What We Did 2002 January Confirmation Sign-up January 9 The youth are starting out the new year as busy as ever. An informational meeting for the 2002 confirmation class was held on January the 9th. Parents and youth signed up to help and participate. If you know of someone who should be a part of the confirmation class and are at least in the seventh grade contact Kris Meckenstock, Youth Director, at 316-722-3805. Caravan Announced The wheels of Caravan 2002 are in motion. We will be headed West this year. Expect our first Caravan dinner to follow a "Western" theme. The First caravan retreat will be coming up in the next 60 days. Watch the youth calendar for more information. Thunder Hockey Saturday, January 26 Youth will be going to a Thunder Hockey Game Saturday, January 26th, meeting at the church by 6:00p.m. We will be staying for "Petra" a Christian rock group performing after the game. If you can drive for this five hour event please let Kris know. Caravan Dinner Sunday 27 The first of three. February Caravan Retreat Saturday 2 We went to start planning for this years Caravan. Super Bowel Parties Sunday 3 The Youth Had some awesome Super bowel parties. The Blacklock's hosted the middle school. Pancakes Wednesday 6 YES! These are the pancakes you love, Yea, they're pretty much HOMEMADE&ldots;FRESH Whooped up just special and served with a smile, AND someone else does the dishes.  Sound like a dream?  The youth ministries department is ready to make this a reality for you by providing a meal to make spatchula flippers everywhere proud!  Join us for our annual, world famous, pancake dinner, Wednesday, February 6 from 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m. in the Family Life Center. Youth will be selling tickets Sunday, February 3rd.   Everyone welcome! You do not need a ticket to eat, come and pay at the door, adults $4.00, under 12 $2.00. This West Heights tradition is a popular food and fellowship event to help get our Caravan crew going.  All proceeds go to help our youth with this year Worship Caravan. Youth Ski Trip 16-18 If you have heard rumors about a West Heights ski trip, it's for real. We will be traveling by bus leaving at 6:00 p.m. Friday night and returning Tuesday morning by 6:00 a.m. just in time for school/work after the holiday weekend. If you are interested in going contact Kris A.S.A.P. The "all inclusive" trip will cost under $300 per person.    Check us out!  The West heights youth invite any youth 12-18 years old to come and be a part of United Methodist Youth Fellowship. We just returned from a three day ski trip to Monarch Colorado and defiantly had a blast! We watched a slide show of all the action and posted seven pages of pictures to the youth web site; www.westheightsumc.org. March Confirmation Opening Retreat  The Retreat is at Wheat State Camp in Augusta. This will be a Friday night and Saturday event, March 1&2. March 3 - April 14, Confirmation classes will meet in the Youth Center, Sundays 9:00 -10:20. Confirmation schedule February 10 - Luncheon for confirmands, parents, and mentors.  March 1&2 - Confirmation opening retreat at Wheat State Camp in Augusta. This will be a Friday night and all day Saturday event. March 3 - April 14 - Confirmation classes, Sundays 9:00 -10:20. Classes will meet in the Youth Center. March 19-21 - Confirmation closing retreat at West Heights. This is a two night lock-in type event with mini trips, off site  Saturday and/or Sunday. March 28 - Confirmation Sunday! Parents, please provide a baby picture of your youth to use during this service before March 17th. This schedule will provide about 50 hours for the confirmands to come together and learn about each other, our church and our faith. You may review your schedule at the luncheon if you signed up to help. Remember&ldots;drive, donuts, food and stuff. Call Kris Meckenstock or Judy Castor at 316-722-3805 for info or comments. Mashing Success The youth will be holding their annual Potato Bar March 10, 11:30-1:00. Something Appealing to the Masses Sunday 10 The Band, True Doxology, From Enid Oklahoma will play. Youth from other area churches will produce this evening. We should expect a dance team, worship & praise team. We will provide our new sound equipment, stage, pizza and a maze challenge. April Caravan Sight Seeing Committee Wednesday 10 Caravan T-Shirt Committee Wednesday 17 Confirmation Closing Retreat Friday, April 19-21 Held at West Heights UMC. Confirmation Sunday will be April 28th. If you haven't provided us with a baby picture of your confirmand  please do so as soon as possible.       Summer Sign Up Fair Sunday, April 21 This will be a time for all youth to sign up for the numerous summer events West Heights UMC provides for the youth, grades 6-12. Watch the mail for a booklet coming soon. Worship Caravan Theme Dinner Sunday 21 We will be serving Southwestern style chow in the Family Life Center on April 21 as well. Come with a hearty cowboy appetite. Youth Caravan 2002 represents a significant extensions of our youth ministry outreach. Caravan is nearly all self-funding. This year we received 10% of the cost from the annual Youth budget. All funds raised from the dinners go to support the cost of Caravan to the youth and their families. May Saturday & Sunday, May 4-5, $30, Grades 6-12 Join us for a FULL day at World's of Fun amusement park in Kansas City.  