MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun!

We would love to have you here on March 22nd-23rd!

Theme:
This year’s theme is Timeless. Everything around us is changing so fast that it can be hard to keep up. Our jobs, relationships, and life circumstances are constantly changing. However, God is our rock throughout time because ‘he is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ God remains unchanged in a changing world. His love and faithfulness to us are Timeless!

Speaker:
Mitch Knight of the Clarence Church of Christ and Justin Coffin of the Southern Tier Church of Christ will be speaking this year. They each have personal experience with the Timeless nature of God’s love and faithfulness to us. We are so grateful for their willingness to share!

Music/Worship:
Clarence Church of Christ students and leaders will lead worship.

Volleyball Tournament:
The core of the weekend is a volleyball tournament, with preliminary games and playoff games.

Wildcard Points:
Returning for this year will be wildcard points. Wildcard points help teams increase their team’s seeding for the playoff bracket. Each team can earn a “.1 point” by competing in various activities such as air hockey, carpet pool, gaga ball, ping-pong, etc. Wins/accomplishments need to be verified by an adult leader. For example, winning/accomplishing 10 activities would result in the equivalent of 1 extra volleyball game win (without directly playing volleyball). Each team can recruit non-volleyball teammates to help their team earn wildcard points (no sharing of wildcard teammates). These activities aim to help involve all students and adults in the event.

Adapted Volleyball Experience:
We will also have a unique opportunity to serve this weekend. We are partnering with WNY Challenger Sports to host an adapted volleyball experience for individuals with special needs. We will try our best to make these athletes feel unique and valued by surrounding them with students cheering for them as they play.

Food:
Snacks on Friday evening and three meals on Saturday will be included with registration.

Lodging:
Girls and boys will stay at separate ends of the building with their gender-appropriate leader(s) (one group in CCC’s auditorium, the other in CCC’s gym). Limited showering facilities are available.

Schedule (subject to change)

Friday:

  • 6:30 pm = General Registration

  • 7:00 pm = Welcome (auditorium)

  • 7:15pm = Leader meeting (auditorium) | Students change/warm-up (gym)

  • 7:30 pm = Preliminary games/Snacks

  • 10:30 pm = Worship session 1 (auditorium)

  • 11:00 pm = Prepare sleeping areas / shower / free time

  • Midnight = Lights out

Saturday:

  • 8:00 am = Wake up/Shower/Clean up sleeping areas

  • 8:30 am = Breakfast

  • 9:00 am = Worship session 2 (auditorium)

  • 9:30 am = Preliminary Games Cont.

  • Noon = Lunch

  • 1:00 pm = Adapted volleyball with special needs individuals

  • 2:30 pm = Playoff Games

  • 5:15 pm = Dinner

  • 6:00 pm = Goodbye

Cost:
Students: $20 (Adult Leaders: $5)

RSVP:
Please give an estimated number of students and teams from your church as soon as you can (March 15th, if possible) to help with planning.


Specific Volleyball Tournament Rules

Teams:

  • 6 players on the court at a time.

  • Must have at least one girl on the court (or have to play down a player).

  • On-court player rotation must include more students than adults.

  • Adults are considered those who graduated from high school and older).

  • No sharing of players between teams throughout the tournament.

  • Players may only be substituted when players rotate for a new opportunity to serve.

Game Regulations: 

  • Matches will be played on a traditional-sized court (one game at a time).

  • Each match will consist of one game only.

  • Games will be played to 15 points (win by 2 points).

  • The team to first serve will be decided by “rock, paper, scissors” between teams.

  • 3 hits per volley.

  • If able, serve behind the back line. If unable, an alternative serving area will be marked on the court.

  • Crossing the center line on a hit will result in 1 point to the opposing team.

  • Ties are decided by first to 19 points.

  • When teams are not playing, they take turns as line judges and operate the scorekeeping.

Wildcard Points:

  • Wildcard points help teams increase their seeding for the playoff bracket.

  • Each team can earn a “.1 point” by competing in various activities such as air hockey, carpet pool, gaga ball, ping-pong, etc. Wins/accomplishments need to be verified by an adult leader.

  • For example, winning/accomplishing 10 activities would result in the equivalent of 1 extra volleyball game win (without directly playing volleyball). 

  • Each team can recruit non-volleyball teammates to help their team earn wildcard points (no sharing of wildcard teammates).

  • The goal of these activities is to help involve all students and adults in the event.

Tournament Format:

  • Preliminary Games: Every team will have the opportunity to play multiple preliminary games.

  • Playoff Games: Seeding is established by win/loss record (overall point differential will decide record ties); also decided by any additional “wildcard” points (“.1 point” for each activity won/accomplished).

Register:

Please register yourself (or group) as soon as you can (March 13th, if possible), to help with planning.