PARENT NEWSLETTER

We have been trying to get a monthly parent newsletter together for quite some time.  Well, we finally did it!  Hopefully it will have been worth the wait for you and will be another way for you to stay in the loop.

Anyway, if you've ever asked us to add you to the subscription list, then your newsletter should be in your inbox.  If not, please just send us an e-mail by clicking the link in the sidebar to the right.  Shoot us a simple request and we'll not only add you to the list, but send you a copy of the latest newsletter to your inbox.

Spread the word.

FALL RETREAT IS A DON'T MISS EXPERIENCE

You definitely don't want to miss our fall girls and guys retreat. 

If you're looking to have 

• a great bonding experience
• deepen some friendships
• connect with God and study your Bible in a very real way
• spend the weekend way better than you could spend it at home

Then this retreat is for you!

The girls go to the beach front resort of the La Jolla Shores Hotel and spend 3 days and 2 nights bonding with the beauty of the ocean sunset as their backdrop.  $175 makes this world class experience yours. 

The guys go the desert rock front escape of the Ocotillo Wells area and spend 3 days and 2 nights bonding with the beauty of big fires and rockscapes as their backdrop.  $125 makes the chance of a lifetime possible. 

You can download the flyer with all the details here.
You can download a permission slip needed here. 

SMALL GROUPS HAVE KICKED OFF

Last night we had a great launch to some amazing small group experiences this year.

If you'd like to get in a small group and have not yet done so, you can email us at "encounter at journeycom dot org" or turn in a card on a Sunday in Encounter.  It's not too late.

SMALL GROUP SCHEDULE FOR THE FALL IS AS FOLLOWS:

SEPTEMBER

• 15 small groups 
• 22 small groups 
• 29 small groups

OCTOBER

• 6 Worship night 7-8:30pm Student Ctr. A
• 8-10 Fall Retreat 
• 13 small groups 
• 20 small groups 
• 27 small groups

NOVEMBER

• 3 Dodgeball: 7-9pm Student Ctr. A.
• 9   TUESDAY- CHANGE- ALL SMALL GROUPS GOING TO JOURNEY RALLY!
• 10 NO small groups 
• 17 small groups 
• 24 no small groups

DECEMBER

• 1 small groups 
• 8 no small groups
• 10 BLACK & WHITE BALL 
• 15 small groups

ALL GUYS SMALL GROUPS: meet in Student Center A on campus on Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm. We provide dinner and ask that you bring $4 per week to help cover the cost.

ALL GIRLS SMALL GROUPS: meet in various locations on and off campus close to church.  For exact times and locations, contact your small group leader or e-mail us.

Lick for Literacy

Wanna help some people learn to read, enjoy the gift of literacy, and change the world.  Good news, you can do that one lick at a time by visiting The Yogurt Mill on 8158 La Mesa Boulevard, in La Mesa on August 12-14 and you'll be helping raise funds for travelingstories.org

PARENT ORIENTATION 2010/11

Last weekend we had an info meeting about student ministries after second service.

In it, we discussed 5 main things for parents of middle school and high school students:

• Our philosophy of ministry and why we do what we do.
• Our weekend plans for teaching.
• Our small group structure and how to get you or your student involved.
• Our events that are planned for this year with estimated costs so your students can be fully involved and you can budget time and money for your family.
• Ways you can serve in our ministry.

In case you missed it, you can download the document we passed out and discussed with the above data in it here.  

Let us know if there's anything else we can do for you.

BEACH BONDING

BEACH BONDING THIS WED NIGHT! Bonfire. Volleyball. Frisbee. Bonding. BBQ burger dinner. Smores. 3-9pm. South Mission Beach.  

Come bond with us! hit up directions here if you're not sure how to find South Mission.

PARENT 2010/11 ORIENTATION MTG THIS SUNDAY!

Sunday, August 8 from 12:30-1:15 pm in Student Center A we are having a parent/student orientation for the 2010/11 calendar year for Encounter HSM and our Riptide Middle School programs.

Regardless of if you have an incoming freshmen in high school or a seasoned veteran of our programs, you're going to love this meeting.

Here's the info you can get to help your family as you plan out your school year budget of time, money, and energy.

• special event/retreat descriptions, dates and approx. costs for the coming year ways for you or your student to get involved in our programs.
• offer feedback and ask questions.
• get a better idea of what we do and why we do it.
• find out how small groups work and what weekends will look like this year.

Hope to see you there and that this info meeting is a valuable benefit to you. Please spread the word and tell your friends with students in our programs too.

PROJECT DOWNTOWN

Hey, if you love serving the poor and needy, then you're gonna love our 3 day experience called Project Downtown. We do it as an entire student ministry team of Middle School, High School, and College Age students from journey and take 35 of us total.

We leave on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 9am and return on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 8pm.

You can register and pay with a credit card online here or by check in Encounter on the weekends.

You can download the permission slip for journey here and the one for Horizon Urban Ministries that we will be partnering with here.

You can download the trip details brochure here.

SUMMER SERIES

Wow... we sure did forget to keep this thing updated. Sorry.

The next few weeks, we're just doing one service at 11am ONLY in our new series called, Summer Lovin'. Come on by and join us: July 18, 25, and August 1. We'll share the love. :)

FINISHING UP OUR TALK TO ME SERIES

This series has been GREAT! It's inspired conversations, helped us to think deeply, and changed each of us one convo at a time. So, come and enjoy the last half with us.

