Join us for an important Parenting Event
As followers of Jesus, it can be hard to answer or wrestle with some of the biggest questions about sexuality in our culture–especially when it involves our kids, grandkids, friends, or even ourselves. We want to equip you to glorify God with your sexuality, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Join us on November 1 at 7 pm for a parenting event that will feature a special guest speaker named Chase Sachs. Chase is a celibate gay Christian. He writes on reconciling his faith and sexuality in a context where, for the majority of people, he is either “too gay” or “too Christian.” His talk is called Love, Always: Lessons from Growing Up Gay in the Evangelical Church. More info and link to register here. We’ll have child care available. Please consider joining this important conversation even if you don’t have kids or teens in your home.
Love kids? Got one hour a week to mentor?
Kids Hope USA brings joy to struggling kids at Woodbury Elementary School through a simple yet profound formula: each volunteer mentor spends one hour each week with their one student, playing games, reading with them, helping with math, chatting, etc. Without realizing it, important relationships are formed, and many times, those relationships are a turning point for the students being mentored. KHUSA is back in the school this year and the needs are greater than ever! Email us with questions or to get started.
Christian Sexuality curriculum available to all
As we work through the Christian Sexuality curriculum with your students on Wednesday nights, we’ll have important conversations that may continue once your students get home. If you don’t already have access to the Christian Sexuality curriculum and videos we’ll be watching, please email Henry Michael. These resources are available to anyone in our church who would like access, even if you don’t have teens in your home.
Pickleball community at Five Oaks
Join local pickleball instructors, Deb and Jim Propes, for some great pickleball fun for ages 55+. Open play takes place every Tuesday and Thursday, 2-3:30 pm. If you don’t already own a paddle, don’t buy one. We’ll provide one and instructions on how to best pick a paddle for you to avoid an expensive mistake! To join in and receive communication, email Deb, debpropes@me.com. For info on all-ages adult pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, email Jonathan, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org.
Are you friendly? Five Oaks Kids need greeters!
Have you thought about serving with Five Oaks Kids, but the idea of helping in the classroom felt overwhelming? Right now we have new families exploring Five Oaks, and we know we could use your help with greeting before services in our ministry. This is an easy and fun way to make a difference. We especially need extra help on Saturdays at 4:30 or Sundays at 10:45. If you are interested in greeting for Five Oaks Kids, possibly once a month, please email Kelly Bauman.
Join us at our annual congregational meeting
Mark your calendar for our annual congregational meeting and fellowship time following on November 7, starting at 4 pm. All Five Oakers are invited; members may vote. We’ll provide child care for kids up through grade 5 with pre-registration. Following the meeting, we invite you and your family to stay afterward for heavy appetizers and fellowship. More details to follow!
Small groups: Dive into our weekend teaching
Joining a small group can help you apply what you learn on the weekends in a community setting. The friendships formed in small groups provide an important setting for further discussion of the weekly sermon. As we enter into our current sermon series, Christian Sexuality, our small groups will dive into these topics and help provide clarity around this challenge in our current culture. Get started here.
Middle schoolers: Register now for Pumpkinfest
Your middle schooler is invited to an outdoor evening of “all things pumpkin:” games, food, prizes, a bonfire, farm animals, and oh yeah – pumpkin shenanigans! Join us November 5, 6-9 pm, at the farm of Philip and Becky Vierling in Hastings. Registration and more details here. Invite your friends! Fall in MN means chilly temps, so be sure to dress warm in clothes that can get messy. Questions? Email Kyler Albert.
UGM Thanksgiving Bag Donations
Last year, you helped to provide 257 Thanksgiving bags to families in need! We’re hoping to bless even more families in need this year, partnering with the Union Gospel Mission. It only costs $25 to provide a Thanksgiving bag to one family in need! $50 for two, and so on. Our goal this year is to raise enough money to provide 275 bags! Let’s do this! You may donate here. Questions? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Kids’ next steps in faith
Taking next steps in faith can be so exciting, yet also feel overwhelming at times. To help you guide your kids through their next steps, we would love to meet with you and talk about either our Family Dedication Milestone or our Baptism Milestone. We will be celebrating both of these exciting steps of faith the weekend of November 20+21. We would love to have you and your child participate if they’re interested. Email Kelly Bauman to start that conversation.
Reality Conference for high schoolers
This conference will help students better understand why we believe what we do and in turn be able to discuss their beliefs when challenged. Conference is at Grace Church, Eden Prairie, on November 12+13. More info and registration here.
Do you love to cook, organize & impact?
Are you concerned for the homeless and hungry? Over the last 16 years many have learned, under the leadership of Tim and Cindy Wiant, in a culture of fellowship and humble service, to prep and serve meals for “the least of these” at Dorothy Day Center. If you love to organize teams and cook for groups, consider this: the Wiants would like to mentor others to co-lead this ministry to ensure that it will continue for many years. Interested in learning the ropes and making an enduring impact? Please email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.