Parents Take Five

Are you already feeling those summer time blues? Just know you're not alone.

Jen has another conversation with April Fiet discussing a blog post she wrote a while back.  "If Im carrying a burden that's too heavy for me but I don't tell anyone then that person doesn't have the opportunity to bless me in the way God wants them to." https://aprilfiet.com/my-thoughts/new-life-experiences-when-life-has-gone-off-track

In today's episode Jen is asking us to look what our priorities have become and if we need to take the time to see if that is really what we want. Is it time to reprioritize? 

Jen is back this episode with Eric Nolin and they are discussing how we as parents may be grieving a loss and how we can show our kids what it looks like to grieve well. 

Jen is starting a new series with Eric Nolin, a former hospital chaplain, to talk about death and grief. This conversation started after Jen read Eric's Presbyterian Outlook article, My death and resurrection as a chaplain.   Eric Nolin, M.Div., is a recent graduate from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he took a special interest in studying grief, pastoral care, and the resiliency of the human spirit. When he's not reading or writing, you'll find him running, climbing, or exploring new restaurants with his wife.

Jen's here to give her 5 minutes to why she believes sheltering your kids is not the same as protecting them. 

You are enough. As parents we need to make sure and pass that on to our kids. 

This episode Jen is discussing why people need to do better on social media. We need to be better examples for our children. 

Jen is fed up with triggers. 

Water: It's just fun and we are always washed anew.

Starting the new year and in the season of Epiphany Jen is asking us all, kids and parents, which direction do we go now?

In the last episode of this series on abuse, Jen is back with Rev. Gen to discuss issues of abuse post separation.    For more information about Gen visit https://www.hoperisethrive.com/ for more resources. You can also go to https://www.thehotline.org/ for help and resources.

This is the 3rd episode in this series with Rev. Gen. Jen and Gen are talking about the effects of abuse on children.  https://www.thehotline.org/ for help and resources. 

Jen has Rev. Gen back for a second episode. This episode the two of them are talking about what abuse can look like and reminders of where to go when you are looking for help.    https://www.thehotline.org/ for help and resources. 

Jen is beginning a conversation with Rev. Gen about domestic abuse. This is the first of a few episodes that Jen will have with Rev. Gen. For more information about Gen visit https://www.hoperisethrive.com/ for more resources. You can also go to https://www.thehotline.org/ for help and resources. 

In this episode Jen wants you to ask all the questions to your kiddos. 

Jen is back with April Fiet and talking about how to do something you enjoy with something that feels like a boring and necessary chore. 

Jen is here with April Fiet, the author of The Sacred Pulse to give us a glimpse into her book.    April is a pastor, author, wife, mom, and lover of words. She finds inspiration under the big Nebraska skies, in the garden, in the yarn aisle, and in the backyard with her chickens. April is active on Facebook and Twitter, and she writes for At the Table with April Fiet (http://aprilfiet.com). Her first book The Sacred Pulse was published in 2021.

Jen is back with a reminder that our kids are always watching and learning from us. So let's remember to model healthy ways of dealing with our mental health during this week of mental health awareness (Oct 2-8).

Jen is talking with Rev. Eliza Jaremko this week. They are talking about her Presbyterian Outlook article 'Books we love: How to Keep House While Drowning'. In the article Eliza shares how she is learning to keep house like Mary and Martha.   Rev. Eliza C. Jaremko is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Haddon Heights, NJ, where she has served for over 10 years. She is currently the Moderator Elect for the Presbytery FOR Southern New Jersey and co-chair of the Vital Congregations initiative. With a passion for serving God through writing, Eliza is a regular contributor to the Presbyterian Outlook's Voices Blog (https://pres-outlook.org/author/jaremko-eliza/), and blogs about her chaotic and funny, yet always blessed, life as a pastor, wife, and mom of 2 littles at ReverendMama.com

Our kids feelings are just as valid and real as ours. Sometimes our kids may need a little extra help learning how to express them.

Jen is back this week with Trinity Whitley talking more about music and prayer with your kiddos. 

