Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
This past week I attended an event hosted by my son's school for some of the school communities impacted by the fire. It featured Robert Evans and Michael Thompson, who are both psychologists, authors, and school consultants. Separately and together, they have helped many schools cope with tragedies and traumas. They shared some helpful observations and research on resiliency in times of communal trauma after spending some time with teachers and students. They emphasized that the ability to play is an important indicator that a child is okay, and they reminded us that resiliency is normative for children. Each Sunday when our kids and our youth gather, I love watching them play and laugh together. It is a testament to their resiliency and to the support of their community. I am also reminded that as adults, we could use a little play, too. I was able to spend an extended time at a park with my own kids this past week, and it felt so good to be in the sunshine and pretend to be on a ship with some new friends we met there. I pray that we can all make time for joy and movement with our families and to trust that there is deep resiliency flowing through our kids and this community. May tomorrow be a time of worship, connection, and some play!
Kids Camp Registration
We are making plans for camp this summer, and registration is now open! Camp will run June 16-20 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.
Save the date—and note the date change!
On Sunday, April 13, we invite all families with kids and our Family Ministry volunteers to join us for lunch and a chance to meet Andrew, our incoming Pastor of Children and Community Partnerships. You'll have a chance to hear more about his story while connecting with each other. We invite you to bring a card of blessing to the event to give Andrew as a welcome. We'll gather after worship for this time of connection as we give a warm welcome to Andrew!
Palm Sunday | Kids and Youth Singing
We are so excited for our kids and youth to join our adult choir in leading us during worship on Sunday, April 13, in our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing this Sunday during our kids time, and they will continue to rehearse on Sunday for the coming weeks. Here are the lyrics, and here is a recording that you can use to help your kids practice at home. A huge thanks to Grace Goodman for leading the hand motions for the song this year!
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 continue to explore the ways God has given each of us unique gifts.
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 any of their leaders in the front pews. This week the kids will engage with the story of the Good Samaritan in some interactive and reflective activities. It will be a great opportunity to question whom we consider to be our neighbor (and which people we may not consider to be a neighbor!). It will be another meaningful morning of intergenerational learning and connecting!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Whom do you consider to be your neighbor?
Whom might you consider an enemy?
How do you feel in response to God's command to love even those who feel like enemies?
YOUTH
This week our youth will have our regular youth gathering after worship, including lunch. We'll wrap at 1:30 PM, and youth can be picked up from our Union Street park gate.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay