Children & Youth Ministries Weekly Update

Last weekend Columbia hosted a Faith and Life Conference and welcomed Dr. Andy Root, professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Root helped us see how deeply the church has been impacted and exhausted by trying to keep up to speed in these secular times. We live in an age when we no longer look through a lens of transcendence, where we look for and expect to see God at work. Acceleration in transportation, communication, and technology in extraordinary ways in the last few decades often overwhelms our lives and makes us exhausted to keep up. As we look at ways the church has tried to be relevant to kids, we realize that most of those methods are no longer working.

Dr. Root helped us see that too often the church has been just another “thing” on a long list of activities kids are involved in, for them to discover what “sticks.” He suggests, instead, that the church should be a place for all to come and be invited to tell our stories – stories of our struggles and triumphs, our joys and sorrows, and how God is in the midst of it all. In order to do this, we often need to fight the acceleration and as we slow, we attune ourselves to the humanity of others and walk with them. Dr. Root's words were inspirational for us at CPC as we continue to be a place to walk along side each other and be a place of welcome and support.

Announcements

Work Camp Auction

Sunday, March 15, 12:00pm-3:00pm

Fellowship Hall and Gym

Join us for one of CPC’s most fun and meaningful events of the year - the annual Work Camp Auction! This all-ages event helps send our high school students to Work Camp, and everyone is welcome. You don’t need to have a student in the ministry to come, bid, and enjoy the day. Register online to purchase lunch, grab raffle tickets, and get ready to bid both online and in person. Lunch must be purchased in advance to be guaranteed, so don’t wait. Register and find all the details here.

Parents' Night Out

Friday, March 20

5:30-8:00PM

We have reached capacity for this event.

We are still in need of volunteers. Please email Viva if you are willing to help. We are required to run a background check on all volunteers 18 years old and older.

Were you a volunteer at VBS last year or considering volunteering this summer? Please complete the following very fast, two question survey:

Men's Retreat

March 27-28

Columbia Presbyterian and George Fox University

At Columbia, the focus is on doing life together, planted in good soil by streams of living water. Contrary to much of what contemporary culture envisions the good life to be, Jesus informs us that we must embody the Beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount, not religious platitudes, to experience His blessing. Join us as we go deep into Jesus' Beatitudes, going upside down, and going forward together in our contemporary culture as salt and light. Our speaker will be Dr. Paul Louis Metzger (Ph.D.), a Professor of Christian Theology & Theology of Culture at Multnomah University and Seminary. He is also the Founder and Director of The Institute for Cultural Engagement. For more information and to register, click here.

High School Work Camp

July 4-10

Students will help rural communities rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Helene through hands-on projects such as debris cleanup, construction, and repair. Each day includes shared meals, meaningful work, and a rhythm of devotions, prayer, and reflection led by Experience Mission staff. Work Camp invites students to grow in faith, serve alongside peers, and notice how God is at work in communities different from our own. Registration closes March 15 - please register as soon as possible. Register here.

Contemplative Yoga Classes

Tuesdays and Thursdays

The classes are led by Stephanie Bisch and there are several class and time options.

Click here for more information.

Tifny Mathena, Children and Intergenerational Ministry Director

tifny@columbiapresbyterian.org

Anna Haagenson, Director of Grove 345 and Children's Music

anna@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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