MERRY CHRISTMAS CORE TEAM!!!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to thank all of you for the commitment you have made this year and all the amazing gifts you bring to EDGE. I am looking forward to the second half of the year and I am so thankful I get to spend it teaching with all of you. EDGE starts back up Monday, January 5th with Bible Study. I wish you all the most amazing Christmas with your families and I will see you in January.

God bless you all!

This week: Mon., Dec. 15th - Fri., Dec. 19th

Hey everyone! Here's the plan for this week:

-Monday, December 15th: Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. The readings this week are:
2 Samuel 7:1-5. 8b-11, 16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

-Wednesday, December 17th:
EDGE GIVES BACK! meet in the hall at 4. we need all $, permission slips and lists of families.
Christmas Party in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm Food and GUITAR HERO!!!
You are all welcome to come for both! :]

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!!!!

This week: Mon., Dec. 8th - Fri., Dec. 12th

Here's what's going on this week:

Monday, December 8th: NO BIBLE STUDY! Holy day of obligation!!! Mass times: 8:00am & 7:00pm.


Wednesday, December 10th: EDGE Night "Jesus & Forgiveness" from 6:30-8:00pm in the hall. Here's the outline for the night:

Music & Prayer
Newbies & Birthdays
Top 10 list: Why we forgive?
Lesson - Matt
Witness Talk - Lorri
Small Group Questions:
-Define forgiveness in your own words.
-Why do you think God wants us to forgive each other?
-What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
-Have you ever had to forgive someone who hurt you?
-Do you think it's right to hate or seek revenge on someone who has hurt you? Why or why not?
-Was there a time when you had to ask forgiveness from someone else? How did it feel?
Craft: Forgiveness Letters
Announcements
Music & Prayer
Quick CORE Meeting

Also, let me know on or before Wednesday who of you can drive for EDGE GIVES BACK :]


Friday, December 12th: NO GAME NIGHT!!!! Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.

God bless you and your families,

Matt

Here's what's going on this week:

Monday, December 1st: Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8pm. The readings for this week are:

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1: 1-8

Wednesday, December 3rd: EDGE Night: "Jesus & Family" in the hall from 6:30-8pm. Here's the outline for the night:

1. Music & Prayer
2. Newbies & Birthdays
3. Lesson (Matt)
4. Witness Talk (Chad)
5. Small group questions:
-Who do you get along with best in your family and why?
-Who could you improve your relationship with in your family? For what reasons?
-What is one thing you really like about your family?
-What is one thing you wish you could change or improve about your family?
-Describe the role that Jesus has in your family?
-Does your family pray together? Read the Bible together? Go to Mass on Sunday?
-How can Jesus help you be a better son or daughter? A better brother or sister?
6. Craft: Bumper Stickers
7. Announcements
8. Music & Prayer
9. Kids will take home Handout B
10. Quick Core Meeting


Friday, December 5th: Youth Adoration from 4-5pm in the Church. NO MOVIE NIGHT!


God bless!

This week: Mon., Nov. 24th - Fri., Nov. 28th

Hey everyone! We have an easy week ahead of us!

Monday, November 24th: Middle School Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. The readings this week are:

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Wednesday, November 26th: NO EDGE ACTIVITIES: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friday, November 28th: NO EDGE ACTIVITIES: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


Thank you guys for all that you do! I am so thankful for each and every one of you and all the amazing gifts you bring to the EDGE program! Have a blessed week with your families!

God bless!

This week: Mon., Nov. 17th - Fri., Nov. 21st

Here's what going on this week!

