High School

   
Philosophy of Ministry
These are the best days of your life! Well they're supposed to be at least. High school teens have deep friendships, are enjoying new freedoms with growing up, and thinking about what their future holds. Unfortunately high school can also be a time of deep anxiety over self-esteem, preparation for college or other paths of growth and self discovery. 
 

 

 

Just for High School
Jeff Shankel   Message from Jeff.....
September 11, 2020

Hi everybody… We’re postponing tonight’s 3n1 until Friday, 9/25. It just didn’t make a lot of sense to have people outside that long given the air quality outside. Let me know if your high schooler is interested in working the polls this November AND/OR is still interested in sending postcards to (mostly) people who’ve been kicked off the voter rolls.

High School Bonfire and Movie Night, Rescheduled to September 25th,  7:00pm

We’re cranking up the fire pit and pulling out the projector screen in the WPC parking lot to enjoy a socially distant but civically engaged movie night!  Avery Schoen (Tam alum) will be there to share briefly about her experience as a poll worker and will bring postcards for us to fill out for disenfranchised voters.  It will be great to reconnect in person and give youth a feeling that they can contribute to our election process.  All COVID guidelines will be followed.  

Have 1 Minute to Read? – Upcoming Details 
  • 3-N-1 – Bonfire, Movie, Civic Activism!
    • Rescheduled to Friday, 9/25, 7:00pm – 10:00pm (or earlier)
    • WPC Parking Lot, 240 Tiburon Blvd
    • All high schoolers
    • Bring mask, chair and/or blanket, etc
    • More details below
  • Wednesday Hot Lunch Program
    •  Wednesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am
    • Westminster Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 240 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon, CA
    • If you’re able, we are collecting bag lunches for the food insecure
    • Contact Jeff Heely (High School Leader) if you have a question: 
    • You’ve helped supply over 4,000 meals so far!  THANK YOU!!!
    • Can you help deliver at either 10:30am or 11:00am?  Talk to us.
  • Confirmation
    • Start date to be announced.  Mid-October-ish 
    • For any high school student not already confirmed.
  • Check out our updated podcasting profiles
    • “The Spirituality of Parenting” is new series on the WPC Tiburon podcast
    • The WPC Daily Dose is a new podcast offering only the brief morning and evening prayers and Psalms
    • Available on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, Anchor, and more
  • Sunday morning streaming worship services

Have 4 Minutes to Read? – 3-N-1 – Bonfire, Movie, Civic Activism!

One of the things that impresses me about many of our current youth (and this generation in general) is their civic engagement.  Is it just me or do they seem to know more about policy issues better than previous generations?  They care.  They want to do something.  They cannot vote.  They then feel helpless and frustrated.

During our bonfire and movie night we’ll have a table set up with postcards, pens, etc that we’re sending to disenfranchised voters (i.e., people who haven’t voted for many years or aren’t registered) to help get them to the polls.  A recent Tam alum, Avery Schoen, is going to briefly talk about her work reaching out to these sorts of voters and also her experience as a poll worker at the age of 17. 

We will also have application from the county for any of our students who may be interested in applying to be a poll worker.  That is a very simple way for our youth to get involved, feel like they can play a part in this thing we call democracy, and also help protect the at-risk population that normally staff the polls.  You only have to be 16 years old to work the polls assuming your application is accepted.

So while our students are reconnecting over a movie (have your teen text me if they want to nominate a movie, Black Panther is currently in the lead) and s’mores, they’ll have a chance to do something with purpose.  All COVID guidelines will be followed of course.  Wear a mask.

We’re very excited to “get the band back together” so to speak.

PS – while RSVPs are always helpful during this time your teens are absolutely encouraged to bring friends.  We should have plenty of space in the parking lot.


Jeff Shankle

office (415) 383-5272 x218

Prodigal Parent Series #10: Worshipping at Home


    * 5  Youth Pastors in Marin talk about things anybody can do at home to bring their families closer to God. And you get to watch!

    * New episodes broadcast on Facebook and YouTube!


Have 7 Minutes to Read? - Using the Prodigal Parent Video Series

It can be hard trying to figure out what sorts of spiritual routines or practices would be beneficial in your home.  Most of us are lucky enough if we can just “say grace” before dinner.  We know that it’s not enough, yet we feel stretched so thin to do more. 

That’s why we created the Prodigal Parent Video Series to be consumed in short, bite-sized chunks.  Maybe you’re cooking breakfast and can play a 7-minute video in the background, maybe you’re sitting on hold at your desk and can try the 5-minute one, maybe you’re commuting and can play a full 10-minute one.  These weekly videos are made to be taken on the go.  We’ve even gone the extra step of including any resources discussed in the description of each video for you.  You don’t even have to write it down!

Just use what works for you!

You can find the full playlist of the Prodigal Parent Video on YouTube and Facebook.

 

Parent's Corner - High School

 

 Have 7 Minutes to Read? – Teaching Grace in the Home

One of the central tenets of our faith that may differ from others is the idea that we don't really do anything to reach God. Rather, God comes to us. regardless of how "religious" we are or how much we know about the Bible. Despite the mess we make of our own lives and others, despite how often we disappoint ourselves or others, we are always loved. Through the Holy Spirit, God's presence is with us always. Even more, God wants to be there with us especially in the messiness.

We call this grace.

You and I might be able to appreciate the grace God gives us. That we are loved by something so holy regardless of what we do or don't do, but it may be hard to instill this sort of thing in the heart (not just the mind) of a young person. We all know that our faith can't solely be taught. It has to be experienced.

So how do we experience it in the home?

Just say, "I'm sorry" to your teenager more. That's a great starting place.
     "I'm sorry for the tone of voice I used when I asked you about your homework."
    "I'm sorry that I misunderstood the conflict you were having with your brother and jumped to an unfair conclusion."
    "I'm sorry that I wasn't sensitive enough to how tired you were from soccer."

In today's world our youth feel extraordinary pressures from all kinds of angles. We want them to know that their family is a safe place. And we hope that they are an example of grace to others.

If you want to make your home a hub of grace, try the following:

1. Keep your personal antennae up for times when your own fatigue causes you to speak unkindly to your kids.
2. When you feel like you've wronged your kids, tell them that you're sorry and ask for their forgiveness. Say, "Is that okay?" or "Does that make sense?"
3. Make sure you are quick to extend forgiveness to your kids when they need to do the same.