May 13, 2022
Raising our kids with faith obviously gives them many spiritual benefits, but a recent study by Harvard has also shown that children with a religious upbringing benefit physically and mentally, too, especially as young adults.

The study, released in 2018 by the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, found that children who attended worship weekly, or had an active prayer life, were more positive and had greater life satisfaction once they reached their twenties. These young adults had a tendency to choose a healthier lifestyle — avoiding drinking, smoking, drug use, and sexual promiscuity.

Using a sample of 5,000 children over a period of 8-14 years, the study revealed some impressive findings: At least 18% of regular churchgoers reported higher levels of happiness in their twenties than their non-religious peers. And more importantly, out of the same sample, 29% tended to join in community causes, and 33% stayed away from illicit drugs.
 
One of the study’s authors, Ying Chen, said of the findings in a press release: “Many children are raised religiously, and our study shows that this can powerfully affect their health behaviors, mental health, and overall happiness and well-being.”
 
This isn’t the first study to demonstrate the advantages of a religious upbringing, and as the director of the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation, Emilie Kao, shares in Stream.org, these findings are consistent with other studies that find “religious beliefs give people spiritual strengths that lead to healthy habits and build their social networks and gives them the ability to overcome obstacles in their lives.”

Church related events can further the enjoyment they get out of going to church and can build lasting friendships.  They won’t hesitate to come to worship if that’s where their friends are. They will look forward to being in a safe, stressless space, surrounded by the people who care about them and also can relate to them.   

These results are particularly encouraging at a time when the numbers of regular churchgoers seem to be in decline. The study might help to serve as a motivator for parents struggling to get reluctant children and youth to church.

Here are some upcoming Children and Youth opportunities for faith and fellowship at FPC:
May 16
Music & Rec Talent Show and Pizza Party 4:30-4:45
May 22
Senior High Seekers
Make your own flatbreads and games at the Lester's house 6-7:30PM
June 12
End of the Year Junior and Senior High/Parent Picnic at the church 6-7:30PM
June 20-24
Mission Mornings for Rising 6 graders-8 grade
Monday -Thursday 9:30AM-12PM Friday Pool party 12:30-2PM
July 9-16
Senior High Workcamp Lynchburg, Virginia
August 1-5
Vacation Bible School for 4-year-old through 5th graders 9:30-11:30AM)
Summer Camp – Camp Johnsonburg
PCUSA Camp in Johnsonburg, New Jersey for 2nd through 12th graders
 www.campjburg.org for information
Mission Committee will provide tuition assistance

Blessings,
Jaylee 
This Week in the Forum
We welcome Ashley Rossi from The Common Place. The Common Place seeks to offer holistic care to the children and families of Southwest Philadelphia. Located at the corner of 58th Street and Chester Avenue, we are a shared space where various organizations come together to meet spiritual, educational, and social support needs. With two worshiping communities, an arts-based after-school enrichment program, social services, and community events, The Common Place is a sacred space to do life together. Our after-school program serves 45 Scholars, many of whom also participate in The Common Place Orchestra. Our staff works hard to supplement and reinforce the learning that takes place during the school day. We also teach about gardening, cooking, and nutrition, along with courses on personal finance and even computer programming! Staff and students are trained in social-emotional learning, giving kids the skills they need to succeed as adults. We serve our community with energy, imagination, intelligence, and love. Come see the good things that are happening in Southwest Philadelphia!
 
Ashley is teaching elder in the PCUSA, serving as the Director of Donor Relations for The Common Place. Her previous positions include serving as associate pastor of Carmel Presbyterian Church in Glenside and as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Williamsport. She also served as the Moderator of the Philadelphia Presbytery. She graduated with a B.S. in accounting from the Pennsylvania State University in 2002, and worked as a CPA and financial analyst for 8 years prior to entering the seminary. She holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (2012) as well as a graduate certificate in Church Planting from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (2020). Her passions include social justice issues, building community, and re-imagining church in the 21st century. Ashley lives with her husband, three children, and two dogs in Glenside. 
Support the CROP Walk
Thanks to all who have walked or donated to the FPC team for this year’s virtual CROP Walk. To date we have raised over $2300 thanks to Team members
(thus far) Mike Bleyer, Evan Deegan, Laura Hazeltine, Kurt and Sharon Holloway, Lauren Hoyt, Sara Kehs, and Carter and Kerry. 
You can still walk or make a donation:
25% of the money we raise stays here in Pottstown to battle hunger and poverty through the Cluster. 
75% addresses hunger and poverty and provides assistance to refugees through Church World Services.

Click link above for details about lunch.
Being the Church This Week

Sunday, May 15
Sunday School 9:15AM
Service of the Lord’s Day 10:30AM
Ashley Rossi, preaching
 
Monday, May 16
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Music & Rec – 4:30PM
Cubs/Troop – 7PM
                                                                                                                                                                      
Tuesday, May 17
Primary Election Day
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room
Staff Meeting – 10AM
 
Wednesday, May 18
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Girl Scouts – 5:30 PM
Girl Scouts – 6PM
Session – 7:30PM
                                           
Thursday, May 19
Sisters of the Way Bible Study – 9:30AM-10:45AM
Girl Scouts – 5PM
Community Meals – 5PM – Fellowship Hall
Chancel Handbells Rehearsal – 6:30PM
Chancel Choir Rehearsal – 7:30PM
 
Friday, May 20
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Mission Partner
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.  (James 1:17 CEB) 
 
At FPC Pottstown, we believe that our time, our talents, our earthly treasures are not our own; they are gracious gifts from God. God entrusts them to us, and calls us to use our gifts and our lives to make God's love known in the world.
 
We continue to clothe, feed, educate and uplift one another, and our neighbors in need.  This work requires offerings of time, talent and treasure. Your giving makes that work possible. Thank you!