Quest Fall Retreat  October 4-6, 2013

Snow Camp (Camp Forest Springs, WI) January 17-19, 2014

Spring Blitz (Rochester, MN) April 25-27, 2014

Project Colorado (9th Grade A.U.G. Graduates only) June 8-22, 2013

2013 JH Summer Camp: August 4-9, 2013 register

(Approved Unto God) 9th grade doctrinal class

Are you a ninth grader? Do you desire to dig deeper into truths about God & His Word? Do you like hanging out with other ninth graders? Would you love to attend the 14-day adventure called Project Colorado? Then the doctrinal class, A.U.G .(Approved Unto God), is just for you! Join us as we challenge each other, deepen our faith & have a wonderful time in the process! Classes run on selected Sundays from October - May. Ninth graders will receive an invitation letter to A.U.G. in the fall.

A.U.G. topics include Doctrines of God, Trinity, Revelation, Man, Christ, Holy Spirit, the Church, angels and demons, and End Times.

2013-14 Health Form

Please fill out the above medical release form for the appropriate year and either fax it to 952.944.6711, scan it via email to student.ministries@wooddale.org or mail it in.

A.W.O.L. (A Work of Love)

Wooddale has teamed up with Wayzata Evangelical Free Church students to lead a Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the Maple Hills Estates in Corcoran, MN. During the week, students and leaders live in campers and pop-up trailers, that are graciously provided by Wooddale families, set up in the park near the Maple Hills’ homes. God provided us with energy in the hot weather, and thankfulness when we woke up shivering.

The student-led VBS runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily, ministering to 45 kids from the Maple Hills community. However, the kids were at our campers from the time we woke up until the time we went to bed! This week gave the junior high students an opportunity to be Christ to the kids of Maple Hills. Last year, twenty-nine kids saw Christ through our students as they communicated the Gospel and accepted Christ as their Savior.

Please pray for God to continue to work in the lives of the kids in the Maple Hills community. Pray also for the Junior High students, who participate in A.W.O.L., that they will continue to be ambassadors for Christ wherever they go.

Parents InTUNE

Hey Parents!

If you have a 7th-12th grader, then Parents InTUNE is just for you! Times have changed since we were in Junior High and High School. As parents, it's important to recognize the challenges facing our children today and understand what the world looks like through their eyes. Equipped with this knowledge... plus a lot of hard work, support and prayer... we'll survive and maybe even thrive, during these critical teen years!

What is Parents InTUNE?
It's a ministry led by Wooddale's Senior and Junior High Pastors. They work with young people in our communities every day and have unique insight into their world. They are also committed to helping parents. Parents InTUNE is a series of three gatherings throughout the school year to discuss topics of importance to parents of teens.

At each event you'll enjoy:

• Teen Culture Tips (some will amaze...or even frighten you!)
• Words of wisdom from our presenters
• Table discussions / Support from other parents
• Time for prayer

Please join us!
There is no cost to attend Parents InTUNE gatherings. Friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches ...everyone's invited!

Upcoming Dates:

Sunday, September 29, 2013 9:45-10:45 a.m. with Parents of Teens Big Group in Great Rooms.  Then at 4 p.m. in the Chapel for a follow up.

Sunday, January 12, 2014 9:45-10:45 a.m. with Parents of Teens Big Group in Great Rooms. A joint session with teens and parents in the Great Rooms.

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 9:45-10:45 am with Parents of Teens Big Group in Great Rooms.

Please contact the Student Ministries Office for more information at 952.944.8360 or student.ministries@wooddale.org

Life Groups

7th & 8th grade Life Groups meet two times per month from October to May. Each group leader determines meeting times (typically Sunday afternoons or evenings). Meetings last approximately two hours and will be at Wooddale and at student homes. Each group is made up of 10-12 students and two leaders. In addition to adult leaders, most groups have a high school leader as well.

When do Life Groups start?

All 7th & 8th grade Life Groups kick off annually in October. This year we start on October 11, 2013 at 7 p.m. We begin with parents, students, and leaders at Wooddale, then bus students and leaders to designated homes for the rest of the night. Parents will pick up students at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at specified homes. 

How much does it cost to be in a Life Group?

The yearly cost is $50 per student. This covers leader training and supplies, bus transportation, curriculum, and administrative expenses such as copying and postage. When food is served at meetings, parents are asked to provide it or students are asked to bring a few dollars to cover the cost. 

Junior High Staff (from the left):  Ryan Tarman, Heather Flies, Gretchen Dischinger, Joe Budish

Heather Flies

Heather Flies has been with Wooddale’s Junior Highers since 1996. She graduated with her Communication degree from Bethel University and with her Masters from Bethel Seminary. Heather loves to take students on in pool, arm wrestling, and air hockey—and she’s not afraid to win, either! Email Heather at heather.flies@wooddale.org.

Ryan Tarman

Hello, my name is Ryan Tarman. But you can just call me Tarman. I am currently attending school at Crown College in their online program. My goal is to earn a Bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry. Besides working here at Wooddale I also have a job as a truck driver for a mobile shredding company. So, I spend most of my days destroying the things that people don’t want you to see. In my free time, I enjoy watching any sporting activity and spending time with my family. I also enjoy a good cup of coffee throughout the day. My favorite sport is football which makes fall my favorite season. I look forward to getting to know you. You can email me at ryan.tarman@wooddale.org.

Joe Budish

I am excited to have my dream job as a Jr. High Program Assistant at Wooddale!  I discovered my passion for Jr. High ministry while working as a church volunteer and summer camp staff member during college.  I love Jr. High students for many reasons, but mostly because they can be both fun and serious.

I currently reside in Minneapolis and attend Bethel Seminary where I am working toward my Master of Divinity degree.  In addition to being on the Wooddale Jr. High staff I am also a freelance math tutor for students throughout the metro area.  In my spare time I like to read for fun, play the guitar, and exercise.

I love meeting students and parents who are new to the Wooddale Jr. High Ministry.  Feel free to email me anytime at joe.budish@wooddale.org.

Gretchen Dischinger

Hello, I’m Gretchen (“Gretch” or “Gretchy-Gretch”) Dischinger.  I am a student at Bethel Seminary working on my Masters in Theological Studies (fancy word for God stuff). I live in Minneapolis where I enjoy spending time with my family, hanging with my seven roommates, drinking coffee, running/walking by the Mississippi and playing sand volleyball!

I am very excited to be a part of the Junior High Ministry at Wooddale Church. It’s great getting to share life with students, whether it’s talking about relationships, Jesus or breakfast cereal; worshipping together; being unnecessarily loud; or shooting paintballs at each other, I love it all. It is my prayer God uses this ministry to change the lives of students and their families for His kingdom! You can contact me via email at gretchen.dischinger@wooddale.org.