Happy October, team! While kids and students are busy planning their best costumes for Halloween, we hope you take a second or two this month to trick-or-TREAT yourself (maybe with an extra nap or your favorite snack?), because you are the greatest. Thanks again for serving with us this year.

Here are a few things coming up in our ministry . . .

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: PARENT & SMALL GROUP LEADER BREAKFAST
This month, we're creating an opportunity for you to connect with your kid's small group leader so you can better love, lead, and influence your teenager together. Don't miss it! Get all the details on our website.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: VOLUNTEER MEETING(S)
Now that the school year is off to a great start, it's time to learn and grow together at our very first volunteer meeting of the year! We hope to see you there as we learn about [add your own topic(s)] together.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES:THE INCREDI-BOWL BOWLING BALL
Next month, we're getting students together for a fun night of games, food, and (of course) bowling — but it's bowling like you've never seen it before. Mark your calendars!

THE HAVE & HAVE-NOTS: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON IDENTITY
WEEK 1 BIG IDEA: You have a past.

SERIES OVERVIEW:

How many times have you compared yourself with someone else today? Seriously — see if you can count. Whether it's their stuff, their looks, their skills, or their popularity, we can't help but notice all the things other people have, and how those things compare to all the things we wish we had. But in this 4-week series, we're going to focus on four things that God has given to every single one of us. You have a past, you have today, you have a future, and you have a family. All four of these things make you valuable and uniquely you.

If there's one tip we could give you this month, it's this: connect with the parents of your students.Connecting with parents can be just as important as the connection you’re building with your students. In fact, your connection with a parent could be the thing that makes your connection with a teenager that much more effective.

If you're subscribed to Grow Your Ministry, now would be a good time to attach Volunteer Tip Video #3 from your Volunteer section.

If you're a small group leader, you're the best link we have between our church and your family. So here's a question: How many parents have you connected with so far this year?