Join Hal Conklin on Sunday, November 4, as he discusses what it means to live life in public as a Christian. Drawing on his numerous and varied experiences in Santa Barbara, Hal will be examining how Christian can live their lives in the public eye and what that looks like for us here in Santa Barbara. The real question is how can we be salt and light in our world?

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 11/7.

Encounter:
Tools for Trauma Response

Come and hear Pastor Doug Ranck, who in addition to being one of our pastors, is a senior adviser with the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth. He will give us ways, as a congregation, parents, teachers, friends, and leaders to be a light in our community in response to the trauma impacting us personally and collectively.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/31.

Parents’ Night Out

We are happy to offer a “Parents Night Out” on Friday, November 2 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them (bring $5 per kid), care for them, and you have a good time for two hours. Even better, there is no cost(other than the food)!

RSVP to Kelsey Hardeman, our childcare coordinator at childcare@fmcsb.org by Sunday, October 28. RSVPs coming after that will be put on a waiting list.

Trauma & Resiliency

Come and hear Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe, the Executive Director of the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG) speak on trauma and our responses as we near the 1 year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslide.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15 pm. For childcare, RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/24.

Rev. Dr. Wiebe is an organization consultant, specializing in education, coaching, and therapeutic services following crises, trauma, or disaster. Founder and Director of ICTG, her practical experience includes pastoral care & counseling, relational psychotherapy, marriage counseling, group critical incident debriefings, and serving as a volunteer National Responder for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. She has studied relational psychoanalysis, group and organizational dynamics, and community care after disasters for twenty years.

Encountering the Enneagram

The enneagram is an insightful (maybe even uncomfortably so!) tool for personal, relational, and spiritual growth. Join us for an exploration of this ancient-wisdom-traditions-meets-psychology way of engaging personality, emotions that keep us stuck, and the behaviors that everybody except you know you do! Our time will be interactive and experience-based, integrative with our Christian faith, and geared toward ennea-body who is curious about learning more about themselves!

Before coming to the first class, it will help you to get more out of the time if you have taken a test or two online or have read some of the brief descriptions of the types to start narrowing down which number you may be resonating the most with.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. Childcare is available by emailing childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/17.

Encountering the Enneagram

The enneagram is an insightful (maybe even uncomfortably so!) tool for personal, relational, and spiritual growth. Join us for an exploration of this ancient-wisdom-traditions-meets-psychology way of engaging personality, emotions that keep us stuck, and the behaviors that everybody except you know you do! Our time will be interactive and experience-based, integrative with our Christian faith, and geared toward ennea-body who is curious about learning more about themselves!

Before coming to the first class, it will help you to get more out of the time if you have taken a test or two online or have read some of the brief descriptions of the types to start narrowing down which number you may be resonating the most with.

Encounter:
Christianity and American Politics

How can Christians navigate an increasingly contentious and polarized political environment?  Join Westmont Political Science Professor Tom Knecht as we explore the intersection of faith and American politics.  The September 30th lecture, entitled "Polarization and the Pews," will take an empirical look at how many Christians approach politics.  The following week's lecture, "Shrink Your Core," will explore how Christians can become more effective participants in the political process.

A light lunch will be provided.

For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by October 4th.

Tom Knecht is a Professor of Political Science at Westmont College. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published work on American public opinion and foreign policy, homelessness, and gender in higher education.  His current research examines the politics of sports. 

Encounter:
Christianity and American Politics

How can Christians navigate an increasingly contentious and polarized political environment?  Join Westmont Political Science Professor Tom Knecht as we explore the intersection of faith and American politics.  The September 30th lecture, entitled "Polarization and the Pews," will take an empirical look at how many Christians approach politics.  The following week's lecture, "Shrink Your Core," will explore how Christians can become more effective participants in the political process.

A light lunch will be provided.

For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by September 27th.

Tom Knecht is a Professor of Political Science at Westmont College. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published work on American public opinion and foreign policy, homelessness, and gender in higher education.  His current research examines the politics of sports. 

Dealing Effectively with Strong-Willed Children
Cheryl Wayman, LMFT

Dinner and Child Care included

This topic is the most requested one for parents and teachers alike. We will discuss how to custom-design our approach to different ages and stages of our child’s development and each one’s unique personality and needs.

Cheryl is a licensed marriage and family therapist and directed Cliff Drive Christian Counseling Center for 22 years. Her book “Cultivating Healthy Relationships” was published in 2016 and is designed for class and small group study with discussion and application questions at the end of each chapter. Her husband Denny (who pastored FMCSB for 40 years) is a pastoral counselor and they continue to teach on healthy family and church relationships nationally. 

Sign up by Monday, May 7. Any signups after May 7 will be put on a waiting list. Please give names of parents who are attending along with names and ages of children who need childcare.

WINSLOW FAMILY WELCOME POTLUCK

You are invited to join us on Sunday, May 6 from 12:30-2pm in the Upper Fellowship room to welcome back our friends from Asia, Keith, Julie and the Winslow family. We will have the opportunity to hear from them, how we can pray and greet them as they visit us here in the Santa Barbara area.

Sign up to bring a main dish, salad, bread or dessert. Sign-ups can be made at connection central, online, or on our app. Table service and drinks will be provided.

Childcare will be offered after the dinner. Please sign up by Wednesday, May 2 for childcare. Childcare signups after that will be put on a waiting list.

The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them (bring $5 per kid), care for them, and you have a good time for two hours.

