December 2011 All things concerning MYC this month. CONNECT Get connected. “It's the simple, humble kid who's faithful and attentive to the Holy Spirit-- that's where it begins.” AN INTERVIEW WITH JON FOREMAN I recently read an article in Group more introspective-maybe the song possess, you know? That analogy plays out magazine that was an interview with Jon becomes a vehicle to discuss things you in other ways-a girl who's incredibly good- Foremen, the frontman for Switchfoot. I otherwise couldn't talk about. And that's looking will be cursed with that all her life thought you guys would enjoy reading some where I am at today,using the transcendence unless she learns there's more to her life. of it, so here it is: of music to be more honest than I would be When I look at culture, I see we have so in a conversation. I would say I write songs many gifts given to us that allow us to be Interviewer: What role has music had in about the things I don't understand, and the lazy. I've heard it said that any culture that forming your identity as a follower of Christ? biggest mysteries to me are probably makes ease its goal has already begun its Foreman: Music has been an integral part of women, deity, and politics. demise-I can't think of any nation where this my life ever since I can remember. When I would more relevant that my own. The Interviewer: In "Vice Verses" there's the lyric: was a kid I just loved the way that it felt to United States has become the culture of "Every blessing comes with a set of curses." listen to music. As a kid at Disneyland I comfort. Growth, strength, and beauty are What do you mean by that? would literally follow behind the marching not things that come from comfort. They are band. My parents had to chase me down Foreman: I mean, your weakness is your refined qualities that are brought to the one time-they didn't know where I was. I strength and your strength is your weakness. surface often by pain or trial. thought I was part of the band. So music has You know, a kid grows up in a family with a had a deep impact on me. I discovered Led lot of cash, and suddenly that becomes his Interviewer: A couple of songs on the new Zeppelin in junior high and decided that, as curse as well as his blessing. Another kid, album are about wasting our lives now while fun as my piano lessons were, I was ready maybe across the border in Tijuana, has we wait for the hereafter. What's the for electric guitar. Then, as you begin to write nothing and he has everything. [Some of difference between a '"wasted" life and an more and more songs through junior high those kids] have a hope and a joy that a un-wasted one? and high school, they began to be a little spoiled rich kid north of the border can't (continued on the following page) Foreman: Knowing yourself and knowing Christmas Party Gifts up by the earlybird deadline of December 28. your maker are two true and good goals that As is our tradition (and one of my After that the cost goes up $10. are often put aside for pleasure or favorite MYC traditions, I might add), we will There are also two spots for High distraction. And we have so many be adopting a family for Christmas. This is a Schoolers on this trip--one guy, one girl. If distractions... family who could not afford Christmas gifts you are a Believe veteran and would like to on their own, so we are going to make sure Interviewer: You have a song on your new go along as a leader, please submit a one that their tree is full. And we do it completely album called "Restless"-that's a perfect page letter to Nathan explaining why you anonymously, so that only God can get the description of teenagers today. What do you want to go. glory. think is good and bad about restlessness? Camp Barnabas Here’s how things work. There will be a Foreman: I think to be discontent with a Here’s the update on where we are at Christmas tree in the youth room with gifts world that is wrong is actually the on it for each of the members of the family. with Camp Barnabas. We are still waiting to appropriate response-to feel uncomfortable Pick one off the tree, go out and buy the gift, hear back from Camp Barnabas concerning with the way that the poor are treated or with and bring it with you to the Christmas party. our group’s registration. If they place us with the racism that still exists in our country or We will wrap the gifts together and then our first choice, we will be headed back to with your own spiritual hunger. These are deliver the Santa sack full of gifts to their Purdy, MO the last week of June, 2012. But discomforts that can move you toward the doorstep that night. Gifts should cost $10- that hasn’t been confirmed yet, neither has truth. You know, "Blessed are those who $15. the number of spots we will have to fill. Just hunger and thirst for righteousness for they as soon as I hear back from Camp will be filled." I think the Beatitudes, Winter Retreat Barnabas, we will start the application especially the early ones, speak of a Fall Retreat is Winter Retreat this year, process on our end. restlessness and yearning for a world we've appropriately since the dates of the retreat never known. are January 13-15. The details are coming Kiva Money Remember the money that you raised Firestone: If you could go back and tell your together. We will be joining our friends from 16-year-old self one thing, what would it be? Boulevard again this year. Lane during the summer of 2010 that we Moss is our guest speaker. And used to give micro loans to Foreman: In terms of the mysteries of life, most importantly the theme is The entrepreneurs around the world don't worry as much about politics or girls. Feast. We will be spending the through Kiva? Well, a lot of those Firestone: To use a word that you've weekend feasting on God--the loans have been repaid and there is admitted to stealing, how can we "re- richest and truest of food. Sign-up some money in our account that we appropriate" what it means to be church in details will be in the mail to you can give away again--$2,766.43 to this hurting world? shortly. be exact. That’s enough for 110 more loans. So, on an upcoming Foreman: This starts with the humility of Believe Wednesday night, we will get the knowing that we can do nothing on our own. MIddle Schoolers, I’ve got something details together and you will have the And it doesn't matter if you've got a camera just for you--Believe. Believe is a weekend opportunity to pick new entrepreneurs to pointed at you or a microphone-none of conference designed specifically for Middle lend to. these things are the living embodiment of School students. Filled with teaching, Christ on this planet. It's the simple, humble worshipping, and group time, it is an Harrison’s Wedding kid who's faithful and attentive to the Holy experience that will draw you closer to God It’s (Facebook) official, Harrison has a Spirit--that's where it begins. All of us, and the others in the youth group. girlfriend. And she is about to be his wife. myself included, have a tendency to be This year, Believe is in Tulsa on February By the time your next Connect arrives in your caught up in hype. But the Gospel is about 3-4. If you want to learn more about the mailbox, Harrison will be a married man. Go being humble to the point where you're conference, you can check out details online to their wedding website to check out all of willing to pick up your cross and daily pursue the details. And you can leave them an a communion with this gracious God who at www.ciy.com/believe. Be on the lookout for a mailing from Nathan with information on encouraging note on their guestbook. loves the world. He loves us so much that he how to sign up. The cost is $65 if you sign- harrisonandkelly.ourwedding.com gives of himself for us to consume. Switchfoot Music So I thought you might be interested to “Remember know that Switchfoot has a new CD out, Vice This December, Verses. Maybe it’s something you might put That love weighs more on your Christmas list. If you are more than gold!” inclined to something acoustic, you might ~Josephine Dodge Daskam check out Jon Foreman’s solo offering, Bacon Limbs and Branches. A Few Decorating “The Word became flesh and made his Ideas dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, This Month’s Birthdays the glory of the one and only Son, who came December 5 - Amysha Trammell from the Father, full of grace and truth.” December 25 - Jesus - John 1:14 ON THE CALENDAR IN DECEMBER All MYC Cell Group Little Theater the first weekend of the month.