Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
Thanks for your patience with today’s email. The stomach bug went through my family this week, but we are grateful to finally be back to health today.
Last Sunday we gathered for worship right after receiving news about the shooting in Monterey Park, and this week has unfolded with more tragedy and pain in the headlines. I know depending on the age of your kids, you may have been navigating various conversations and feelings this week in your home on top of your own emotions and need to process. We are here to pray with you or to be a space to process, so let us know how we can come alongside you. I also wanted to share this resource from our own Zach Hoover, who received it from his son's school as a tool to help parents have conversations about violence with their kids.
This evening I am grateful for our church community and the ways we can hold lament and tragedy together with gratitude and love. I look forward to tomorrow's worship as a place to ground my own body in the love and peace of Christ as I worship alongside each of you. Today we had a training for nursery volunteer leaders, and it was an encouragement to my soul to be with a team of people willing to love our youngest kids and to tell them the story of God's love in the world. Thank you for being my church family and the church family for my kids. May we gather tomorrow and sense God's presence in each tender moment together.
Kids Camp Dates
Parents, just a reminder to mark your calendars for Kids Camp June 19-23. We are excited 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!
Tamales
Thanks to all who have placed their orders to support our youth fundraiser! There is still time to order before February 8th, and we will have some to sell on the 19th on a first-come, first-served basis. Here is an order form, 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.
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 learn more about Jesus' journey and examine our own spiritual journey with a creative activity. We'll also explore what it means to be fishers of men.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Who has been important in your own spiritual journey?
What have been some memorable moments in your life when you felt God's presence or help?
What does it mean to be fishers of people?
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