Winter Retreat and Why We Don't Go Snow Skiing.

Here's a little video that will demonstrate why it is that we no longer go snow skiing. Enjoy.

Christmas Party Next Wednesday

Well it's the season to get together and celebrate all that God has given us and there's no better way to do that than to hang out, eat and play dirty Santa. Okay, maybe there are better ways but not more fun.

December 15th the Middle School will be gathering at the Moore's home.
(827 Cable Dr. Birmingham, AL 35226-1806)
The part starts at 7:00 and goes until 8:30. Here's what you need to bring.

-Guys bring something salty to eat. Chips, dip, chex mix, etc...

-Girls bring something sweet. Cookies, brownies, etc...

-Everyone bring a wrapped gift to play Dirty Santa. It can be anything. It can be something good or something goofy. Anything you can find that would be fun but make sure it's wrapped.

That same night our High School will be going to the Alabama Theater http://www.alabamatheatre.com/ to see the movie "It's a Wonderful Life."

Vans will be leaving at 6:00 from the church and returning at 10:00 please ride with us. Don't meet us there.

The cost of the tickets are $7.00 plus feel free to bring money for concessions. They sell popcorn, drinks and candy and it's all $2 and under.

Thanksgiving Throwdown Music Video

Here's a compilation of people eating Scott's special brew of wings set to music.

Enjoy.

Thanksgiving Throwdown - Crazy Music Video from Jonathan Owen on Vimeo.

Go! Night - Christmas Edition

Wednesday night is GO! Night and we're having a special Christmas edition.

First of all we've got a special music video from our Thanksgiving Throwdown that you will not want to miss.

Then after the service we're having hot chocolate and cookies and watch "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (the cartoon one) in the Garage. We'll be done at 9:00.

So come have a merry time with us.

Thanksgiving Was Thrown Down

We had about 50 people at the farm Sunday night for our High School Thanksgiving Throwdown. It was a beautiful night and perfect for a hayride and bonfire.

 

 This was our 7th annual Thanksgiving Throwdown. It's started out of humble beginnings with a handful of students in the Parking Deck and wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. It was a small affair. Since then it has become the highlight of the season.

This year we met at the Walls farm for a beautiful night under the stars. We roasted marshmallows, rode hay and a good time. However the climax of each throwdown is the eating of wings. Scott Leveille is out master chef and made our meal. It's always to die for.

 But the real fun comes at the end of the night when Scott makes his special brew of hot wings. And believe me, they are hot. We had a video camera on hand to catch all the action. 

Thanksgiving Throwdown: The Movie

Here it is. The Trailer for "Thanksgiving Throwdown: The Movie." The trailer took so long to make that we could only make the trailer and not the whole movie. We're still trying to get funding to finish it.




 Thanks to Nick and Mark.
(Pumpkins were harmed in the making of this movie)

Winter Retreat Is Too Much Fun

It is true. Winter Retreat is too much fun. Check out these pictures to prove it. Also, sign up before December 1st to pay the discounted price. jacispain@smic.org for info.

Thanksgiving Throwdown

Well, it's that time of year again when we gather to celebrate the hallowed day of Thanksgiving. While most students will be sharing the warmth of kith and kin, we wanted to have our own celebration where we got to enjoy the season with each other. This desire has culminated into a yearly tradition that we call our "Thanksgiving Throwdown."


For Middle School we will be gathering in the Garage on Tuesday, November 23 from 7:00 - 9:00. We will be having wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and commemorating Thanksgiving with a special selection of seasonal games. These will include: Turkey Bowling, Eggnog Chug, Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, and the favorite called Egg Slam. It's more fun than you could imagine. The cost is $5. Bring a friend and enjoy our special celebration.


For High School we will be gathering at the Walls farm in Bessemer (a fun new addition) for a bonfire and wing feast on Sunday, November 21 from 7:00-9:00. Scott Levielle, a Buffalo native, has begun a tradition of cooking a feast for us using his special family recipe. We'll be eating, roasting marshmallow and enjoying the autumn evening.

