Navigating The Distance

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WARNING! Parental Encouragement Ahead!

One of the ways pre-teens express their new found independence is to test the limits of their home environment. "How much space will my parents let me get away with?" It is a great test of your mettle as a parent: do you know when to close the gap and when to grant space?

Teens sometimes test to see if you care enough to enter the gap and engage them in an adult way while at other times they are falling back into childlike patterns of the past and trying to create space. The wisdom of another experienced parent can be tremendously valuable. That is why supportive communities of faith can be so helpful for parents of teens and pre-teens. Someone who has navigated these challenging times can be very helpful in knowing when to lean in and when to grant space.



Knowing when to engage is difficult thing to determine and a faith community can be an invaluable resource. Let us know if we can help. There is always reason for hope!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we are getting about the Summer Summit Program at the Deck:
When will the program start?

• Summer Summit will happen every Wednesday from June 22nd until August 31st at the Drop-in Center on Rittenhouse Road. Volunteers need to be there at 6: 30 pm to set up but the program will run each week from 7:00 pm until 8: 30 pm.

What will the youth do each week?

• Every week the program begins at 7pm with an activity that gets people moving and thinking. After a few minutes the group comes together for the first of two teaching components. After ten minutes the youth break up into small groups and talk about the lesson. They will explore a couple of Scriptures and talk about some real life connections to the lesson. Next there is an outdoor game/activity (weather permitting) that relates to the lesson. After outdoor activities the youth come in, have a light snack and hear the second part of the teaching material. They will discuss again in small groups before a time of prayer and then dismissal at approximately 8: 30 pm

Can our youth invite friends?

• We are hoping that everyone invites friends! We would particularly like youth from Vineland who do not have a church family to learn more about the Drop-In Center through this program.

Who is running this program?

• The program is hosted by the Youth For Christ / Youth Unlimited at the Upper Deck in Vineland. The coordinator is Noel Walker, a volunteer at the centre who works full time as a minister for the Tintern Church of Christ. Other ministry staff and volunteers are involved as well.

How can I find out more?

• We will host a parent information night at the drop in centre on Wednesday June 15th at 7pm.
• For more information about the program, or volunteer opportunities contact Noel Walker (noel.walker'at'gmail.com , (905) 563-7303) or check back on this blog.

We hope your church is able to participate and contribute to this program. Feel free to contact Noel or Youth For Christ Director Stephanie Devries (905) 562-8904 if you have any further questions. Please pray that pre-teen youth in Lincoln will come to know Jesus Christ through our efforts this summer.

Parent Information Night

Parents and Volunteers are invited to an information night on Wednesday June 15th at 7pm. We will be describing our plans for the Summer Summit 2011 activity based midweek Bible study program at the Upper Deck.

For more information contact Noel Walker (noel.walker@gmail.com , (905) 563-7303)

Want to know more about KNOWN?

Here's a quick introduction to the program we are using this summer:

Introduction to KNOWN from LifeWay Student on Vimeo.