Hi Friends,
It was so special to have worship take place in the sanctuary last week and for our kids to begin a regular Sunday rhythm of being together in Sunday school! We are ready for another week of learning and playing with our kids, and we will also have time for a back-to-school blessing for all our students and adults who serve as faculty and staff at schools. We are praying for all our kids who are making this big transition in what is still a tumultuous time with the virus. Let us know if your child could use an extra call or word of encouragement from us.
Last weekend Pastor Mary's brother-in-law Rand died after battling cancer for over a year. He was the spouse of her sister, Cher, with whom Mary has a very close relationship. Please keep Mary, her mom Bunny, and their family in your prayers as they grieve and process this loss. She was blessed by the special sign the kids made for her last Sunday, and your prayers mean a great deal to her.
Kids and Youth Roster Updates
In case you missed it last week, we would still love to get an update for our kids and youth rosters! Our online database keeps great track of birthdays and ages, but it does not always update the grade levels for our kids and youth. After the long season apart during the pandemic, we want to make sure our records are updated and that we can help kids and youth get to the right classes going forward. If you have a child or youth, would you please take a quick minute to fill out their updated information on this form? Thank you!
Kids
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary.
Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a Bible story, activity, and snack. This week we are also excited to celebrate a birthday and eat a yummy treat! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. Oh! And we will have cups but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations.
Parents, please note that this week we will bring the kids into the front of the sanctuary for a back-to-school blessing at the very end of the worship service. After some careful consideration and planning, we feel it is safe to have the kids in the sanctuary for this brief time while no singing is taking place and minimal people will be speaking. We value this kind of intergenerational practice, and we pray that our kids, youth, and school employees feel loved and encouraged by their church family at this big time of transition. When the time of blessing is over, we will exit back to the park and wait for parents to come and sign their kids out. If you have any questions or concerns about our plan, please feel free to email Pastor Lindsay.
Youth
This Sunday the youth will join us in the sanctuary for worship and then have a time of fellowship and lunch. Those who want to serve with kids can join us in the park during service, and any youth in the sanctuary are welcome to be part of our hospitality team. Once worship ends, youth can head to the park for our gathering. We'll be working on a big ongoing project, and we will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM.
With love and gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary