OVC Yam Blog

Well, life gets crazy and sometimes you need a Sabbath.

So my wife and I are going to hide away some place up North and do nothing all weekend. Unfortunately, this week's YAM topic was serving together in ministry, and I really don't want to miss it. So I think we'll push off the study a week so we can pick up with it next week. You guys are welcome to join the ABF groups for that week. Let's give the church a taste of our zeal! By all means, don't skip. (We'll be at church, just not this one!)

When we do get back together, we'll be discussing the YAM group taking over the Wed. night kids program. Something to be thinking about: what would you be willing to do to participate together in this ministry? We need game people, teaching people, craft people and chaperone people. There's a place for everyone.

I'd really love to hear your thoughts. We started talking about this a few weeks ago, but let's nail some things down. Share your thoughts, ideas and concerns in the comments section below. (Pay no heed to the spammers who hit the site, since I'm away I can't clean them).

Oh, and miss us while we're away!

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, you may have noticed that the site has changed slightly. The old version was more of an "about us" type site, but it wasn't all that easy to put helpful information up. The blog was good, but it left the front page looking neglected. So I've basically worked it out that the front page now gets updated by the blog on the right and our most current Bible study on the left. Let me know if I've missed anything!

PS (Oh, and I'm also going to work to get the photos showing up on the front page of the blog, yee haw!)

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hey, hey, hey!

The entire YAM group is invited out Pastor Dan's house for lunch this Sunday. We'll chill out, maybe play some games. Oh, and don't forget... we've got YAM Takeover practice after the evening service. (Around 8ish)

Also, once my wife and I get into the parsonage, we want to set up a consistent "open lunch" for all the yammers... we'll definitely let you know when that happens.

If you could, maybe shoot me a quick RSVP so I can tell Robyn how many people are planning on showing up?

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Our YAM Takeover is coming up soon! I'm excited about getting a chance to spread some of our zeal to the rest of the congregation.

Here's a reminder of dates and times:

We're going to be practicing Sun, Feb 25th after the evening service (7pm-ish) and then Sat, Mar 3rd at 5pm. If I can get the skits (Rahul) and the music (Rob) that Sunday morning (Feb 25) or before, that would be awesome. (Probably a good idea for you to have your testimony written out by then too, Tara.) Depending on the skit and the music, the practice could take two hours or so.

Here's a rundown of who I've got doing what:

Announcements - Rahul
4 Songs - Group, Rob + Jesse - Guitars, Jessica - Violin?
Offering - I need 4 volunteers to pass the plates (no skimming!)
Testimony - Tara
Scripture Reading - Frank
Powerpoint + Clicking - Rachael McCormick
Preaching - Jesse
Skit - not decided yet

Let me know if I've missed someone or something. Let's do this!!

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I promised them, and here they are, still smelling like Photoshop. There are two different designs, with dark and light versions of the second design. You can choose the color shirt you'd like, I just picked the one I thought it would show up best on. The first shirt (with the yam on it) has the website across the back.

Let me know if you'd like to see any other designs up there or if you have some cool ideas of your own.

Check out the shop: http://www.printfection.com/plasticmind/

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 03:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Good class today, everyone! Nearly everyone made it out (I'm counting 45 minutes late as still being there).

Ok, so here's some important reminders from today's class:

Next week is TIME CAPSULE WEEK! We'll be putting together a time capsule of things we want to change, bad habits we want to break, spiritual goals we'd like to attain. You can either write your goal(s) on a piece of paper or bring an object (small = good) that reminds you of your goal. Then halfway through the year we'll check back in and see everyone's doing. If you'd like to keep your goal private between me and you, just let me know!

Accountability partners: Next week, I'll be passing around contact cards that we'll then swap with others to set up an accountability partner. If you have someone in particular you'd like to request, let me know; however, I'd really like everyone paired up with someone you're not dating/close friends to help good to get a fresh perspective on your walk with Christ.

New Bible Study: We start our study of Created for His Glory by Jim Berg next week. You can either pick it up from Amazon for $17.95 or from Revival Fire Books for $12.95. I'll also be sending out an order on Tuesday. Please let me know my Monday evening if you want me to pick one up for you (you can pay me later).

Memorizing James 3 - 4: We'll be working together as a class on memorizing James chapter 3 and 4 from the NJKV. I'll bring some print outs next week or you can print them yourself (it's a PDF).

YAM Room Renovation: Friday, Feb 2, 6:30 - ???; Food will be provided. Depending on our progress I may ask you back on Saturday. Who knows if we'll provide food then. ;)

YAM Shirts: Coming soon. (Don't worry, I'll have two versions for the finicky *cough* Rob *cough* in our group...)

One more thing: If you can get me the address of your blogs or websites, I'd love to create a YAM blogroll where everyone can keep in touch. Let me know if you're interested in getting on the list!

More to come, stay tuned...

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

I finally uploaded pictures from the Hike. I even gave them all witty names.

You can see them in the nifty picture viewer widget on the sidebar. Or you check them out(and all YAM pictures I upload) here.

Now for The Big Question™ is: what do you all want to do for our next activity? I need ideas; Tara's willing to help, but we need something to shoot for. I'm just a country bumpkin... what do city people do for fun in the wintertime? Sleigh rides?

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I said I'd get it up before this coming Sunday, and here it is, Saturday night. While you're all out laughing it up and watching Tron, I'm sitting on front of my monitor slaving over a blog. I hope your all happy.

I'll be posting the hike photos post haste.

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 09:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)