Children & Youth Ministries Weekly Update

The Real Work

I find great comfort in this quote by Wendell Berry, particularly at the start of the school year. While this can bring back routine and calm, it also tends to invite a different kind of busyness and stress.

In the middle of this changing season, we invite you to pause with us for a moment; to consider our real work and true journey. Come and pray with us tonight. You are invited into a moment of prayer; whether for the things that are weighing on you personally or to spend some time blessing our year ahead together as a church.

Mr. Berry also said, “To love anything good, at any cost, is a bargain.”

If you can spare a few minutes this evening, to love through prayer, it will be worth it.

Blessings on the beginning of the school year and we hope to see you tonight from 6-7pm in the Sanctuary.

Announcements

REMINDER: PreK-Fifth Grade Sunday School resumes on September, 20, the Sunday after Fall Fest, September 13. We hope you will join us for the Fall Fest! We worship together outside at one service (10:30am) and then celebrate the start of the year with food, games and fellowship!

Prayer Night

Wednesday, September 2, 6:00-7:30pm

Sanctuary

Gather for an evening of prayer with the CPC family as we prepare to kick off the 2026-27 school year. There will be spaces to pray in small groups, individually, and for all of the ministries at CPC. The evening will end with a time of blessing and communal prayer in the Sanctuary.

Important Youth Parent Meetings

Sunday, September 13, 5:45-6:30pm

Wednesday, September 16, 5:45-6:30pm

Conference Room in CPC Main Office (located next to Youth Center)

Come hear about what's new for 2026/27 AND about our plans for next summer! Both meetings will cover the same information, so come to the one that fits your schedule.

Middle School Youth Group Kick Off

6th-8th Graders

Wednesday, September 9, 6:00-8:00pm

Youth Center

We are excited to invite your Middle Schooler to youth group! We are working hard to make sure this mid-week group is engaging for your student through activities, games, discussions, and worship. Please note that we would like all youth to be dropped off and picked up at the front of the Youth Center (this is different from previous years when students would be picked up in the Gathering Area).

Grove 345

3rd-5th Graders

Wednesdays, beginning September 9, 6:00-8:00pm

Chapel

Just as a grove in nature is a group of trees planted and cultivated to bear fruit, our name reflects a community of young people growing together in faith. 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will encounter Jesus through games, small groups, interactive Bible stories, crafts, and music each Wednesday night September to May. Register here.

Columbia Children’s Choir

2nd-5th Graders

Wednesdays, beginning September 9, 5:00-5:30pm

September-May

There is a unique joy in making music with others to the glory of God. Singing in a church choir fosters a child’s faith and provides a sense of community and connection. 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 have the opportunity to present our songs in worship about every six weeks. Kids in Grove 345 are invited to bring a sack dinner to eat before the program starts at 6:00pm. Let us make a joyful noise to the Lord together this year. Register here.

High School Youth Group Kick Off

9th-12th Graders

Sunday, September 13, 6:00-8:00pm

Youth Center

Come to the Fall Fest in the morning and then return later that night for our first high school youth group of the season. Through games, discussion, worship, and prayer we will grow closer to Christ and each other. We can't wait to see what God will do in your life this year.

Senior Brunch

Sunday, September 20, 9:00am-10:30am

Fellowship Hall

High School Seniors are invited to a celebration of YOU as you kick off your final year of high school. We will share a meal with a community of senior adults, enjoying time building relationships and discuss upcoming high school senior opportunities for discipleship, community and adventure. Wear your casual Sunday "best." Register here.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Saturday, October 3, 9:00am-4:00pm

Main Conference Room

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training for any adult who cares about or works with young people ages 12–18. Parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, and health and human services workers are all welcome. The training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to an adolescent who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. This class is facilitated by Diana Gage, school psychologist, and Dr. Amanda Weatherby, clinical psychologist. Complimentary lunch provided. Pre-registration is required by September 26. Register here.

Middle School Fall Retreat

October 16-18

$150 (Save $25 automatically if you register by September 5)

Registration is now open for the Middle School Fall Retreat! We'd love to spend a weekend with you at Camp Tadmor in Labanon, OR. We will play lots of games, eat good food, hang out together - and you can sign up to play paintball on Saturday if you want! Register here.

Tifny Mathena, Director of Children & Intergenerational Ministries

tifny@columbiapresbyterian.org

Sarah Tunall, Director of Youth Ministries

sarah@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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