One highlight of the evening is Scott special brew that is quite possibly the hottest thing you've ever tasted. It is respectfully referred to as the "Hell Brew." And if you've tasted it you know why. It's a challenge for those who dare.

See a few of the special few that tried it last year.

Trunk and Treat

 Well, it seems that people came out of the woodwork for Trunk & Treat this year, and some even seemed to have come out of the woods (i.e. gnomes and lumberjacks). We were so proud of our students this year. Their cars and costumes were better than ever. Check out a few pictures from the night.

 

These were our Gnomes. They sang and danced their way into the hearts or trick or treaters. 

  

 This is Old Beard. Head of the Gnome clan. Look to the right of the page to see a video of them on the news. Make sure you stay till the end to hear the growl of Old Beard.

  

  

These are our burly lumberjacks. And 1 of 2 Michael Jacksons. 

  

The original Dr. Pepper. 

 

 A few of our favorite colors.

 

 The Crayola Crew

The Little Girl on the Prairie

 Our 10th graders from outer space.

 God bless America. Is it me or is William Dennison not a ringer for Abe Lincoln?

 

The Care Bears. 

Michael Jackson #2

Winter Retreat

This coming January we will be headed to the beautiful Smokey Mountains for our yearly Winter Retreat. We’ve rented two beautiful cabins for middle school and high school located in the mountains of Tennessee. Each cabin has a beautiful view of the mountains with a big hot tub on the back porch. The cabins also have a game room with big TV’s and at night we’ve got plenty of sleeping with a bunch of queen-sized bunk beds to crash on.

Check out the cabins here:
http://www.majesticmountainvacations.com/cabin.asp?property_id=1030
http://www.majesticmountainvacations.com/cabin.asp?property_id=1029

We’ll be leaving Saturday, January 15 and will spend three days together as we worship, study and play together. Our speaker for Middle School is Joel Busby (Joel is still tentative). He’s spoken at many of our past retreats and continues to impact our students with his heart for the Lord and the Word of God. Our High School speaker is Todd Hampton who grew up with Jonathan and is the Student Pastor at The People’s Church in Springhill, TN. Each winter our retreat proves to be a fun and impactful weekend for our students and their friends.

• The cost is $145 if you sign up by or on Wednesday, December 1st.
• After December 1^st the price is $155
• After January 1st the price is $165.

So sign up soon and get a good deal. All meals are included in the price except for lunch on the way to and from Gatlinburg. The cost also includes a t-shirt.  Students may also need spending money. To register contact Jaci at jacispain@smic.org or call her at 978-6011.



Bowling Tomorrow Night

We've been e-mailing James Spann and rain looks highly likely tomorrow and possibly into the day. So it might not rain but the bonfire would  be touch and go right up until it starts. So we've decided to go bowling instead. We're trying to figure out a way to do the bonfire but right now we're not quite sure when that is. Obviously we'd love to have a bonfire but it's just not going to work.

So here are the details for the bowling.

Meet at Vestavia Bowling at 7:00 and bowl from 7:30-8:30. The cost is $7.50. After we're done we're gonna run to Bruster's for ice cream if it's not raining.

So, tomorrow night at 7:00, meet us there and we'll be done bowling at 8:30 then ice cream afterward. Bring $7.50.

See you there.

533-4130 if you have questions.

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Once a quarter we will be publishing a newsletter that will contain all the information you need to know about upcoming events in student ministries. We'll be mailing them out,  you can download it here or pick one up at the church.

Here is this quarter's newsletter.

Click HERE to download.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at jonathanowen@smic.org.

One Big Happy Family

Wesley Slappey, one of our Life Group leaders and former students, said that he always thought of me (Jonathan) as his dad, John as his brother and Devin as his sister in law. Perhaps Aaron is their son. Either way, knowing that Wes plays imaginary "house" in his head doesn't seem to make John happy.

SMIC Retro Moment #1

hWe were going through out offices this week and came across a little gem call the "SMIC 2001 Church Directory." It's like a time capsule of families. They way we were. Here are a few of the favorites.

This has been an SMIC Retro Moment.

Brought to you by Miracle 80.