Discovery 2010

Middle School Weekend l August 13-15

Discover God’s Love Though The Church

Discovery weekend is a three day event designed specifically for middle school students. Throughout the weekend these students will be experiencing fun filled games, discussions, and powerful worship services. This event is not just for students here at VHUMC, but is open to any student who wants to be a part of the weekend. We encourage students to bring a friend with them. During Discovery every middle school student will spend the night here at VHUMC both nights and get to spend time with their friends as well as have opportunities to make new friends. Current 5th grade students are invited to be a part of the weekend, as they will be in 6th grade when the event takes place. This is a fantastic opportunity for many of them to start meeting other classmates and form relationships with students already in middle school.

This is unique experience because the middle school students are led by the high school students throughout the event. High School students will spend hours preparing to lead the weekend event. On Sunday evenings throughout the summer they will be practicing skits, working on small group material, and learning servant leadership.

Another amazing part about this event is that we hope to involve the entire church in the weekend as we make an impact in these students lives. We need adults to volunteer in a variety of areas to make this event meaningful. There are plenty of opportunities to be a part of this event. Whether it be helping to serve food, mentor students in discussion groups, bring some snacks, lead a night group, pray for the weekend, set up chairs, or one of many other choices. These opportunities don’t have to be done alone either. We hope that groups, organizations, and Sunday School classes within the church will also volunteer together to find ways to serve these students during this weekend.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to be a part of this life-changing event. Middle School students can get a registration form from one of the posters around the church or register online on the church web site. High School students be sure to pick up your form on the youth floor. To volunteer or for more information contact Timmy Collins (tcollins@vhumc.org) or Robin Blakemore (rblakemore@vhumc.org).

If you have already registered your student here is some

important information about the weekend:

Students need to arrive at 6:45pm on Friday. Please no earlier.

Pick-up will be at 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon.

This will also be held at the Lighthouse. Students will have everything packed up

Sunday morning so you will be able to pick up their stuff before the students finish.

Students will need letters from family members/friends.

On the last day of the weekend students will have the opportunity to open letters from

family andfriends. We highly encourageparents to try and collect about a dozen or so

letters for each child. We need as many of the letters turned in by Thursday (12th) as possible.

These do not have to be lengthy, but we hope that each student will have a handful

of letters that are from influential people in their lives. Also we ask that you keep this part a

secret from each student.We want to surprise them on Sunday with these amazing gifts.

Letters can be turned in at the main church office or to Timmy or Robin on the youth floor.

A Prayer Service will be held for your student(s) on Saturday.

This service is on Saturday night (August 14^th)at 6:30 PM in the main sanctuary. It is a

special time of praying for all the students. Each family will light a candle for their child

and have a time of silent prayer as well. It is a very meaningful service for each child,

and IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT YOU BE THERE. If you cannot be there, please ask

someone else in the family or a close family friend to be there for your child. We know this

is a very meaningful experience and you will want to talk and hug your child. But we

do ask when the service is over please exit the church immediately. This will help us to stay

on schedule so they can get in bed at a decent time! This also is a piece of the weekend

that needsto stay a secret because of how powerful it can be when students are surprised.

Packing List

Bible

Pillow

Air Mattress / Cot / Bed Roll

Shower and Toiletry Essentials

Comfortable Clothes

DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONICS!

No cell phones, No computers, No PSP, No iPods, No Zunes, No Nintendo DS

Students will not have and opportunity to use any of these devices and will only

detract from the weekend.We ask that these items stay at home where

they are not going to be a distraction or become lost.