Counting our Blessings during Lent

Redeemer’s Social Outreach Ministry has created a simple way for us during Lent to count the many blessings in our lives. It is so easy not to notice our blessings, or perhaps to recognize some but not others. The hope is that each day we stop to answer the question assigned to that day and give thanks.

Examples:

How many sweaters do you have? Give thanks for warm clothes!

How many umbrellas are in your house? Give thanks for rain to make gardens grow!

We can extend our thankfulness in one of two ways (or perhaps both ways):

(1) Each Saturday the blessing includes an opportunity to give a small item to one of the organizations supported by Redeemer; there will be boxes in Crossroads where we can put those items sometime during the following days.

(2) We can keep a running total of the answer to each day’s question and donate that number of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc., to one of the organizations named in the calendar. Write a check to Redeemer and put the name of the group in the Memo line.

March 5, Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent! Please find the calendar here.

Along with counting our blessings, we also encourage attending worship and Faith Formation during Lent.

Shrove Tuesday - Redeemer's Annual Pancake Supper!

Featuring Art by Redeemer Renaissance Artists

March 4 at 6pm

Bring your neighbors, friends, and family! Featuring "Art is Served", an exhibit by Redeemer Renaissance Artists. All donations made at the dinner will support the Youth Ministry.

We are still in need of both adult and youth volunteers, especially older youth and adults, to help with set-up starting at 5pm; click the link to sign up! Youth can earn community service hours for this event.

Youth Leadership Sunday

March 9

Our next Youth Leadership Sunday is March 9. The youth choir will be singing at the contemporary service (9:45 am) with a performance of "Child of Peace" by David Waggoner. All youth are invited to attend worship with their parents and assist with All youth are invited to attend worship with their parents and assist with one of our three services as readers, ushers, greeters, or acolytes. If your child is interested in participating, please sign up here.

Please note that we will NOT hold Faith Formation classes this Sunday.

The High School Bagels and Bibles class will still meet at 9:45 am.

Guest Speaker Robyne Davis

March 11 at 6:30 pm

Redeemer Renaissance Preschool and After-School will host a parent discussion with Robyne Davis, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Special Education Teacher, and board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. This is a free event; all parents are welcome!



Parents’ Coffee

March 16 from 10:45 am to 11:15 am

Parents are invited to join for coffee and an opportunity to build fellowship with other parents and families at Redeemer. This month we are encouraging those with children in the Pre-K / K and 1st / 2nd grade classes to come and get to know one another, but all parents are welcome! The gym will be open during this time for the youth. If you are interested in volunteering to make the coffee or provide light refreshments, please sign up here.

Service Project and Pizza

March 23 at 12 pm

Join us on Sunday immediately after services for pizza and a service project in Fellowship Hall. We will be creating Fleece No-Sew blankets for both Project Linus (Fairfax County Chapter) and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Please sign up at this link so we know how many to expect. A few parent volunteers are needed, but all parents are welcome to attend!

Mission Trip Meeting

March 30 at 12 pm

Those going on the Youth Mission Trip in June, 2025, are asked to attend this meeting as we begin spending time together as a group in preparation for the trip. A light lunch will be provided.

February Group Service Project- Thank you!

On February 16, the Faith Formation and Confirmation classes came together for a group activity. As part of this activity they created kitchen and cleaning kits for Gracing Spaces. We were able to create 20 kitchen pitchers and 10 cleaning buckets.

We received the following note from Gracing Spaces following our delivery:

"Dear Youth at Redeemer,

We wanted to thank you so much for your generous donation to Gracing Spaces. We started using your pitchers and buckets this week as we prepared and packed our orders. All the volunteers were so appreciative of these much needed supplies. Thanks for choosing to support our mission. We assisted nearly 1500 people in 2024 and we are off to a good start here too, in 2025. You are now part of our ministry and we are grateful.

Your friends at Gracing Spaces"

Thank you to all who participated and helped in creating these much-needed kits for people experiencing a housing crisis or transitioning out of homelessness!

Good Trouble: Being Bold and Boundless

Metro D.C. Synod Racial Equity Team and Youth + Family Committee Event

March 8 - Middle School

March 29 - High School

The Metro D.C. Synod Racial Equity Team and Youth + Family Committee invite youth to a powerful event series on racial justice. Led by Dr. Marci Vandiver, each session will include interactive activities, racial education, and a time of fellowship and discussion on how to take bold action for justice. All sessions will be held in-person or online from 10:00 am–1:00 pm. For more information and to register, please visit this link.

Metro D.C. Synod Virginia Conference Play + Pray Event (Grades 6-12)

March 9



Middle and high school students are invited to come play, eat, and join in fun and fellowship. It is completely free and students are encouraged to bring a friend! The Virginia Conference event will be from 2-4 pm at Bowlero Sterling. Please register here and email Grace Howie (grace@redeemermclean.org) so she knows who from Redeemer plans to attend.

Unlikely Leaders Retreat (Grades 6 to 8)

April 4-6

Deadline March 17

Youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade who are interested in exploring leadership are encouraged to join us for this small group retreat. The theme this year is "Rooted and Riding: A Journey to Stronger Faith and Identity". For more infomation please visit this link. Please email Grace Howie (grace@redeemermclean.org) if you are interested in your child attending, as we will register as a group. Each congregation is only allowed to bring 4 youth, so unfortunately only the first four to sign up will be able to be registered. The cost of the retreat is $150. Scholarships are available; please email Grace Howie (grace@redeemermclean.org) if needed.

Preschool and After-School Registration 2025-26

It’s time! Church and community families with children 1.5 – 12 years of age are welcome to register for the 2025-26 school year!

Families with enrolled children returning for 2025-26 and new families may now register. 

Children delight in experiencing open-ended play with peers in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment. Our staff engages the children to delve into topics of interest, build hands-on projects, and create bonds that will help them navigate their childhood years and beyond.

We can’t wait to welcome you! Schedule a visit to take a tour & register:

 Preschool 703-356-3567 or After-School 703-356-3346 ext. 106

Spring Camp

April 14 to 17

Registration Now Open

Redeemer Renaissance Spring Camp is now open for registration. The camp will be from Monday, April 14, through Thursday, April 17. Offerings for each day of camp inspire curiosity, creativity, and frivolity with friends. Activities will include Squeals on Wheels (an educational petting zoo), Teeny Tiny Art, Color Splash Zone, and more! For more information and to register, please use this link.

Summer Camp

June 16 to August 8

Registration Now Open

Redeemer Renaissance’s Discovery Summer Camp is now open for registration. The camp will run from June 16 to August 8 for Preschool to 6th grade. Children will engage in a variety of offerings including sports, arts, and science, while building community and creating lasting memories. For more information and to register for preschool, please use this link. For K to 6th, please use this link.

Faith Formation

Faith Formation classes are available for Pre-K (ages 3+) through 6th graders. Our youngest members will sing, read Bible stories, play games, and have open discussions with their peers as they build a strong foundation and understanding of the Christian faith.

Please contact Shelley Brennan (shelleybrennan@gmail.com) with any questions.

Confirmation

7th and 8th graders are invited to join Confirmation class, focusing on both biblical education and exploration of Lutheran doctrine and theology.

Please contact PSK (psk@redeemermclean.org) with any questions.

Youth are always invited to serve in Worship.

• To serve as an Acolyte or Reader, sign up here
• To serve as a Greeter, contact Mark Cronin (mlm.cronin@gmail.com)
• To serve as an Usher, contact Andy Pribulka (abp.sds@erols.com)

If you no longer wish to receive the Youth Newsletter each month, please email church@redeemermclean.org. 

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