Announcing our 2016 Summer Intern!

I'm SUPER excited to announce that Abby Bangs will be our Children's Ministry intern this summer! Abby is currently a student at the University of South Carolina, but while Abby was in high school, she was an active RPC Children's Ministry volunteer with onCore and VBS. Abby has a heart for teaching children about the love of Christ and I am thrilled she will be joining our team this summer!

It's time to celebrate our 5th graders and make them feel welcome in middle school before their upcoming transition, so we are throwing a Seis de Mayo Party, May 6 from 6-8 p.m. in the Garage (the Middle School area). We will have fun, games, and Moe's catering for dinner! Our 6th graders will also join us to hang out and show the 5th graders around. It's going to be an awesome night and hope to see you there! Cost is $10. Register using the link below:
https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?id=VCLy3g90pqEDKfVrpoIxQQ==&site=90118&ReturnUrl=events%2fwz_people.aspx&ChurchID=1044&EventID=108927&sn=90118

Talking to Our Children About Death: A Lesson from Lane

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post, but as we grieve the loss of our beloved pastor, Dr. Lane Alderman, I believe it is important as a church family, adults and children, to walk this journey together. Losing a loved one is never easy and talking about it can be even more difficult. However, as we grieve this loss, we do need to talk about it with our children. As a parent, I know this can be a daunting task, one that I would sometimes rather avoid. But even at a young age children encounter death, and as adults and parents we need to create a safe and healthy space for them to grieve and ask questions.

How you talk to your children will depend on their age and developmental stage. With young children who are not yet able to think abstractly, it’s better to use concrete language and avoid metaphorical language. This even applies to common sayings mentioned around death. For example, “We lost Aunt Millie today,” could leave a child thinking that perhaps if we look hard enough, we can find her.  Young children usually get the general concept of death, but it can feel a bit distant and more like magic. As children get older, they begin to understand more about death and it becomes more personal. One of the best ways to see what your child understands about death is just by spending time and listening to them. This will give you a better idea of where they are and what they understand. During these conversations, it’s also okay for you to express how you feel as you go through your own grief. You are a role model for your children and teaching them healthy ways to cope with grief is a valuable life lesson. Lastly, as you talk with your child, remind them constantly that they are loved by you and by God.  There is often fear associated with death, so giving lots of reassurance is comforting for children.

I’ll end by sharing a story and a lesson from Lane. When I was in 7^th grade, I lost a dear friend and classmate of mine. I was devastated. My parents were wonderful, but my mom suggested I see our pastor because I was still struggling with some spiritual questions. I was a bundle of nerves as I walked into Lane’s office to talk and to ask him questions about death. But from the moment I entered, he was comforting and kind. He let me talk about what I was thinking and feeling and never once made me feel like I was a bother. As we talked, he answered my questions the best way he could. As I look back on that meeting I had as a young girl with Lane, I find comfort as an adult and parent. You see, I am sure Lane said some really wise and brilliant things, but that’s not what I remember. I remember that he had time for me. I remember that he valued my thoughts and questions. I remember that I felt comforted, assured, and loved. So in this time of grieving, it is my prayer that we would be able to walk with each other and our children. I pray that we would all feel comforted, assured, and loved not only by each other, but most of all by our Lord Jesus Christ, who we know promises to walk with us every step of the way.

 Resources:

• http://childrensministry.com/articles/helping-children-grieve/h
• http://childrensministry.com/articles/helping-children-deal-with-death/
• http://childrensministry.com/articles/dealing-with-grief-grades-4-to-6/Dealing with Grief: Grades 4 to 6

Cave Quest VBS! Volunteers Needed!

VBS IS ONLY 60 DAYS AWAY! Last year we had over 400 participants and the only way we can accommodate all of these children is because of our incredible volunteers. Volunteering for VBS is the perfect opportunity to serve RPC and pour the love of Christ into our children. Plus, it’s a super fun week! Click here to join our 2016 volunteer team. We have a job for everyone!

Family Mission Trip Update!

Day three of the RPC family mission trip is complete! What an amazing week it has been so far! Our team of 30+ has been having an incredible time here on St. Simon's Island and in the neighboring city of Brunswick. Each morning we've gotten to serve with local missions doing everything from cleaning up parks and historic markers to leading crafts and helping out at the Boys and Girls Club. 

In the afternoons, we have lunch in the park by the pier and then either hangout downtown or play at the beach! It's been amazing getting to serve and make new friends through our mission projects and also for our families to have such memorable times together! 

In the evenings, we eat a yummy dinner at Epworth by the Sea (the beautiful place we stay on St. Simon's), and then we gather for our big group time where we play games and have worship together! Our theme for this week is Go Fish! We've looked at the stories of Jesus calling His first disciples and the story of Jonah and talked about what it means to get out of our comfort zones and fish for people both here and at home. These times at night have truly been special! I can't even describe the joy that comes from watching big kids and youth love on the younger children and seeing parents and their children doing devotions together. 

Our nights are filled with crazy and epic games! Apples to Apples is definitely the favorite and tonight there was a giant competition! Two of our youth, Caroline and Anne, were victorious! I see a rematch in our future:)

I am so looking forward to the rest of our time here! I'm confident God has been and will continue to be at work in mighty ways!