Cedar Point

Hey guys. Here is important info about Cedar Point.

G.R.E.Y. (Youth Group) Trip to Cedar Point Oct. 27

The youth of St. Andrew’s and St. Mark’s will be going to Cedar Point ON Saturday Oct. 27. We will leave from St. Andrew’s at 5:30 AM sharp. We’ll spend the day in the park and then return at around 2 AM. To avoid pick-ups at 2 AM, we’ll sleep over at St. Andrew’s and then go to the Eucharist together. Students can get the early bird rate of $55 if they pay by Oct. 7. Others pay $75. This includes your ticket and transportation. (If you need a scholarship, let me know!) See Christian with questions. 458-4593

POVERTY

These last few weeks in youth group we hace been discussing the reality of poverty. Here are some web sites that will hopefully open your eyes to the reality of poverty.

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Poverty.asp

http://www.poverty.com/

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/0,,menuPK:336998~

http://action.one.org/declare/index.html?gclid=CN-vgL673Y4CFQdEFQodt1UpQA

Youth Group Photos

The Youth Group as a Whole.

The Middle School Girls With There VCR.

The High School Girls With There Winning Mountain Bike.


The Proud High School Boys.

The Middle School Boys With There Rad BMX Bike.

Our Fearless Youth Director Doing His Thing.

Youth Group Summary

Sunday September 16
This past Sunday we met as a large group in the middle school room and discussed a strong topic, poverty. We touched on some of the more dramatic statistics. The one statistic that stuck out to me is more than 3 billion people live on 2 dollars a day or less. It's discouraging to think that half the world lives on such a little amount. When most of us can find 2 dollars in change in the couch or by the dryer. But as always there is hope. Next week we will talk about what we can do to help the poor. The last Sunday of the month we will be helping out at St. Marks preparing and cleaning up for the breakfast. I believe if we take things one step at a time and understand poverty we will be able to make a difference for the better.
"...to reflect God's love to all creation..."

For all those who don't know me.

My name is Daniel Aubrey Flory. I was born and raised in Michigan. I attend Sparta Senior High School. My interest in the church has grown over my life time thanks to my parents and previous religious leaders. I'm a big fan of football and sports in general. I love to travel and see new things. I recently walked the bridge for the 50Th anniversary this labor day. My favorite sport to play is disc golf. For those of you who don't know what that is feel free to ask. I happen to have cut my thumb open well enough to get out of work that night and received 6 stitches Friday. Well if you have any more questions or anything of the like feel free to ask.

"...to reflect God's love to all creation..."

Daniel Flory

Our first youth group of the new school year.

Sunday September 9.
This past Sunday the youth group met to start off the new school year. I'll start off by saying this is, in my opinion, the funnest youth group to date. I was surprised by the number of new members to join the youth group. We started the evening off by a group discussion on the idea of seeing God in our every day lives. We proceeded to play a game called "Bigger or Better". The object of the game is to go around the neighborhood with a paper clip and you have to trade it for something bigger or better. We split up into four groups: middle school girls and boys and high school girls and boys. Each with their respective chaperons went out into the community to trade there paper clip. Each group came back to the church roughly 45 Min's later with there items in hand. The high school girls came back with a 21 speed mountain bike. The middle school boys rode in on there neon green and white bmx bike. The middle school girls strolled on back with a working VCR. But the high school boys not to be out done ran back cheering with there: 8' Mexican sign, old English long bow, assorted fire works, pine cone x-mas tree and a wreath wrapped in lights. How ever, do to some faulty judging, the high school boys were out done by the high school girls mountain bike. All in all this year promises a renewed faith in the lord and never ending memories.
"...to reflect God's love to all creation..."

Danel Flory

My (DanielFlory) Internship at St. Andrews

For the next 16 odd weeks I will be interning at St. Andrews Church. It's a requirement that I put in an average of 13.5 hours a week for my internship. So this means my responsibilities will vary greatly. Christian (our fearless youth director) has asked me to update and manage the GREY blog. I am excited to give this blog the extra swing it needs to get people interested in it. I have been given a few task so far by Father Mike. He has asked me to read in church and take acolyte classes. I will be updating my progress and activities as often as needed.
"...to reflect God's love in all creation..."

Daniel Flory
FloryDaniel@yahoo.com
cell: (616) 295-4421
home: (616) 887-8073

Aware of God's Presence

I haven't updated this blog in a LOOOONG time. Dan Flory will be doing it from now on.

It was great to see all of you at church on Sunday. I wonder if many of you have tried to be aware of God this week. Looking back, try to remember times when you felt God or times you felt God working in your life. If you can think of anything, post a comment and we can all learn from your experience.

