WPC Young Families Ministry

November 2025 Newsletter

Gearing Up... or Saying No

a note from Ashley

 

It's beginning to look a lot like... holiday season! 

 

The next two months will be fairly quiet in the Young Families ministry. We planned it that way. Why? Because not much else will be. I'm a parent, too. I know what we're in for.  We will go to 1,000 school and holiday events (all of which we were asked to contribute to), gear up for numerous family meals (at least all is calm in the world so that relative won't ruin the gathering, right?), be responsible for securing the perfect Christmas presents (or crushing our children's dreams of Santa bringing them a dog yet again this year), and on and on and on.

 

Remember how we are calling this whole year in the Young Families Ministry our "season of regular?"  That goes for this particular season as well.  BUT. Regular doesn't mean pointless. Just because it's quiet in our world these next two months, it doesn't mean we aren't here.

We will be VERY much here, inviting you into the sacredness of this season and the coming of the baby, born in Bethlehem, that changed the whole world.

 

You can be present to the wonders that this season brings...but it just might mean you have to say no to something(s). Don't hope for a meaningful season of family and Advent (as imperfect as it inevitably will be) but do nothing to make space for it.  Silly goose, you know better. You get to choose what rhythm your family settles into this season. I challenge you (and yes, I'm challenging myself) to say "no" to at least one thing that allows you to say "yes" to being present with your people and the God who created all of us for community. After all, God came to us in the form of a human to create that community with us. What a ridiculous gift. What if we made space to relish it these next two months?

 

Let me know how it goes. 

 

See you at church and around town.

-Ashley

 

New Baby Families Gathering

THIS SUNDAY, October 26

9:45am downstairs at the Mayfair Entrance

 

Have you had a baby since last October? The Young Families Ministry invites you and your family to join us to meet other families with at least one little one born within the past year . We hear it said often, “The people who mean the most to us here are the people we raised our kids with.” This is a space where you may find just that.

 

We can’t make anyone sleep any longer during the night. But we can promise that friends on the same journey are found here. And we love walking alongside those curious about digging deeper into a life of faith as a family.

 

Coffee will be waiting. We hope to see you there.

Bible Studies

Continue Sunday Evenings this Fall

Women's Bible Study meets from 7:00-8:30pm 

Oct 26, Nov 9, Nov 23, Dec 14

 

Men's Bible Study meets from 7:00-8:00pm

Nov 2, Nov 16, Nov 30

 

It's not too late to join us! We would love to have you. 

Journeys Sunday School

Sundays in Overlook at 9:45am

If you're looking for a place to land during the Sunday School hour, we'd love to have you. Here's what we have going on this next month:

 

Oct 26: My Yearnings and Learnings I 

(with Tom Wylly)

Nov 2: My Yearnings and Learnings II

(with Tom Wylly)

Nov 9: Sunday with Sissy Wade

Nov 16: Family Mission Statements

(with Ashley Higgins, makeup from Oct 5)

Nov 23: Poll the Audience 

Nov 30: Thanksgiving Fellowship

 

Click here for our full calendar.

Young Families Lending Library

Did you know we have a Young Families Lending Library? We love growing our resources and love sharing them with you. Click below to see our inventory. You can search by topic (parenting, kids bibles, anxiety,  technology, etc) or browse through all. You are always welcomed to borrow anything! Email Ashley if you see something you'd like to check out. 

Andrew Peterson at The Ryman

December 7, 2025 * 7:00pm

Tickets are $75 each

Join us at the Ryman to hear Andrew Peterson and friends. Peterson combines story-telling, scripture, and song-writing in a masterful way. If you haven't heard Peterson before, this is a perfect way to settle into Advent. We have purchased a very limited number of tickets and would love to have you. 

Email Ashley if you'd like to join us.

tl;dr

 

Oct. 26, Nov. 9, 23, and Dec. 14 - Women's Bible Study

Nov. 2, 16, 30 - Men's Bible Study

Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 23, 30 - Journey's Sunday School

Dec. 7 - Andrew Peterson at the Ryman

 

Coming in December

Don't let these sneak up on you!

 

Wednesday Night Dinner

Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Join us for wreath making and breakfast for dinner!

 

Service of Hope and Healing

Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Losing a loved one around the holidays always brings up complicated emotions during a season of celebration. This service exists for those folks who need a space to hold the memories of those loved ones close during an emotionally conflicting season. 

 

Christmas Caroling 

Sunday, Dec. 14, Caroling at 5 p.m. | Dinner at 5:45 p.m.

Meet at the North Entrance—dinner to follow in Fellowship Hall at 5:45 p.m.

 

Christmas Eve Family Service

Dec. 24 at 2:00 p.m.