What's on God's iPod?

That's the question we'll be asking Sunday night at youth group. Hint: God is possibly not a big fan of so-called "Christian" music but does like Queen, Beyonce, and Green Day. See you in the social hall at Ashton at 6:30PM.

Peace,
Pastor Michael

Help with Kid's Halloween Party This Saturday

This Saturday, there's a children's (preschool-5th grade) Halloween party here at AUMC. It's in the social hall (where we eat dinner for youth group) from 6:30-8:30.

Here's what our youth group will be doing for the party:

- Taking pictures of children in their costumes with a Polaroid camera and helping the kids put the picture behind a construction paper frame. This requires 3-4 people. Two to manage the picture taking/developing and one or two to help kids put the picture in the frame.

- Running a cupcake walk. Kids walk around a taped oval of numbers on the floor while music plays. When the music stops, the child on a certain number is awarded a cupcake. This requires 2 or 3 people. One person to press play and pause on the CD player and call the number and one or two people to hand out cupcakes and manage the oval walking - amazing how hard kids find it to walk in an oval :)

All the materials will be provided. I'll be at the social hall at 6PM Saturday to set up our stations. I'll stay after the party's over to tear down our stations and clean up. If you can help with setup, running a station or cleanup, please let me know.
This is an especially great opportunity for those of you who served inner-city kids in Philly this summer to spend some time serving kids. Working this event qualifies for SSL hours, and I'll bring forms Saturday for those of you who work.

So, email me at youth AT ashtonchurch DOT org if you can help.

Peace,
Michael

Pumpkin Patch Madness This Friday

You're off school this Friday. Sleep in, and then come over to the church and help staff the Pumpkin Patch. We're working from 1PM-7PM. You can work as much or as little as you're able. In addition to the actual sale of pumpkins, there are a plethora, nay a cornucopia of other activities for children you can lead, like:

Corn pool – children find the hidden item in the corn and receive one wrapped candy.

Crafts – there are a variety of items to make by gluing, etc. Help the children as needed to pick and decorate their item.

Straw maze – children can wander through the maze at any time.

Bean bag toss – children can play this game as they wish

Face painting – Feel free to be the painter if you would like. The supplies are in the tub.

And there's lots of non-pumpkin stuff to sell: cookies, bears, brooms, wreaths, cookbooks, craft items

Last year we had a great time hanging out, and we sold a HUGE amount of pumpkins. And this year, the tent will NOT blow over.

I'll have some roasted pumpkin seeds and spiced cider for snacking.

If you can help, please email me at youth AT ashtonchurch DOT org, and tell me what time you'll be there, so I know to expect you.

See you Friday!

Peace,
Pastor Michael

Stapler Of Destiny

Last night at youth group, we watched this video, which I shot Saturday night in Fells Point. Connecting with our look at Colossians 1:16, which says in part, "All things were created by him [Jesus] and for him" the Stapler of Destiny is a reminder that although our world ceaselessly tells us that we exist to grow up, finish school, get a job, have a family (or not), make a bunch of money and use it to buy as many cars, as big a house and as much other stuff as we can, and keep at that until we die, that is NOT our destiny. Rather, we each are alive because God desired our birth, and we exist for his pleasure, not to be someone's marketing target.

Don't settle for less than what God made you for.

Peace,
Pastor Michael

Only 10 more days left to sign up for ROCK 2008!

THERE ARE ONLY TEN MORE DAYS LEFT TO SIGN UP FOR ROCK 2008!

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS SUNDAY OCTOBER 14 AT THE END OF YOUTH GROUP!

ROCK is an annual weekend conference of youth from all over the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. It's held in Ocean City every January. This year ROCK is Friday January 11 through Sunday January 13.

ROCK is an exciting combination of packing into the OC Convention Center with more than five thousand other youth to sing, pray and listen to great speakers, spending time together as a youth group, hanging out at our hotel and visiting the Boardwalk. Students consistently say this is one of their favorite things we do as a group.

ROCK 2008 registration is now open. You are registered when I receive a check for $50, payable to Ashton UMC from your parent. This deposit is non-refundable. Total cost for the three day weekend will be between $100 and $125. This includes the conference fee, hotel room, transportation, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, and a t-shirt. Students will need to bring additional money for dinner Friday and Saturday, lunch Saturday and Sunday and any money they want to spend on the Boardwalk or at the conference store which sells Christian books, music, etc. The balance of the cost will be due on or before Sunday December 16. Scholarships are available - don't let money keep you from attending ROCK.

The deadline for ROCK 2008 registration is Sunday October 14th at the end of youth group. After that time I'll be unable to accept any more registrations. This will ensure that we are able to get space for our group on the main floor at the conference center, rather than being assigned to the overflow room, and enable us to find space at a good hotel.

If you have any questions about ROCK, email me at bob AT ashtonchurch DOT org, or call me at the church 301-774-7100, extension 205.

I had a great time at ROCK last January, and I look forward to being there in January with you, so register now!

Youth Group This Sunday...Mmmm...Tacos

We'll have youth group this Sunday from 6:30-8:30PM. We'll start with dinner in the social hall downstairs so get dropped off around back on the lower level and come in the courtyard entrance. We'll finish the evening upstairs so you can get picked up on the front porch like usual. I or another youth leader am always happy to bring you home if it makes your parents' life easier.

Because Evan and Charlie asked for it, dinner will be tacos.

See you Sunday - I can't wait!

Help Unload Pumpkins Next Thursday!

Hey guys-

Each October, Ashton UMC and our preschool, Ashton Christian Preschool, work together to sell pumpkins to folks in our community. We also have hayrides and a hay maze and this year we're selling cookies. The money we raise supports the many things the church and preschool do to help people experience the love of God.

The pumpkin truck is coming next Thursday at 4:30PM. I need as many of you as possible to come unload pumpkins for an hour or so. Wear clothes you can get dirty (the pumpkins are not prewashed) and work gloves if you have them.

It's important that as many of you as possible come, because Ashton's Boy Scout troop will also be helping, and we don't want to get embarassingly pwned by them.

Email me at bob AT ashtonchurch DOT org if you can help. Let me know if you need a ride.