It's a Blast by Erin Kirkland

Know a 4th or 5th grader? Ten or so years old, excited about life in general, and alternately jumping in and out of childhood with a frequency that startles everyone? Yep. A little goofy, sometimes, too.

It's a demographic that often is overlooked in church communities, these kids-turning-teens. A bit too old for Children's Ministry, not old enough for Youth Group, the 'tween set nonetheless needs the same guidance, support, and prayers as the younger and older kids.

My husband and I felt compelled, called, and certainly blessed to be a part of Trinity's Blast 45 this year; five ladies and gentlemen who are smart, funny, and incredibly insightful with their thoughts and actions. Yes, parents, your kids.

Have you ever asked them to pray for somebody? We do, every week. I'm not sure what I expected, maybe the typical children's request for health and wealth and good times, but what I heard was way, way beyond my own brain's boundaries. I heard heartfelt prayers for children starving in Pakistan, requests for awareness of our world's oceans, and not one selfless desire. Not. One.

Blast 45 meets every Sunday afternoon. Pray, play, and grow. All of us.

Want more information? Contact Megan Holliday at 345-4823 or visit the trinity web site HERE.

Toys Looking for a Home?

Any toys or books looking for a new home?

Trinity's kids will collect them. The kids of Trinity are in the midst of a toy and book drive to help other kids at Safe Harbor Inn, a transitional housing program in Anchorage. Any gently used (but not used up) toy or book is welcome. Drop the items in the brightly colored bins at Trinity to help other kids.

Questions? See Megan Holliday, Children's Ministry Coordinator

Date Night Does It

Hey, youth, this one's for you!

Before you read this post...take 10 seconds to think of something you like to do on a Friday night. Got one? Good.

Ryan Olson here, and I may be taking a big leap on this, but I'm guessing that "spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids" did not make your list. Maybe it did, and if so, talk to our Children's Ministry director, Megan, immediately, because I am sure she can plug you in somewhere. Like maybe doing VBS at your house this summer...

Anyway, what I'd like to spend a minute reflecting upon is Trinity's Date Night outreach ministry. It may be a shock, but several of the youth, and me, did spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids last Friday night. We've banded together once a month to give parents a break and allow them the opportunity to spend a few hours alone.

We had six adults and ten youth volunteer their Friday evening with kids from Huffman, Trinity, and all around the Anchorage community. We played tag, went sledding, ate string cheese and goldfish crackers, and even made a dogpile of kids on our student leader, Courtney (always a big hit). We were able to provide an adult/youth contact for every three kids, and each one that showed up encountered something real, worthwhile, and meaningful. Wow.

The next Date Night is Friday, February 26 (parents, register by the 24th via the Trinity web site). Put it on your calendar, youth, and be a part of something Big.

-Ryan Olson, Youth Director