Ministry to Skaters

This article talks about a ministry in Redwood City, CA which is specifically targetted at the skater community. Many consider the culture to be unreachable, but this church is showing that anything is possible with God.

For the past year, the 26-year-old Davidson has been heading Skatechurch, a ministry of Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City that has been slowly infiltrating the local skateboarding community. During the past six years, it has ministered to more than 1,000 kids, ranging from middle-schoolers to high school graduates.

As a skateboarder for more than a decade, Davidson understands the unsavory side of the popular sport. Inundated with skate culture at a young age, he hung out with the wrong crowds inhigh school and eventually fell into drugs, flitting in and out of rehab. While fulfilling his community service, he met a pastor who eventually led him to Jesus.

"Here's this guy who would take me bowling and go eat double baconburgers with me," recalled Davidson. "I saw God's character in his life, and it was something I wanted in mine."

The first Skatechurch was founded in a Portland, Ore. church parking lot in 1987 by two Bible college students who were both sponsored skaters, and is currently the longest running indoor skate park in the United States. It blends recreational skateboarding with the word of God.

1 John 1:7

“ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ”
1 John 1:7

It's all in how you say it

ALERT: Softball Game Info Has Changed!

Please be aware that the Calvary 1 vs Calvary 2 softball game has been moved to LONG HILL FIELD in Trumbull at 7:00 PM! Apologies for the late notice, but we only just got confirmation of the change.

Yale Peabody Museum

It is usually right about now that summer vacation can start to get... shall we say... tedious. The hours stretch out in front of you endlessly, there is nothing good on television, it is too rainy/hot/humid/buggy to go outside, and you realize that the problem with being too young for a job is that you are stuck with nothing to do.

Well, last weekend Matt and I went to the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, and it was a very fun time. While some museums can be boring, this one is filled with dinosaurs, interactive exhibits, and even a discovery area where you can see a number of live animals on display.

If you are interested, check out their website for more details. If you are not sure, click on the picture above to see a photo album of our trip.

Where ARE you guys?

You may have noticed that we have not been around much the last few days (though hopefully posting has kept up a regular pace). Well, we are currently in Wildwood, NJ. It is one of my favorite places on the planet and a great place to vacation. We'll be back in a few days, and will see you all then.

Clash of the Titans!!!

Public Service Announcement! Tell your parents!
This Friday, July 28, will be a special Calvary Church event, not to be missed! Finally, the Calvary 1 and Calvary 2 softball teams will be meeting in competition on the field. It will be a battle royale of the type not seen for ages past. This is the one chance for the whole church to come on out and cheer on our men as they go to war (Softball War) to show who has bragging rights as the ULTIMATE Calvary Softball Team.

The event is at 7:00 PM at Indian Ledge Field in Trumbull, CT. Please consider coming out and showing your support. Signs, team cheers, and noisemakers are welcome! There are bleachers at the field.

Dagney's Return

Quiz Team friend, former youth group sponsor, and current missionary Dagney Pitts is back from Thailand and has posted a short report on her blog.

We worked hard, played hard and God invested in our lives both as a team and individually. The teens, Matt, John and Jessie were super people. They were very hard workers and flexible eaters! :-) If you've ever had Durian (a supposed fruit) you'll understand! I was impressed with our kids ability to relate to the Thai and Lahu workers at our construction site. They tried the languages and allowed others to laugh at them as they tried; which then opened the hearts of the workers to them. By the time we left there were some heartfelt goodbyes.

Welcome home! May God bless your efforts back here in the States as well.

Summer Spectacular Photos, Part 2

Another of our ubiquitous (click for definition) QuizPad reporters was visiting the Arctic Edge event at church. And she snapped another set of amazing photos.

Posted without further comment

Reports from Nationals 2006

Our roving QuizPad reporters were not only at Summer Spectacular, but also attended Challenge 2006 (i.e. Nationals) this year and scoped out the excitements that was to be had.

Nationals was an amazing week. We heard lots of awesome speakers and Chris Tomlin who is phenomenal live. We stayed at Purdue University thought there wasn’t any air conditioning in the dorms, the facilities were great. [Ed.: I understand that despite the heat, folks stayed hydrated so there was no fainting or heat stroke this year… unlike past years.] The food was really good with a lot of variety in the meals. We had plenty of free time to play sports and have shaving cream fights. We did ministry projects and helped spread the gospel throughout the community. It was so cool to meet new people and to praise God with 6,000 other teens. Definitely think and pray about going to Nationals in 2008 because it was a great event that I’m glad that I was able to attend.

Thanks to our top-secret under-cover source for the report, and for a few pictures of the event.

For more details, check out the "official" blog at http://www.challengeconference.com.

Year-End Picnic Photos!

Most of you were there to see it all in person, but if you need a reminder we have photos from the year-end quiz team picnic. Click on the picture below to see the full array of fun-in-the-sun-until-the-lightning-and-hail that was the party.

Thanks again to Jim and Marjie for having us all there, and cooking up the yummy eats!

Summer Spectacular Photos, Part 1

QuizPad's roving reporters were busy once again, and caught the best moments on film!

The joys of pet ownsership

It isn't biblical, it isn't quizzing, but it is a really cute comic.

Rain or Shine!

A few folks had asked me what would happen if there are thunderstorms tonight. I checked with Jim and the picnic is on, rain or shine. So do not let a few dark clouds discourage you.

Tonight is THE night!