This week Jen is talking with Trinity Whitley about how songs were a big part of her faith development as a child and how she is making those songs routine for her kids too. Trinity is giving her kids words to express their faith through song. 

Do you have the back to school blues? Back to school excitement? Or Both?

Jen is again talking with Lisa Kaufer. Like so many others, Lisa has found it hard to worship as a family during the pandemic. However, when she was commissioned to create a curriculum, and part of it would take place in Minecraft, Lisa was able to learn from her kids and help them grow. For more of the story, take a listen. 

Jen is talking with Lisa Kaufer this week. Lisa is the creator or the themuddyfork.org and has created the "Pray & Play Cards". One side of each card includes a brief prayer, scripture, and response activity. The reverse side of each card includes an illustration, two key words, and a conversation starter. Inspired by the idea of how the church tells time, the cards can be used for prayer and Bible study following along with the rhythm of the liturgical calendar. The illustrations and key words can also be used independently in a variety of games at the dinner table, in small groups, or at Sunday School.  

In this episode Jen discusses where she was at while on a recent vacation and how she has started to check in with her kiddos about what and how their body is feeling at any given moment. So, let's remember to check in with ourselves today. 

With the end of Pride month coming soon we've got one more episode with Pepa Paniagua. This week Jen and Pepa are discussing how parents can love their kids through tough transitions and keep strong boundaries while processing these new emotions with accountability friends. We're gonna jump right in. 

Jen is back this week with our guest of the month, Pepa Paniagua, to talk about how you can be the one to help reduce the risk of self harm in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Jen is back with Pepa Paniagua talking about her new worshiping community Kin∙dom Community and the new fully affirming camp Kin∙dom Camp in Gilmer, Texas.    The Reverend Pepa Paniagua is a cradle Presbyterian. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. After graduating with degrees in Religion and Gender Studies, she moved to Austin, Texas, where she attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Ordained in the PC(USA), Rev. Paniagua has been living in the DFW area and serving in Grace Presbytery for more than 13 years. After serving congregations in a youth and families capacity, in 2020, Pepa pursued a call to create a more inclusive and affirming space for our LBGTQIA siblings, and those who are not comfortable in"traditional church," and kin∙dom community was born!

This one is tough. You Matter.

Jen is back this week with Lauren Graeber. We got her back for a second episode and the conversation was too rich to cut anything out. So this week you get 3 times the amount of conversation than the average episode! We hope you enjoy!   Lauren Graeber sometimes teaches writing and does a little writing herself in publications like Word and Way and EcoTheo Review. EVERY day she walks her dog and wrangles her kids. She's the Co-Director of the Center for Prayer and Spirituality in High Point, NC where she teaches workshops on writing as a spiritual practice and is still navigating what it means to have an MDiv and be a minister without being clergy. She can be found on Instagram @definitelysometimes making notes about parenting, our ridiculous world, and the shenanigans of faith.

In this episode Jen is discussing Mother's Day with a note from a listener and some advice on how she believes a parent should actually spend their big day.

Today Jen is talking with Lauren Graeber about why parents haven't brought their kids back to church yet. Lauren Graeber sometimes teaches writing and does a little writing herself in publications like Word and Way and EcoTheo Review. EVERY day she walks her dog and wrangles her kids. She's the Co-Director of the Center for Prayer and Spirituality in High Point, NC where she teaches workshops on writing as a spiritual practice and is still navigating what it means to have an MDiv and be a minister without being clergy. She can be found on Instagram @definitelysometimes making notes about parenting, our ridiculous world, and the shenanigans of faith. Link to article talked about today: https://wordandway.org/2022/02/22/the-parents-who-used-to-come-to-your-church-are-not-okay/

It is a Good Friday. And from here how does it look to the family to live as a resurrected, grateful people, today? And what is to come?

