Shoal Creek Student Family Connection - "Fireworks, works-works-works-works!"

Hi Families, here's your "need-to-know" info for your Buya and Crash Students:

Fireworks Tent Is Here! The Shoal Creek Fireworks Tent has arrived. The Fireworks Tent is a extremely significant fundraiser that supports vital roles of Shoal Creek's mission, and there are lots of opportunities and needs for helping make the Tent another huge success. Check out here what makes the Tent such a unique place to meet others, and then...

Click Here to Get Involved

Here's are the events/programs that are available for our Shoal Creek "Buya" and "Crash" students:

1. "Buya" program every Sunday at 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. "Crash" (9th-12th grade) students can meet in The Attic every Sunday from 10:35am-11am for free breakfast, then attend the 11am service in the Auditorium as a group by sitting in the balcony.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don't see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following @SC3Students on twitter--to be connected with the latest happenings. 

Right Being > Right Doing

Right Being > Right Doing

I read a line from an author commenting about Jesus this morning that really surprised me. 

"Jesus Christ never gives us rules and regulations. Try, for instance, to use the sermon on the Mount as a series of rules and regulations and you find you cannot do it. They are truths that can only be interpreted by a new spirit that Jesus Christ puts in us." Oswald Chambers, Studies From The Sermon On The Mount

The world is much bigger on the inside than on the outside, which is why Jesus is about giving us a new heart, not rules and regulations. If we think Jesus is about rules and regulations, then we haven't really met him yet. Jesus doesn't confront us with a list of rules and regulations to guide our doing. Jesus confronts us only with truth, truth that we can choose to either accept or reject, into or from, our being. Jesus wants us to know that having the right heart is more fundamental than doing the right things. 

At the end of the day, before reflecting on whether or not on if we did the right things, we must reflect on if we lived with the right heart. Or, at the very least, use what we did or did not as a way to trace our motives back to the root of our problems--our heart. Our actions are the stalk, stem, flower and fruit; our heart is the root from which everything grows. Through enough effort and sweat equity, we may be able to have a modicum of success in our right doing; but, it is only through accepting into our hearts the truths that Jesus presents us with that will ever affect our capacity for right being.

We cannot be who we were created to be without first letting Jesus confront us with his truth, and then very quickly asking him for his help to incorporate that truth into the deepest fiber of our being. On our own we do not have the power to get to the "root" of who we are, where our actions originate and flow out of that deepest part of ourselves. The only way to "be right" (or, to be in a state of right-heartedness), is, as Chambers also said, to "let Jesus have his way with you, letting him give you his Spirit, by letting him alter you from the inside."

An Outpost of Community - The Shoal Creek Fireworks Tent

Yes, fireworks are cool in and of themselves. 

For sure, the money raised absolutely supports vital functions of Shoal Creek's mission to positively affect the Northland.

But perhaps the most overlooked, yet consistently present, benefit of volunteering at the Shoal Creek Fireworks Tent is the connections you get to make with the other volunteers that are giving up their time to support Shoal Creek's mission to change lives. 

Year in and year out, the amount of new people I get to meet when I work at the Tent astounds me. I see many faces in passing on Sunday, rarely interacting with other attenders for more than a few seconds at a time. The Tent has become place where I get to take the journey from Stranger to Friend, with so many other people who call Shoal Creek home, but whom I don't normally get the chance to interact in the one hour service we call "church" on Sundays. 

Maybe you're newer to Shoal Creek and have been wondering how to jump in and form some relationships with the other people that sit beside and around you on Sunday mornings. Or, maybe you've attended for years, and still find yourself only knowing one or two other families in your life stage with whom you frequent the auditorium. Regardless of what your personal journey at Shoal Creek has looked like thus far, there's a communal journey to be had that offers immense value to you in the form of new relationships with others that are created in the same image of God that you are. 

