Wednesday, October 30, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
13
Searching for a rainbow...
Young Life builds relationships
By Charlie Kanzig
Correspondent
Young Life, a non-denom-
inational organization for
youth, returned to Sisters
last fall under the direction
of Shannon and Doug Miller
with the help of many vol-
unteers. A year in, Shannon
Miller says the group has
gained name recognition and
support, high school kids are
coming to the weekly meet-
ings and a number have been
to Young Life camps.
On its website, Young
Life, which was founded in
the 1940s and has grown into
an international organization,
states its mission as being
to <introduce adolescents to
Jesus Christ= which Miller
explains is much different
than a traditional church youth
group.
<Everyone9s welcome no
matter where they are at in
life. Our goal is creating a
space that9s fun, that kids can
be real and for us to share
where our hope comes from,=
she said.
The Millers came to Sisters
about a year and a half ago
after a stint of working at the
Washington Family Ranch,
a Young Life camp, near
Antelope. Their initial push
was to find dedicated adult
volunteers in the community
in order to build a proper foun-
dation for Sisters Young Life
to function properly. Sunday
night meetings began over the
past few months with 5 to 10
teens involved, but a larger
<kick-off= for this school
year is happening Sunday,
November 3.
A typical meeting includes
some food, a game or skit, and
a brief story or teaching from
one of the adult leaders, but
especially giving the kids time
to talk.
<It9s most important for us
to create a safe environment
that allows the youth a chance
to talk and to ask questions,=
she said. =Of course, we
always try to have a little fun
along the way.=
Among the volunteers
are key players Kent Boles,
Brooke and Damon Frutos,
PHOTO BY JENNIFER SMITH
Rainy autumn weather produced a beautiful rainbow seen from
George Cyrus Road on October 22.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG
Young Life members prepare to carve pumpkins at a recent get-together
called the Pumpkin Palooza. Regular meetings begin Sunday, November 3.
Val Allen, and Julie Swisher.
Young Life volunteers also
finds other ways to support
students. Shannon organized
a group of girls who went to
homecoming together, help-
ing them plan and get ready.
Small groups gather at times
other than Sunday nights as
well.
An example of the fun fac-
tor came October 27 with an
event called Pumpkin Palooza,
which was the first real event
of the year for Young Life.
The group visited a pump-
kin patch, shared a meal, and
launched pumpkins in the dark
using a catapult.
The first meeting of the
year is set for this Sunday
evening, November 3, at the
Miller9s home located at 533
N. Freemont St. in Sisters.
Meetings start at 7:27 p.m.
Advertising thus far has
been relatively low-key
according to Miller.
<It9s mostly been word-
of-mouth 4 students telling
other students 4 so it9s grow-
ing organically and sort of
slowly, which is perfectly fine.
We want the kids to own it,=
she said. <We9ve had parents
come along at times to check
it out and that9s fine, too.=
Future meetings may take
place at other locations. Miller
suggests that people check the
Sisters Young Life Instagram
page for updates.
NOV
1
FRI
NOV
2
SAT
NOV
5
TUES
KJ ANNIE
Wine tasting with
Willamette Valley Vineyards!
Friday, November 8
from 2 to 8 p.m.
Vendors will be selling gifts, see
Kathy Deggendorfer’s art and
meet artist Paul Alan Bennett.
175 N. Larch St.
t.
541-549-6114
541-588-0311
hardtailsoregon.com
201 E. Sun Ranch Dr.,
Mon-Sat 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fri.-Mon., Nov. 1-4
Turkish Rug Bazaar
A truckload of gorgeous Turkish
rugs from Istanbul Rug Bazaar.
Sat., Nov. 16 • 6:30 p.m.
Dry Canyon Stampede
Western dancing on the sprung
wood fl oor! Dance lessons at 6:30,
start swingin’ with the band at
7:30! Dance lessons included in
ticket, partner not required.
Sat., Nov. 23 • 8 p.m.
Quick and Easy Boys
Pub opens 1 hour prior to shows.
302 E. Main | 541-815-9122
BelfryEvents.com
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse Coffee & Connections at
Jobb 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Connect with remote workers &
other professionals. For more info call 541-588-0311.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night 7 p.m. Every Wednesday! $20.
