Long-awaited Updates!!!

Here's what's cookin' for the remainder of December

and beginning of January...

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NO SUNDAY AM CLASS
This Sunday, December 28th

Merry Christmas!!!

Class will resume on Sunday, January 4th

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SLEDDING & A MOVIE!!!

Wednesday, December 31st

Meet at Black Creek Park, Woodside Lodge at 12PM

(For driving directions, click here)

BRING YOUR OWN SLED!!!

FRIENDS INVITED!!!

Movie @ RCC w/ food, hot chocolate, & ping-pong

Cost? Absolutely FREE!!!

* Students can be picked up at RCC around 3:30PM*

** If students need a ride, contact John ASAP**

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Sr. HIGH NIGHT!

Sunday, January 4th @ RIT Barnes & Noble

4:30PM - 6PM

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If there are any questions regarding the listed events,

please feel free to contact John

at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org

Merry Christmas!!!

Youth Christmas Party!

As you may know, the youth Christmas party is rescheduled for this Wednesday, December 10th. We're just going to hang out, eat some food, and do a rather crazy gift exchange. Students should bring a wrapped gift that's $5 or less. Parents, if you want to send a long some sort of a snack, that would be greatly appreciated! However, please don't feel obligated.

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Don't Forget!

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The WNL! Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 10th

6:30PM, Youth Room

Friday Night "Stuff-a-Bus"

Remember, this Friday we're helping out the Open Door Mission!

Meet at Marketplace Mall (in parking lot) at 5PM.

We'll serve until 7PM and hangout at the mall until 8PM.

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Here's the scoop on the event:

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Day Of Hope Food & Goods Drive

December 5th & 6th Marketplace Mall parking lot

(at the intersection of Hylan Drive and Jefferson Road)

Collection hours are Friday 5pm - Saturday 5pm

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Help us collect coffee, creamer, sugar, coffee filters, copy paper, #10 window and plain envelopes, paper towels, bathroom tissue, facial tissue, napkins, garbage bags, latex gloves, pillows, pillow cases, twin & double bed sheets, blankets, bath & hand towels, shampoo, powdered laundry soap, bleach, liquid dish soap, 8 oz. styrofoam cups, plastic forks, spoons & knives. Clothing for men, women and children are also welcomed. Monetary donations are appreciated as well.

Details on Upcoming Events!!!

As a reminder, there is no Wednesday Night Live! this Wednesday, November 26th. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break!
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Additionally, here's the deal on the next few weeks:

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Flower City Work Camp Meeting

Wednesday, December 3rd

6:00 - 6:30PM

Adults & Students (Grades 7-12)

Youth Room

* If you're interested in participating in FCWC April 2009,

please attend this meeting!!!

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WNL! Collection Competition!!!

Wednesday, December 3rd

6:30 - 8:30PM

We're going door-to-door in efforts to collect items for

Open Door Mission. We'll break off into teams and winning team

with most items will win a prize!

*Permission slip required*

** Please dress for the weather**

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Service Project: Open Door Mission "Stuff-a-Bus"

Friday, December 5th

5-7PM @ Marketplace Mall (in parking lot)

We're helping the mission collect and "stuff" donated items.

We'll hang out at the mall afterwards (7-8PM)!!!!

*Please dress for the weather*

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Sr. High Night

Sunday, December 7th

Time & Place: TBA

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If you have any questions, please contact John at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org

or by phone at 585.766.3917.

Snow Camp & Revolve Tour

Two major events are coming up within the next few months.

Here's the deal on both of them:

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Winter Freeze 2009 Snow Camp

w/ Victory Baptist Church

Students in Grades 6-12 welcome!

January 9-11, 2009

Camp Hickory Hill, Varysburg NY

Registration deadline is December 21st!

Cost is $70.

For more information, snag a Winter Freeze packet from

the Youth Room today!

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Revolve Tour: All Access Conference for Girls

Only girls in grades 6-12!

February 27-28, 2009

Blue Cross Arena, Rochester NY

Tickets cost $54, early-bird rate.

Registration deadline is December 21st.

For more information, contact John at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org

or see Sue Cymbal.

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** Only completed permission form for Snow Camp and Revolve Tour

is required at registration deadline. Payment is due at time of event**

December 2008 Events!!!

Don't have a December 2008 calendar?

Grab one here!

