Children's Ministries 
Late Summer News
Faith is Always Stronger Than Fear
On the windowsill of my office at church, I have a wooden sign with the phrase, "Faith is always stronger than fear", written in a beautiful script along the length of the plank. It's a simple message that can be easy to overlook some days, and impossible to ignore other days.

Today I'm reading it as a mantra and a reminder as the pandemic news continues to swirl; as our beloved Chicago struggles under the weight of violence and unrest; as many of us desire a change to the systems that have been built on oppression; and while all of us are just trying to hang in there and do the best we can for our families and ourselves.

I pray that whether your faith is as broad as a mountain or as tiny as a mustard seed today, that it is enough to see you through what might be troubling you. May being a child of God bring you a sense of peace and strength.

(Thanks to unsplash.com photographer Aaron Burden for the picture above)
There's Still Time!
If you've been meaning to sign up to help tend the Loaves & Fishes Garden this summer, there's still time! 

Please visit the Loaves & Fishes Sign Up Genius link to sign up to help on Wednesday evening or Sunday morning. Jobs include watering, weeding, and harvesting.

Katy Allen or Michele Holifield will be onsite to offer help and make sure you have what you need.
Outdoor Worship - Next Friday, August 21
You are invited to join us for an outdoor worship service on Friday, August 21 at 7:00 pm in the parking lot right behind the church building. This is a wonderful opportunity to worship and share fellowship together but still adhere to safety protocols.

Please bring your own chair and wear a mask. This service is 100% family friendly. 
Family Fun Idea
Our Mary & Martha Lending Closet has recently purchased a 20-foot inflatable movie screen that is perfect for a backyard movie night. An air pump is included with the screen, and the Lending Closet also has projectors.

If you are interested in borrowing the movie screen, please contact the Lending Closet at maryandmartha@firstpresah.org. A donation in the amount of your choosing is requested to further the mission of the Mary & Martha Lending Closet.
Sunday School and Family Night Survey Update
In last week's Weekly News, I mentioned that we would be sending out a survey this week asking for your thoughts on returning to Sunday school and Family Night.

Given the news that most of us received this week about the changes in back to school plans, we have decided to hold off on the survey. Please know that we very much want to hear from you as we plan for fall and winter, but felt that taking a bit more time to develop the survey would be prudent.

Thank you for your patience and faithfulness as we navigate this incredibly challenging time.