-Monday, November 17th: Middle School Bible Study from 6:30-8:00pm in the hall. The readings are:

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Matthew 25:31-46


-Wednesday, November 19th: EDGE Night: "Abortion" from 6:30-8:00pm in the hall. Here's the outline for the night:

Music & Prayer
Newbies & Birthdays
Video: Can I Live?
Lesson (Me)
Witness Talk (Timmerie)
Small groups:
-What are your personal feelings about abortion?
-Some people would say, it's a woman's body, and she is the one to decide whether she has an abortion or not? Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your answer.
-What would you do to change someone's mind about having an abortion?
-What can the Catholic Church offer to people as an alternative to abortion?
-How can the Catholic Church help people who are suffering after an abortion?
-What could you possibly do to help others understand that all life is sacred and that abortion is wrong?
Craft: Pro-Life Billboards
Pass out Baby figurines &/or pins
Pass out prayer sheets from last week
Announcements
Music & Prayer
Quick Core meeting


-Friday, November 21st: 4:00-8:00pm MAKE APPLE PIES IN THE HALL!!! You are all welcome to come and help! It should be a lot of fun :]

Have a blessed week and God bless you and your families!!!

This week: Mon., Nov 10th - Fro., Nov. 14th

Hey guys, here's the schedule this week:

-Monday, November 12th (TODAY): No Bible Study.

-Wednesday, November 14th: EDGE Night on "Jesus & Prayer" in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. Here's the outline for the night:

Music & Prayer
Newbies & Birthdays
Lesson - Matt
Witness Talk - MaryAnn
Small groups:
Questions:
What is your definition of prayer?
How would you describe prayer to someone who never knew what is was?
What is the purpose of prayer?
How do you like to pray and how often do you do it?
In what ways can praying to Jesus help you become a better Catholic?
Handouts:
Middle schoolers will write out a anonymous prayer that will be turned into the CORE members.
The following week they will receive their handouts back with a response.
Craft: Mosaic Crosses
Questions:
Question's Jar
Questions about Catholicism from last week
Announcements
Prayer
Quick Core meeting


-Friday, November 14th: NO GAME NIGHT! I'll be gone with MaryAnn on the Life Teen retreat.

I'll see you all on Wednesday at 6:15pm. Thank you for all that you do and God bless!

This week: Mon., Nov. 3rd - Fro., Nov. 7th

Here is what we have on the calendar for this week:

-Monday, November 3rd (TODAY): Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. The readings this week are:

Wisdom 6:12-26
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13


-Tuesday, November 4th: GET OUT AND VOTE! :]


-Wednesday, November 5th: EDGE Night on "Jesus & My Catholic Faith" in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. Here's an outline for the Night:

-Music and Prayer
-Birthdays & Newbies
-Worksheet: "Inquiring Catholics"
-Lesson: (Matt)
-Witness Talk- Shelley
-Small groups:

-What do you like about being a Catholic?
-How have you experienced God through the Catholic Church and your Catholic faith?
-How has the Catholic church brought you closer to Jesus Christ?
-What is a positive experience that you have had in the Catholic Church?
-What could be done to bring other middle school youth closer to the Catholic Church?
-How would you explain your faith to someone that had never heard of Catholicism or Jesus Christ?
-Pass out Handouts: Kids will write down two questions they have about the Catholic Church and the Core member will collect them (If time)

-Craft: Catholic & Proud Pins
-Announcements
-Music & Prayer
-Quick CORE meeting


-Friday, November 7th: Youth Adoration from 4:00-5:00pm in the Church: come spend time with our Lord! Then come over to the hall for Movie Night from 5:00-8:00pm to Watch Chronicles of Narnia 2!


Thank you for all that you do & God bless you and your families!!!

This week: Mon., Oct 27th -Fri., Oct. 31st

Hey guys, we've got it easy this week!:

Monday, October 27th (TODAY) is our weekly Bible study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm.

Wednesday, October 29th, is our HALLOWEEN PARTY!!! If your coming, come in costume! This is a good event to work on relational ministry with the kids and getting to know them. I encourage all of you to come, dress up and have fun!

Friday: NOTHING!!! Have a fun Halloween and God bless you for everything you do for the EDGE program!