Tonight is the night of the Year-End Quiz Team Picnic! Remember this is your last chance to see the Seniors before they leave for their next stage (especially Froggie who leaves for the Navy in only a few days), your last chance to hang out with the 2005-2006 quiz team, and your last chance to recite long portions of Romans and James to impress your coaches.

Festivities begin promptly at 5 PM. Transportation will be provided for those attending Youth Group.

REMINDER: Lawn Chairs for the Picnic

This is a reminder to any Quiz Team parents planning to attend tomorrow night's year-end gala at the Chez Brake. If you want to have comfortable seating, please supply your own lawn chairs. Our deluxe accommodations only have a few chairs and if we multiply the number of quizzers by the numbers of potential parents, parking spots for rear ends will run out quickly.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

Extended Edition Narnia DVD Coming

If you enjoyed seeing the original Narnia Movie in the theater, you might be interested to know that there appear to be plans to release a longer version.

"Those attending the annual fanboy festival Comic-Con in San Diego later this month will be treated to a first glimpse at never-before-seen footage from the upcoming limited edition "director’s cut" DVD, hosted by Narnia producer Mark Johnson. The event will take place on Saturday (July 22) at 3:45 in Hall H

Very cool news. Personally, I can not wait.

Unintended Consequences

USB Bible on a Keychain

Well, since this is only King James Version, it would not be good for EFCA Bible Quizzing, but it certainly is an interesting idea. The full text of the Bible on a USB keychain for viewing on any computer. (Well, any computer except a Mac or Windows 98 machine.)

Congratulations Cresskill Upper!

Our spy at Nationals had one more bit of news to report. Not only did EF come in second, but Cresskill took third place in the Upper Division! It is great to see the Eastern District so well represented this year.

Congratulations, Essex Fells!

We just got word from our top secret spy from Nationals. Essex Fells won second place in both Upper and Lower Division for bible quizzing! Congratulations to our friends from the Garden State!!!

Meet & Greet & Eat

The Eagle has landed! Uh, I mean, Pastor Scott is here and is back from Nationals. And now he is ready to meet with the teens and to be the one buying the pizza. Check out the dates below for your chance to meet the new man in town! Every date is a Thursday and things will begin at 6:30 PM.

• July 13: Seniors
• July 20: Juniors
• July 27: Sophomores
• August 3: Freshman
• August 10: Eighth Graders
• August 17: Seventh Graders
• August 24: Sixth Graders

The grades above refer to what you were this past year, not what you will be when school starts back up in September.

Psalm 138:2

“ I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. ”
Psalm 138:2

Don't read too much into the chesner.org outage

Live Action "Year Without a Santa Claus"

I think we missed it at this year's Christmas party, but a staple of the Quiz Team experience has been watching the claymation classic "A Year Without a Santa Claus." Now, reportedly, they are making a live action version!

John Goodman has signed on to star in the live-action version of the 1974 claymation holiday favorite "The Year Without a Santa Claus" for NBC reports Variety.
Ron Underwood is directing the two-hour film, which also stars Ethan Suplee, Chris Kattan, Eddie Griffin and Carol Kane.
The story follows a disgruntled St. Nick (Goodman) who decides to take the year off from delivering presents; he ultimately rediscovers the meaning of the holiday through the help of a young boy.

Maybe a Quiz Team activity for his coming December?

Softball Postponed Again

Calvary II Softball has had its game tonight postponed again. We may try to make up a game next Thursday. Stay tuned for more details.

Happy Birthday, Quark

Softball Update 2

Tomorrow's Calvary 2 softball game has been rescheduled for 8:15 PM at Indian Ledge Park. It will be against CHS.

Calvary II Softball Update - NO GAME TONIGHT

Calvary II's softball game for tonight (Wednesday) has been postponed.

We hope to make up a previously postponed game tomorrow night(Thursday) at 8:15pm at Indian Ledge field.

Calvary Softball News

Unfortunately, last week's game was called on account of rain. However, the good news is that this week Calvary 2 will have two games to attend! Wednesday, July 5 at 7:30 PM at Indian Ledge Field, Calvary will be playing Monty's. Then Thursday, July 6 (Mark's Birthday) there will be a make-up game at 7:15 PM (field to be announced).

Happy Independence Day!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Derby Day Fireworks

It is a few days before Independence Day, but Derby Day was Sunday and thus there were some fireworks flying over our house. I thought the team might enjoy sharing our enjoyment of the bombast.

Please Be Praying for Nationals

Please be praying for the quizzers who are now away at the National Youth Conference. Pal, Specs, Super K, and #2 are out at Purdue University. Please be praying that they are fulfilled, challenged, and come back refreshed and excited about serving God.

Be careful what you wish for

From BibleShack.com.

An atheist was spending a quiet day fishing when suddenly his boat was attacked by the Loch Ness monster. In one easy flip, the beast tossed him and his boat high into the air then opened its mouth to swallow both. As the man sailed head over heels, he cried out, "Oh, my God! Help me!"

At once, the ferocious attack scene froze in place and, as the atheist hung in mid-air, a booming voice came down from the clouds.

"I thought you didn't believe in Me!"

"Come on God, give me a break!," the man pleaded. "Two minutes ago I didn't believe in the Loch Ness monster either!"

Then the Atheist continues, "God, please let the Loch Ness Monster become religious."

God replies, "So be it."

The scene starts up, atheist falling.

The Loch Ness Monster folds his claws together and says, "Lord, bless this food you have so graciously provided...."