Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
Last summer our theme for kids camp was based on a theology of wonder. We invited our kids to explore how we are wired for wonder and asked them to consider why God designed us with such a capacity. This week I came across an article with some fun food for thought on what research says about the importance of wonder. Among many things, wonder helps us get outside ourselves and "self-preoccupation" while also calming our nervous systems and turning down the noise of negative self-talk. Yay for wonder and thanks be to God for creating so many opportunities for wonder in the natural world and in our relationships with one another.
On that note, we are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 19-23. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. I know it's still January, but we have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together!
In the meantime, it's clearly still winter, and that means that our youth winter retreat is coming up soon. We are also so pumped to bring back a longstanding tradition of making and selling tamales as a youth retreat fundraiser, so get ready for this delicious chance to support our youth. We will be sending out an order form next week, and you can pick them up at our next all-church potluck after worship on February 19th. Our youth will make the tamales on Saturday, February 11th, at the church. Parents, I'll send out more information on the retreat and our tamale-making day this week.
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for those who are attending Sunday School before service.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. (If you need help finding the upstairs classrooms, just text Pastor Lindsay and we will help you find your way!) This week we will explore the story of John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism. It's a great week to talk about baptism as a family and to make room for questions and wonder about what God was revealing in this story of John and Jesus.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What is baptism like in our church?
What do we believe about the sacrament of baptism, and why do we do it?
Have you seen a baptism? What stood out to you?
YOUTH
We are on for our regular youth lunch this Sunday. We will gather in the front pews and then head to the youth room for lunch and discussion. You can pick your youth up in the church park at the Union Street gate at 1:30 PM.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families.
With much love and gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay