On Thursday, March 15th (that’s over the March Break) we’ll meeting at the MCC Generations Thrift Shop (50 Bridgeport Road East in Waterloo). Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and come ready to serve. Heather Gallian will be leading us in our experience there… we can’t wait!

The following week, Thursday, March 22nd, we’ll be meeting at the MCC Head Office (50 Kent Avenue in Kitchener) to help out their Material Resources department. We’ll get a tour of the facility, get more information about MCC and what they are doing all around the world, and get to serve in a hands on way as we put together quilts and health kits for people who need them. If we have time, we’ll also walk as a group to the Tim Hortons down the street to debrief our experience. (So be sure to have some mocha money in your pocket!) PLEASE RSVP FOR THIS EVENT by March 15th by calling (519-741-1986 ext. 805), emailing or facebooking Gillian.

Both events will take place at our regular time of 6:30-8:30pm. We will not be serving a meal either week, so be sure to eat dinner before you come!

As well, between Feb 22nd and Mar 22nd we will be collecting items for the MCC Hygiene Kits. The number of items we collect will determine the number of kits we can put together! For more information about what you can donate, CLICK HERE.

DETAIL OVERVIEW:

Thursday, March 15th from 6:30-8:30pm

MCC Generations Thrift Shop (50 Bridgeport Road East in Waterloo)

Thursday, March 22nd from 6:30-8:30pm

MCC Head Office (50 Kent Avenue in Kitchener)

Bring some mocha money if you’d like something from Tim Hortons.

Please don’t forget to RSVP!

WE STILL NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP US GET STUDENTS HOME ON SUNDAY MORNING! PICK-UP TIME IS 11:30AM IN RICHMOND HILL. Please let us know ASAP if you will be able to drive. We will be more than happy to reimburse you for gas. Email gillianfenske@westheights.org or call 519-741-1986 ext. 805 if you can lend us a hand.

As well, please don’t forget that this Sunday, February 19th there will be NO REGULAR JR. HIGH PROGRAM since most of the leaders will be in Richmond Hill. Students are invited to join in on the Sunday service.

Those of you who are joining us for REVERB… see you at 6pm at Westheights on Friday evening! Everyone else… see you next week!!

Cost of $14.00 per person includes two hours of unlimited bowling, shoe rental and all taxes. There is a snack bar available for anyone interested, but be sure to bring extra cash if you would like to purchase something.

Please RSVP to Gillian Fenske by phone (519-741-1986 ext.805) or email before Monday, March 19th.

EVENT DETAILS:

What? 5-Pin Bowling for Junior High students

When? 6:30-8:30pm on Friday, March 23, 2012

Where? Victoria Bowl (280 Victoria St S, Kitchener, ON N2G 2C3)

How Much? $14 per person, plus any money for snacks from the snack bar if you’d like to buy something

DON’T FORGET to RSVP by Monday, March 19th if you would like to come!

For more information about the retreat, or to print off a registration form, CLICK HERE.

At this point, anyone can register but will be charged the late rate of $157 (including the Westheights transportation fee). Please do not let the cost play a factor in whether or not you come to the retreat… please talk to Tom or Gillian Fenske if the cost is an issue.

AS WELL… we’re looking for a handful of parents who would be willing to drive TO the retreat on Friday evening (we’ll be meeting at the church at 6pm) or FROM the retreat on Sunday morning (picking kids up at 11:30am in Richmond Hill). We would be more than happy to reimburse you for gas! Please call (519-741-1986 ext. 805), email or talk to Gillian if you are able to help us out.

Do not forget to bring:

• personal stuff
• any prescription medications
• Bible, pen and notebook
• gym clothes and bathing suit
• extra money for snacks (there is a convenience store and a Starbucks in the hotel foyer)

Please do not over pack (try to fit everything in a small duffel-bag or something of similar size). Note that iPods, cell phones, etc. are sometimes the target of theft or damage. Better to leave these at home.
It will be expected that all Junior Highs have eaten dinner before they arrive on Friday evening. Meals are provided from breakfast on Saturday morning through breakfast on Sunday.