This week: Mon., Oct. 20th - Fri., Oct. 24th

Hey CORE team! Here's what's going on this week:

-Monday, October 20th (TODAY): Bible Study from 6:30-8:00pm in the hall. BRING BIBLES! The readings this week are:

Exodus 22:20-26
1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Matthew 22:34-40

-Wednesday, October 22nd: EDGE Night: "Battling Temptation" from 6:30-8:00pm in the hall. Here's an outline for the night:

Music & Prayer
Newbies & Birthdays
Top 10 Temptations Middle Schoolers face
Lesson - Matt
Witness Talk - Autumn
Small groups:
-What is temptation? Do you believe temptation is always bad? Explain your answer.
-In the second temptation, the devil told Jesus to worship him, and the whole world would be His. The devil was telling
-Jesus to compromise his beliefs. What made Jesus stand up to the devil and not compromise his beliefs?
-What are some areas in your life that you have compromised?
-What are some areas where you have not compromised?
-What makes so many people today compromise their beliefs?
-What are some ways middle school kids can fight temptation and sin in their lives?
-What is one way you could set high standards in school, your family, our relationship with Jesus & the Church, etc.
Craft: Draw Scripture Passage
Announcements
Pass out worksheet
Music & Prayer

-Friday, October 24th: Game Night from 4:00-8:00pm in the hall.

Thank you for everything that you do!

This Week: Mon., Oct. 13th - Fri., Oct. 17th

Hey CORE Team! Here's what's going on for this week:

-Monday, October 13th (TODAY): Bible Study (optional) in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. Bring your Bibles!
The readings for this week are:

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Matthew 22:15-21


-Wednesday, October 15th: EDGE Night "Jesus & Accepting Myself" in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. Here's the outline for the night:

Music & Prayer
Newbies & Birthdays
Activity: "That Describes Me!"
Lesson (Me)
Witness Talk (Kelsey)
Small groups:
What is one quality God and others see in you but you do not see in yourself?
How can you as a middle school youngster work on improving your self-esteem?
What role could Jesus play in helping you to feel better about yourself?
What is one thing you could use Jesus' help with in your life right now?
What are some ways we could turn to Jesus to deepen our relationship with Him?
Discuss Handout in small group
Share handout in large group (if there is time)
Announcements
Music & Prayer
Quick Core Meeting about next weeks night


-Friday, October 17th. GAME NIGHT! in the hall from 4:00-8:00pm. This was a lot of fun last week and I encourage everyone to come and hang out with the kids.

Thank you all and have a wonderful week.

God bless you and your families and stay warm! :]

This week: Mon., Oct. 6th - Fri., Oct 10th

Hey CORE team! Here's what's going on this week:

Monday, October 6th (TODAY): Middle School Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. Attendance for you is optional. The readings this week are:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Psalm 23:1-6
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Matthew 22:1-14


Wednesday, October 8th: EDGE Night: "Jesus & Me" in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm
DON'T FORGET WE ARE HAVING A MEETING AT 5:30 IN THE HALL BEFORE EDGE!

Here is a basic outline of the night:

Music & Prayer
Welcome Newbies and celebrate birthdays
Video: Jesus Painters
Group activity: 15 words that describe Jesus
Lesson - (Me)
Witness Talk - (?)
Small groups:
Who is Jesus to you? How do you see him?
What has Jesus blessed you with in your own life?
Why don't we always appreciate what God has given us?
What are some things you, or someone you know, have tried to fill the God-shaped hole in your heart with?
Do these things ever make us truly happy? Why or why not?
What are some ways we can get rid of the things we put before God? How can we put Him first in our lives?
Craft: Jesus paint by number
Announcements
Music & Prayer
Quick Core meeting about next weeks EDGE night


Friday, October 10th: GAME NIGHT! in the hall from 4-8pm. (Optional for you guys)

God bless you and your families!

Matthew Zemanek

This week: Mon., Sept. 29th - Fri., Oct 3rd

We have a lot going on this week in EDGE so let's get to it:

Monday, September 29th, is our first Middle School Bible Study in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. We will be reading the readings for this coming Sunday. This event is optional for CORE Team, is you are available it's a great way to get to know the kids and to take some time to read scripture for yourself.


