October 2018
Parent Link: Empowering Parents to Build Christian Families
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)
CSMSG Grandparents of Parent Link
The Grandparents of Parent Link met on Sunday, September 23, to pray for our children and grandchildren, for grandparents everywhere, and for the mission of Parent Link— Empowering Parents to Build Christian Families . We also made plans for a Movie Night in the Great Hall on Friday, November 9, 7:00-9:00 pm, featuring on the big screen the acclaimed 2018 documentary about Fred Rogers: “ Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Charlotte Lanham shared a personal story (see “ Tea for Two , below)  describing a front porch tea party that she experienced with her 3-year old granddaughter, Abbigail. She encouraged all grandparents to begin to write their own stories in order to preserve and pass them on to the next generation. Imagine the pleasure Abbigail will experience in the years to come, when she re-lives this tea party experience in the form of a  story , written by her grandmother.
Charlotte is currently serving as a facilitator for a MEMOIR class at Lifelong Learning Institute, LLI. (Washington University). She is excited about the possibilities of offering a similar class to the Grandparents of CSMSG, where they will be encouraged to write their personal scripture-inspired stories for the next generation.

The Grandparents of Parent Link will meet again on Sunday, October 21, from 8:15 to 9:05am in the Wydown Meeting Room. Come join the prayers and the conversation. 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.

"Tea for Two"
By Charlotte Lanham

My grandchildren know exactly where I hide their blue willow tea set in my house. It is under the stairs in a wicker case, totally within reach whenever they are craving tea and cookies. Recently, I sat on the porch in the shade and indulged myself in every grandmother's fantasy...a tea party with my three-year-old granddaughter.
Abbigail and I found our corner and took our time dividing the dishes and fitting the lids on the teapot and sugar bowl. She hurried inside to get two teaspoons from my sideboard, then returned and busied herself with the formalities of serving tea.
"Sugar, Grandmommy?" she asked. And before I could answer, she stirred a spoonful of imaginary sugar into my empty cup.
"Taste it," she insisted, giggling, and I lifted the tea cup toward my mouth. Then I closed my eyes and pretended to sip the brew slowly, whispering, "Fit for a Queen! The finest in London!" Pleased with that answer, she continued on in play.
And as I watched her, I breathed a prayer. "Lord, bless her with this innocence. Sweeten her spirit with a daily taste of your goodness. Fill her cup continually from the fountain of your everlasting love."
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8 *******

Matthew 13: 34-35 Jesus used stories to tell all these things to the people; he always used stories to teach them. This is as the prophet said: I will speak using stories.” (New Century Version; other Versions use “parables” for “stories”.)
Parent Link Liaisons

Please join Marty Chapman for brunch on Sunday, October 21st from 11:00 pm - 12:00 noon to meet the other liaisons and share thoughts and ideas of what our CSMSG parents might benefit from. Our goal is to support adults who are in a position to nature the next generation, be it grandchildren, children, godchildren, neighbors or students! RSVP to marty@csmsg.org by Tuesday, October 16th.

What are your family goals?

Now that we are getting "Back to School" and back into our fall routines, this podcast may help parents evaluate whether your family rhythms are reflecting what is important to you. Carlos Whittaker and Kristen Ivy talk with Nina Schmidgall. Nina is a director of Family Ministry in Washington, DC where she lives with her husband and three kids 11, 9 and 6. Nina and her husband work hard to be very intentional in their parenting. Listen here as Nina gives some practical advice about how we migh t take practical steps toward establishing our own family rhythm.
Save-the-Date

The acclaimed 2018 Documentary about Mr. Rogers,  Won’t You Be My Neighbor?  (94 minutes) will be shown on the BIG SCREEN in the GREAT HALL on Friday, November 9, 7:00-9:00pm. FREE admission, popcorn, lemonade, beer & wine, and other refreshments. 
CHILD CARE will be available if requested by Monday, November 5. 



Coming Soon...

video presentation of
Parent Link Kickoff Speaker
September 16, 2018


The Rev. Amy Bertschausen
Executive Director of Care & Counseling


“Longing to Belong:
From Adolescence Through Adulthood”


Book Ideas: It's Just a Phase, So Don't Miss It by Reggie Joiner & Kristen Ivy; Planet Middle School by Dr. Kevin Leman; The Grown-up's Guide to Teenage Humans by Josh Shipp.
Podcast: DriveTime by Project 619; Discusses healthy, Christ-centered relationships.
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
PARENT LINK REPRESENTATIVE: If you would like to be a liaison for families with children in similar grades as yours, please contact Marty Chapman

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!
-College Pen Pals - All college freshmen are assigned an adult from CSMSG who will write them 2 notes or e-mails, or send cards, simply to let our college students know that we miss them and are thinking of them during their first semester after HS graduation. Please e-mail Marty Chapman if you would like to send a note of encouragement to a college student.
-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.
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