Partnering with Parents at Gray UMC

05/05/2022

Great article!

https://theparentcue.org/6-ways-to-help-your-middle-schooler-develop-positive-body-image/

04/07/2022

Parents, we have a NEW family fun kit for your family that helps bring Holy Week to life!
Holy Week Stones is a family devotional/activity kit that your family will use during Holy Week. This kit includes 8 devotions for you to use each day of Holy Week. Each devotion also includes a painted stone activity for you to complete.
Each kit comes with 8 stones and the devotional guides. Kits will be available for pick up from the Parent Resource Hall on Palm Sunday.
To register for your kit, please click on this link https://form.jotform.com/220945438189062

Parents, we have a NEW family fun kit for your family that helps bring Holy Week to life!

Holy Week Stones is a family devotional/activity kit that your family will use during Holy Week. This kit includes 8 devotions for you to use each day of Holy Week. Each devotion also includes a painted stone activity for you to complete.

Each kit comes with 8 stones and the devotional guides. Kits will be available for pick up from the Parent Resource Hall on Palm Sunday.

To register for your kit, please click on this link https://form.jotform.com/220945438189062

04/02/2022

Oh, the days of seventh and eighth grade...the phase when everything is fun in a crowd.
They walk the hall in pairs.
They build unfathomably large social media platforms.
The name of the game is to never be caught alone and to always associate with the coolest crowd possible.
But at the heart of your kid's behavior during this phase is an inner voice that's asking, "Who am I?" Although you might not realize it, your kid is extremely self-conscious during this phase and their self-awareness isn't so...well, aware. The best way to support your kid right now is to affirm them and rally the support of other adults who think they're as awesome as you do.
It's time to shout out your middle schooler. What's the best thing about them right now?

Oh, the days of seventh and eighth grade...the phase when everything is fun in a crowd.

They walk the hall in pairs.
They build unfathomably large social media platforms.
The name of the game is to never be caught alone and to always associate with the coolest crowd possible.

But at the heart of your kid's behavior during this phase is an inner voice that's asking, "Who am I?" Although you might not realize it, your kid is extremely self-conscious during this phase and their self-awareness isn't so...well, aware. The best way to support your kid right now is to affirm them and rally the support of other adults who think they're as awesome as you do.

It's time to shout out your middle schooler. What's the best thing about them right now?

03/30/2022

From the Parent Cue page:

"School can be a pretty scary place for kids of any age, especially with all of the uncertainty that awaits them. Whether your kid is the type to draw in a crowd or one who sits alone in the library during lunch, there will be moments when every kid will feel like they’re on the outside.

This is a gentle reminder to create an environment at home that, no matter what happens at school, is safe, stable, and nurturing. Your kid may have a lot of things they’re unsure about, but don’t let home be one of them."

School can be a pretty scary place for kids of any age, especially with all of the uncertainty that awaits them. Whether your kid is the type to draw in a crowd or one who sits alone in the library during lunch, there will be moments when every kid will feel like they’re on the outside.

This is a gentle reminder to create an environment at home that, no matter what happens at school, is safe, stable, and nurturing. Your kid may have a lot of things they’re unsure about, but don’t let home be one of them.

03/23/2022

For many of us, multitasking is our superpower—we can wash a load of laundry, make the kids' lunches, feed the dog, referee sibling squabbles, and help with homework simultaneously.

But although we can accomplish a lot, it doesn't mean we always should. We were not created to constantly operate at full speed. In the midst of life’s demands, we must find a quiet space in time to breathe. There will be consequences when we don't.

So, what small thing can you do today to step away from your current pace? Seriously, take a moment right now and think about it. Now, write your responses in the comments.

01/06/2022

Youth, be sure to save the date for this amazing event!

Winter Jam is an incredible evening of live concerts by the top artists in Christian music, plus worship and ministry, to encourage believers and share the good news with those who have yet to trust Christ.

We will leave immediately after the 11:00 service on Sunday, January 16th. I will have pizza available for kids and chaperones to scarf down so we can hit the road quickly! Admission is $10 at the door, cash or check only. Please make any checks out to Winter Jam, NOT Gray UMC.

Students will need extra money for snacks & dinner from concessions at State Farm Arena. Please discuss with your student the importance of not spending dinner money on souvenirs.

The show starts at 6:00 and lasts around 3.5 hrs. We will arrive back at the church around midnight or later.

To register online, please go to this link https://form.jotform.com/gumc117/winter-jam-22

12/09/2021

"The music on the radio may claim it’s the most wonderful time of year, but Michael Bublé hasn’t seen your mental list of worries these days. Whether it’s a change to your family dynamic, a struggle to find gifts within your budget, or general fatigue from an emotionally taxing year—we’re here to help."
Check out this link for some helpful articles for parents who are struggling this season!

The music on the radio may claim it’s the most wonderful time of year, but Michael Bublé hasn’t seen your mental list of worries these days. Whether it’s a change to your family dynamic, a struggle to find gifts within your budget, or general fatigue from an emotionally taxing year—we’re ...

12/07/2021

Have an Elf on the Shelf? Check out this article to help your Elf tell the story of Christmas!

Are you looking to make the Elf On The Shelf idea a little more meaningful? Here are ideas you can use to adapt this popular idea for your ministry.

12/06/2021

Here's a challenge: Sit down with your family and have everyone answer two questions:
1) What do we spend too much time on?
2) What do we not spend enough time on?
Give everyone a chance to respond and be aware you might find yourself surprised by the answers. Once everyone has a chance to weigh in, start looking for ways to make some adjustments to your family's current rhythm.

Here's a challenge: Sit down with your family and have everyone answer two questions:

1) What do we spend too much time on?

2) What do we not spend enough time on?

Give everyone a chance to respond and be aware you might find yourself surprised by the answers. Once everyone has a chance to weigh in, start looking for ways to make some adjustments to your family's current rhythm.

Has anyone here in our community tried this challenge before? If so, how did it go? What did you end up changing in your family's rhythm?

12/01/2021

Advent, Day 1: Luke 1:27
"to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary."

11/23/2021

Let us guess: You're tired of getting responses like...

"I'm fine."
"It was okay."
"Good."
"Yeah."

It may feel awkward at first, but asking questions imperfectly is better than not asking at all. The goal is to encourage your kids to open up and let them know that whenever they do decide to talk to you, you're a safe place for them to share what they've been thinking and feeling.

Are there any questions you use to encourage your kid to talk to you? We'd love to hear them.