Junior highs should be prepared to stick together in groups of two or more at all times and always let a leader know where they are. Boys will not be allowed on girls’ floors of the hotel and vice versa. They are not to leave the hotel at any time and must attend all sessions and mandatory activities. (Who would want to miss all of the fun, anyway??)

SEE YOU AT 6:00PM at Westheights Community Church on Friday, February 17th! Students will arrive home at around 12:30pm on Sunday, February 19th. We will arrange to have students call either from the road or the church once they have arrived.

These retreats are always an amazing opportunity to spend quality time together and for junior highs to send some quality time with God. We can’t wait for this exciting weekend!

To get you even more amped up, check out the highlight video from last year’s Jr. High Retreat below:

Check out the warning from Environment Canada below:

Our apologies to those who have already signed up to bring something to have with our meal. In deference to those who may have already prepared/purchased something for tonight (and would have to prepare/purchase something two weeks in a row…) the L’s M’s and N’s have the week off. Therefore, as scheduled, those with last names starting with the letters O-Z are up next week to bring something to have with PIZZA. Click here to be directed to next week’s sign-up form. Thanks!
…………………………………………………………………

Even though Sr. High isn’t happening tonight, LASER TAG is still going on THIS SATURDAY!

PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO RSVP by Facebooking or emailing Gillian! There is still space left… For more info CLICK HERE!

EVENT OVERVIEW:

When? Saturday, January 28th, 2012 – 7:30-9:30pm
Where? 1381 Victoria Street North in Kitchener
How much? $16 per person for 2 games of laser tag – pay Gillian when you arrive

SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP by emailing Gillian if you would like to come. Please do not RSVP unless you know FOR SURE you are coming!

This event is going to be LEGEN – wait for it – DARY! LEGENDARY!

RVB has been going strong since the fall of 2010… but it’s NO PROBLEM if you’ve never come before! We’ll assign you a team when you arrive and give you an opportunity to dress in your team’s colour (it’s amazing how some face paint and coloured streamers can totally transform a group of mild-mannered students. (Ha!)

Bring your friends… dress in your team’s colours (if you already know your team)… come ready to play! See you on the 21st!

EVENT DETAILS – A RECAP:

Jr. High Red vs Blue

Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 2:30-4:30pm

Westheights Community Church

FREE! Bring your friends!

*Please note that advertisements for this event have inadvertently listed two different times. Students are welcome to join us as early as 2:00pm on Saturday, but in deference to those who believed the event began at 2:30pm the games will not begin until that time. Come early to hang out, eat snacks and turn yourself red or blue!

It can be challenging to try to communicate how to follow someone as challenging as Jesus. Everywhere He went Jesus impacted people, sometimes without even speaking a word. This impact was not unlike reverb, the musical effect where an initial sound is repeated continually. When He called His disciples close, He trusted them with the awesome responsibility of spreading this way of life to every inch of the planet. Jesus is calling people to repeat His message of love through the very movement of their lives. With their boundless energy and optimism, we believe Jr. Highs can reverberate Jesus like few others can!

Jr. High Retreat 2012 runs from Feb. 17-19th, and once again the event is being hosted at the incredible Sheraton Parkway Toronto. That’s right Jr. Highs, you get to spend three days and two nights in a sweet hotel with your leaders and best friends. The hotel has two pools, a hot tub and a full hardcourt gym. There’ll be a scavenger hunt, indoor dodgeball tournament, as well as great workshops, sessions and time to just chill.

You can register today by downloading and printing off this form, have it signed by a parent or guardian and hand it in to Tom or Gillian. The early bird rate is $135 (plus a transportation fee of $12). You also preorder a sweet REVERB shirt for only $10. What a deal. The deadline for the early bird rate is Jan. 29th, 2012, so get them in ASAP for the best price.

Westheights Public School was selected because it met some specific criteria:

1. Proximity. While offsite, WPS is just a two minute drive away from the main church building at 82 Westheights Drive. Also it is located right on the same road as our main facility and so it is easy to find. Turn left out of the parking lot and you’re on your way. This will allow us to help direct people to the school easily and with minimal confusion for those dropping students off.
2. Size. By going with a school facility, we have access to a full gym. As a team we felt this was our best option as it not only solved our space issue but also gave us added high ceiling space. We can now play basketball, throw a football around and play tag – all inside and with little concern for lights and office equipment. It will also allow all our small groups to meet within the same room, improving communication.
3. Community impact. We’re passionate about engaging with our community at Westheights, and we’re excited that one of our programs is now located primarily in a community site. By having our Junior High group meet in a school where Junior Highs attend, we believe new students will be more comfortable investigating our group. It gives us as a church community another way to express the joy and love of Jesus in the spaces of our neighbourhood. How awesome is that?

