NOTABLE QUOTABLES “Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” —Richard L. Evans “If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.” —Abigail Van Buren
WHAT THEY REALLY WANT As holiday ads, gift-giving guides, and kids’ Christmas lists start appearing, it’s a good time to remember what teenagers really want from their folks!
probably handily win a debate with them, thanks to your years of life experience. But teenagers will notice and appreciate when you simply try to understand them rather than educate them.
Time: Although teenagers tend to hibernate in their rooms—or even in plain sight, engaging only with a screen—what they really want and need from Mom and Dad is time. Surveys show that parents and kids spend an average of 34-85 minutes together each day. That means, in the best-case scenario, parents spend 11% of a typical day on their most important job.
To be sure, kids still want a new Xbox and the car that’s for sale down the street. But the gift of listening makes a great gift this holiday season.
“Your children can be around you all day, but if you don’t spend quality time with them and you don’t pay attention to them and talk to them and listen to them, it doesn’t matter that they’re just around you.” —Brandy Norwood
Engagement: The digital age has forced our heads down. In American homes, family dinners and conversations seem to have been replaced by reading e-mail, checking social media, and playing digital games. Grown-ups model much of that cyber time in the home, yet teenagers are silently begging us to put down our phones and look them in the eyes. Understanding: The age-old generation gap between teenagers and their parents seems to widen exponentially during an election year. The key to winning teenagers’ hearts is to seek to understand them. They probably won’t have fully defined positions or defend their points well. You could
By Darren Sutton
YOUTH CULTURE
A WORD FROM THE WORD
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR Ringing in the New Year
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!” Isaiah 43:18-19a, NLT
Turning the page to a new year offers opportunities to evaluate the past and prepare for the future. As New Year’s Eve fast approaches, consider some meaningful ways to welcome 2017 together as a family. Recount the year with your kids, asking these questions to reminisce: What was the most memorable event we shared together this year? How was this year different from previous years? If you could change one thing about the past year, what would it be?
What one family tradition do you want us to continue? Who would you like to spend more time with this year? What three priorities should we set as a family for 2017? What weekend getaway would you like us to take as a family this year? Complete this sentence by adding one word: “2017 is the year of ” (hope, laughter, etc.). Help your kids move beyond resolutions this year as you engage in great conversations and set goals together.
If you could ensure that one thing about the past year never changed, what would that be? Sum up the past year with one word or simple phrase.
As you toast to 2017 with milk and cookies, sparkling cider, or your favorite carbonated beverage, make some plans for the year ahead.
By Darren Sutton NEW YEAR WALL ART With a little planning and forethought, you can commemorate the past year and ring in 2017 with a special art installation. Search through your social media sites, phone, and any photo albums. Select the best commemorative pictures from 2016 and have them printed. At most pharmacy chains and big-box stores, you can print photos directly from your phone. Create a photo collage of 2016’s highlights, weaving in the words you’ve chosen for 2017 (see the article above). This artwork will serve as a yearlong reminder of your family’s focus!
IN THEIR WORLD
STOCKING STUFFERS THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK Check out this list of inexpensive stocking stuffers for teens (from Seventeen magazine): Coloring book from us.topshop.com, $10 Magic Wand Reusable Bubble Bar from lushusa.com, $8.95 Monogram ornaments from anthropologie.com, $8
DON'T FORGET THE POPCORN
Phone charger keychain from francescas.com,
With extra time on their hands during Christmas break,
$10
teenagers (and their families) may want to take in—or avoid—some of these December movie releases:
Harry Potter candy from jellybelly.com, $2.25 Emoji phone stickers, dormify.com, $5
Jackie (R)—Natalie Portman portrays Jackie O. as she considers her husband’s legacy following his 1963 assassination. Office Christmas Party (not yet rated)—In this comedy, co-workers Kate McKinnon, Jennifer Aniston, and Jason Bateman try to host an epic Christmas party to save their jobs. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (not yet rated)—This sci-fi thriller follows a side story from the original saga, with rogue members of the resistance trying to steal Death Star plans. The Space Between Us (PG-13)—Gary Oldman headlines this scifi adventure that’s being called an interplanetary Romeo and Juliet, spanning the distance between Mars and Earth. Collateral Beauty (PG-13)—A distraught man (Will Smith) encounters Love, Time, and Death personified. The star-studded cast also includes Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, and Kiera Knightley.
Passengers (PG-13)—Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt awaken early on their space flight to inhabit a new planet. Assassin’s Creed (PG-13)—Based on the popular video game, this action flick exposes viewers to genetic memory, or the ability to experience our ancestors’ adventures. Sing (PG)—This animated, family-friendly comedy features animals who enter a singing competition. Why Him? (not yet rated)—Bryan Cranston cringes as his daughter brings home a less-than-desirable boyfriend (James Franco) for the holidays. Fences (not yet rated)—Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in this drama about a once-promising baseball player who now works as a garbage collector. Hidden Figures (PG)—This is the true story of three African-American women who were the brilliant minds behind John Glenn’s launch into outer space. Stars include Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and Kevin Costner.
DECEMBER 2016 Sunday
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22 Christmas Break
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11 SH Small Groups
JH Party 18 SH Party JH: Walking with Wisemen
Wednesday December 21st
Small Groups (9:30-10:30am) Small groups meet each week to study and apply God’s word in age specific groups.
Wednesday Youth (7-9pm) Wednesday December 7th
Cops and Robbers: Can you get the treasure and evade the cops? Come find out!
Wednesday December 14th
Star Wars Extravaganza: A whole night based on the awesome movie series!
Christmas Party: Fun, food and furniture! Wait… Furniture? Come join us for our annual Christmas Party! *Please dress for ~20 minutes of weather
YETI Youth is on Christmas Break! Please note that there will be no Sunday Small Groups or Yeti Youth Events during Christmas Break December 22 – January 7 We will start up again January 8, 2017
Lessons and Devos Wednesdays December 7: How we receive and grow in the Gifts of the Spirit December 14: How we use the Gifts of the Spirit December 21: No Lesson (Christmas Party)
Sundays Grades 6-8 – We will wrap up our discussion on the character of God as seen through creation, the Trinity itself, history and the present.
Grades 9-12 – As we finish off Hosea, we will talk about faithfulness, renewal and repentance when we turn back to God from sin.
Upcoming Events January 11: Arabian Nights January 18: JH Minute to Win It & SH Duct Tape Night January 25: Senior High Only Event January 27: Family Hurricanes Hockey Game
Small Groups - December Events (9:30-10:30am)
Sunday December 11th Junior High Party
Sunday December 18th Senior High Party Walking with Wisemen (Junior High) Please see the Walking with Wisemen poster below for information about this event
