Dear friends,
The summer is coming to a close, and we’re gearing up for an exciting few weeks as we begin September. What’s coming up? The Barrelhouse Jazz Band, a chance to march in Oakland Pride, and Kickoff Sunday (also known as “bring your tools to church” Sunday) all lead up to the start of our church’s fall programs, from Youth Group and choir to Adult Education and Small Groups. If you’re new to the church, still exploring, or perhaps just looking for new things to do with your time, I hope you’ll consider joining some of these groups or classes this year. The brochure will soon be available, online and in church, and the signups will take place through September. But for now, I’d like to highlight two of them for you now, at more length than the class brochure allows. Both offer ways to deepen our intergenerational relationships and friendships at MPC, and I hope you’ll prayerfully discern whether you are able to join in.
First is “Youth Group For Adults.” Are you a young adult who misses being a part of Youth Group? Or perhaps you’re older but it feels like your inner teenager is clamoring for nurture and spiritual care? Maybe you want to feel connected to the teenagers of our church, but aren’t called to be an advisor? Perhaps you just like hanging out, “checking in” with a smaller group of church buddies, and having Bible Study and important conversations together? I will be offering Youth Group twice a week this fall — on Sunday nights for the teenagers, and on Wednesday nights for the grownups. We will have the same curriculum each night so you’ll be connected to what the youth are doing. We will play some games too, but on Wednesdays we will modify the crazy running games to make them work for bodies of all ages. The only other difference between Wednesdays and Sundays will be that we’ll have BYO snacks on Wednesdays – including beer or wine if you’re older than 21. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Second is the MPC GSA, which stands for Gender/Sexuality Alliance. We feel that this is an area where young can learn from old and vice versa. Young people who identify as LGBTQ+ can benefit from having supportive adults in their lives as they go through difficult experiences like coming out, navigating identity, and surviving bullying or discrimination… perhaps adults who have been there and know first-hand what it’s like, or adults who just offer open minds and hearts. And meanwhile, those of us who identify as grownups may benefit from the wisdom of the youth who are already doing great work to fight homophobia and transphobia and more. It will be a give and take, with group discussions as well as watching documentaries or other videos for inspiration and information.
These are two groups I’m going to be part of… but there are so many more. Our church really does a great job putting these groups and classes together. We’re privileged to be able to learn from some really great people, from seminary professors to teenage activists and everything in between. I hope you’ll dig in!
Every Blessing,
Talitha