I am extremely glad we found this special church community, as First Presbyterian goes out of its way to help busy families stay connected and involved. Te weekday summer Mission Mornings for middle schoolers were a wonderful experience for our entire family. At this stage of a young person’s life, peer pressure mounts, and they struggle to stay true to themselves while finding a place among friends. It is critical for them to understand that God loves them just as they are—and that they have a community of church friends who aren’t going to judge them. While our oldest son has gotten to spend mornings giving back to his community, bonding with new friends, and reaffirming his faith, we all get to reconnect with our faith and with each other when we discuss his adventures.


NICOLE MCGALLA


I can’t stand that my kids’ teams schedule games on Sunday mornings. For us, we don’t let it stand in the way of attending Church School. On those mornings, my son or daughter wear their soccer uniforms to church so that we can go straight to the games after the service. I figure God doesn’t care what they are wearing—it is more important to be present!


I also think that it is important for the kids to bond with each other as they are bonding with the church. When my oldest child, who is 11, attends events, it helps strengthen his commitment to God in ways he probably doesn’t even realize at this young age, but he will remember when he is older. My youth group at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh played a huge role in my faith journey and influencing the person I am today, and I want to make sure that my children have that support system in place and come to know God in their own personal way. FPCA provides so many opportunities for them to experience God’s love, and we are thankful to be part of this community.


CHRISTINE GUENTHER


I agree with wearing soccer uniforms to church (we’ve done that, too). Another thing I did was to literally put the church service and Sunday School hour, as well Youth Choir/Fellowship, on the family calendar rather than assuming that those times are a given. It puts the items front and center and forces us to schedule around that sacred time.


LIZ KERN-KIMOCK


As an active family, it is not always easy to consistently put God at the center of our lives, but when conflicts arise, we look to find a win/ win compromise.


Often my son’s activities will conflict with the 10:30 alternative worship service,


so we’ll go to the 8 a.m. communion service instead. I let his coaches know that God is more important than sports and that we will be at the game as soon as church is over. Sometimes we travel for his sports, so when we’re away, we’ll listen to the worship service later Sunday night or Monday evening, as well as listen to Christian music in the car on the way to and from the game.


My late husband, Michael, and I read the Jesus Calling devotional together nearly every morning, and I continue to do that. It is less than 15 minutes a day, but it starts my day off on the right path. I also look for opportunities to volunteer at the church or participate in small groups to keep God at the center of my life. With everything that we’ve gone through this year, I feel it is even more important to show my children how much God’s love is in our lives.


My daughter is a member of the 10:10 Band. Her work hours with her previous employer conflicted with band rehearsal,


so she found a different job with more flexibility. Mariah prioritized her relationship with God by making sure she can continue to sing His praise at worship.


JULIE BOLTON


Sometimes when running late, I wondered whether we should just not go to church that morning. Te decision was usually to go, and come into the Sanctuary during an appropriate time. I felt the routine of going to church was more important than being a few minutes late.


SUZANNE TOTO


Te balance for us is praying that there is growth in the children and youth programs, and that our kids continue to have the desire to attend them. FPCA has had a vibrant and amazing history among children and youth. Activities outside of the church structure are the attractive pieces of the puzzle for our kids. When they have made relationships and love who they are with while doing awesome things, Sunday School and worship have grown to not only be part of our church family time but a routine that we look forward to!


JEN STAIB


Our faith and our church community are important to our family. While schedules can get crazy, we intentionally try to find family- friendly opportunities to serve. Service is the greatest way our faith has been strengthened and


relationships built! Tat’s why we try to embed it into our lives. Whether hosting newly arrived refugees for a home-cooked meal or preparing soup and muffins for our Stephen Ministry’s Caring Shelf, we enjoy spending time with friends, new and old.


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