May 1, 2026
Dear church,
Only a few folks made it to the forum this past Sunday, when I shared more about my pastoral vision for Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) ministry, so I’m going to give you a little snapshot of it in my note to you this morning. As we prepare to welcome Leslie Pietila as our new Director of CYF Ministries, I want to make sure I’ve shared with you the values and commitments I have for this part of our life together.
My vision, most succinctly, is for Children, Youth, and Family ministry to be a ministry of the whole congregation. It is not just for kids and youth, and it is not just for the parents of kids and youth. It is a ministry that belongs to all of us. Why?
Here are a few reasons:
One of the most important indicators of a child’s mental and spiritual well-being is knowing that an adult other than their parent knows them and cares about them. My hope is that every kid/youth at Grace feels noticed and known by at least one other adult in the congregation. This is literally life-changing for our young people (and often for the adults as well!).
When young adults are asked to think back on what made the most impact on their faith when they were growing up in church, consistently they remember the people who took interest in them, who showed them that they matter and invited them to participate in the church alongside them. These relationships, far more than programs, are what keep our young people tethered to church as they grow up.
Kids are among us to help us be church, not to watch us do church. When kids get to lead and participate by doing what the adults do, they get the clear message that they are important, and that they are seen as contributors, not just observers. Traditionally, kids have often been sent away to be in a separate room and do a separate activity; this sends kids a message that they belong elsewhere. That is the last message we want kids at Grace to receive, and all of us play a role in making sure kids feel welcomed and supported in being involved.
Parents need the support of a wider community. Many parents are struggling. Parents often feel alone and inadequate, and they are experiencing an unprecedented level of anxiety about their kids’ safety and wellbeing. At Grace we can be a community where adults who are not actively parenting can come alongside those who are - to support, cheerlead, and mentor.
Different generations are gifts to each other. We have this rare gift at church - that we are an intergenerational community! So few places are in this world. If we are willing to turn toward each other and learn from each other, our whole community will be blessed.
In the coming months, I will be sharing more of my hopes for this next chapter of CYF Ministries, but this is a good start. Mostly I want you to hear that YOU play a significant role in the way children, youth, and families are welcomed and supported by our faith community.
Raising up the next generation together,
Pastor Sarah
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.