Can one event lower teen pregnancy rates?

Posted: Oct 24, 2012 at 3:00 PM [Oct 24, 2012]

YouthNet and the Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee would like to invite all middle- and high-schoolers and their parents to the Silver Ring Thing REWIND tour taking place on November 11, 2012 at Onsted Middle School. Perhaps you've heard of it, because Silver Ring Thing (SRT) is a nationally-known tour that is going to stop in several cities this year, and has been in the area recently (Jonesville hosted an event with 500 people last fall, and Adrian also had a huge event a few years back).  Through music, video, lights/lasers, comedy, and lots of personal stories, SRT reaches youth with the message of waiting until marriage to have sex, OR recommitting to a life of purity if it's already after the fact (it's very important to note that hope will be shared with teens who have already been sexually active...they will be told - maybe for the first time - that they can start over).  It is not a "safe sex" program, it's a "God has an amazing plan for sex in marriage so commit to waiting and live the good life" program. Silver Ring Thing is a Christian program, but it will not beat students up with a boring, dry message.  While the joy of following God's plan for sex in marriage is the basis for the whole program, all are invited for a night of fun and encouragement, Christian or not.  If parents aren't sure whether their child is old enough for this type of information, please know that it is aimed at all middle and high schoolers.  Because kids are being exposed to SO MANY lies about sex... in movies, music, books, TV, the internet, and advertising, we jumped at the opportunity to bring this program to our area, because it is time we counter these lies with the TRUTH, even if it is hard or awkward to talk about.  The fact is, kids are being bombarded with messages promoting having sex before marriage, and having lots of it... even at very, very young ages.  If the questions my own kids started asking me in 3rd & 4th grade are any reflection of what's being taught to the rest of the kids, it's scary, and we must address these issues before it is too late.  While I'm not saying that this event is targeted at 3rd graders, (again it's aimed at middle and high schoolers), as parents we all need to be aware of what the world is trying to teach our kids, and embrace any opportunities we have to impart the truth and combat the world's lies.  For those with middle and high schoolers, Silver Ring Thing can definitely help.  It's taught by a hip group of 18-22 year olds, and it's an absolute blast.   While they might go kicking and screaming into an event about waiting for marriage, in the end, teens will actually love this event, and wish more of their friends had come. Here are the Silver Ring Thing REWIND tour specifics: When:  Sunday, November 11 Where: Onsted Middle School (10109 Slee Rd, Onsted, 49265) The show is from 6-8 pm, and the doors open for registration at 5:15 pm **There is a separate parent session that begins at 6 pm, which will help parents/mentors know how to encourage purity, despite the world teens live in. Tickets are $7 online, $10 at the door, or $5 online in groups of 25+ (www.silverringthing.com).  It takes a week for the group tickets to arrive, so don't delay in ordering. I'd say one of the best ways to understand whether SRT is something you'd like to attend is to watch some of the videos on www.silverringthing.com.  They will help you appreciate what a fun, relevant event this is.     Do you think one event can lower teen pregnancy rates?  What if it reaches one teen?  Would it be worth it? Please come and find out, and bring a teen who needs to be encouraged to wait, or one who has already made that mistake and needs to know there's hope in starting over, or parents who are wishing they had help with guiding their kids.  These are the people we are trying to reach with this event.  With your help, we could reach our goal of filling Onsted Middle School with 500-600 people.  Get tickets soon if you plan to come.  You can join the facebook event, and then share it by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/events/275237802590450/.