For information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Honky Tonk Halloween
5 to 9 p.m. Treats, eats and a lil two-step. Tickets and details
OCT
at thesuttlelodge.com/happenings.
31
THUR Sisters Saloon Karaoke Night 9 p.m. to midnight. Every
Thursday, no cover! For additional information call
541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net.
COFFEEHOUSE
HOLIDAY MARKET
Facebook darcymacey
30
WED
6
HAPPY
HOUR
MON-FRI 4-7pm
Prime Rib Fridays 5pm!
OCT
WED
(Sweden’s Christmas)
FRI. & SAT. at 9pm
Entertainment & Events
NOV
JOIN US
FOR JUL!
KARAOKE NIGHTS!
As an organization, Young
Life also has a middle school
program called Wyldlife,
but for now some of the vol-
unteers for Young Life are
helping with the youth group
called <Collide= held on
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at
the Sisters Westside Church
campus in collaboration with
Vast and Westside Church.
<Even though we don9t
have an official group for
middle-school-aged youth, we
are still promoting kids going
to our camps and doing what
we can to help support Collide
so this age group also had
opportunities to get together,=
she said.
Reflecting over the year,
Miller feels deep appreciation
for the way the Sisters com-
munity has <supported and
embraced= Young Life.
<It9s been a joy getting to
know people,= she said. <I
have loved getting to know the
kids in Sisters.=
Miller has four children
of her own, including a high
school sophomore, so she can
appreciate more than ever
how much teens benefit from
a group like Young Life. She
said, <Young Life brings a
message of hope to teenagers.
We find adults who genuinely
care about kids and put them
in a place where they can help
them navigate the difficult
waters of adolescence.=
Deschutes County Fairgrounds Snowfl ake Boutique
1 to 8 p.m. $3.50 admission, proceeds go to Family Access
Network. Go to snowfl akeboutique.org for more info.
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse Game Night until 8 p.m. Bring
your own games & friends or fi nd them there! Call 541-588-
0311 for more information.
Hardtails Bar & Grill KJ Annie Rawkstar Karaoke
Night! 9 p.m. Every Friday, no cover! For additional
information call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com.
Deschutes County Fairgrounds Snowfl ake Boutique
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $3.50 admission, proceeds go to Family
Access Network. Go to snowfl akeboutique.org for more info.
Bend Elks Lodge The Artisan Showcase Holiday
Bazaar 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission, local artists. Gifts,
Christmas decor & more! For more info call 541-221-4426.
Cork Cellars Live Music with Jazz Folks 6:30-8:30 p.m.
No cover! For information call 541-549-2675 or go online to
corkcellarswinebistro.com.
Hardtails Bar & Grill KJ Annie Rawkstar Karaoke
Night! 9 p.m. Every Saturday, no cover! For additional
information call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com.
Sisters Saloon Trivia Night 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sign-up is
at 6:15 p.m. Free, every Tuesday! For additional information
call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net.
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse Coffee & Connections at
Jobb 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Connect with remote workers &
other professionals. For more info call 541-588-0311.
Sisters Community Church Author Presentation
6:30 p.m. Part of the Creativity, Culture & Faith Series.
Kim Meeder will discuss “Encountering Our Wild God.” For
info call Sisters Community Church at 541-549-1201.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night 7 p.m. Every Wednesday! $20.
For information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net.
Cork Cellars Tasty Thursday Hosted Wine Tasting
5 to 7 p.m. For additional information call 541-549-2675 or
NOV go online to corkcellarswinebistro.com.
7 Sisters Saloon Karaoke Night 9 p.m. to midnight. Every
THUR
Thursday, no cover! For additional information call
541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net.
NOV
8
FRI
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse Jul (Sweden’s Christmas) 2 to
8 p.m. Holiday market with gifts and art by local artists. Wine
tasting. Call 541-588-0311 for more information.
Hardtails Bar & Grill KJ Annie Rawkstar Karaoke
Night! 9 p.m. Every Friday, no cover! For additional
information call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com.
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