The word “gaudete” is derived from the Latin words “gaudium,” joy, and “gaudeo,” to rejoice or be glad.

Advent is a time of joyful expectation and eager preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas, and the nearness of the feast is reason for great joy!

And while we are preparing ourselves, there are many ways we can help prepare St. Nick's, too!

Tue. Dec. 19th, 9:30am - Polish the pews

Wed. Dec. 20th, 5pm - Wipe down pews

Sat. Dec. 23rd, 10am - Prep Christmas decor

Sun. Dec. 24th 1pm - DECORATE THE CHURCH!!

December 17th will be our last day of EDGE & HSYG for 2023.

There will be NO EDGE or HSYG December 24th & 31st.

We will resume January 7th, 2024!

Youth in the EDGE class who bring their completed Scripture Search to class by Dec. 17th will receive a PRIZE!

The coordinators of the Christmas Pageant have asked that our Youth and Teens participate as singers in the Choir.

The choir will sing as a group; no solos.

Having our Youth & Teens participate would not only be a lovely addition, but also a wonderful example and inspiration for the younger participants.

This is the last weekend to donate gifts to help bring a joyous Christmas to the Youth Group's Adopted Family!

Please take ornaments from the trees in the Atrium and return wrapped gifts by Monday, Dec. 18th for the Youth Group to deliver to the family this week.

Many thanks to those who have already donated. We are very grateful for your generosity and support!

We found our Youth & Teens at Christmas Pageant practice!

We finished the second half of our 4th session, The Story of Salvation, learning that in Genesis 3:15 God is promising that there would be a woman and her offspring that will have no common ground with Satan, or that there will be a woman and her Son who have no sin. That God had a plan of redemption in the very beginning, right after the Fall of man, and the rest of the Bible is the story of that Savior being the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation.

We then watched Advent In 2 Minutes while some of us danced along! (See videos below!)

The youth then had the opportunity to participate in a service project of LOVE for the second Sunday in Advent. They wrote messages and signed cards that Deacon Ron will deliver on behalf of EDGE to the Elderly and Homebound of our Diocese.

We finished with playing the Left Right game, passing a gift as we read the Nativity story! (See Photos & Video below!)

We will begin the second half to complete the 5th session of Symbolon, Who Is Jesus?

We will also seek PEACE with Christ in Adoration and have a JOYful Party!

The EDGE class voted for everyone to:

• Wear holiday attire (Advent or Christmas)
• Bring 2 dozen cookies each for a Cookie Swap

TO ACCESS FORMED:

1) Go to formed.org/signup

2) Enter our Zip Code, 99705

3) Enter your Name and Email Address

4) Check the email account entered and follow link.

The HSYG had a big surprise when their guest speaker for Q&A was finally revealed... Father Jaime!!! He pulled questions from the box that the Teens had submitted, and shared in discussion with them while answering for the full 2 hours of HSYG. (See videos below for some of the discussions.)

Before he left we HAD to know... who is the tallest?! The teens enjoyed the Q&A, requested to have more, and have already given suggestions of who they would like to invite as future guest speakers!

We finished with playing the Left Right game, passing a gift as we read the Nativity story! (See Photos & Video below!)

Special thanks to Fathe Jaime, Mrs. Betsy, and The Youngbirds for joining us!

Due to a scheduling conflict, the HSYG will need to adjust our regular meeting time.

Dec. 17th only, the HSYG will meet from 2-4pm.

We will also seek PEACE with Christ in Adoration and have a JOYful party!

The group voted for each Teen to do the following:

• Wear holiday attire (Advent or Christmas)
• Bring 2 dozen cookies for a Cookie Swap
• Bring a wrapped gift to exchange (handmade OR $10 or less in value)

Beginning in January, on the First Friday of each month the Youth will be invited to complete a service project and enjoy the evening together.

Youth & Teens (from EDGE & HSYG) are invited to join us in the Youth Room 5:30-8:30pm on Friday, January 5th!

This will be an opportunity for the Youth & Teens to be together as they complete a service project for our parish. Pizza will be provided.

No class for Christmas Break.

Next class will be Sunday, January 14th.

***see ANNOUNCEMENTS section above for service hour opportunities***

No Oratory Dec. 23rd & 30th for Christmas Break.

Family Day & Epiphany Party January 6th.

Per the Diocese policy for the safety of everyone, a minimum of 2 adults are required to be present for all Youth Ministry activities.

Ideally we would have at least 4-6 volunteers (preferably more), allowing for at least 1 assistant present for the HSYG one Sunday per month. We are also still in need of at least 1 more assistant for the EDGE class.

While the search to locate others who have current certification with the Diocese is ongoing, we have reached a point where we need to request that parents assist on a rotating basis so that we can continue to safely offer HSYG.

Please consider completing your certification, and/ or asking individuals who you think would be a willing volunteer. Or, you can submit suggestions for me to contact.

All youth ministry volunteers must have current certification for the course of Serving Vulnerable Populations and a Criminal History Record Check on file with the Diocese. More information can be found by visiting Adult Training on the Diocese of Fairbanks website. Diocese of Fairbanks - Adult Training - Fairbanks, AK

Call or Text 907-978-4786

Email stnicksym@cbna.org
Office hours are as follows:

Sunday 10am-7pm

Wednesday 3:30pm-5:30pm

It is a privilege to work with St. Nick's Youth!

As always, please never hesitate to contact me for any reason.

I pray you are having a blessed week.

In Christ's love, Beth