If forming new relationships with others is truly an invaluable experience that God has designed for each one of us to take part in, then you can't afford NOT to sign up for a shift at the Tent. There is someone that if you were to meet them, they would add value to your life. The opportunity is waiting.

SIGN UP HERE

Shoal Creek Student Family Connection (6/21) - BBR, Fireworks Tent

Hi Families, here's your "need-to-know" info for your Buya and Crash Students:

1. The "BBR" -  We have about 3,000 kids in the Northland, living in homes that are not food stable. 

Sign Up Here

2. Fireworks Tent Is Here! The Shoal Creek Fireworks Tent has arrived. The Fireworks Tent is a extremely significant fundraiser that supports vital roles of Shoal Creek's mission, and there are lots of opportunities and needs for helping make the Tent another huge success.

Click Here to Get Involved

Here's are the events/programs that are available for our Shoal Creek "Buya" and "Crash" students:

1. "Buya" program every Sunday at 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. "Crash" (9th-12th grade) students can meet in The Attic every Sunday from 10:35am-11am for free breakfast, then attend the 11am service in the Auditorium as a group by sitting in the balcony.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don't see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following @SC3Students on twitter--to be connected with the latest happenings. 

The Power of Pancakes

"When I first started making pancakes for the high schoolers my motivation was to simply volunteer for something easy that didn't require a commitment outside of Sunday mornings.  I like to cook, pancakes are easy and kids love to eat!  It was a good match.  It was a no pressure volunteer spot and I enjoyed it.  I had no idea that God had plans of blessing me and many others way beyond pancakes!

Soon after being in the kitchen on a regular basis, a few kids began to wonder in and chat with me as I was cooking.  I even had one or two who liked to help me flip and serve the pancakes.  God had easily opened the door to hearing kids' stories and getting to know them.  To a few, I think it meant a lot just to be seen and heard, even in small ways.  God started to develop a softness in my heart for teens.  Even though I had a teen and pre-teen in my own home I still assumed that teenagers were a group that had little interest in community and certainly wouldn't be interested in talking to someone like me, I'm just a mom!  I was wrong, and God showed me that teens are people just like the rest of us!  They are seeking, have questions, want to be known and loved and are just trying to figure out life like us all!!  

God continued to open my heart and give me a passion for young people.  From there I began leading a girl's small group once a week and had the opportunity to take teens to Colorado for an awesome, God led adventure for 3 summers in a row. I just wanted to make pancakes, but God had others plans and I'm so glad He did!"

That's the true story of Lydia Goodwin, a Shoal Creek mom who has had her three children grow up and enter into the Shoal Creek community. Each week we want our high school students to feel welcome at Shoal Creek, so between the 9:30am and 11am services we cook a free pancake breakfast to try to show them we care about them. 

As you can probably guess--those pancakes don't flip themselves! Would you reflect on Lydia's story and maybe consider seeing yourself take the same steps she did to make our Shoal Creek community a more loving and accepting place for teenagers? Would you contact me, Justin Talley, if you think you might have time to flip pancakes on a regular, or rotational basis on Sunday mornings?

Shoal Creek Student Family Connection - Family Caming XP, BBR

Hi Families, here's your "need-to-know" info for your Buya and Crash Students:

1. 4th Annual Shoal Creek Family Camping Experience 

Do you love nature? How about the serenity of camping? Would you like to become connected to more people at Shoal Creek who enjoy similar things?  Would you just like a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind? Then come camping with other Shoal Creek families at Wallace State Park this summer over Father’s Day weekend! Sign up and get more details at the link.

2. The "BBR" -  We have about 3,000 kids in the Northland, living in homes that are not food stable. 

Sign Up Here

Here's are the events/programs that are available for our Shoal Creek "Buya" and "Crash" students:

1. "Buya" program every Sunday at 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. "Crash" (9th-12th grade) students can meet in The Attic every Sunday from 10:35am-11am for free breakfast, then attend the 11am service in the Auditorium as a group by sitting in the balcony.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don't see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following @SC3Students on twitter--to be connected with the latest happenings. 

