It’s time for another summer together with the Providence College Summer Program! While this summer isn’t quite what we planned or hoped for, I am thankful we are still able to connect virtually. Aside from specific service projects, most of our events will take place via zoom. *All zoom meeting info will be sent out during the first week of June.

Check out what we have planned for you below…. I hope that you’ll join us!

In place of our regular Sunday School format, we encourage you to spend some time in reflection each week with a Sunday morning devotional.

Prayer Reflection Series

• Love Thy Neighbor: The Good Samaritan
• Love Thy Neighbor: The Enemy
• Love Thy Neighbor: Humble Love

Join our weekly Small Group Study and Discussion on Zoom Wednesdays at 8:00pm.

Zoom link will be available here on Wednesdays.

Mark your calendars with the following dates and join us for fun and fellowship:

• “What’s Next” (High School Graduates only) – Sundays at 4:30pm on July 26, and Aug 2
  • While the transition from high school to college is an exciting time, it can also be daunting. This virtual time together is designed for high school graduates as a time of fellowship and open discussion with special guests, and to discuss topics to help equip them for “What’s Next.”
    • July 26 – Our guest will be Blake Kendrick, leading a disucssion on Mental Health
    • August 2 – Our guest will be Sarah Blackwell, leading a discussion on Conflict Resolution
• College Ministry Virtual Game Nights – 8:00pm
  • Jeopardy – Sunday, July 26
• ServeCLT – We will have service opportunities to serve Providence and to serve Charlotte.
  • We are currently painting and installing a Little Free Pantry and a Little Free Library on the church grounds near the soccer fields! If you’d like to be on one of our teams, check out the options below and email Caitie ASAP!
    • install team: installing posts and structures
    • the promotional team: promoting in the neighborhood and at the church
    • the stocking team: planning stocking schedules and details, shopping for the initial stock
• End of Summer Celebration – August 9, details TBD

Aside from specific service projects, most of our events will take place via zoom.  Continue to visit the website and follow Providence communications for more events and information.

We finally have a year round room for our college students! Yay! As we continue creating a welcoming space for students to gather, we are continually adding pennants to represent our students.

Since we have students in many locations, we are asking that families help us prep this space by donating a pennant from the University or College your student attends. If you are able to do so, please SIGN UP for your child’s school or email ">Caitie to confirm and turn it into the front desk.

While our Summer Program is geared for College-aged Students, they aren’t the only one entering new territory Parents are also learning and growing alongside their young adult children as things begin to shift within the family system. Here are a few resources we hope you’ll find helpful during this time. We will continue to update them throughout the year so be sure to check back in!

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Growing With by Kara Powell and Steve Argue

“Growing up doesn’t have to mean growing apart. Filled with brand-new research and real-life stories from remarkable families, Growing With shows you how to close the family gap, giving parents courage to take the next faithful step on a mutual journey of intentional growth that trusts God to transform you all. Discover strategies to help you invite doubt, rather than avoid it. Growing With will show you how to help your kids keep their roots, even as they spread their wings.”

PREPARING TO LAUNCH

Fuller Youth Institute has developed a resource to help families like yours have better conversations in the “launching” phase between adolescence and young adulthood.

Parents are often longing for better ways to talk about faith with their kids and to have deeper emotional connection with them. They just struggle to know how, or to reach out in ways that their kids might actually respond. As a response, they have created a  10-session guide that can be used individually, with a spouse or friend, or in a small group or class setting. Find the GUIDE here.

PODCAST

Listen along each week with a podcast available for you by the authors of Growing With. They host new guests weekly as they explore the challenges parents are facing and the questions they’re asking. These podcasts are easy to listen to and are only 25 minutes… that could be your drive to work! Subscribe HERE.

ARTICLES

• CHURCH – Talking church with your teenager or young adult
• DOUBT – How to talk to young people about doubt
• LANGUAGE – What to say, and not to say, to your young adult
• UNDERSTANDING – What twenty-somethings need from us (almost) more than anything else
• SCHOOL BREAKS – Connecting with college students over break

PARENTING QUIZ

Take a moment during this mutual journey of intentional growth to reflect and answer 10 questions. They’ll help you learn more about how you can reframe your approach as a parent in order to grow with your child.

Is your child a learner, an explorer, or a focuser? Take the QUIZ to find out more, and discover practical tips to pursue a relationship with your child in every season.