We recognize that, as with every program change, there are both advantages and new challenges. Parents and guardians are going to have to include dropping Junior Highs off in their Sunday morning routine. For those who walk, some will find it closer while others will have farther to go. Communication between the Junior High team at Westheights Public School and the adult and children’s teams at Westheights Community Church will require a phone call rather than a face-to-face meeting now. Most of all, we’ll miss the feeling of being one big family at 82 Westheights. Our hope is to come up with creative solutions to these issues, and to treat this like an experiment. We’ll need to lean on each other for honest feedback, constructive ideas and grace in our interactions.

We have booked the gym at Westheights Public School from 10:00am until noon so students can be dropped off before the service. We’re also encouraging you to carpool with other families when it comes to dropping off and picking up your students. This will be especially helpful for those of you volunteering your time on Sunday mornings. We will be adding new leaders to our Sunday team, so that Gillian and I will be available to meet with new parents and students at 82 Westheights and explain the system to them. Maps and welcome cards will also be available for those who are new.

We’re excited about this new chapter in the history of Junior High ministry at Westheights. We can’t wait to see how God is going to use this new environment to speak new things to our students. With the space to run, to play and to be loud, I believe a gym is the perfect environment for them to learn and to explore God’s mission for them. Thank you for your continued support and work in helping Junior Highs to find and follow Jesus.

Peace and Merry Christmas!

We really encourage you to take part and have fun!! Wear funny PJs, go for wacky “bed-head”… There are sure to be prizes for those who are most committed to the theme!

About 50 kids made the trek through the parking lot to encourage our neighbours at Forest Heights Long Term Care Centre–where they ushered, led songs and prayers, read Scriptures, delivered short sermons, played instruments, danced, mimed, and shared their energy and love for music, worship and Jesus!…The residents were grateful to receive the crafts the SK-Grade 5 children had made, and the warm “hellos” that came with them as they were distributed…

Many thanks to those who spent hours preparing sermons, a faith story, and choreography, as well as those who practised piano accompaniment, rehearsed their parts on Sundays and at home, took photos and video, and visited with residents. Thanks also to leaders and parents who came to make snacks for, supervise and cheer on the kids, and to Jennifer King, who developed such a meaningful discussion/preparation time–helping the children understand those they would be ministering to…And finally, a very special thanks to our First Steps and On Your Mark! Preschool teams, and to Paul Slater and Suzanne Isaac, who all held the fort (and headed up the programs) back at the church…And to Shelly Green, who helped co-ordinate and instruct the children, Jr Highs and Sr Highs as they rehearsed.

In the end, it was our faith in the work God is already doing in us, in the residents and in the family and care centre staff that was most exciting…How inspiring to watch those who are often thought of as “too young” gather up their courage and enthusiasm to be a part of something bigger than themselves…We had focused on our dependence on God to do something we could not accomplish on our own, and on leading worship by worshipping–and so we trust that lives were changed by our visit.

The smiles on the faces of the residents, the many expressions of thanks, and the warm hugs we received said it all. Thanks, Westheights, for supporting this highlight in our year!

Dismissal times are as per usual: 11:30ish for the Jr Highs, and 11:45 for SK-Grade 5 students. Thanks so much for your continual support through the fall as we rehearsed our parts for this service, and join us as we invite the work of God in us and in the residents as we love and serve our neighbours. In case you missed the Permission Forms and Final Instructions for the day, you can download them HERE.

NOTE TO JR. HIGH PARENTS: There will be no alternative Jr. High Program on this day. Instead, any Jr. Highs not attending FHLTCC are invited to join the adult service at Westheights.

