“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” Psalm 96:1

Anyone who knows me, knows I am passionate about singing. God gave me a song in my heart and a voice to proclaim it. My voice was encouraged and nurtured throughout my life by my parents, amazing teachers, and choir directors. I vividly remember learning about musical notation as I traced with my feet a huge treble and bass clef taped on a floor of my church basement as a preschooler, and sitting next to my best friend in the choir loft on Christmas Eve with the children’s choir. I even remember all the words to an anthem my choir sang about Zacchaeus when I was eight years old. These experiences and many more, shaped my musicianship as well as my faith and my worship throughout my life. Study after study show the benefits of music on the cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development of children. Music enhances language, memory, and problem-solving skills. It instills discipline, self-regulation and self-confidence and improves social skills, emotional expression and regulation. Singing in a church choir also fosters a child’s faith and provides a sense of community and connection. There is a unique joy in making music with others to the glory of God. As we approach the beginning of the new program year, I hope you will consider having your 2nd - 5th grader be a part of the Columbia Children’s Choir. We meet on Wednesdays from 5-5:30pm September to May, with the opportunity to present our songs in worship about every six weeks. Kids in Grove 345 (formerly K2 Live) are invited to bring a sack dinner to eat before the program starts at 6:00. Let us make a joyful noise to the Lord together this year.

Blessings,

Anna Haagenson

Children's Choir Director

K2 Live is getting a new name! Introducing Grove 345! Just as a grove in nature is a group of trees planted and cultivated to bear fruit, our new name reflects a community of young people growing together in faith. Grove 345 will not change in structure or content. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will continue to encounter Jesus through games, small groups, interactive Bible stories, crafts, missions, and music each Wednesday night. Sign-ups for our 2025-26 program year are coming soon!

Wanted: Fall PreK-5th Grade Sunday School Leaders!

We are at risk of losing the ability to offer 10:30AM Sunday School. We are looking for high schoolers and adults who would be willing to teach in alternating two week blocks throughout the year. This is also a great way for a parents to team up with their teen and serve God’s kids! We had several families do this last year and it was incredibly successful! Please reach out to Tifny if you are feeling called to serve in this way.

We’re Back and Ready for a New Year!

The preschool teachers are back, and we’re busy preparing for another wonderful year! We’re thrilled to be welcoming 171 families into the preschool hall, and the number is still growing.

This Friday is Meet the Teacher, and we can’t wait to greet our new friends and welcome back our returning ones. The following week is what we call Smart Start, when children attend for one shorter day with half their class. Smart Start helps ease first-day jitters for new students and makes the transition smoother for returning students as they get used to a new classroom, teacher, and new friends.

We’re looking forward to a fabulous year filled with learning, laughter, and lots of fun in the preschool hall. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this new year.

A few spots remain! If you know a family who would enjoy a nurturing preschool with caring, dedicated teachers, I’d love to connect with them! Please have them call me at (360) 696-9926 or visit our website at cof-preschool.org.

Ms. Laura

Circle of Friends Preschool Director

Fall Fest 2025

Sunday, September 7

Outdoor Worship

10:30AM (One service only)

Please plan to be part of CPC’s 4th annual Fall Festival. We will celebrate with one outdoor service, beginning at 10:30AM, followed by wonderful food, games and crafts for little ones, and great fellowship for all. So mark your calendars to worship together and fellowship with others in the congregation and hopefully some of our church neighbors. And we’ll welcome - and need - volunteers! More details to follow!

Middle School Back to School Retreat

September 19-21

Camp Tadmor

The transition to Middle School is a big one and the Back to School Retreat is a great way to help your child find their niche with friends from church. Camp Tadmor is less than two hours away and is a fun and peaceful place to hang with friends - they have a giant gaga ball court (trust us, its fun) and a lake with all kinds of critters to find, and you can also sign up to play paintball! Register here.

High School Back to School Retreat

September 26-28

Camp Tadmor

School is back in session and the Back to School Retreat at Camp Tadmor is an awesome way to reconnect with your church friends, enjoy some downtime in nature, and challenge your friends to a round of paintball! Register here.

High School Confirmation

Begins Sunday, October 5

9:00AM

Chapel

All High School youth are invited to participate in Confirmation - even those who have been through it before - as we will be using all new curriculum. For those who complete Confirmation, there is the option to publicly declare their faith through baptism or being anointed by oil (if already baptized). You may also choose to become a member of Columbia. Register here.

Tifny Mathena, Children and Intergenerational Ministry Director

tifny@columbiapresbyterian.org

Anna Haagenson, Director of K² Live and Children's Music

anna@columbiapresbyterian.org

Lydia Fitzpatrick, Youth Director

lydia@columbiapresbyterian.org

Catherine Feeny, Youth Ministry Worship Leader

catherine@columbiapresbyterian.org

Viva Dennis, Administrative Associate for Children's Ministry

viva@columbiapresbyterian.org

Katie Mrochko, Administrative Associate for Youth Ministry

katie@columbiapresbyterian.org

Lindsey Wright, Childcare Coordinator

lindsey@columbiapresbyterian.org

Laura Ericcsen, Circle of Friends Preschool Director

laura@columbiapresbyterian.org

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