Dear Friends,
Congratulations to 2023 graduates! You did it! We are all so proud of you for your hard work during this challenging time. We will be celebrating, acknowledging, gifting and praying for you on Sunday, June 4 at the 10 am Graduation Sunday Worship. We hope you and your parents and grandparents can all attend so we can rejoice in your accomplishment.
2023 Graduates
College Graduates:
Sydney Ota graduated from Biola University
Alessa Heredia graduated from Cabrillo College
High School Graduates:
Febe Avitua graduating from Aptos High School
Tyra Martinez graduating from Watsonville High School
Adrian Lourenco-Higginbotham graduated from North High school
Kaya Lourenco-Higginbotham graduated from North High school
Angel Cabello graduating from Watsonville High School
Middle School Graduates:
Elizabeth Reitano graduating from Green Valley Christian School
Allyssa Cabello graduating from E.A. Hall Middle School
Kenzie Culbertson graduating from Mount Madonna Middle School
Griffin Burkholder graduating from Webber Middle School
Elementary School Graduate:
Isaiah Gomez-Bernabe promoted from Castroville Elementary School
We are living in a time where changes are happening at an unprecedented fast pace that spins our head around. It’s hard to keep up with all the rapid changes that are coming at us on all sides. It is very challenging for both parents and children to navigate and cope with life these days. The advent of smartphones and social media are contributing to the mental health struggles of young people and parents are at a loss what to do about it. The data shows that there is a direct link between spike in teen anxiety, depression, and suicides and the influence of smartphones and social media. My sense is that our over reliance on digital technology has disconnected us from nature’s rhythm of life and we are seeing the consequences of this disconnection.
Therefore, on Sunday, May 28, our children will learn how to garden starting with preparing the soil, planting vegetable seeds, watering and attending. They will get their hands in the soil and watch how they grow from start to finish. For children to have the firsthand experience of how nature works will be an invaluable benefit for them for the rest of their lives. So please bring your children for worship on Sunday, May 28. There will be experienced adults who will teach and guide them in gardening. Everything will be provided.
Starting July, I will be dedicating my sermon series with a deep dive in understanding and addressing the mental health crisis of our children and teens and what parents, adults, and society can do to help mitigate this crisis.
May God bless our parents and all children!
John
