Back to School!

Our students have gotten through their first week of classes, to mixed reaction (during our usually highs and lows opening activity Sunday, some students named starting school as a high while others cited it as a low). Our back to school meeting was much less of a mixed bag. We had a great time remembering what we have in common, making plans for the new year, and sharing some of my smoked chicken and homemade barbecue sauce.

If you weren't there, don't worry; all the important info is below, and it probably won't be hard to convince me to cook again. Most importantly, let me thank you for being part of this ministry these last several months. We couldn't have done half of what we've done in my first year and a half here without you, especially given the wider...circumstances. Y'all are wonderful, and the best is yet to come!

-Geoff

Spiritual Formation 2021-2022

Spiritual formation is at the center of who we are and who we strive to be at Parkway Hills, so I'm excited to share what we have in store for the new year.

A key night of Bible study last semester led to some brave and vulnerable conversations in which our youth realized and expressed that they felt some significant gaps in scriptural knowlege which they'd like to improve. They had to the opportunity to discuss and name those gaps and I took those questions to form the structure of this year's Bible study plan. Over the year we'll be walking through the overarching story of Scripture and visiting those questions as we go so we can establish a healthy baseline knowledge of what we believe. First up, we're talking about what Scripture even is and how to read it as a Christian.

One change worth noting about our spiritual formation and event planning that we announced last night: going forward, Sunday night will be known as Engage. Why Engage? Partly simplicity; at times we've had mixups about "youth bible study" as a PM event versus youth Sunday School. But the change also comes from trying to more accurately reflect to visitors as well as longtime attendees what our Sunday PM time is about. Many times we have Bible study, but that's not even all of those nights, given that we also share a meal together and play games together. Other times, we hold special events or find ways to serve our community. In short, Sunday night is a time when our students can really engage their faith and community in a variety of ways that don't fit into the schedule on a Sunday morning between worship services. We hope to see everyone at Engage this week at our regularly schedule time from 5:30-7 on Sunday!

We have lots of ways to get involved

this school year!

Upcoming and Weekly Schedule Info

Break out those calendars, and let's get a rundown of everything we have in store!

Weekly Schedule

Sunday
8:30am: Churchwide worship
9:30-10:30am Sunday School. Note this time change from early 2020. Staff, leadership, and teachers worked on this change to make sure we had a full hour, allow time for fellowship before the second worship service, and make sure worship and broadcast volunteers get in position in a timely manner.
10:45: Churchwide worship (this service is recorded/broadcast via the PHUMC Facebook page)
5:30-7pm (unless otherwise noted for special event): Engage. Meal included during typically scheduled weeks.

What about Wednesdays? Well, let's acknowledge the microscopic elephant in the room. Staff and leadership are currently discussing how best to proceed with Wednesday night activities, which even in a normal year aren't slated to begin until after Labor Day. As far as youth, those present at the meeting last night agreed they'd rather not wait till then for activities centered around our department. We also agreed that we didn't need a third time sitting in a circle in the youth room every week. To give that a shot, we're starting with a water games night on August 25 from 5:30-7pm at PHUMC (dinner included). Bring a friend and a towel!

Special Events

October 11: We plan on having some time apart for our group, details being finalized currently. If case numbers allow for it, we're hoping to make this an overnight event beginning on the 10th.

October 31: Fall Fest and youth Halloween party. Come serve the littlest portion of our church family, then stick around for our own fun!

November 14: Youth Thanksgiving. By popular request, it's a youth group friendsgiving! (and hopefully taking of advantage of what will be our brand new kitchen!)

MLK Weekend: Camp Wesley Pines Winter Retreat

Keep an eye out for
-Service opportunities; many local organizations are scrambling to evaluate their needs and policies, so we hope to have some new chances to serve lined up soon.
-Summer 2021 big events. If you know your child has a significant commitment (band, working at a camp, etc.) please send that info to Geoff.

It's about to get a lot noiser on our campus!

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink

One of the questions our youth ask the most is "when is the kitchen happening?" We finally have a significant update to share: our contract is signed by all parties as of today, and barring any setbacks we are the next stop on our contractor's schedule!

This day couldn't have happened without you, so we can't wait to share pictures and updates of the progress. And soon, we'll find a time to celebrate properly!

What a week!

Staycation & Service Week Recap

Our Staycation & Service Week was an absolute blast! If you want to catch up on all that we did, head here for pics and info. In addition to huge contributions to our local community through service and some important time of fellowship, we as a group began some new traditons. We finally had a chance to let our graduates sign our alumni mosaic, and the youth decided to make that part of our summer Christmas party from now on!

All told this was a great event, and we came through it with an even stronger bond and a better understanding of how we can affect life for the better no matter where we are.

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PO Box 1721
Madison, MS | 39130 US

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