Discovery Parent Letter
Parents, please read the letter below. We also encourage you to download a hard copy.
We are so excited that your child will be attending Discovery Weekend. It is our prayer that they will experience God’s love throughout the weekend. There are several things that you need to know about this weekend that we have outlined in this letter. Please read this letter in its entirety, even those of you that are familiar with the weekend.
Drop-Off / Parking / Pick-Up
Friday Night Drop-Off
Drop off for Middle School students will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. Parents, please DO NOT arrive early as we will not be prepared to receive your child earlier than 7:00 pm. Due to construction, our drop-off procedure will be a little different this year. Please read the following carefully:
For FAST PASS students (SEE FAST PASS INFO BELOW): Please enter campus by the Mission Center (The main entrance off of Old Montgomery HWY). From there, you will be directed to the LEFT. You will circle the church using the parking lots by the Sanctuary building. Students will be dropped off under the portico across from the Carl Rains parking lot (The downstairs entrance to the church by the Riverchase Room). There will be signs and people everywhere directing you, DO NOT WORRY! Your students will walk up the stairs and check in by the gym. They will go to the middle parking lot where we will have drinks, games, and inflatables.
For Students without a FAST PASS (Walk Up registrants / Need to Pay / Missing Forms): You will enter at the main entrance by the Mission Center. You will be directed to the RIGHT and into the Student Center parking lot. You will enter with your student into the Student Center where you will register or finish registering your student. They will then receive their wristband and walk to the middle parking lot.
We will stagger drop-off times by grade: 7:00 – 8th Grade | 7:10 – 7th Grade | 7:20 – 6th Grade
FAST PASS
If your child is registered, has completed the liability form, and paid in full by Feb 6th, you will receive a bracelet in the mail. (This letter will also accompany the bracelet in the mail.) This bracelet is your child’s “Fast Pass” through registration and he/she should wear it Friday night. (All other students will receive a bracelet on Friday night.) There is no need for parents to accompany their student into the church.
Parking
The main parking lot will be closed for the duration of the weekend. If you will be picking up or dropping off your child throughout the weekend, please park in the upper lot.
Text Updates
Text updates will be sent during the weekend from the following number: (205) 301-2123.
Early Checkout (Middle School only)
If your child needs to leave/return during the weekend prior to 2:30 on Sunday, please reply/text the Discovery Weekend texts ((205) 301-2123) before arriving at church to check out a student. Only parents may check out students, and please allow at least 10 minutes to check out. You may meet to pick up your child in the Narthex at our “Check Point” desk. We ask that students do not check out between 1 – 3pm on Saturday and that early check outs on Sunday occur before 10:30am and after 12pm.
What to Pack / Housing
Middle school students will spend the night at the church. They will be separated by gender and will be assigned to a room in the church where multiple adults will be supervising. Students are not allowed to bring cell phones.
Middle school students will be taken to the YMCA on Saturday and Sunday mornings for showers. Your child will need a Bible, journal, pen/pencil, toiletries, a swimsuit (for the public shower), towel(s), a pillow & sleeping bag, and comfortable clothes for inside and outside activities.
High School students will be staying at approved host homes and will need to pack clothes for inside and outside activities, toiletries, Bible, journal, and pen/pencil. Linens and towels will be provided by host homes. They are also encouraged to bring a backpack to keep their belongings during the sessions.
All meals, drinks, and snacks will be provided throughout the weekend. Please DO NOT send or let your child bring candy, drinks or food unless they have special dietary needs (ie – gluten-free).
Letters
Students receive letters of encouragement/love on Sunday morning from family, friends, and fellow students. Please collect at least eight of these for your child. These letters will be distributed as a surprise to the kids. These letters are meant to be signs of love and affirmation from your child’s loved ones. We ask that in these letters you express your love and God’s love for your child, please also affirm them by sharing the gifts and promise that you see in their life. Ask grandparents, siblings, relatives, close friends, etc. to write letters.
You are welcome and encouraged to bring your letters by the church before Wednesday, Feb. 12th. Please drop off the letters at the receptionist’s desk in the Education Building. After that Wednesday, we will receive letters at Friday night drop-off and throughout the weekend in bins near the “Check Point” desk. We require that all letters be turned in NO LATER than 6:30 pm Saturday evening February 15. Please remember that it can be very discouraging if a student does not receive any letters. Please bundle letters (by rubber band or ziploc bag) and include child’s First Name, Last Name, gender and grade clearly printed on the outside of each envelope.
Prayer Service & Sunday Afternoon Pick-Up
In years past, the Prayer Service has taken place on Saturday Night. We will now end Discovery Weekend with the Prayer Service on Sunday afternoon. We believe the best way for your student to end the weekend is to have his/her parents join them in a time of prayer. The service will be at 1:30 in the Sanctuary. After the service concludes, you may grab luggage and leave campus with your student! This service will be an incredibly important moment for your students and for the weekend as a whole. Please plan to attend.
First Time Baptisms
If your child has never been baptized, there will be an opportunity for first-time baptisms in the Contemporary Service Sunday morning at 11am. Please discuss your feelings about baptism prior to the weekend. If your child would like to be baptized, please contact us at the church immediately. We would like you to attend the service. If your child makes this decision over the weekend, we will contact you so you may attend. If you have any questions regarding baptisms or this service, please contact Scott Barnes – 205-910-5947.
If you need to contact us during the weekend, feel free to contact Kristi Tolbert at 205-937-0333 or Rebecca Horn at 662-347-0281.
We cannot wait for Discovery to be here!
God Bless,
The Discovery Team
