I hope this letter finds you well!  I wanted to take a brief minute of your time to inform you of a very unique event that is coming up on Friday, April 20th, 5-7pm.  Our annual Fish Fry and Silent Auction.  Hickory Hollow from Palmetto is catering this year’s event, and the proceeds will help subsidize the cost of our summer mission trips.

This year, we are partnering with DOOR, Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection, in Miami and Atlanta, where we will be serving in urban ministry settings.  I have included an information sheet that will give you information on these trips.  Our misson trip registration deadline of April 1st is rapidly approaching and, should you have any additional questions about either trip, please give me a call.  You can still sign up for a trip after April 1st, only provided that DOOR has space available to accommodate us, so there is no guarantee if you wait after the deadline.

Our Fish Fry and Silent Auction is a great way for students to raise funds to go towards their own trip and, if they are not attending, help support those who are going.   I invite you to partner with us and be part of this terrific event.  We have tickets for sale, $10 for adults and $7 for children.  Students are being given tickets to sell and will receive about $4 credit per adult (each ticket they sell minus what Hickory Hollow charges us).  We also have a Silent Auction that will be running concurrently with the Fish Fry, and students are encouraged to ask local businesses for donations with the assistance of a separate letter that I have also included with this letter.  Students receive a credit for the sale of whatever items they provide for the silent auction, again, minus any fees required by the businesses.  Some businesses may provide a donation without any restrictions and, in that case, you receive a credit for the full sale price.  Other businesses may offer a high dollar item on consignment, which has to sell for a certain minimum before they agree to part with it.  In that case, you would receive a credit of the difference between the auction price and the minimum cost required by the business.   We have had great success with all types of items, some of which include baked goods or services provided (e.g. mowing lawns or providing computer help).   The possibilities are really boundless - we have had some students pay for their entire trip from this event in the past!  We ask that any items you procure for the silent auction event be turned in to the office by April 15th.

We welcome your involvement in this event.  You can show the youth your support by selling tickets, collecting auction items and/or cheerfully serving at the event!  Parent and youth involvement will help demonstrate what makes this youth ministry special!  If you are able to participate, please contact me at hy5@harvest-umc.org.

This ministry is as strong as the volunteers and parents working alongside our youth,  helping encourage and empower them to become committed disciples and faithful servants to God’s ministry.  I am extremely grateful to you parents for your time and for entrusting your kids’ spiritual lives to our care. 

Peace,
Scott Harris, Youth Minister

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We are pleased to announce two youth ministry interns for the fall. Ginny Scott, who has been serving as an intern this summer, will continue, and Cameron Helwege will join the ministry team. Together Cameron and Ginny will work 40 hours each week. They will both be assisting Scott in the interim until we are able to fill the Associate Youth Minister position.

Cameron grew up at Harvest, was active in HY5 as a youth, and is exploring how God is calling him to serve. We are excited for the incredible gifts Cameron brings to the table regarding the technical aspects of youth ministry. In addition to using those gifts, Cameron will be working directly with youth this fall. Ginny has been a small group leader and volunteer servant with HY5 for the past three years, and is very excited to continue this journey. Both Ginny and Cameron can be reached by email at hy5@harvest-umc.org or by calling the church office at 907-7333.

What an amazing summer we have all had! From the Mission Trips to Busch Gardens, from Senior Night to the Fish Fry, from Miller Pavilion to Lunar Golf, from Youth Week to the Stockholders Dinner. This summer has definitely been one we won’t forget!

First, a word of appreciation - We have many adults who give tirelessly of their time to be partners and witnesses to all that God is doing in our youths’ lives on a weekly basis. When you see these adults, please take a moment to thank them for their time, for their love, for their commitment and generosity. These are the unsung heroes of the ministry, without whom little would be possible. I want to thank these adult volunteers, the small group leaders, the Sunday school teachers, and the parent volunteers who help with the support, implementation and provision of the many elements of HY5 on a weekly basis. Also, a big thanks to all the adults who gave up time out of their summer to make this summer one to remember.

As we enter into the school year, keep checking www.hyfive.org because we have some great events planned for this fall. I hope you’ll be able to join us for these events, even though the school year is a busy time. Also, we will be sending out HY5 newsletters quarterly now to make it easier to keep track of what all is going on.

Peace,
Scott Harris
Youth Minister

Wednesday, July 20 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Join us for an awesome night of our own twist on Capture the Flag that we’ve created just for HY5. You’ll have to come to find out what we have planned. It’s going to be EPIC! 

Cost: $0
What to Bring: Bathing suit and clothes you don’t mind getting completely soaking wet, I mean damp, with water. 
Drop-off: @Harvest
Pick-up: @Harvest
Registration: No Registration Required

On Wednesday, July 6 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm, There is an opportunity for some fun and money-raising for youth missions. BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY and prepare for some skating and tunes. Cost is $10 per person or $20 per family, which covers the skate rental and all the skating you want. All the proceeds will go towards youth mission trips planned for this summer and beyond. So, come and support a good cause and have a great time with the family in the process!

Cost: $10-20
What to Bring: Socks, skates are provided
Drop-off: @Stardust Roller Skating
Pick-up: @Stardust Roller Skating

Registration: No Registration RequiredLocation:
Stardust Roller Skating
2571 12th Street
Bradenton FL

It's not too late to attend the Fish Fry!  Due to a vehicle breakdown by the catering service and a subsequent postponement, there is still time to enjoy an evening out on Friday, June 10 from 5:30-7:00pm. You are invited to come at any point between 5:00 and 6:45pm and support the youth ministry as it prepares for three summer mission trips while enjoying a plate of fried catfish, hush puppies, and coleslaw, all catered by Hickory Hollow.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.  If you cannot stay and eat during those times, you are welcome to drop-in and get and order for takeout. 

     If you already purchased a ticket, please bring it with you on June 10. Otherwise, you are welcome to purchase one at the door.   HY5 (Harvest Youth) greatly appreciates your support.

Benefit Harvest Youth missions this year by eating some fish at the HY5 Fish Fry this Sunday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Harvest United Methodist Church. We'll have entertainment on the steel drums by our very own Dan Whissell along with images from past mission trips.  All proceeds help support the youth in raising money to fund mission trips to Atlanta and the Bahamas this summer.  As in the past, Walt's Fish Market will be catering this event. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 an under. Sign up at Hospitality Hub 1. For additional information, please contact Carin Doddroe at 907-7333 or cdoddroe@harvest-umc.org.

This is a reminder that there is NO HY5 on Easter Sunday

Harvest’s Staff-Parish Relations is pleased to announce that Ginny Scott will be joining
Harvest’s staff team this summer as our youth intern.   One of the
primary goals of our intern ministry here is to help clarify and cultivate a
call to ministry, and Ginny has expressed such a call over the last few
months.  Ginny, already a member of our Harvest family, has been working as
a HY5 servant volunteer and small group leader on Sunday nights for a couple of
years now.  She has served as a summer camp counselor at Warren W Willis,
where many of our youth attend every year.   She recently attended the
Revolve Tour with many of our female youth, an event aimed at promoting a
healthy and Godly self-image for young teenage women.   Ginny will be
working full-time from late May through Youth Week in August.  Please be in
prayer for her as she contemplates the present and future that God has in store
for her, and pray that she will provide an incredible impact on youth she
encounters