Parents Take Five

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. 

In this episode Jen discusses what she calls 'Parentships' and why she believes they are something every parent should have. 

In this episode Jen continues her conversation with Thomas Lynch. This week he has a word of gratitude and has a good reminder for parents.

In today's episode Jen reminds us that our worth is in God and that we need to kick judgment and shame to the curb. 

In today's episode, Jen welomes one of her former youth, Thomas Lynch! Thomas is a 26 year old living in Greenville, South Carolina and he chats with Jen about the things his parents passed down to him and what made their brand of parenting particularly special. 

Today, Jen comes to us on the heels of a conference for ministers that offers them a chance to cultivate wholeness and rest for themselves as a way to better serve their churches. Coming out of that space, she offers some insight she's had through the words of Katy Stenta about how Jesus rested and continues to encourage us to rest.  If you'd like to read more of Katy's work, you can check her out at https://katyandtheword.com 

Today, Jen welcomes Rev. CeCe Armstrong from St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC. CeCe shares the way her own faith has intersected with her decisions around keeping children safe and heatlhy during this back-to-school time. While everyone is absolutely entitled to their own opinions, CeCe's view rests in trust and, specifically, her trust in God. 

Today, Jen takes a different route and shares a hymn-prayer with us. The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a Presbyterian hymn-writer and the parish associate at First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, New York, has written new lyrics to an old hymn for the people of Afghanistan. This hymn-prayer is sung to you today with extra verses written and added by Leigh Thomas Brown from North Carolina.

Today, Jen talks about how, historically, some voices of faith have used their words, actions, and even the Bible to cause pain. Thinking on this history, she offers a time of reflection for us to consider how our words and actions may be unknowingly affecting those around us. 

In today's episode, Jen sits down for a conversation with Court Michael. Court is a member of Second Presbyterian Church and a dad to three little ones. Jen is always in awe of Court's parenting skills and took the time today to talk with Court about what motivates him to be the best dad he can be and some of the ways he builds trust and honesty into the relationship he has with his kiddos.