Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
We just had a Family Ministry training, and let me tell you—the folks showing up to connect with our kids are just so fabulous! We focused a lot on what our ministry with kids is about as well as what it is not. When kids show up on Sunday, they are just as vital to our worship and growth and learning and community as any adult. Our calling is to give them the proper value and place to show up, be themselves, and form us as much as we help form them. Coincidentally, this week I came across this review of a book on children in liberation theologies. It's a powerful reminder that children have always been part of the story God is telling, and our wholeness and freedom are tied up in how we relate to kids. Pastor Mary and I are so thankful that we get to introduce our kids to a new group of awesome adults—and to introduce a new group of adults to our amazing kids.
Read on for all the upcoming fun related to kids and youth.
Youth Room Renovation
We are so excited to begin fixing up our youth room to make it more inviting and useful for our gatherings. If you want to help us beautify our space, we could use some help in a few ways. First, we are collecting used (but in good condition) picture frames of various sizes and styles. If you have any you don't want anymore, we would gladly take them! And if you're a pro at thrift stores and happen to see any there, we would gladly take those, too. Second, we are planning a work day to rip out carpet and paint the walls. If you're up for helping, join us on May 18th! More details to come, but you can email me if you want to sign up or get more information. If you would like to prepare some lunch or snacks for the work day, that's another way you could join the fun. Thanks for supporting our growing youth as they reimagine their space and all the ways they can share it with the congregation at large!
Mark Your Calendars for June 2!
On Sunday, June 2, our kids and youth will be joining our adult choir in singing during worship. We will be practicing during our regular Sunday time with kids and youth in the coming weeks, and you can help them practice at home, too. You can play the listening track and sing along with these lyrics. We'll ask kids and youth to arrive at 9:30 am that day to practice, and we'll have pastries for parents so y'all can hang out before worship. On that Sunday we will also take time to honor and celebrate our graduates of all ages, so it will be a full and beautiful service with a chance to bless those in this milestone moment.
Kids Camp Registration
We are already making plans for camp this summer, and registration is now open! Camp will run June 24-28 from 9am-12pm each day. We are excited to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family! Youth families, please note that the youth are invited to help again this year, and this can count for community service hours if they have any requirements through school or other organizations.
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Our nursery staff will be ready starting at 8:50 AM for those who are attending Sunday School before service and 10:20 AM for those coming just to worship. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of the prodigal son.
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!). We will begin a four-week focus on forgiveness in our teaching time. It will be a beautiful morning together as a church family, and we welcome the presence of our kids in worship!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Think of a time you forgave someone. What was that like?
Think about a time you found it hard to apologize. Why was it so hard?
Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for?
YOUTH
This week our youth will join us for the all-church potluck after worship! We'll be back on for our regular youth gathering next Sunday.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay