Parent Link: Empowering Parents to Build Christian Families
April 11, 2019
Information, updates and links to keep Parent Link subscribers and CSMSG parishioners current
on Parent Link events and resources(articles, book reviews, podcasts, websites, etc)
Prayer for the Care of Children

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen ( BCP #46, p. 829)
ATTENTION!!
Parents of 0 – 5 year old children:
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE INVITED!  

Mari and Mark Alford  are hosting a brunch for YOU THIS Sunday, Palm Sunday, April 14 th . Please RSVP to watanabe@fastmail.jp if you can attend!
How to Respond When Your Child Asks You Questions You Can't Answer

What will you say when your child asks you "HOW do you KNOW there is a God?" or "Why SHOULD I believe in Jesus?"

Click HERE to read this article.


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CSMSG GRANDPARENTS OF PARENT LINK

T he Grandparents of Parent Link met on Sunday, March 17, to say our prayers and share our stories. Charlotte Lanham wrote her story, see below, “Notes from a Grandmother’s Diary.…” Charlotte encourages all grandparents to write their stories in order to preserve and pass them on to the next generation. 
 
The Grandparents of Parent Link will meet again on Sunday, May 19, from 8:15 to 9:05 am in the Wydown Meeting Room.  All are welcome, including non-grandparents who serve like grandparents in nurturing the spiritual lives of children. For more information about his group, please contact Bruce Springer, Barb Smith, Tim Smith, or Pam Koprowski. 


 Notes from a Grandmother’s Diary….
by Charlotte Lanham

   My granddaughter, Ella, came for afternoon tea today and brought her school friend, Jess. School had stopped early because of a snow storm, but the snow storm didn’t stop the girls. And Ella’s short notice, “We’ll be there in a few minutes!” left me no time to impress. But lucky me, I found six frozen chocolate chip cookies in the freezer, which totally thawed out before they arrived. Their choice of tea? Chai!
  And unlike other tea parties I have hosted over the years, there was no need to entertain. There was lots of laughter…and checking their phones…and talk of their college choices…and more. Then they rose from their chairs, wrapped their scarves round and round—hugs and hugs at the door—and they were gone!
   My cup runneth over
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Social Media and our Kids
Listen HERE
Faithful Generations Adult SS Class

This class will NOT meet on April 14 or 21 due to Palm Sunday and Easter. Class will resume on Sunday, April 28.

Staying true to the book's thread, we'll examine our soul response to the everyday circumstance of life. All interested adults are invited to join the Faithful Generations class each Sunday in the Wydown Meeting Room. This is a group of parents, grandparents and interested adults finding community and supporting the faithful growth of our families. Feel free to come even if you don’t have or haven’t read the book! We will discuss challenges and successes in parenting in faith.

Sarah Smith, parishioner and mother of seven, remarks:
"This informal gathering is where I've found space to know and be known in the sharing of life in faith. Since its inception, the Faithful Generations "class", has morphed in form, lending itself to conversations around our lived lives and towards being people of hope, followers of Christ, in relationship and as a community. Conversation throughout the next few weeks will revolve around Tish Harrison Warren's book,  Liturgy of the Ordinary.   In this book she examines and challenges the formative practices we embrace in the small ordinary moments of our lives. For, "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Annie Dillard"

Parent Link Liaisons
Thank you to all who have agreed to serve as Liaisons for Parent Link:
0 - 5 Years Old: Brett & Becca Jagger; Will and Lucky Springer
Elementary Age: Caroline Springer
Middle School: Terese Portell; Kim Whittle
High School: Marya Strand; Kim Whittle
College and Beyond: Jerilynn Palmer; Janet Peterson
Grandparent Link: Pam Koprowski; Barb & Tim Smith; Bruce Springer
Stay tuned for more to come from our liaisons!
How do I keep up with the latest going on with the CSMSG Parent Link? Follow us on  CSMSG Parent Link Facebook page and Instagram . This CSMSG Parent Link Update is published monthly. The Parent Link webpage is updated frequently with service opportunities and new resources.
Volunteer Opportunities:

INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT CSMSG
- Volunteers Needed Cooking Breakfast
Volunteers are needed to cook breakfast at Gateway 180 Shelter. It's a great way for the whole family to serve our community! Click HERE Shelter Sign Up Genius to sign up to volunteer on a Sunday morning.
-Hunger Ministry Saturday Sandwich Making   - 3rd Saturday of every month; Join volunteers of all ages to make sandwiches to donate to Gateway 180 Homeless Shelter. Contact Allison Wiedle to volunteer, or just show up THIS Saturday, March 16!
-Youth Ministry - There are many ways to serve by volunteering with the YM. Contact Marty Chapman at Marty Chapman if you are interested to discuss options.