Jen is back with Bruce Reyes-Chow today. They are discussing parenting up to and through adulthood. If you need a refresher here is Bruce's bio:    Bruce is an author, speaker, parent, consultant, coach, podcaster, and pastor. He speaks and writes on issues of faith, technology, race, parenting, and church culture. Over the past 25 years, he has pastored five churches in the San Francisco Bay Area serving as a head of staff, transitional, and founding pastor. He is currently a Senior Consultant and Leadership Coach with The Convergence Network and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach.  Bruce hosts the podcast, BRC & Friends and is the author of five books. His latest is, “In Defense of Kindness” (Chalice Press, 2021) and he is currently working on his next book, “Everything I Believe about God” ( 2023) Bruce, his spouse, and two pups are currently empty-nesting San Jose, CA. Bruce can be found on most social networks via @breyeschow

Jen is talking with Bruce Reyes Chow this week all about kindness and parenting. Listen now for some pointers.   Bruce is an author, speaker, parent, consultant, coach, podcaster, and pastor. He speaks and writes on issues of faith, technology, race, parenting, and church culture. Over the past 25 years, he has pastored five churches in the San Francisco Bay Area serving as a head of staff, transitional, and founding pastor. He is currently a Senior Consultant and Leadership Coach with The Convergence Network and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach.  Bruce hosts the podcast, BRC & Friends and is the author of five books. His latest is, “In Defense of Kindness” (Chalice Press, 2021) and he is currently working on his next book, “Everything I Believe about God” ( 2023) He and his spouse currently live in San Jose, CA and can be found on most social networks via @breyeschow.

Today's episode has a slightly different focus than usual. Jen is here to share with you some of the new resources available to you as you faithfully parent and for church leadership helping others navigate parenthood.

This week Jen is talking with Kelly Fitzgerald about Lent and the struggles we as parents can have with these 40 days in the Christian calendar.    Reverend Kelly Fitzgerald is a liturgical enthusiast. She believes the church year is a great foundation for the rhythms of both church and home life. She lives in Sarasota, FL reveling in God's handiwork with each glorious sunset. She is also a mom to three girls that challenge every notion she had of Christian education and youth ministry she ever had.

It's the 3 year anniversary of Parents Take Five and in this episode Jen takes a walk down memory lane. "I have learned so much from listeners, guests, and the many parents and church workers that I've met as a result. It offers a place to be authentic by sharing my own parenting struggles as we attempt to model faithful discipleship." -Rev. Jen Evans

Jen is here this week to talk about the Souper Bowl of Caring and one way we can live out Micah 6:8. "He has told you, O mortal, what is good;     and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,     and to walk humbly with your God?"

Middle schoolers. Need I saw more? J/K. This week Jen is back with Brian Wallace and they are discussing the joys of raising middle schoolers and things to do to help them thrive.

This week Jen has guest Brian Wallace with her. Brian is the primary presbytery staff liaison for congregations in the North Branch and East Branch of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Administrative Commission for Transformation,  Commission on Preparation for Ministry, New Worshiping Communities Commission, and Next Generation Ministry Team, as well as overseeing areas of children & youth ministries. He's here to talk about continuing to parent through this pandemic.

Jen is back this week and is talking about deepening relationships with those we love. It is hard but can truly be worth the work. 

In this episode Sarah Grace Montgomery and Rich Evans (Jen's partner) fill in. Jen experienced a sudden loss. Her father passed away over the Christmas holiday and so Sarah Grace and Rich discuss grief and a few resources for kids and adults alike who may also be experiencing a loss.  Resources discussed in this episode: The Next Place by Warren Hanson The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

This week we have the last in our advent series. Jen and guest Sarah Grace Montgomery talk about where they find Joy is this advent season. 

In the third in the series, guest Sarah Grace Montgomery and Jen discuss Love in the series on Advent. Let's light the Love candle.

In this weeks episode, Sarah Grace Montgomery is back with Jen to continue the series on Advent. This week they are discussing Peace.

This week Jen has a series guest joining her. Welcome Sarah Grace Montgomery to the first in a series on Advent. We begin with HOPE. 

Jen discusses 3 types of yelling she notices and the perception and feelings of others when they are being yelled at.