Burks Youth- December 2021

Welcome to the Burks Youth Newsletter! Your one-stop-shop for all things Burks Youth and the only place that we give you a prize just for reading! (Yes, the prizes are for YOU, not your youth! Because you are awesome, and you deserve some swag, too!) Just text or email the secret phrase to Casandra before January 1 to win a pair of cute and comfy Burks Youth logo socks!

'Tis the season ... for SERVICE!

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, there is so much going on around us, and not all of it is Merry and Bright. 

There are many among us who are financially poor, lacking basic physical needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Others are relationally poor, finding themselves far from home or without family. Some are emotionally exhausted after a tough year, and facing the holidays makes their burden even heavier.

Who around you is lacking? Who has a gap in their lives?

The lonely may need a friend. The disheartened may need encouragement. The poor may need provision. And YOU may have what they need. 

God is always doing something in our lives and in the lives of everyone around us. He intersects our paths with people at just the right time to benefit everyone. What happens in our lives is never just about us, so get out there and BE the light of Christ to others!

Peace and Joy to you and yours,

Casandra

The youth are so excited about Resurrection! Many have told me that they are going, but I have received very few "Save My Spot" forms, and even fewer deposits. The cost per student is $100, but we have had several members of the congregation offer to help with scholarships. This allows us to make this event a "pay what you can" event. Yay! That said, some sort of deposit is required to hold your spot. (This month's secret phrase is Ho Ho Ho) You can pay your deposit by cash or check to Casandra or Brena, or make a contribution to Burks Youth on the Burks website (please send me a screenshot so I know you've paid).

This year's Christmas Party will be your final chance to earn points for our Attendance Contest! Remember, you get one point for every time you come to youth, and an extra point for every guest you bring. The points are VERY close right now (just one point between first and second place and several more within 2 points). If you want to win an escape room experience for 4 or laser tag and pizza for 4 (your choice) gather your friends and come to YOUTH!

The winner of the attendance contest will be announced at the end of the Christmas party!

Wednesday classes and Open Youth are on pause for the holidays. Open Youth will resume January 7, and Wednesday Nights will resume on January 12.

This newsletter is pretty comprehensive, but there will still be a few things that are exclusive to Social Media, such as:

- Nightly Devotions on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

- Devotions and ICYMI videos on YouTube

- Fun stuff like games, puzzles, scripture videos, and polls on Snapchat and TikTok

I will try my best to cross-link all of this, but the best way to be sure you don't miss anything is to like/subscribe to @burksyouth on any social media platform you use. If your kid uses social media, have them subscribe, too! (I'm going to guess that they're on social media more than you are.) 

Here are the links*:

* for some reason, there's no button for TikTok, but the link is:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJv5ny11/

Website: burks.org/youth