Student Scholarship Need - Carlie's Summer Story To-Be

"My name is Carlie Parks. I'm 13 years old and going into the eighth grade at Liberty Middle School.  I am a video game nerd who loves to read, write, draw, and have a fun time. I first started going to Shoal Creek when I was two years old. We stopped going after I got out of preschool, but came back when I was around nine.  I enjoy attending Shoal Creek and have had so much fun going on some of the outings Justin planned, especially St. Louis! 

My older brother, Kyle went to WyldLife camp when he was my age and he still talks about how much he learned and how much fun he had!   That’s one reason I want to go.  The main reason I want to go to WyldLife church camp, is I am hoping to help grow my relationship with God. I love God and I pray, but sometimes it feels like praying isn't enough. I sometimes question him, well, mostly question him and I am hoping that going to this camp will help strengthen the relationship. I also want to go because I love the outdoors. The nature and the animals and that natural music you hear in the outdoors, it makes me feel free and alive like the whole world can't even stop me. I don't get to go out into nature much so I am hoping I can get to enjoy nature when I go.

The total cost of this trip is $560. My amazing mother was able to pay the non-refundable $150 dollar deposit, but can't pay for any more of it. I'm lucky I have a mother who supports my interests and can at least pay for that much, but I still need $410 dollars.  I’m not really old enough to get a job so I could help pay myself.  I’m asking for your support as I've been waiting for this trip to come since I first heard about it. 

Thank you so much for taking your time to read or hear about myself and why I would love to go on this journey to Wyldlife camp. This is a journey I feel will help me get closer to God, closer to nature, and closer to filling my heart. I want to thank you again for any support you might give me, even if it isn't much, every little bit adds up. I can't wait to share what I have learned."

If you would like to help Carlie see her summer story become a reality by meeting the rest of her financial needs ($410), please email Justin Talley and we will make all the arrangements needed to send Carlie on her way.

Shoal Creek Student Family Connection (6/7): SC Family Camping, BBR

Hi Families, here's your "need-to-know" info for your Buya and Crash Students:

1. 4th Annual Shoal Creek Family Camping Experience - Do you love nature? How about the serenity of camping? Would you like to become connected to more people at Shoal Creek who enjoy similar things?  Would you just like a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind? Then come camping with other Shoal Creek families at Wallace State Park this summer over Father’s Day weekend! Sign up and get more details at the link.

2. The "BBR" -  We have about 3,000 kids in the Northland, living in homes that are not food stable. 

Sign Up Here

Here's are the events/programs that are available for our Shoal Creek "Buya" and "Crash" students:

1. "Buya" program every Sunday at 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. "Crash" (9th-12th grade) students can meet in The Attic every Sunday from 10:35am-11am for free breakfast, then attend the 11am service in the Auditorium as a group by sitting in the balcony.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don't see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following @SC3Students on twitter--to be connected with the latest happenings. 

The "BBR"

We have about 3,000 kids in the Northland, living in homes that are not food stable.  These kids receive free or reduced school breakfasts and lunches during the week and snack packs to supplement their diet over the weekend.  However for the 7 week gap between summer school ending and school beginning these kids and their families don’t have access to any of these resources.  

This year the Brown Bag Revolution’s focus is on those kids and that gap. We are collecting food to help supplement the diets of these students and their families.  You can help!  Join us to bag hope and sack hunger in the Northland!

Get Involved Here

Collaboration Nation: How Do You Unplug?

Starting a series of posts where we can collaborate and share ideas to make our worlds a better place for ourselves, and others. This is an "all-play" post!

How does your family unplug? What ideas can you share about activities that you've done, or participated in, where cell phones and digital devices outlawed and you connected in an "unplugged" way that led to deeper connection and relationships?

For my family, it's going on walks. I can leave my cell phone safely at home, and focus on walking around the block or to the closest park. Gives my wife and I time to catch up on our day, while getting the kids out of the house and active--which they desperately need with school being out!

