All parents of youth in grades 6-12 at Ascension are invited to a special get-together on Sunday, Aug. 3!

Click here to view the invitation and to RSVP online.

this Saturday.  12:30 to 3:00.

Yes, the folks at Whirlyball canceled our reservation.  So instead, we are throwing a Lunchtime Massive Big-Screen Nintendo Wii And Other Stuff Party.  The ingredients: pizza.  A humongous big screen and projector.  A Wii with some carefully selected rented games (Mario Party comes to mind …).  Possible eruption of water balloon launching contests and other mayhem.  Simple, but effective, with guaranteed fun with your Ascension friends.

see you there.

You can also watch this video anytime on the mission trip page, which will be updated shortly with all the trip details, planned itinerary, etc. Maybe you should register for the trip today!

Two really important things are coming up, not this coming weekend, but next weekend. Mark your calendars:

(1) Saturday, April 26: SPRING INTO ACTION. this is a once-a-year massive service project sponsored by the Diocese of Dallas Youth Commission. we are going to join other youth from all over the Dallas diocese to paint, do yard work and cleanup, and make a difference for two of the small, rural churches of our diocesan family. Our group will serve at St. Philip’s, Sulphur Springs (other youth will work at Holy Family, McKinney) and then the entire group will come back together for a barbecue, fellowship, and worship at St. Paul’s, Greenville. This will be an early start and a late finish and will be totally worth it. There’s a $15/person fee to cover food and supplies (and we have been given some scholarship money, so if you don’t have the $15, please still sign up).

Our friends from Annunciation, Lewisville will be serving with us at Sulphur Springs! This is a great chance to see people you met at summer camp, on a mission trip, or at Bishop’s Ball. It’s also a great chance to earn any service hours you may need for school or other organizations, and have fun with your Ascension friends while doing it.

You can register by sending me an e-mail or by leaving a comment on this post (just click “Comments” below and tell me you are coming!). You will need to bring this form with you on the 26th, along with a check to Ascension for $15 (or cash, or ask me for a scholarship).

(2) Sunday, April 27: Mission Trip Organization Meeting! This is for all youth and parents who are even possibly interested in the mission trip this summer. We are laying the groundwork for a truly amazing trip to Atlanta together … but what we need now is YOU. Come find out more, check out a slideshow, get details, and ask your questions. Meet in the parish hall after the 10:15 service.

come to one, come to both!

that is the sound of a hissing rattlesnake.

otherwise known as dinner for everyone who’s in town during spring break!

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this Sunday. meet at the youth house (sr. eyc will have dinner in the upper building which we will decorate and make cool, not like the spartan space it currently is. if you want to help decorate, show up at 5:15. jr. eyc will eat in the youth house).

be nice and rsvp to Stephen if you are coming so we are sure to have enough food! you can rsvp just by leaving a comment to this post, or call or text my cell. (but if you have to show up at the last minute, we would still rather have the delight of your company.)

it’s time once more for Midday Madness … that time each month when we make up any excuse to go out and have lunch together after church.

This month we’re going to Roma’s Pizza, that hidden gem of an Italian place tucked away off Greenville across from Presbyterian Hospital (ok, now I am writing like an ad executive). bring your $ for lunch. if it is nice out maybe we’ll sit on the patio!

don’t forget that this Sunday is also Second Sunday Senior High Sunday School at Starbucks (SSSSSS, because SSSHSSS just doesn’t have that same ring) from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. at the Starbucks on Abrams and Royal.

come to one! come to both! (come to church in between.) see you there.

so we are going to go to Austin Street Centre with the Feed the Homeless group from Ascension this Saturday. A group from Ascension goes almost every month but this is special because we, the EYC, are going to present the check for the money we raised from Souper Bowl of Caring last month. so, the more youth that can come the better this will be.

details: meet in the Ascension parking lot between 6:45 and 7:00 p.m., Sat., March 1. you can drive yourself to and from Austin Street, or if you need transportation please send me an e-mail. NOTE: if you are planning to ride with another youth you need a written note of permission from your parents AND their parents.

Bring a (heated-up) Stouffer’s lasagna if you can. otherwise don’t worry about it and just come, that’s most important!

After we finish at Austin Street around 8:30, we might go to OHOP together if people are interested … mmm … late night breakfast food …

what is Austin Street Centre and what do they do? they are a really cool ministry serving people who are homeless or poor here in Dallas. they are run by a husband and wife team who happen to both be Episcopal priests. learn more here.

as an added bonus, if you need community service hours for school or other organizations, this is a perfect opportunity. just let me know and i will sign off for you.

please let me know if you are coming by leaving a comment or sending me an e-mail!

stephen+