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Some Events to highlight:

Flower City Work Camp Informational Meeting

Wednesday, December 3rd

6 - 6:30PM, Youth Room

Students (Grades 7-12) & Adults

**If you want to participate in FCWC, you are highly

encouraged to attend this short meeting**

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Service Project: Open Door Mission "Stuff-a-Bus"

Friday, December 5th, 5-7PM

Marketplace Mall

We'll be helping Open Door Mission recieve goods and "stuff the bus."

Afterwards, we might hang out at the mall!*

*(If students want to hang out, it would be from 7-8PM)

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RCC Community Project: Muggin' the Neighborhood

Saturday, December 13th @ RCC

10-12PM

Help spread the news about Ridgeland and welcome

our neighbors to Imagine Christmas!

Friday Ice Skating!

Here are some FAQs regarding this Friday's event:

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How many friends can I bring?

There is no limit as to how many friends you bring! If you are bringing friends, however, try to let me know beforehand so I can purchase enough food. Just email me at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org or let me know on Wednesday night.

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Does my friend have to pay for rental skates?

For your friends, I will cover the $4 to skate. If they need rental skates, they will need to cover the $3. If for some reason your friends can't cover the cost, please speak with me privately - I'll make sure they're taken care of.

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What are the details again?
The session goes from 8-10PM @ RIT Ice Arena. Please use the lower-level entrance located just off Parking Lot D. Parents, please be prepared to pick up your student promptly at 10PM.
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Thanks Everyone! See you Friday! If you have any other questions, please email John at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org or call at 766-3917.

Upcoming Events!!!

*** There is a minor change to the

November student calendar***
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Due to last minute scheduling conflicts,

Bowling Night on Friday November 21st will be cancelled.

Instead, we'll be going ice skating at RIT!

Here's the deal:

Ice Skating @ RIT

Jr. & Sr. High Students

Friday, November 21st from 8PM - 10PM

Meet at Ritter Ice Arena, lower level entrance

Cost is $4 to skate, $3 for rental skates

(students may bring their own skates, no rental fee applied)

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Food is Provided!

If students bring friends, their friends skate for free!

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Also, the Sr. High students are invited to Panera Bread on Hylan Dr. Sunday, November 23rd 5:30PM - 7PM. It's a time to relax and hang out. Students need to bring some $$ for food/drink.

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If there are any questions,

please contact John at jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org or 334.6722

Awareness Test

Are we really as aware of our surroundings as we think we are?

(DO NOT READ UNTIL YOU WATCH VIDEO)

What does this video have to do with anything?

How often do we get caught up with what's going on in our life and our goals that we fail to see what's around us? Sometimes we could be missing opportunities...when we fail to observe what's going on around us we fail to act in ways to helps others.

If someone is hurting and we don't see it...how can we encourage them?

If someone is hungry and we don't see it...how can we feed them?

If someone is lonely and we don't see it...how can we befriend them?

Something to think about...

Wednesday Night Live! Update

Last weekend, I attended the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. It was a great time to connect to other youth workers in the United States and learn from the veterans the ins-and-outs of ministry. One thing that was of particular interest to me was the discussions we had on today's youth. According to the veterans, today's youth are:

· Often misunderstood
· Often misunderstanding
· Not only wanting to know how, but why…
· Searching for spiritual things – something bigger then themselves.
· Want something to commit to, to be a part of
· But Church is often a struggle, seeming irrelevant and boring
· Tired of cliché, same-old stuff messages
· Dislike fake, hypocritical, and phony people

This got me thinking... don't all of us sometimes feel that way?

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This past Wednesday Night, we began to discuss the issue of moving closer to God and the struggles that seem to go along with it. Sometimes we dislike the things we do as Christians because they're not really fun. Sometimes we dislike the things we do because they don't make any sense. Sometimes reading the Bible is more tiresome than life-changing, making us feel like it has no implication for our lives today. But instead of rising to the challenge of promoting change, more often than not we stick ourselves in a rut and inwardly wrestle with God.

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Jesus calls us to something more, to a bigger life than just making in through each day. Life is more than a routine, a set schedule of rising in the morning and doing the daily tasks. Christianity is more than just reading a few passages out of the Bible and attending Church on Sunday - it's about seeing God. Jesus spoke this quite simply when He said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matt. 5:8). God doesn't care so much for our words or our actions. He doesn't care how much money we make nor what we wear - He's to be at the very core of our heart. He's to be what we breathe, what we feel, what we think. Our everything is to be His.

