Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
We are also happy to announce that we have installed some new doors and a user-friendly entry system for our kid spaces. You probably noticed the new doors on the second floor last week and a small reader installed on our nursery door. We take the safety of our kids seriously, and we have been working for many months to update our access points so that our kid spaces are secure with a seamless system.
This week we are ready for our parents and volunteers to try it out! Because this Sunday is a first Sunday, only our nursery rooms will be used for kids. Next week our parents of older kids will be able to try out the second floor doors. Nursery parents, that means you'll be our first to use the new system. You’ll use the middle door in the nursery wing as usual; there is a small black reader on the door. All other doors will remain closed and locked during childcare hours.
To get set up, you'll need a smartphone. If you do not have one, just let me know and we will make arrangements for you. For smartphone users, follow these steps:
Please go here to download the app that works for your phone.
Keep an eye out for an email from ProdataKey Cloud Systems that will have an activation link. If you have the app and you press the link in the email, you should automatically be set up and ready to go. You'll need to enable Bluetooth on your phone for the system to work.
To enter the door, you just need to have the app open on your phone when you get close to the reader. The phone can remain in your purse or pocket; it just needs to be on your person. You'll hear a click and the door will be unlocked for you. That's it!
If you need help, we will be available on Sunday to assist. Please let me know if you have any questions, and send along any feedback as we try out this new system. We are so thankful to our Foundation and the Earle family for their generous support to make this happen, and to Dave Ekstrand for all his logistical help.
Kids Camp
Yay! We hope you saved the date for June 19-23 for our annual kids summer camp for ages 5-11 years old. We are focusing on all the ways that God has created us for light and goodness as we explore both literal and metaphorical light. Our summer camp is always an awesome time for our kids to get to know each other and other adults in their church family better. We invite members of our congregation to lead activities based on their own passions and expertise, and this year is going to be a blast! You can register your kids here. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with registration. If you are an adult in our community and you want to help with any part of camp, let us know!
Youth Families, our summer camp is also a chance for our youth to serve and have fun together as camp leaders. Let us know if your youth is able to join us for the week or part of the week. We love hanging with our youth, kids, and adult volunteers!
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 worship and communion since this is the first Sunday of the month. Make sure your child picks up a fun survey to fill out during worship—Pastor Mary will have that ready in the lobby, and it's always a favorite activity for our kids (and youth!). Any kids who are coming early with parents attending a Sunday School class can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. You might want to have some discussion this week about how your kids are experiencing church and our worship service. It's a great time to let them ask questions, too!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
In a church family, do we all have to agree on everything all the time?
How do our differences make us a better community?
YOUTH
We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay