Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
As a parent and a pastor to families with kids, I am always curious about how our intergenerational relationships form us and shape our understanding of God. In my reading this week I came across some of Howard Thurman's words about children (you can listen to his reflection or read the transcript here). I thought I would share a highlight today, especially seeing how much our young people are feeling and processing all the tragic, scary, and chaotic news in their city, across our nation, and around the world. Thurman's insights into the importance of rootedness and authentic expressions of love felt resonant with the values we are always trying to live into more fully as a congregation. I appreciate how he articulates the truth that kids learn much more from our tone of voice and body language than the words we speak. There is great power in our honest and intentional interactions, for "if we love a child, and the child senses from our relationship with others that we love them, he will get a concept of love that all the subsequent hatred in the world will never be quite able to destroy." May we live from a place of love so that our children (and we!) can know its indestructible power and wield it with courage.
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. This week our nursery kids will explore patience.
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. This week the kids will continue to find ways to support those who need prayer and love with some tangible ways to care for them. It has been such a blessing to learn from their own tender and empathic hearts.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Who in your life could use some extra encouragement and blessing, and how might you offer them some support?
What are some small ways people have cared for you that made a big difference for your life?
YOUTH
This week we are on for our regular youth gathering after worship. Lunch is included, and youth can be picked up at 1:30 PM in the church park off Union Street. We are going to spend some time in the book of Luke in the coming weeks, and we will continue to explore the themes of resilience and blessing that we engaged with on the retreat.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay