

·         Prepare meal or fellowship for congregation

·         Rake Leaves

·         Shovel Snow - for church, seniors, etc.

·         Soup Kitchen - Capuchin

·         Sox for homeless shelter. Call to determine needs and arrange drop off

·         Stuffed Animal Ministry (collect & deliver to seniors/children's hospital)

·         Take cookies to senior center (be sure to take some sugar free ones!)

·         Toiletries for homeless. (Collect hotel size, unopened toiletries for homeless.)

·         Uncover flower gardens in spring

·         Volunteer at Local Event

·         Warming Center - Prepare lunches "to go" for a local warming center

·         Wash Car Windows (during church service - and leave an affirmation slip)

Uniteens are the middle-school youth of the Unity Movement. The Great Lakes Uniteens is a region- sponsored support/resource program for the Uniteens and Uniteen leaders of our member ministries.

The Great Lakes Region of Unity is committed to providing excellent programs for our all of our Unity youth as well as support, training and networking for all of our youth ministry volunteers.
 
Sincerely,
 

Eileen Patra, CSE, LUT
Great Lakes Uniteens
Notes from Eileen
In these hot and humid days of summer it's hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. As we savor these last few weeks of summer, let us be thankful for each moment of warmth, each moment of sunshine, each moment of rain that quenches the earth and nourishes our flowers, grass and gardens.
 
And as we turn our attention toward fall and the upcoming school year, and our fall youth ministry programs let us also be thankful for a time to rest, cool off and focus new energy on our divine expression of Spirit.
 
To kick off your fall program, take advantage of some upcoming training sessions, service ideas and the upcoming Fall Unitreat.
 
God bless you and thank you for all the gifts you share with our Unity youth throughout the year. Each of you are truly a blessing to one another, to the Unity movement and to all whom you come in contact with.
 
In Peace & Light,
Eileen
 
Quick Links

Training - Sept. 22, Warren, MI

Training - Sept. 29,Crystal Lake, IL

Unitreat Registration Packet

YOU Staff Applications

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the above forms. Download the free reader at Adobe Reader

Great Lakes Uniteens

Visit our website
Association of Unity Churches International

Visit Our Association

Visit Unity Institue(Unity School of Christianity)