Children & Youth Ministries Weekly Update

At Grove 345 we spend a lot of our time in fun and active ways learning about God’s Word and our place in His story. But last week we took some time to quiet our hearts and minds and respond to all we had been learning the past few weeks. Each student got a blank journal and sat with dimmed lights and contemplative music and chose from four response stations.

DRAW IT! What can you do to live life pleasing to God? Draw a picture of it.

JOURNAL IT! After hearing the stories in the first five books of the Bible, what do you want to say to God? Write it down.

READ IT! Read Genesis 1-2:3. Draw a picture of your favorite part of the story. Tell God why you like it.

PRAY IT! Write a prayer to God using the letters A-C-T-S. =Adoration (praise), Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (asking for help for you or others).

I was so impressed that the Grove kids fully entered into this time with no talking to others and push back. It was a very special and sacred time which we plan to do more often this year. I was reminded how important it is to give God space as we listen and respond to how he is speaking to our hearts – without the noise and distraction that commonly surrounds us.

Anna Haagenson

Director of Grove 345 and Children's Music

Weekly Schedule

Sunday Mornings

• 9:00 & 10:30am - Nursery & PreK-5th Grade Sunday School
• 10:30am - 6th-8th Grade Middle School Sunday School

Sunday Evenings

• 6:00-8:00pm - High School Youth Group - Youth Center

Wednesday Evenings - 6:00-8:00pm

• Grove 345 - 3rd-5th Grade - LL2
• 6th-8th Grade Middle School Youth Group - Youth Center
• Are you a leader or attending Wednesday evening Bible Studies? Register for childcare (ages birth - 2nd grade) here.

Announcements

Parents' Night Out - SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, November 20

5:30-8:00pm

Parents enjoy a night out (or a nap!) while we have an evening of fun exploring God's love and truth through the words of Dr. Suess. This is a screen-free night. We keep the kids busy! Dinner is included. Registration opens November 1.

Want to volunteer? Contact Tifny! All volunteers 18 and older require a background check.

Grove 345 Harvest Party Family Night

Wednesday, October 28, 6-8pm

Fellowship Hall and Gym

Bring your whole family for a fun night of crafts, games and a chili dinner! Costumes welcome - please nothing scary or violent. Register here.

Bible Sunday

Please join us for Bible Sunday on November 22, at both services. This is a special Sunday when we gift a bible to our 2nd graders and any older siblings who have not yet received one from Columbia. If you have a child that would like a Bible and have not already been in contact with Tifny, please reach out!

Contemplative Yoga Classes

October 12 - November 19

Sanctuary

This is open to all and although the class is free, a donation of $10 per class is suggested.

Click here for the schedule and contact information.

SOS Shelter Training

Sunday, October 18, 4:30-6:00pm

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 12513 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver

Interested in helping with the SOS (Satellite Overflow Shelter) this winter? This training covers both the Beautiful Savior and Immanuel Lutheran locations and is a great way to get started. The shelter season runs from November through March, and while CPC will again sign up as a group for Friday evenings in January at Immanuel Lutheran, individuals can volunteer at other times to prepare and serve meals, run showers, lead activities, or help behind the scenes. Watch for more information about volunteer opportunities.

Young Adult Care Package Encouragement Notes

Sundays, October 18 & 25, 8:45am-12:00pm

Gathering Area

As finals season loom before college students and young adults look toward winter, CPC wants to invite you to offer up some encouragement to them! Encouragement Notes are an intergenerational way to share affirmations, prayers, and wisdom with the young adults of our church family. Please take a few minutes Sunday morning to visit the table in the Gathering Area and write a few notes to be included in care packages that will be sent out in November to 18-22 year olds (you may also drop off pre-written notes).

Youth Ministry Family Service Nights

High School - Sunday, October 25, 6:00-8:00pm

Middle School - Wednesday, October 28, 6:00-8:00pm

One of the principles of CPC Youth Ministry is "Service" - so we are living that out this year! Come as a family for an evening of serving with The Giving Closet and building community. Siblings 8 years old and older are welcome with a guardian.

Gather at the Youth Center for pizza and prayer.

Pick up at The Giving Closet (2804 NE 65th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98661)

Please be aware that since this is an off-site event, we need a current CPC Medical & Liability Release for all participants (a release is good September 2026-August 2027).

• High School Family Service Night - Register Here

• Middle School Family Service Night - Register Here

High School Hang Out - Halloween!

Saturday, October 31, 6:00-10:00pm

Register by Monday, October 26

Looking for a night of unending games, good food, friends, and Halloween fun? We've got just the place for you! Bring a friend or two or three to the High School Halloween Hang Out at the Grice's home - no matter the weather! Register here.

Young Adult Address Updates

Do you have a young adult in your family? We would like to share some love with them as they approach finals & winter break, but we need their updated information! An email has been sent to everyone who has graduated from high school in the last four years, but there are many we still have not heard from. Please connect with your young adult and ask them to email Katie Mrochko by October 31.

Middle School Night of Unending Games

Saturday, November 7, 6:00-10:00pm

Youth Center

Do you know the best hiding spot at CPC? Can you outrun someone in the dark? Do you like snacks?! Middle Schoolers are welcome at Night of Unending Games! Bring a friend, eat some pizza, and have a blast! Register by November 2 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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