Hey parents! Happy August! Can you believe a new school year is already here? You’re probably busy trying to enjoy the last few moments of summer, so we’ll keep this brief so you can get back to the beach.

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

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: OPEN HOUSE
If you’re new to our ministry (or you just want to hang out with us for a few minutes) we’d love to see you at our Open House so we can introduce you and your teenager to our youth ministry! Get the details on our website.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: ALL-NIGHTER
We’re kicking off this school year with an all-night event designed to help your kid connect with their small group, invite friends, have some fun, and hear a little bit about Jesus. Get the details on our website!

SQUAD UP: A 4-WEEK SERIES FROM EPHESIANS ON FRIENDSHIP

SERIES OVERVIEW:

Everyone wants a squad — a community of people that cares for us, helps and supports us, and gives us a place to belong. In short, we all want to be part of a community that feels like family. That kind of community isn't easy to come by, but it's exactly what Jesus had in mind for His followers when the Church first began. In this series, we'll discover why the word "Church" means something much bigger than a building, we'll learn what life was like for some of the earliest Christians, and we'll explore four big ideas that mean as much for us today as they did to the Jesus-followers who lived nearly 2,000 years ago. The truth is, we can all be part of God's family, and because we're God's family, we can do for others what God has done for us, we can grow together, and we can stand strong together.Everyone wants a squad — a community of people that cares for us, helps and supports us, and gives us a place to belong. In short, we all want to be part of a community that feels like family. That kind of community isn't easy to come by, but it's exactly what Jesus had in mind for His followers when the Church first began. In this series, we'll discover why the word "Church" means something much bigger than a building, we'll learn what life was like for some of the earliest Christians, and we'll explore four big ideas that mean as much for us today as they did to the Jesus-followers who lived nearly 2,000 years ago. The truth is, we can all be part of God's family, and because we're God's family, we can do for others what God has done for us, we can grow together, and we can stand strong together.

"Cliques." For some teenagers (and some adults), a clique is always a bad thing. But should it be? Sometime this month, talk to your kid about their experience with "cliques." Listen to their stories, and then talk about how to find a balance between building a safe group of trusted friends and continuing to welcome and include others. (But be prepared — this conversation might reveal a conflict you need to help them navigate.)

If you're subscribed to Grow Your Ministry, now would be a good time to attach Parent Tip Video #1 from your Parents section.

Have you ever wondered, "How do I set clear boundaries that I can enforce and my kids will obey?" The key to setting boundaries is to involve your teenagers in the process. It's about getting everyonene on the same page — literally. Like with this PARENT & TEEN CONTRACT from Josh Shipp.

We might be a youth ministry, but teenagers aren't our only priority. We'd love to hear how we can better serve you and your family, too. So we'd love it if you'd complete a quick survey so we can learn from you. [If you're a Grow Your Ministry subscriber, attach or link to the Annual Parent Survey.]