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As a youth ministry, we're going to continue looking into this idea of growing closer with God and hopefully answer some of the questions we have. Remember, Wednesday Night Live! meets at 6:30PM on Wednesday nights...

November Calendar!!!

If you don't have a November Calendar, grab one here!

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Some dates to note:

Saturday, November 8th is Backyard Brawl! Flag-Football

(see details below)

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Sr. High Night at Barnes & Noble Sunday, November 9th

4:30-6PM

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No WNL! on Wednesday, November 12th

Annual Church Meeting

1st Annual Backyard Brawl!

Next weekend, November 8th, will be the

1st Annual Backyard Brawl! Flag-Football Game.

Here's the deal:

1st Annual Backyard Brawl! Flag-Football Game

Saturday, November 8th

12:30 - 3:30ish PM

@ Ridgeland Community Church

Home-cooked chili (the food, not town) lunch included!

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Email, call, or talk to John if you can come...

(jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org) or 334-6722

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Students are encouraged to bring friends!

Parents are encouraged to play!

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**For safety reasons, this event is limited

to students in grades 6-12**

"Blessed are the merciful..."

We're continuing our series on the Beatitudes, tonight being:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (5:7)

Some questions to think about:

(1) What does it mean to be "merciful?"

(2) What sort of attitude is Jesus teaching us to have?

(3) What does being "merciful" look like in my everyday life?

(4) What sort of grudges or frustrations exists that may be holding me back from the life God wants for me?

"Blessed are the hungry & thirsty..."

Last week, Luke Cymbal spoke a message on what it is to be meek. He shared with us that meekness, by definition, is simply demonstrating humility in our actions towards others. By being meek (or humble), we demonstrate that we are people who recognize their need for God and His provision. We realize that we are nothing without God and must depend on Him daily.

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Tonight, our very own Rei Pizarro will be sharing about his recent trip to the Dominican Republic. Rei is a volunteer through Compassion International, an organization that is committed to providing basic life necessities to children and families in need while sharing the truth of Jesus.

Wednesday Night Live! meets tonight at 6:30PM!

Be there!

Weekend of Opportunities!!!

This weekend is what I'm calling the "Weekend of Opportunities."

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Make a Difference Day, October 25th!

We're partnering with organizations across Henrietta to impact

our community. We'll be raking leaves for senior citizens in need of help.

If weather is uncooperative, we're going to Sperry High School

to assist in projects that aid Henrietta.

Meet @ RCC, 9AM - 11AM

*Parents - please sign in your student upon arrival*

Harvest Party, October 25th!

A time for the church body to hang out, play games, and eat food.

Youth... we're in charge of the games!

Join us @ Mendon Ponds, 3:30PM

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Hope to see you @ these events.

If you have any questions, let me know!

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American Red Cross Blood Drive

Saturday, October 25th

Sperry High School

10AM-2PM

No appointments needed,

takes approximately 30 minutes

Sr. High Students!!!!

This is just for you...

Sr. High Hang Out!

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Pizza Hut, West Henrietta Road

Sunday October 19th, 6:30PM

I'm buyin'!

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Something I've been wanting to do is give you, the Sr. High students at Ridgeland, is time to just hang out. This Sunday, October 19th, we're going to meet at Pizza Hut to eat and relax... and I'm paying the bill for everyone. This will be a time to just chill out and get to know one another better. I encourage you to think about it... free food, time to relax, hang out with friends... not a bad deal, eh?

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Email me and let me know if you're coming!

jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org

What does "meek" even mean, anyway?

For the past few weeks we've been studying the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). Last week we talked about the mourning and discovered that they are those people who recognize their mistakes and faults, seek forgiveness, and turn to Jesus to be comforted. We unpacked the truth that the Cross is no longer just a symbol of His death, but our hope and life. Through Jesus and the Cross, we can be forgiven and be comforted.

Tonight, Luke Cymbal will be sharing with us the next Beatitude:

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Mt. 5:5)

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We'll also discuss the intended reasons behind our study. Some questions to think about in regards to the background are:

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(1) Who was Jesus teaching? In respect to their ethnicity, what sort of things would they be wanting to know from Jesus?

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(2) Why are the Beatitudes important, anyway? What's the big deal?

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(3) How should they affect our lives for the better? What changes should be made?

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(4) Can I see the Beatitudes demonstrated in my life and the life of others?