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 2, We interview college age students about faith and doubt. We all wrestle, come join us for the chat about the struggle.

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 9, We'll interview a very cool old guy named JOE! He's legit and you can learn a lot from a guy who has been there, done that, and got A LOT of t-shirts along the way.

FINAL SUNDAY FOR THE SERIES, MAY 16, will be interviewing some seniors. It's your chance for a live "formspring me" moment. Gonna be sweet!

SPRING BREAK BONDING... Just Cuz

Not going anywhere for spring break?  

Perfect.  Why don't you join us for some spring break JUST CUZ bonding

We have 6 opportunities for you.  Do one, do them all, do just a few... totally up to you.

Here's the scoop.  E-mail "encounter at journeycom.org" for sign up or just come by Encounter or the church office between this weekend and the next. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

• 12:30 to 3:30pm.  Student Servant Team lunch for those who serve in Encounter.  Free.

MONDAY, MARCH 29

• SEA WORLD.  
• First 40 people can go for $25.  
• Just bring $ for dinner/food in the park.
• Meet at Journey at noon.  Be back at 9:30pm after the fireworks.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30

• MEXICO MISSIONS DAY TRIP TO TECATE.
• $50.  Must have passport and permission slip packet.  Pick up packet at the office.  
• 8am to 9pm.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31

• BOWLING FOR ICE
• 4pm - 9pm.  
• Bowling in Viejas $7 for one game.  $3.50 for ea. additional game.
• Dinner at Food Court.
• $5 for an hour of Ice Skating at the Kroc center in La Mesa.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

• MOVIE NIGHT: how to train your dragon in 3D
• Meet at Parkway Plaza Mall Theatre at 6:40pm for 7pm show.
• $15 for 3D movie
• Come early and eat dinner in the food court with us.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2.

• HOPE FOR YOU AND THE HOMELESS.
• 3:30-9PM.
• Make PB/J sandwiches.
• Go to the 5pm Good Friday service at Journey.
• Go to downtown SD to pass our meals and talk with the homeless.

OGN 2010

Hey Parents,

If you're looking for a great week to train your student how to understand, own, and live out their faith in Jesus, then look no further than the life changing week we call "OGN".

It's all about bonding, having spiritual conversations, learning how to articulate their faith, worship, and so much more. If your son or daughter chooses to get involved with this week, they will come away with a deeper understanding of what the Bible teaches and a serious chance to wrestle with what that means for their life. We have nothing in our ministry program that will challenge and inspire them more than this week.

In early April, our website with exact details will be up and running at www.ognsd.com But, in the mean time, you can save the date and start saving some money for this week with your student.

JUNE 29-JULY 5 @ Pt. Loma Nazarene college.

$445.

Sign ups, applications, and brochures will officially be available on Easter Weekend, 2010.

CHECK OUT "TO SAVE A LIFE" WITH US

THIS WED, January 27, we don't have official "small groups", but we are meeting at Parkway Plaza Regal Cinema in the Parkway Mall in El Cajon at 4:45pm to catch a flick. Our movie starts at 5:05pm and we're going to see "to save a life".

Bring some money for the film and for dinner afterwards in the food court if you wanna hang out and eat and chat about the film with us. Film is 2 hours long.

Check out the trailer here:

See you there.

WE'RE GOING TO THE SNOW!

On Friday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 21 ENCOUNTER is headed to BIG BEAR!

• Wanna snowboard or learn how?
• Wanna ski or learn how?
• Wanna play and go tubing in the snow?
• Wanna just get away and enjoy this strange thing called cold weather?
• Wanna bond with friends and chat about life and faith and Jesus?

If so, then we have space for just 40 of us on our Encounter SNOW TRIP!

WHERE?: We're spending the nights at Pine Summit Christian Camp and then our days either at Snow Summit or around Big Bear.

HOW MUCH?: Base cost is $85 which covers: all your transportation, all but 2 of your meals, and all your lodging. You can then choose what you do from there.

DOWNLOAD THE REST OF THE INFO AND THE OTHER DETAILS HERE:

• Grab the full brochure with all the details.
• Grab the ridiculous amount of waivers and permission slips and such here.

DON'T MISS THIS PARENTING SEMINAR!

Ever wondered why some students chuck the faith of their younger years and some students STICK WITH IT to build their lives around it?

If so, then we have a great seminar that will help you as a parent wrestle with the most recent research, and hear from some tried and true parents on how you can help your student's FAITH STICK.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31ST FROM 2 TO 7:30PM at Journey.

• Hear how our ministries at Journey are structured to help a student's faith truly stick.
• Ask your questions from a panel of people in the parenting trenches with you.
• Key Note Teacher: Ed Noble: Teaching pastor at Journey, father of 3, and veteran youth pastor of over 20 years.
• Key Note Teacher: Kara Powell: Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, author, mother of 3, and youth ministry veteran of over 20 years.
• Learn GREAT PRINCIPLES that will apply to everyone parenting toddlers to teens
• Dinner provided.
• Childcare for birth to 5th grade is available with pre-paid registration.
• $15 for one adult.  $25 for a couple.

You can sign up by e-mailing "office at journeycom.org" or you can meet us at our booth outside of the main worship center doors any weekend between now and Jan 31st.

DON'T MISS THIS GREAT TRAINING!     INVITE A FRIEND!