Plan to leave Saturday, 6:00 a.m. and return Sunday afternoon.  Bring a set of "church" clothes for Sunday, all your sleeping gear and toiletries.  $30 includes ticket into park, lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.  Wanna bring a friend?  GREAT! Have them come to the Summer Sign-up Fair, April 21.  Adult sponsors get to go for free. Caravan Practices  Start Sunday 5 Senior Sunday  Sunday, May 19 Graduating Seniors and Families A breakfast to honor graduating seniors.  Junior parents prepare and serve. Caravan Parents Meeting Wednesday 22 The final details. June Caravan Caravan Retreat  Sunday, June 2 -Saturday, June 15 Caravan is a 10-day, 51-person, traveling worship experience, created and presented by youth.  This year we're headin' to San Diego, California. Cost is usually $150 per person. New this year, look for web site updates from the Caravaners during their trip! June 2 - Retreat (2pm-8pm) June 3 - Retreat (9am-4pm) June 4 - Retreat (1pm-8pm) June 5 - Retreat (9am-4pm), worship @ 7pm Day 1, Snapshot: See Palo Duro Canyon, Service Palo Duro Village Retirement Center, Stay First UMC, Canyon, TX, Showers YES! Mileage today 473, Hours on the Bus 7.5  Day 2, Snapshot: Sandia Peak Arial Tramway, Service & Stay Bethel UMC, Moriarty, NM, Dinner with their youth. Showers: Yes, Mileage today 310 Hours on the Bus 5 Day 3, Snapshot: No service today, Drive forever, Swim and BBQ, Stay Grace UMC, Mesa, AZ Showers: Swimming! (and a hose) Mileage today 523, Hours on the Bus 8.5 Day 4, Snapshot: Two Sunday morning services @ Grace, Stay and evening service First UMC, El Centro, CA, Showers: No, Mileage today 248, Hours on the Bus 4.5 Day 5, Snapshot: No service today, San Diego Zoo, Mission Beach, Shop and Eat @ Bazaar Del Mundo, Stay back @ First UMC, El Centro, CA, Showers: At Beach, Mileage today 244, Hours on the Bus 4.5 Day 6, Snapshot: Tubing, Service & Stay First UMC, Mesa, AZ, Showers: Yes, Mileage today 298, Hours on the Bus 5.5 Didn't happen. The bus's airconditioner went out. We spent the day at Wal-Mart and A UMC church in Yuma, AZ. Day 7, Snapshot: Slide Rock, Service Infinia Health Care, Stay Christ's Church, Flagstaff, AZ Showers: Yes, Camp Ground, Mileage today 171, Hours on the Bus 3.5 Slide Rock Was Closed due to Fires and Water contamination. We went tubing today instead. Day 8, Snapshot: Volcano, Service Old Town Park, Stay Asbury UMC, Albuquerque, NM, Dinner and praise band practice with their youth, Showers: No, Mileage today 368, Hours on the Bus 7.5 Day 9, Snapshot: Driving, Service & Stay Plains/Kismet UMC, Kismet, KS, Showers: No Mileage today 392, Hours on the Bus 7.5 Day 10, Snapshot: Driving home! Showers: Your home, Mileage today 195, Hours on the Bus 4 Vacation Bible School Monday, June 24 -Friday, June 28 Right after Caravan the Youth helped out with vacation bible school. eXtreme Youth Zelots (XYZ) Starts Wednesday Night Study June 19 This is the start of small group study, diving a little deeper into the Bible. We will explore a topic to be decided by the groups. So, think about just what has been bugging you.  Go Carts at All Star Sports Sunday, June 23 Interested in experiencing some racing? We will meet at the Church and travel to All Star Sports as a group. We will be able to enjoy the go carts, play some laser tag and video games, use the driving range, or just putt around on any of the mini-golf courses they offer. Plan to spend at least $20.00 July Camp Out Sunday, July 7 This is the first of many special summer events.  Finally, the summer camp out you have been waiting for on the Rogers Grounds. We'll sleep in tents and have a real LIVE bon-fire. We may even do a little midnight hide and seek complete with marshmallows on a graham cracker (Just not at the same time). Road Rally Sunday, July 14 That's right, it's the return of the ever popular mad dash to collect and flash! We will all jump in cars and head out to find the interesting things on the list and take pictures to prove we actually did some of the wacky options. Time: 7:00-9:00 P.M. Cost: Free! Heritage Middle School Camp-out Friday, July 19 - Saturday, July 20 Grades 6-8  Join us for tent camping, water skiing and hanging out with Mama Nature as we mix  outdoor fun with Confirmation experiences: "study" and exposure to Bible themes. Time: 7:00- P.M. till Noonish, cost: $10 Laser Quest Sunday, July 21 Join us for a great time playing TAG! It sounds so much better when you say LASER TAG! We will try to rent the whole place and chow on pizza while we are there. Hey, if Pastor John hears about this I'll bet he will come and be our target!  Time: 6:30-9:00 P.M. cost: $15 Eberly Farms Tuesday, July 23 - Friday, July 26 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Grades 9-12 Youth serve as counselors and teacher assistants as the children's department holds a daycamp. Rib Sale  Youth will prepare, cook and package charcoal cooked ribs Saturday, noon till 8:00 p.m. Then we will have them ready to sell Sunday morning. Proceeds will go to support general youth activities.  Jesse "move-over-KC-Masterpiece" Rogers and Griff "I taught Jesse", will provide Their master-chef-of-the-BBQ talents, as we serve $15 rib slabs. Enough to feed an army of four!   