Beloved Families,
I know many of you are attending protests around the city today, and I pray you feel encouraged by these gatherings and the power of nonviolent resistance. Last week some of us were able to attend a vigil hosted by LA Voice and other local partners. Our own Zach Hoover offered a powerful word about maintaining our spiritual practices so that we can show up deeply grounded in love. It is a gift to be a community where we can engage in rhythms of prayer, fellowship, and contemplative practices so that we can engage in work with stamina and clarity. Tomorrow morning you are invited to enter a space of prayer in our Chapel at 9AM before our worship service. You are welcome to pray individually or with others—whatever your soul needs in this moment. If you missed any of our updates on ways to help in the coming days, you can check out an update from Pastor John Jay and information about upcoming local action here.
I am with my dad this weekend and grateful for the chance to thank him in person for his generous and sacrificial love in my life. I will miss seeing you tomorrow, but I pray it is a powerful time of worship together. Much love to all the father figures in our community; thank you for the love and presence you offer as a witness to God's love in our midst.
Summer Transitions
It is a blessing to watch our kids grow and learn over time, and we cherish moments of transition in the life of our ministry. We are excited to help them enter new spaces and to meet more of our Family Ministry team as they move up. We know these moves can be exciting for some kids and a bit intimidating for others. All of those feelings are normal, and we are here to shepherd them as they continue to grow. To help these changes go as smoothly as possible, we have some opportunities for our rising kindergarteners and sixth graders to get to know the leaders and kids before Promotion Sunday on August 17. If you haven't had a chance to update your child's grade level for next year, you can do so here.
RISING KINDERS
Our rising kindergarteners are invited to preview the elementary class on June 29 and July 27. On those Sundays, Pastor Andrew will stop by the nursery on the way up to the elementary class and invite any kindergarteners who want to join for that preview day. Then on August 10, parents can come with their kindergarteners to tour the classrooms before worship. On August 17, they will have their official first day in the elementary level. More information will come before each of those dates, but you can mark your calendars now!
RISING YOUTH
Our youth gather each Sunday after worship for lunch, fellowship, and formation. Our rising sixth graders are invited to join our youth for preview days on June 29 and July 27. Pastor Andrew will accompany any rising youth on those days to help with the transition. Throughout the summer, rising youth are welcome to continue joining the kids class if they like and to try out the youth gatherings if they want. On August 17, any rising sixth graders will make the official move from the kids class to the youth group. Pastor Lindsay will share more information about a summer youth retreat they are invited to attend and the girls/guys youth groups that will start back up in the fall.
We hope these preview days will help orient our kids and youth to their new spaces and groups. Please feel free to reach out with any questions in the meantime. We are so excited to see our kids and youth continue to grow and learn!
SUNDAY
EARLY CHILDHOOD
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 how to help a friend who is hurting.
ELEMENTARY
Last Sunday Pastor Andrew began a new summer series on the Fruit of the Spirit. This week the kids will focus on Love as they take a look at the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Follow-Up Questions for the Table at Home
What do we mean when we talk about the Fruit of the Spirit?
What does love look like to you in everyday moments?
YOUTH
This Sunday we will not have our regular youth gathering so that families can spend time together on Father's Day. We will resume our youth lunch next Sunday.
Sending you much love. We remain…
Less without you,
Pastors Andrew and Lindsay