If you suspect your student or child is fighting a virus, please advise him/her not to attend the service at FHLTCC. We recognize the sacrifice this may entail, especially given the rehearsal time some of them have put in recently! However, for the well-being of the residents it is crucial that we do not knowingly bring illness into the centre.

The BIC YouthBuilder team will be in attendance so this is sure to be an EXTRA special night!

What? Sr. High Christmas Party 2011

Where? Westheights Community Church

When? Thursday, December 15th 2011 from 6:00-9:30pm

What to bring? Sign up to bring a side or dessert to have with our turkey and bring a wrapped gift for our gift exchange (costing no more than $5).

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

(Clockwise from top: Dillon Sider, Liam Flagg, Laura Erler and Nikki Grant)

Tom and I have had the privilege of working with this team since they began life together last June, and have had a blast. Westheights is their “home church” while they are on the team, so you may have seen them on a Sunday morning or two over the past several months.

Nikki wrote the following as a note to Westheights: “Please be praying for us as we continue to work with different youth groups and leaders. You can support us is by sending us encouraging emails, praying for us, and by donating to our scholarship fund. We have enjoyed being involved in your church through-out the summer and cannot wait to spend a week with you before Christmas!”

If you would like more information about the YouthBuilder program, you can visit their website here.

EVENT RECAP DETAILS:

What? A games night with the YouthBuilder team

When? Tuesday, December 13th from 7:00-9:00pm

Where? Westheights Community Church

Who? All Junior and Senior High students

Cost? FREE!

Hope to see you there!

What? Jr. High Christmas Party 2011!

Where? Westheights Community Church

When? Saturday, December 17th 2011 from 6:00-8:30pm

What to bring? A snack to share, a wrapped gift for our gift exchange (costing no more than $5) and your Ugly Christmas Sweater!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

p.s. Did you notice that she is holding a goat??

Just $15 each; order 3 or more and pay only $13 each. Your pre-orders helps us to determine the quantity of books to make, so please order ahead. Your purchase of the Westheights Cookbook helps send Sr. Highs to YouthQuest.

Cookbooks will be arriving mid-December.

Copy and paste the form below into an email and send it off to Gillian Fenske at gillianfenske@westheights.org (or pick up and fill out a form on a Sunday morning).

COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING:

Your Name:

Your Email/Phone:

# of Cookbooks Ordered:

Total ($15 each; $13 each for 3 or more):  $

Tom spent the summer of 2003 living at the retreat centre as he trained to be on the YouthBuilder team. In the summer of 2008 (just following our first year of marriage), Tom and I ran a program called The Awakening (exploring what it means to live out Jesus’ call to simple living and peacemaking) out of the retreat centre. Once again, this past summer, we Fenskes spent most of our time in Clarksburg working with the current group of YouthBuilders as they prepared for their tour. This building truly is a home away from home for us!

That’s why we are so excited to share the space with the Sr. High students we care so deeply about. The building is beautiful, the surrounding area is beautiful… it’s an amazing place to be. The facility has open fields (perfect for silly big group games), leaf-covered trails (ideal for a reflective, prayerful walk) and a big fire-pit (just waiting for a group of people to gather around it, singing songs and talking).

For more information about the Sr. High [re]treat, and to download a printable form, click here.

For more information about the Clarksburg Retreat centre, click here.

Please do not forget that, because of the retreat, there is no Sr. High this Thursday, November 17th. If you are not joining us this weekend, we’ll see you on Thursday, November 24th for fajitas!

We will meet at Bingemans (425 Bingemans Centre Drive in Kitchener) in the foyer of the FunworX building (by the registration desk) at 6:30pm and the pick-up time will be 9:00pm (when Bingemans closes, so please don’t be late!)

Cost for the event will be $14 per person which will get you UNLIMITED use of both the rock climbing walls and high ropes course for the evening!  Be sure to bring extra money for snacks (ice cream bars, for example, are available for purchase at the snack bar) and for arcade tokens if you would like to spend some time playing games. Be sure to invite your friends!!

PLEASE RSVP TO GILLIAN FENSKE by email or at 519-741-1986 ext. 805 by MONDAY NOVEMBER 21st!

We usually like to keep events at around $10 per person, but we think this will be worth the extra expense.  As well, all other events this year have been free.  We think it all balances out!

Please be sure to wear socks and good shoes for climbing!  No flip flops allowed!

For more information and pictures of what we’ll be doing check out the Bingemans FunworX website.

DETAIL OVERVIEW:

Jr. Highs at Bingemans – YOU MUST RSVP BY MONDAY NOVEMBER 21st!

Saturday, November 26th from 6:30-9:00pm

Cost is $14 (plus money for snacks and arcade tokens if desired)

Please wear socks and good shoes for climbing

We really need everyone to step up and put their name down for ONE THURSDAY PER MONTH. We have several people who have been bringing something multiple weeks already, and we don’t want to take advantage of their kindness. As well, we want these meals to be a communally run thing… by bringing a side or dessert, you are taking part in our community and serving one another. Whatever you bring doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive… it doesn’t have to be something you made yourself.

In order to sign up, visit PerfectPotluck.com. Sign-up forms are currently posted there through the end of December. To view them and to sign up, search for Coordinator Last Name ‘Fenske’ and Password ‘WSM’.

As well, we are looking for parents who are willing to come early on Thursday nights to help with dishes. Coming at around 8:00pm to get things started would be a tremendous help, and allow the leaders who usually wash dishes to spend that extra time with the students.

Senior High Thursday nights take place from 6:30-8:30pm at Westheights. We hope to see you (and your appetite!) there.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
(Acts 2: 42-47)

Where & When?
The WSM Sr. High Retreat will take place from Friday, November 18th to Sunday, November 20th, 2011 at The Retreat in Clarksburg, ON.  The registration fee includes accommodation, travel costs, all meals through brunch on Sunday and all program expenses.  We will meet at the church at 6:30pm on Friday evening and it will be assumed that all students have already eaten dinner.  We will return to the church on Sunday afternoon.
What to Bring?
Personal stuff, pillow and sleeping bag, Bible, pen & notebook, good shoes/clothes for hiking and playing outdoor games.
What to Expect?
We’re aiming to have a fun and relaxing weekend away – taking some time away from the distractions of everyday life to be together and be with God.

For more details, check out the printable registration form for the [re]treat here:  srRETREATform2011

EDIT//: Please do not forget that there will be no Thursday night Sr. High before the retreat (Thursday, November 17th).

We count this as a unique and rare opportunity – a demonstration that neither age nor ‘disability’ bars us as Christ-followers from being co-worshippers, as well as worship leaders, teachers, pastors, and encouragers, as we use our gifts to inspire each other and give glory to God.

The children and students plan to serve this community of seniors (and others who are in need of long term care) as they:

• bless and encourage the residents
• read scripture
• inspire worship moments
• lead in worship
• tell Bible stories or share stories of faith
• teach and/or share mini-sermons

Those who are comfortable may also have a chance to talk with or pray with residents – and we fully expect that many residents, as fellow-believers, will pray for, encourage and bless us in return!

If you have a child who is in SK through Grade 12 who is able to attend the service at Forest Heights on Sunday, December 4 from 10:20 to 11:15am, please fill out the form attached to this post (or pick one up on a Sunday morning). On the day of, we will meet at 9:30am in FK Central (the big room in the church basement) to rehearse the order of the service before we walk to the centre. Parents of children SK-Grade 5 may pick up their children at the usual dismissal time of 11:45am.

Please note: Children can participate without having to attend any extra rehearsals. No need to bring anything but their enthusiasm!

Please return permission forms as soon as possible, and be sure to check off the area in which your child would like to be involved (scripture reading, a worship moment, story-telling, etc.).

Involvement in certain parts of the service may involve rehearsal at home, and/or extra re- hearsals, which will take place on Sundays at noon in late October and November. Stay tuned for a schedule of who’s rehearsing, and when…!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Charlene Neuman or Gillian Fenske.
Many thanks for your support. Praise Emmanuel…God with us!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE PERMISSION FORM:  SignUp_for_FHLTCC_2011

We need:

• a TON of people to join Food Collection Teams
• 3-4 drivers (with vehicles) to collect food from the Food Collection Teams
• a handful of food receivers who will hang out at the church, helping to unload cars and box up donated food
• a handful of people who would be willing to make treats for the hungry volunteers

Once again, volunteers of all ages are needed for this fun and community-centred event!  Sign up as a family, with some friends or on your own! After the food collection, come on back to the church for hot apple cider and treats.