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Don't forget! Wednesday Night Live! meets

TONIGHT at 6:30PM!

Quickly Upcoming Events!!!

Here are some rapidly approaching events to keep in mind!

RIT HOCKEY GAME!

Friday, October 17th

Meet @ RIT Ice Arena, 6:15-6:30PM

Tickets $9, only a few left!

Permission Form Required

Ask John for details...

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Make a Difference Day!

Saturday, October 25th

Meet @ RCC 9AM, Return @ 11AM

We'll be raking leaves for senior citizens...

Bring Your Own Rake!!!

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RCC Harvest Party!

Saturday, October 25th

Mendon Park, 3:30PM

The Youth are in charge of games!

See, call, or email John for details for any of the upcoming events.

Sign ups and flyers are available in the Youth Room.

"Blessed are those who mourn..."

Last week, we touched on the first Beatitude and came to the conclusion that to be "poor in spirit" means to simply recognize that we don't have what it takes within ourselves to please God. We all make mistakes, live unperfect lives, and need to depend on God for everything. He is the source of all our eyes can see, including our very own lives. And He is the source of salvation, giving us a second chance to being in relationship with Him through Jesus. Being "poor in spirit" simply means to remember that we must constantly depend on God!

Tonight we'll be looking into the second Beatitude Jesus teaches:

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
(Matthew 5:4)

Some questions to consider:

(1) What does it mean to "mourn" and what does that look like in everyday life?

(2) What are they mourning about, anyway?

(3) What should my attitude be as a result?

Wednesday Night Live! meets on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM in the Youth Room. See you there!

Don't Give Me that Beatitude!!!

We're starting a series on the Beatitudes, trying to discover what Jesus really meant and how they should affect our lives today. Found in Matthew 5, tonight will focus on the first...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3).

Some questions to consider are:

(1) Who are the "poor in spirit" and what does that mean?

(2) What does it teach me about myself, my relationship with others, and with God?

(3) Am I living as one who is "poor in spirit"? If not, why?


Wednesday Night Live! meets tonight at 6:30PM in the youth room! See you there!

Youth Ministry Meeting!

PARENTS! VOLUNTEERS! ANY ONE INTERESTED TO VOLUNTEER!

I invite you to attend the first youth ministry meeting!

Sunday, October 19th

After service, 11:30AM - 12:30PM

Lunch is Provided

Location in Church: TBA

After our first month of getting underway, I want to take some time to dialogue about the youth ministry, share some feedback, ideas, and suggestions, and describe ways to get plugged in. And while I'm committed to ensuring that all important information is conveyed, we'll try to keep it as short as possible.

I encourage you, the parents and volunteers, to attend this meeting. It's essential that we remain on the same page! Please don't hesitate to email/call with questions or concerns.

October Calendar

Don't have an October calendar? Grab one here!

REMINDER! If you want to go to the RIT HOCKEY GAME on October 17th, you must sign up by this Sunday, September 28th. Tickets are limited! Don't forget your permission form and $9. Email John with any questions.

When We Meet...

Ridgeland Student Ministries meets twice a week:

accelerate Life Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00AM.
[ak-sel-uh-reyt] - unpacking the Scriptures and faith

Wednesday Night Live! meets on (you guessed it) Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00PM.
[lahyv] - hanging out with friends, having fun, and diggin' in to the Word of God

There are also special events each month, ranging from Paintball, Laser Tag, Lock-ins, Bowling, Concerts, and Service Projects to name a few. Ask John (jcleghorn@ridgelandchurch.org) for a calendar!

RCC Students & Parents!!!

RCC Student Ministries

Our Vision

Love God, Love Others, & Lead a Generation

Our Purpose

The RCC Student Ministry exists for five simple reasons: to REACH OUT to teenagers with the love of Christ, CONNECT them with other believers, help them GROW in their faith, EQUIP them for service, and UNLEASH them to lead the next generation to Christ.



The Purpose of this Blog:
- to keep students and parents up to date with student ministry events, news, and teachings
- to post random, funny, or insightful information
- post embarrassing pictures
- to increase the communication and unity of the student ministry's members and parents

This site will be updated as often as possible, hopefully a minimum of once a week, excluding weeks where John may be out of town or the youth are on a mission trip or week long event. You should check here for important information regarding the youth calendar and information on events as well as updates on current & future teaching series'. Feel free to post a response, to ask questions via email, or provide feedback!