What do you suggest we try?

Shoal Creek Family Camping Experience

Join us for the 4th Annual Shoal Creek Family Camping Experience! 

Do you love nature? How about the serenity of camping? Would you like to become connected to more people at Shoal Creek who enjoy similar things?  Would you just like a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind? Then come camping with other Shoal Creek families at Wallace State Park this summer over Father’s Day weekend!

This isn’t just camping under the stars. This is an adventure, for those wild at heart, complete with stories, campfires, and games. Ok, maybe the thought of camping sounds great, but the last time you though about camping you went and looked at everything that goes into camping and decided to tune into Netflix instead. Because let’s be honest, camping can get expensive quick. 

This event was started to help families get started with camping that may not have the experience. Upon your request, we gather all the big items (tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, etc.) needed for camping and show you some ‘camping-hacks’ for making camping easy. This event is a family friendly journey that is meant for you to meet other families, unplug from the electronics, and get back to the days of playing in a low tech world.  Whether you own every gadget known for camping and have a year’s worth of freeze dried meals, or you’ve never camped before, this event is for you and your family. 

Costs: *Approx. $50 per family, plus the cost of meals, firewood, ice,etc.

RSVP - ASAP! –  Because campgrounds in Missouri fill up fast for summer weekends, we need to reserve sites as early as possible.

Never been camping? Don’t have a tent? NO PROBLEM!   Our planning team wants to help you discover the joy of family camping. Just let us know if you need a tent, sleeping bags, or any other supplies to “get your feet wet.”

Want to learn more?  Contact Justin Talley and he will get you connected to the amazing team of people organizing this event.

ParenTeen Post: The 100 Deadliest Days For Teens

We have just entered the 100 deadliest days for teenagers, which Memorial Day kicks off.

It makes sense. Warmer weather. Teens out more driving with their friends, probably using the mobile phones to figure out which spot to meet up at.

Today might be a good time to sit down with them and have a little chat. Heck, you can even break the CNN article out and read it with them. Tell them I told you to. And don't just have this conversation once with them; this is worth following up with over the course of the summer, checkpoint style.

Shoal Creek Student Family Connection (6/1) - "Step-Up Day", Family Camping Experience

Hi Families, here's your "need-to-know" info for your Buya and Crash Students:

1. THIS SUNDAY, June 5th is "Step Up Day", the day your student "steps up" into the next grade. This means...

• If you have a 5th grader coming up, we will welcome them into Buya.
• If you have an 8th grader, I'd like to schedule a brief 15-20 minute meeting with you to talk you through the transition of your student moving from Buya (6th-8th) to Crash (9th-12th). 
• If you have a 12th grader, we'd love to have them stay with our student ministries through the summer. In addition, I'd like to also schedule a 15-20 minute meeting to get to know where your student is headed in the fall, or if they're staying local, and talk about what next steps we can help them with as they exit our student ministry age group.

2. 4th Annual Shoal Creek Family Camping Experience - Do you love nature? How about the serenity of camping? Would you like to become connected to more people at Shoal Creek who enjoy similar things?  Would you just like a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind? Then come camping with other Shoal Creek families at Wallace State Park this summer over Father’s Day weekend! Sign up and get more details at the link.

3. Like making (and eating!) pancakes? We are in need of some adult helpers for making The Attic a welcoming--and appetizing--place every Sunday for the high school students. If you would like to make Shoal Creek a place where high school students feel accepted and invited, please email me back and I will get you details about how we can do that together!

Here's are the events/programs that are available for our Shoal Creek "Buya" and "Crash" students:

1. "Buya" program every Sunday at 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. "Crash" (9th-12th grade) students can meet in The Attic every Sunday from 10:35am-11am for free breakfast, then attend the 11am service in the Auditorium as a group by sitting in the balcony.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don't see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following our Shoal Creek Students Twitter account--@SC3Students--to be connected with the latest happenings.