We are also looking to borrow wagons from families in the church for the Food Collection Teams to use.  And don’t forget to bring in some non-perishable food yourself!

Put it on your calendar today: Halloween for Hunger will take place on Monday, October 31, 2011 starting at 6:00pm.

Please contact Gillian Fenske if you are able to help out or sign-up in the church foyer!

Each competition was neck and neck, but the Blue Team ended up winning each one by the skin of their teeth! The Red Team captain and a brave team member each took 6 “pies” in the face for losing a round… what amazing team players!

The next Red vs. Blue will take place on Saturday, January 21st, 2012. We hope to see you and your friends there!

If so, please contact Tom Fenske at youth@westheights.org or 519-741-1986 ext. 804. Thanks!

Copies will be available for order in late October.

To submit your recipes, please email Gillian Fenske or pick up a ‘recipe card’ on a Sunday morning and place it in Gillian’s mail-file. We would like these recipes to be as personal as possible to make this cookbook a real church-family keepsake. Please include your name, all necessary ingredients, instructions, cooking time and a short personal thought about the recipe (i.e. why did you pick this recipe to share?).

Here are the categories we would like to include:

• Appetizers, Beverages and Dips
• Soups and Salads
• Breads and Rolls
• Vegetables and Side Dishes
• Main Dishes and Meats
• Desserts
• Cookies and Candy
• Miscellaneous

Feel free to submit more than one recipe from more than one category!

Any profit will help to send Westehights’ Sr. High students to YouthQuest in December of 2012. For more information about YouthQuest (a biennial conference and “family reunion” for young people in our denomination, the Brethren in Christ, from all across North America) click here. Next year YQ will take place in Baltimore, MD.

Last year the RED TEAM came out on top… but will they be able to dominate this year?? It was a CLOSE call last time around… I think the Blue Team has what it takes, but the Red Team won’t give them an easy time of it!

We’ll have various kinds of games and competitions throughout the afternoon – whichever team has the most points after all of the challenges are complete wins. If you already know your team’s colour, come dressed in a way that represents your team. If not, don’t worry! We can get you gussied up in team garb when you arrive.

We hope you’ll join us for this year’s FIRST Red vs. Blue! Saturday, September 24th from 2:00-4:30pm at Westheights Community Church (82 Westheights Drive in Kitchener).

Here’s a taste of what we’ll be doing:
- A overview of this year’s event
- An update on the vision and mission of WSM
- Meet your youth leaders
- Q & Eh? Time
- SNACKS!

We’d love to see you out, whether this your student’s last year or first! This meeting is for all parents, guardians, well-wishers or mentors for students in both Jr. High and Sr. High. Hope to see you there!

_____

We all know that keeping up with what’s going on can be a challenge with everything on your plate. That’s why we plan out the whole year in advance. The 2011-2012 WSM Calendar is up and ready for your viewing. Just go to calendar.westheights.org and look at the WSM Jr. High and WSM Sr. High calendars.

Did you know if you use Google Calendar, you can subscribe to our calendar feeds? That way if we need to update or change details, it will be changed for you automatically! Not using Google Calendar? Sign up today, it’s free! Just go to calendar.google.com and in the bottom right-hand corner, click on “Get an account”. It’s that easy!

This cookbook will be sold as a fundraiser for YouthQuest, a biennial conference and “family reunion” for young people in our denomination, the Brethren in Christ, from all across North America. YouthQuest has been a truly formative event in the lives of many of our students (and some others at Westheights who may not exactly be students any longer!) and provides a unique opportunity to connect as a group of students and leaders. The next YQ will take place December 2012 in Baltimore, MD.

If you have any questions as you dream about delicious recipes to share, please contact Gillian Fenske.

The point of this event is to find something FUNNY to wear. (For those of you who were there last year… remember Quinn in his gorgeous ladies pantsuit??) Last year we went a more formal route… but what fun is that?? We could have called this “80s Prom” but we don’t want to limit it to the 1980s. Be creative!