Wednesday, October 1st, is our EDGE night entitled: "Friends" in the hall from 6:30-8:00pm. We will be focusing on Christian friendship and what qualities make a good friend. The night will go like this:

• Music and Prayer
  
• Welcome new people and celebrate any birthdays
  
• Show video: What I look for in a friend (This is a maybe)
  
• Lesson for the night (Given by me)
  
• Witness Talk: "A Good Friend" (Jessica)
  
• Small groups. Questions:
  

1. Are we called by god to love and be friends with everyone? Explain your answer.
   
2. How are we as Catholics supposed to treat people with whom we do not get along?
   
3. How do you know that someone is going to be a good friend to you?
   
4. In what ways does Jesus show us how to be a good friend?
   
5. What's the most important quality you look for in a friend?
   
6. What's the worst things friend can do to you?
   

• Then, small group leaders will pass out a handout of case studies to everyone in their group. The group will go over it one by one and come up with advice for the people in the case studies and their friends.
  
• Reassemble into a large group and share the best answers from the small group handouts (If we have time)
  
• Announcements
  
• Music and Prayer
  

At the end of each EDGE night, half of the Core should be outside, making sure kids are being picked up on time, and the other half helping to clean up in the hall. After clean-up is done and most of the kids are gone, we will stand in a circle in the hall, pass out and quickly go over next week's EDGE night, and answer any questions, so don't leave without getting next weeks night from me! :]


Friday, October 3rd, we will be having our first youth adoration and movie night. Youth adoration will be for all middle school and high school youth, in the church from 4:30pm-5:00pm. Afterwards, all the middle school youth are invited to the hall for a movie night. The movie: Chronicles of Narnia. We will end the night be reflecting/discussing the Christian themes in the movie. This event is also optional for CORE Team, but I suggest, if you have the time, to come to Adoration with the kids. If you have time, the movie night should be a lot of fun as well.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

God bless you all and you families and I'll see you all on Wednesday at 6:00pm!

It has BEGUN!!!!

EDGE finally starts this Wednesday, September 24th!!! I hope to see all of you there and that you have a chance to meet all of the awesome kids in the program this year!!! For those of you who haven't completed the training courses online and the fingerprinting requirements yet, please do that ASAP! And we will have a short meeting after EDGE this Wednesday to go over next week. Thank you and God bless!

WELCOME EDGE CORE 2008-2009!!!

First, I want to thank all of you for making the commitment to help with EDGE this year. I guarantee that when you look back on this year you will see how much your relationship with Christ has strengthened because of the work you have done with these kids. I look forward to spending time with you, praying with you, laughing with you and loving God and these kids with you!!! God bless all of you and thank you so much again!

THE EDGE CORE TEAM 2008-2009

I am going to start recruiting for Core team members sometime soon and will be asking new applicants to fill out a Core Member Application, which can be downloaded via the link on the top-right of this page. Applicants will be asked to participate in an interview with the EDGE Coordinator and, if eligible, will become Core Team Members. 

Each adult Core team member must be fingerprinted by Live-Scan. This service is offered at the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station by appointment for a small fee, which the Church will refund once the fingerprinting has been completed and filed. To contact the Sheriff's Station for an appointment:

26010 Highway 189
Post Office Box 384
Twin Peaks, California, 92391
(909) 336-0600

All adult Core members are also required by the Diocese as adult volunteers to take two small, quick training courses online: Safe Environment and Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, both of which are offered on the Diocese website:

http://www.SBDSafeMinistries.org/index.cfm

Both courses are free and must be passed with a printed certificate of completion as proof and for the Church's records as part of The San Bernardino Diocese's requirements for Safe Environment.

Lastly, anyone thinking about becoming an EDGE Core member should please, please, PLEASE: PRAY. Ask God if this is really what He wants you to do, and ask yourself, "What can I give?" Teaching these kids about Jesus and their faith and watching them develop their own Christian relationships with each other and with God is one of the greatest blessings I have ever received. 

DON'T think you're not smart enough, you don't know enough about your faith, you don't like talking in front of people, you don't like disciplining kids. 

ALL YOU NEED TO BE A CORE MEMBER IS: a love for Jesus Christ, and the will to teach and work with children. God bless you and I hope to see you this coming year!

Matthew Zemanek
EDGE Coordinator
Our Lady Of The Lake Catholic Church
(909) 337-2333

Thank you all so much for your help this year!!!