I have been reading a book on St. Benedict. I have noticed God moving in my life when I calm down and quiet myself. I am aware of God when I listen and look and try to see what God is doing.

I had a great conversation with my friend Matt on Friday night. I believe God was with us and we talked about some things that we both noticed in one each others lives.

Blessings on you all and may you notice God more today than you did yesterday.

Peace,

Christian Baron

Last Call for the U.P.

Hey guys. I haven't update this Blog in a while. I wanted to send out some reminders about this summer. Sunday, June 17 is the last day to get the $85 rate for the U.P. trip. So, get your money in.

Also, we've been going to BW3's almost every Tuesday for wings. Part of the reason for going on Tuesday is because they have a special. There has been some mention of a different day being better for some. Are there any preferences? Let me know. Maybe we could add another outing every other week and have it be on a different day.

Also, Gretta is getting baptised on Saturday the 16th. I'd love it if some of you could come. Hope to see some of you there.

This is actually Paul

If you cant tell form the title, this is christian's login, but its actually me, Paul. This is mostly a test blog. Anyway, we had a pretty sad showing at the last buffalo wild wings thing, it was just christian and I. (and a friend from school that works there) We still managed to nearly kill ourselves, ordering that many "hot" wings. My mouth still hurts. Participate people! Seriously, im going to bug you all tonight at youth group about it.

Intorducing Paul- The New Blog Administrator

Hey guys. Paul is going to start to post each week to let you know what's going on. We can only hope that Paul will muse about movies, sports, American culture, and the Church. Thanks for being willing to do the work Paul.

Desperate Attempt to Get You Guys to Read this Blog

Hey guys. Here it is. The first person to comment on this post I'll take to see a movie. I get to pick the movie though and you should bring a friend (who has to pay for themselves). I still think it's a pretty good deal for you. Oh, and if you'd rather see a play at The Civic, I'll bring you a snack too.

Camp Henry

We have been lucky enough to secure a retreat date at Camp Henry in Newaygo. I've worked 5 summers in a Christian Camping environment and know how valuable these retreats can be for individuals and more importantly for a group of people trying to live in community (that's us).

The cost is $30 and includes 3 meals, lodging, and our group building activities. This is a good deal. If you are reading this, you are probably already signed up to go, so I'll see you on the retreat.

Betty Butterfield Visits an Episcopal Church

Tell me what you think guys. Is this what our churches are like? Any other comments? Oh, and does anybody know how to have a direct link to the Youtube?

Easter

Hey guys. remember that there is NO YOUTH GROUP on Easter!!! Enjoy the resurection of Christ and the personal resurections in each of your own lives and the lives of your friends and families. We'll see you the 15th.

Christian

Some Important Info

Hey guys (or maybe just Sam and Dan).

I had fun tonight at youth group. It was especially fun laughing with you all at dinner. Thanks Betsy for making dinner and Jodi for helping.

I also enjoyed listening to you guys speak about where you saw God this week. i think it is hard to focus and be aware of God's presence, but I think it gets easier the more you practice. So this week keep your senses tuned for seeing God work through His people and for Him to reveal himself in nature.

Next week we will grill out if it's nice. Show up on time so we can ride together to a park. I'm thinking about grilling some steaks or hamburgers or something. bring your Frisbees and other outdoor stuff. (It will probably snow now that we are hoping to picnic). If it is bad weather, we'll just grill at St. Andrew's.

Sunday after church, I'll be taking the girls out for lunch. Let me know if you can come. Otherwise, it will just be me and Betsy and Jodi and Mo.

I'm planning on raking Dell's dad's lawn on Tuesday April 3. We'll meet at St. Andrew's at 9:30 am and then go get the job done and bring in some mission trip coin. Bring your rakes and gloves if you have 'em. Your folks are welcome to come too. "The more the easier". He will be serving us lunch too.

Hope you all have a great week. I'll try to post later too.

Christian.

GREY

Hey Every and Anybody.

I have decided to start a Blog for the youth of Grand Rapids Episcopal Churches. Most of you either go to St. Andrew's or St. Mark's but we have a few others who are in other places. I'll try to update this every few days with new info or probing discussion. I hope that many of you will feel comfy enough to comment or suggest new topics to write about.

I had a meeting tonight where we decided to for sure go to Chicago for a mission trip. Group Work Camps will be our host and will assist us in our work. We are going to have to really get crackin' to raise enough money to go, but we have some things in place. The dates will be

July 29-August4. I will need to start figuring out who can go and rounding up deposits. Call me with any questions or e-mail me.