Date: Sunday 28, Time: Noon-8:00P.M. & Sunday morning Drive In Movies  Sunday, July 28 The youth take lawn chairs, trucks, and coolers to the Starlight Drive in and attempt to watch a movie. With any luck this will be $10.00 car load night. The usual cost is $6.00 per person. Time: 9:00 -11:30P.M. Cost: $6-10. We were rained out when a violent storm came in just as we were leaving. We stayed in the basement, popped corn, and watched a rented movie on the youth's new huge T.V. August Senior High Mission Trip Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 2 We will have space for 12 youth and adults traveling to Cookson Hills, Oklahoma. This is a conference trip so we will get to meet friends from around the area. We will repair homes for underprivileged families. We are hoping to keep the cost for this trip at $125.00 per person. Messy Games Sunday, August 11 Grosse out!  This is the return of the most disgusting collection of competitive games we can think of. It will be loaded with tons of fun and disbelief. If we are lucky, we'll all get hosed down in the end and eat some burgers in the park behind the church. New 6th grade class is invited. Mid Week Lock-in Wednesday, August 14 That's right! School hasn't started yet so let's meet at the church for a big Wednesday night study, then stay and play for the rest of the evening. Invite your friends; this should be fun for all. Service Rally Sunday, August 18 We explored our possibilities for service in the future. September Last Blast, Boat ,Sail & Surf  Saturday, September 7 We're going to the lake for one last blast of summer weather. We will wind surf, tube, and ski until dark. Come one, come all. Danger Zone-Extreme Christianity   Saturday, September 14 East Heights. Travel to the other side of town to explore our Christianity with another creative youth group. Hat's Dinner Sunday, September 15 Youth serve and clean up as a service for our church at a dinner honoring Ira "Hat" Hatfield. UMYF Sunday, 22 Seasonal Youth begins, back to the school routine Chat Room Wednesday 25 A new style of Youth for Wednesday night "Chat Room" features an open forum and opportunities for planning and feedback. Fall Fling Saturday, 28  A number of youth participated in this annual all church fund raiser. October Spaghetti Dinner Sunday 13 Right after church, the youth held a fundraiser. This was the first meal prepared by may of the new 6th grade parents at the church. They all did great! Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday, 26 The youth ran the snack bar at the fair, serving caramel apples, pop-corn, nachos, pop and suckers. This was a service event to help in an all church fund raiser. The Mummies Tomb Sunday, 27 UMYF spook house will from 6:00-8:00pm. This will be an all-church event! This is a youth fundraiser and will cost $5.00 for the works! For those more timid, we will offer a $2.00 "Explorers" tour. The event went great. We led tours through the Egyptian themed tomb to the delight of many&ldots; Yes! We scared a few as well. November  Chicken Noodle Dinner Friday-Sunday 8-10 The youth created the annual all from scratch meal Friday and Saturday evening. Then, served nearly 300 Sunday morning. Share and Care Dinner Sunday 17 The youth pitched in on another all church event.  December Cookies Cookies Cookies Just a reminder! The West Heights Youth will be holding their annual "Cookie Pick-up" December 8, in Gallery West, from 9:00 am till noon. Mix and match all you want for only $3.50 per dozen! Cookies that are really decorated in detail will cost extra. This is the youth winter community service project. All proceeds will go to help families in need this holiday season. Each youth is asked to bring 10 dozen hand made cookies to Gallery West Saturday, December 7, between 12 and 3 p.m. to begin filling orders. Living Nativity The West Heights United Methodist Youth will be having their annual "Living Nativity" December 13 and 14 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to drive through and see the journey to Bethlehem and the living nativity portrayed in full size and period costume. The 8 to 12 foot walls of the city are busy with vendors and live animals. Finish this wonderful reenactment by passing through the city arches to witness the complete manger scene. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Youth costume fitting will be Dec. 5 @ 5:00, meet in the basement. We will begin setting up the scaffolding and the set on Wednesday, December 11 after 4:00. We are asking anyone and everyone to come and help out with this large project.  The meaning of Christmas Sunday 15 Youth go shopping for our adopted families. We raised nearly $1400.00 and helped bring more joy to 4 families with a total of 21 adults and children presented with gifts and Dillons Certificates One Bethlehem Night Sunday 22 Many youth participated in a full theatrical production of the seasonal stories surrounding Christ's birth at the 9:15 service. That same evening, about 22 youth attended the all church caroling party. Whose Line is it Anyway? Lock-in Sunday 29 We went to the Youth at 5:30 and studied on a theme of Whose Life is it Anyway and then went right into the lock-in from 7:30-7:30. We played many of the popular T.V. show's games like "Props and Worlds Worst" We also did some of our own, What are you drawing anyway, Whose crazy picture is that, and sound effects.     The End