Suggestions for finding something to wear:

* Raid the closet of someone you know. Was your aunt a bridesmaid in 1982? Bingo!

* Check out your local thrift shop. I hear MCC’s Waterloo Generations is a great one!! Why not buy an awesome outfit and do some good at the same time?

* This time, it’s FINE to wear something you have worn before… but it better be awesome/funny! Or wear something you have worn before, but add some crazy accessories.

* Guys, think crazy wigs, stick-on facial hair, bow ties, big glasses, bright colours… that kind of thing!

* Girls, think puffy sleeves, poofy dresses, teased hair, too much eyeshadow, crazy jewelery… ohmygosh! Clip-on earrings!

We really (REALLY REALLY REALLY) want to encourage you to be creative and have fun with this! How great would it be if we came out of this with an epic group picture of everyone looking awesomely funny?

It will be a night to remember!!

(Photo from Napoleon Dynamite)

EVENT DETAILS

When? Friday, June 17th, 2011 from 7-10pm

Where? Westheights Community Church

Cost? $5 per person

More inspiration:

Red vs. Blue is a team-based competition to determine which colour reigns supreme. You will face challenges of strength, agility, the mind…. and your stomach. Not sure which team you are on? Don’t worry – we’ll work it out once everyone arrives! You do not have to have attended a previous Red VS. Blue to participate.

…EVENT INFO…

WHO? Anyone in Junior High… invite your friends!

WHEN? Friday, June 24, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm

WHERE? Westheights Community Church

WHAT TO BRING? Yourselves in clothes that could potentially get dirty. This event is FREE!

This is our LAST EVENT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR and we hope to see you there!!

We ask that you keep Pitch and Praise in your prayers this May long weekend. Please pray that the students are safe, while both traveling and camping. Pray that everyone has a great time. Pray that our group connects deeply. Pray that students are impacted by the message before them and their relationships with leaders and other students. Pray that Jesus speaks to them in new and exciting ways. Pray that the experience goes beyond a weekend high and moves them to action in their daily lives.

For more info about this event visit pitchandpraise.com. For specific Westheights’ info, click here to be directed to the earlier Pitch post.

Still can’t picture it? Check out last year’s highlight video!

Pitch 2010 Overview from Gavin Wark on Vimeo.

Check ‘em out on their Facebook page here or on Myspace.

The guys have decided to go to a Blue Jays game in Toronto! If you are interested, let Tom know ASAP so he can buy you a ticket. If you do not let him know that you would like to come by midnight on Tuesday, May 3 you will not be able to! The cost is only $15 per person, but bring extra cash if you want ballpark food. If Tom has gotten you a ticket, meet at Westheights at 5:00pm on Friday (Tom and Shane will be driving to and from Toronto) and expect to return back to the church as late as midnight that night. If you have any questions, contact Tom Fenske at 519-741-1986 ext. 804.

The Pitch & Praise website describes it this way:

“Pitch & Praise is a camping retreat for high school students that draws nearly 2,000 people to Braeside Camp in Paris, Ontario, on the long weekend in May. There’s something for everyone at Pitch. The weekend includes sports tournaments, concerts, games rooms, skateboarding, movies, optional seminars, swimming, talent shows, comedy acts, an open-mic stage, teaching sessions, small group interaction and more. About a dozen denominations are represented at this event which has been running now, for 36 years. Come and join us!”

We are looking for parents who would be willing to drive students to Paris, ON and back. If you can help out, please contact Tom or Gillian Fenske at 519-741-1986 ext. 805 or youth@westheights.org. As well, we would LOVE to borrow a tent-trailer for the event! If you have any leads on someone who might be willing to lend us a warm place to sleep for the weekend, please don’t hesitate to contact us!!

Be sure to get your Pitch forms in, Sr. Highs! They can be downloaded from pitchandpraise.com (click on ‘Individual Registration Form’ in the left sidebar). As well, be sure to print off a Skate Park Waiver Form if you are interested in using the skate park. Don’t forget that you can invite your friends!

This is an amazing event… we hope you’ll join us as we explore how Jesus calls us to “RE view our outlook on the world, our engagement with it, and especially, our engagement with Him.”

REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS COMING TO PITCH:

We’re planning to play ball hockey on Saturday afternoon and volleyball on Sunday afternoon, just like last year! Don’t forget to bring gear (including sneakers and hockey sticks!) so you’re ready to play, or get ready to cheer like crazy from the sidelines. Goooooo Westheights!

We will be leaving for Braeside from Westheights at 5:30pm on Friday, May 20 and will be returning home at around 1:30pm on Monday, May 23rd. Students should have eaten dinner before meeting at the church on Friday. Please remember to bring extra money if you would like snacks from the concession stand or if you want to go swimming. Please remember to bring WARM and WATERPROOF clothing in case in gets cold/rainy and a good sleeping bag so you stay toasty overnight. Don’t forget toiletries, a towel, your Bible and Dutch Blitz. (Please… someone bring Dutch Blitz!!) Please do not bring anything that will make you cry if lost or stolen or anything you agreed not to bring in the Student Cooperation Agreement (drugs, weapons, fireworks) …obviously!

We also ask that cell phone and gadget use is kept to a minimum during the weekend. More things to remember:

• Be respectful of other people at all times. That means not being too noisy late at night, being careful with camp/camper property… generally just be sure to show love in all cases!

• No girls in guys’ tents – no guys in girls’ tents. We’re going to make this a general rule for the sake of privacy (if someone wants to have a nap/go to bed early, get changed, or whatever).

• All General Sessions are mandatory. Nothing else is mandatory… but General Sessions are a MUST.

• Do not leave the camp property. If you must go, you need to get permission from Tom or Gillian.

We’d love prayer for this amazing weekend – that it would be impactful, fun and safe for everyone in attendance!

We will be planning to use the outdoor gold courses at Max’s so please dress appropriately. If the weather is bad, however, we plan to move to their new mini putt course under the dome. Cost for the event is $5.50 per person. Be sure to bring some extra money for snacks from the snack bar if you are interested. We will be meeting at Max’s at 1:00pm and will play and hang out until 2:30pm.

Please RSVP to Tom and Gillian at 519-741-1986 ext. 805 or youth@westheights.org. Feel free to bring your friends!

INFO AT-A-GLANCE:

Who? WSM Jr. Highs and their friends

Where? Max’s Golf Centre (800 King Street North, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8)

When? Saturday, May 7th from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

How much? $5.50 per person (plus any money for snacks)

We will be meeting at Forest Heights instead of the church. Look for the WSM Junior High Leader with balloons at the front door of the school. Parents can drop students off at Forest Heights just before the Westheights service starts at 10:30am and pick them up immediately following the conclusion of the service. We need to be out of the building at noon so please be prompt!

For directions to Forest Heights Collegiate Institute see below.

View Larger Map

INFO RECAP

What? The WSM Junior High Amazing Race

When? Friday, April 8, 2011 from 2:00pm-4:30pm

Who? WSM Junior Highs and their Friends

How Much? Free!

Hope to see you there!

Together we have set out to raise $1000 for World Vision. The money we collect will help provide food and nutrition, clean water, an education and protection for children who would otherwise be ignored.

CLICK HERE to visit our group’s page and to sponsor a student as they go hungry so others don’t have to! (Or be sure to approach a student on a Sunday morning.)

As well – please consider buying a Living Red t-shirt for $15! The shirts are made under ethical conditions and all profits will go towards our fundraising effort.

Senior Highs: visit famine.ca for more information and to register a ‘My Famine’ account and start raising money! (Our group is registered as “Westheights Student Ministries”.) Pick up a standard collection sheet from Gillian as well.

As well, Senior Highs, you are invited to join us at 7:00pm on Friday, April 1 and stay overnight through Saturday, April 2 at 8:00pm.  We will have all kinds of activities going on at the church to keep you busy and (hopefully) therefore not thinking about your stomach! Please remember to bring a pillow and sleeping bag, games to play, movie to watch and any toiletries you’ll need for an overnight stay. WE ARE PLANNING TO SLEEP since we have it on good authority that you don’t eat anyway while you’re asleep. Go figure! We will be eating a small meal together at 7:00pm on Saturday.

If you have any questions, please contact Gillian Fenske at gillianfenske@westheights.org or 519-741-1986 ext. 805.