Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
I can't wait to see you all on Sunday after being gone for two weeks! I have been thinking about our families with young kids who also may be traveling or doing a lot of fun and special activities this summer. I know it can be hard to get rest in the midst of what can ironically become such a busy season. I pray that each of you may have moments that feel restful this summer, even in the midst of all the fun. This article includes some good reminders about summer rest and some resources at the end if you are feeling like you need some help slowing down. May we respond to God's invitation to find healthy rhythms of rest, play, and work this summer!
In case you missed last week's email, here are some updates on ways to bless others and our upcoming youth events:
Two Opportunities to Bless Kids in Pasadena
We have two local partners that both serve families in our city, and we are collecting supplies for both over the next two weeks. Read on for more details and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for being a generous community!
Friends In Deed Back-To-School Drive: Tomorrow is the last day to bring donations for the annual Friends In Deed School Supply Drive. The supplies needed are recommended by the Pasadena/Altadena area schools and the list can be found here. They need more supplies for upper grades (6th-12th) than for lower grades. If you want to donate money, you can do so here (select “Friends In Deed”).
Union Station Homeless Services: We are collecting items to put together some activity kits for the kids of families at Union Station Homeless Services. We need things like packs of markers, notepads, stickers, mini playdough cans, and other items that would be fun for kids to play with or use to do art during down time. Our kids began collecting for this during our kids camp, and we will assemble them with the kids and youth on Sunday, July 23.
Youth Summer Happenings
Monday, July 17: We have been offered to hang out at the home of Kara and Dave Powell. They have an awesome space for youth with a pool, basketball hoop, and volleyball net. We will hang out from 12-4 PM that afternoon, and lunch will be served (of course!). We'll also have fun things for youth whose favorite things are not sports. Email Pastor Lindsay if you still need their address.
Saturday, July 22: Each year our congregation collects school supplies for Friends In Deed, and the last two years our youth have helped to organize and get them ready for the families to come and select what they need. This year our youth will be packing supplies at Friends In Deed from 9:00-11:30 AM. We bring breakfast burritos, and it's always a great time to hang with Tim at their food pantry while serving our local community.
August 1-3: We are planning a trip up to Ventura for two nights for a summer youth retreat. We are hoping to visit Henry and the Mattesich family and meet up with their youth group, too!
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 10:20 AM so parents can head to the sanctuary for worship.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then will 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. This week, in line with the rest of the congregation, we will continue our series exploring what it means to live our faith fully embodied. Our focus this week is on body awareness and exploring how Jesus cared for people's bodies in scripture. We can't wait to learn and grow with your kids!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What parts of your body are you most aware of on a daily basis? What parts do you tend to ignore?
What do the needs we experience in our bodies tell us about God and our relationship to God?
How does Jesus demonstrate that our whole selves—our bodies included—matter?
YOUTH
We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! I can’t wait to see our youth and hear all their summer updates. Parents can pick up their youth 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