Summer bags with fun family faith activities you can take with you wherever you are this summer are available starting May 13:

Events for Families with Summer, mark your calendars now:
This year's bag includes a 20 page guides of over 50 simple summertime activity ideas centered around the joy of faith and music, along with 6 MP3's of songs by the band Butterflyfish!  Each song brings a biblical story to life that all ages can enjoy!  So kick off your shoes, lay under the stars, or gather round the campfire: music is one of God’s greatest gifts, and this summer is the perfect time to savor it. 

The mp3's are below:
June 24- Summer Family Choir- meet in church at 9:15am to learn a simple, fun song to sing at the 10am service, for all ages
June 25-28 Vacation Bible School- Camp E.D.G.E.
July 15- Lake Superior Day, 10am Service in courtyard of Ecumen Lakeshore
July 29- Summer Family Choir
August 11- Watch the closing performance of Episcopal Youth Music Camp, 1pm at Camp Heartland in Willow River
August 12- 10 Service at Brighton Beach pavilion with picnic to follow.  Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on.  Hot dogs and brats will be provided, bring a side dish, chips or dessert to share if you are able.  EYMC campers will be singing

Summer Sundays June 3, 2018-August 26, 2018

During the first part of the 10am service, grades prek-3rd grade  engage in fun ways to bring the Gospel story to live through song, outdoor games, crafts and movement!
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Prayers for journeys-  graduation, trips

Survive Summer Family Playlist of Activities



1. Get help navigating technology with your kidsLearn how to navigate technology with your family.

2. Using social media to strengthen family bondsA practical guide for parents who might be feeling powerless and clueless when it comes to leveraging technology to boost their relationships.

3. Twenty Ideas for GrandparentsSummer is a great time to boost the grandparent connection! Encourage them with this best-of list.

4. Parenting strategies for launching kids into adulthood This one's just for parents of recent grads and rising seniors over the summer. And actually, here’s part two as well.

5. Ten Genius Ideas for Cheap Family Summer Fun 

Going on Vacation?

Vacation time creates family memories that last a lifetime.  Why not make God part of the bonding and memory making?  Click here to visit Vibrant Faith@Home's website and take a look at these great ideas:  Blessing for Travel, Leaving Home with God, Traveling Worship, Summer Pilgrims, plus ideas to help kids before, during and after summer camp and more!

Guiding Tips for Smooth Summer Sailing- from Parent Further

 The school year provides a structure to family life, and if you don’t plan ahead, that structure can quickly unravel during the summer.  So how will your kids spend their time? What special thing will you do as a family? Consider these tips for smooth summer sailing!

Tips for all parents...

• Talk as a family about your hopes and dreams for the summer. What kinds of activities do family members want to do that will match your budget?
• Be careful not to let other people’s plans (weddings, reunions, get-togethers, and so on) dictate your plans. Some families block out certain times to ensure that they get some regular family time in.
• Get to know the area around you. Many organizations and communities offer summer activities and camps that may interest your family. Many major newspapers publish a summer planning guide in the spring.
• Find a balance between interesting activities for individual family members to do and family activities.
• Plan to have fun together as a family this summer.

For parents with children ages birth to 5
• Make summer plans for young children that allow them to keep their everyday routines, including naps, snacks, and bedtimes.
• As a family, it’s often more strategic to take a week off and have a vacation at home—rather than go away. (Young children often don’t do well with too many changes.) Instead, do a fun outing each day. Go to the zoo. Go to a children’s museum. Go to a park. Go to the beach. Go to a nature center and look for bugs.
• Plan enjoyable ways to spend time as a family. Get a sand box. (Or spend time at a nearby beach playing in the sand.) Go for walks, looking for different colors. Go to a nearby playground and play together.

For parents with children ages 6–9
• Check out the Go Guide that United Way publishes for summer activities.  Many have summer offerings for an affordable price.
• With your child, make a list of all their favorite friends. Then create play dates throughout the summer so that your child can see his or her friends.
• Create a balance of activities through the summer so that your child gets physical activity, does something in the arts, has time with friends, spends time with your family, and also has some alone time to explore what he or she likes to do.

For parents with children ages 10–15
• Make your home welcoming to young teenagers. Have lots of snacks and juices on hand. Create hangout spaces that they enjoy. Some like playing video games. Others like watching YouTube videos. Some enjoy just hang out and talking.
• At this age, kids can often resist family times. Instead of having them withdraw, encourage them to invite a friend to your family time.
• Find a way to mix your child’s interests with your family’s interests. For example, if your family likes to garden (and your child isn’t interested at all), consider creative ways to get your child involved. Ask him to help out with a butterfly or flower garden or with growing strawberries (or another favorite fruit/vegetable).

For parents with children ages 16–18
• Be clear about your summer expectations for your older teenager. Do you expect them to work part of the time? Volunteer some? Help out at home? Complete summer homework? Talk through your expectations.
• Find a vacation that gets your teen excited. Ask them what they like to do, and have them research ideas online.
• Remind your teen about weekday and weekend community curfews. (Get this information from your city hall or county office.) Too many teenagers assume that once school is out, they can come and go as they please at any hour of the day.
• Older teenagers often don’t have time for family time, so figure out activities they don’t want to miss out on. Many teens love to go out to eat, so figure out inexpensive ways to eat out as a family—or to get some ice cream occasionally.

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