I really appreciate all of you who helped with the EDGE this year. I am so blessed to have met and gotten to know you all better. You are all welcome back next year and I will see most of you on May 14th on our trip to Incredible John's Pizza. I am praying for all of you and please keep in touch. God Bless!

EDGE CORE meeting next week: Monday, April 14th @ 4:00pm

Hey everyone I hope you are having a wonderful spring break! We will be having our next EDGE CORE meeting on Monday, April 14th, at 4:00pm in the hall. Please let me know if you can make it or not! We will mainly be discussing our end of the year trip to John's Incredible Pizza and some last minute things for our remaining three EDGE nights. I hope to see all of you there and please remember to keep Gia and her family in your prayers after the car accident they were involved in this past week. God Bless.

HAPPY EASTER!!! Next meeting will be on March 31st

I hope you are all having a wonderful Easter! I just wanted to remind you that our next EDGE Core meeting will be next week, Monday, March 31st at 4:00pm in the hall. I'll send out a calling post as it gets closer to remind you. Let me know if you can't make it. God Bless!!!!

EDGE Core meeting on Monday, March 17th.

Hey all. We will be meeting this Monday, March 17th, in the hall at 4pm for our EDGE Core meeting. We will go until about 5:00-5:30pm. We will be discussing the two upcoming EDGE nights on Holy Week and Peer Pressure, and discussing what happened in the small groups this last Wednesday. If you can't make it, please let me know, otherwise I will see you there!!!! God Bless.

NO MEETING TONIGHT! Changed to next week

Hey everyone, there is No EDGE Core meeting tonight. We will be meeting again this Monday, March 17th, at 4:00pm in the hall. Please let me know if you cannot make it, otherwise I will assume you will be there! Be prepared to do small groups this Wednesday, March 12th, for our Issue night on Divorce. I will call you and remind you before Wednesday to come about a half an hour early, if possible, so you have time to review the questions and prepare. God Bless!

MEETING TIME CHANGED

We will be meeting for our EDGE core meeting this Monday, March 10th, at 4:00PM. We will go until about 5:00-5:30. We will be preparing to do small groups, talking about the next two upcoming EDGE nights. I hope to see all of you there! God Bless.

Next EDGE Core meeting: MARCH 10th

Thank you to those of you who came tonight and we missed those of you who couldn't make it. I hope to see all of you this Wednesday, February 27th, for our night on the sacrament of Holy Orders. Look over those papers on small groups and I suggest you fill out the sheet about 'Your Life as a Middle Schooler' for your own personal benefit. We will meet again on March 10th at 6:00 pm in the hall. Let me know if you can make it or not, as well as any ideas, comments, questions, or concerns you may have. God Bless!

EDGE Core meeting tonight

We will be meeting in the hall at 6:00 pm tonight for our second EDGE core meeting. We will be discussing the upcoming EDGE nights and talking more about small groups and discipline. I hope to see all of you there and I hope you are checking the website frequently. God Bless.

Thank you all for coming tonight.

I didn't count on it going so long, but I'm not complaining. I am grateful for all of you coming every week and devoting another night out of your week in an attempt to protect and perfect the holiness of our youth. Feel free to leave any ideas, thoughts, anything here by commenting on the posts or by sending me an email. Enjoy the website, I hope it is fun and full of information for you to learn and teach. Let me know if there's anything you think I should add. We will plan on meeting again on Monday, February 25th at 6:00 pm in the hall. I will let you know if the date changes and call you a few days prior as a reminder. I love you all, my prayers are with you, and God bless.

Welcome EDGE Core

I hope this is an easier way for us to communicate with each other and exchange information, ideas, and ask questions. I'll post weekly on the status of the upcoming EDGE night just like I do on the regular EDGE website, but I will also add reminders, such as who will be doing what, things I may need extra help with, whether I'll need help setting up, etc. Please feel free to post any comments or e-mail me for any reason at all. I don't care if you just want to call me fat, I enjoy comments. A Merry Ash Wednesday to all, and to all a good night. God Bless.