RSVP to Kelsey Hardeman, our childcare coordinator at childcare@fmcsb.org by Sunday, April 15. Any late signups will be put on a waiting list.

Come join the women of the church on April 18th from 6:30pm-8pm for four exciting rounds of trivia! We will be asking questions from four different categories (who knows where you might shine!?) and of course, there will be prizes for the winning team! This is a great opportunity to meet new women at the church and to bring your friends! Please bring a savory or sweet treat to share and start studying up ;). Childcare will be provided, but you must RSVP by April 11th to childcare@fmcsb.org. 
 

Psychologist and Westmont Professor Dr. Andrea Gurney who specializes in child and
family therapy will join us in the Upper Fellowship room of the church for a conversation
on how to walk alongside our children as they process the trauma of the last several
weeks. A mother of two young girls herself, Dr. Gurney will offer a developmental
perspective on how trauma manifests itself at different ages, as well as age-specific
resources on helping your child and adolescent make sense of the Montecito
Mudslides.

Here is a brief article she wrote on her blog earlier this week, Helping Children Cope
with Trauma.

Any signups after January 30 will be put on a waiting list.

Parents' Night Out

We are happy to offer a “Parents Night Out” on Friday, January 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them (bring $5 per kid), care for them, and you have a good time for two hours. Sign up on the app, online, or at Connection Central. Any signups after January 21 will be put on a waiting list.

Women's Christmas Party

Join the women of FMCSB as we bring in the Christmas season with lots of singing, laughter, good food, games, and reflections on Advent. We will also have an opportunity to hear about and give to the wonderful work of Noah's Anchorage, a local youth crisis center. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Invite friends, coworkers, and family to join in the fun.

Please RSVP for childcare to childcare@fmcsb.org by December 7th.

Parents' Christmas Shopping Time

We are pleased to offer a Parents Christmas shopping time and FM Kid’s Christmas party on Saturday, December 2, 1-3:30pm. Take advantage of this great time for you to get some shopping done AND for your kids to have a great time here at the church. Cost is $5 per kid!

Please sign up by Sunday, November 26. If you sign up after November 26 you will be added to a waiting list.

Parents' Night Out

We are happy to offer a “Parents Night Out” on Friday, November 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them (bring $5 per kid), care for them, and you have a good time for two hours. Even better, there is no cost (other than the food)! RSVP to Kelsey Hardeman, our childcare coordinator at childcare@fmcsb.org by Sunday, November 5. Any signups after November 5 will be put on a waiting list. 

PARENT SEMINAR
“Ten Traits of Healthy Parents”   

Dinner and Child Care included

This Class will focus on ten crucial traits which we know from both from the Bible and the best of psychological research essential for healthy parenting. 

Topics covered will include:  Modeling Unconditional Love, building Self Esteem in your child, understanding the four major struggles of adolescence,  how to discover your child's unique temperament and personality, the importance of breaking intergenerational character flaws,  strategies to impact your child for Christ and many other topics/ traits. 

Dr. Ron Davis is the author of 8 best-selling Christian books.  He is a father of two children and grandfather to four children.  Ron is a retired pastor who has spoken at Christian conferences in Europe, Asia, Africa and throughout the United States. For six years he served as the Chaplain for the Minnesota Vikings.   This Class contains the material for his ninth book which will be published next year.

Please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by Sunday, September 17th.
 

"If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, then what planet is my child from?"  
or
"Personality and Family Dynamics"

 A seminar to help you celebrate differences between you and your children. Have you noticed that your child very different from you?  When family members know and understand one another’s preferences and personality, they are less likely to assume they are 'right' and others are 'wrong.' This is true across many issues including management of time, approaches to schoolwork, decision-making, recreational activities, vacations, and even rules of the household.

Celia Howen, M.Ed, worked as a Career Counselor at Westmont College for 16 years.  She is in the beginning stages of creating her own business that has a focus on private career counseling, personal & professional development coaching, consulting, training and team building.  She is also attending Free Methodist Church with her husband Marshall who works as the Business Manager at Providence School and also owns Sunrise805 a local solar contracting company. 

Providence Presents:
Finding Freedom in Parenting

If you have ever felt like a parenting failure, Jamie Lisea, mother of three sons, will breathe life back into your parenting. She is passionate about children and has a gift for encouraging a genuine and unencumbered faith in Jesus, even amidst the demands, challenges, and sometimes failures of parenting.

You are invited to Providence Lower School (3723 Modoc Road) this Friday, May 5, at 8:30 am to hear Jamie. Childcare is provided!

This is a free event, open to all who are interested. More information:  providencesb.org/providencepresents

Contact:  Elaine Rottman, Director of Advancement – erottman@providencesb.org or 805-563-4770

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
FEBRUARY 10TH, 5:30-7:30 PM

We are happy to offer a "Parents' Night Out" on Friday, February 10th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them, we care for them, and you go and have a good time for two hours. Even better, there is no cost! Please RSVP to Kelsey Hardeman, our Childcare Coordinator, at childcare@fmcsb.org by Wednesday, February 8th.

Pastor Colleen will be offering a membership class on three consecutive Sundays in January 2017 (the 15th, 22nd, and 29th) for those who have not yet taken this step and for those who would like to revisit the theology of the church. We will begin with lunch together at 12:00 pm and the class will go from 12:30-3:00 pm. If you have children, they are invited to join in for lunch and then there will be a fun time planned for them with the children's ministry team.

If you are interested in taking the class, please contact Pastor Colleen (colleen@fmcsb.org).
To RSVP for childcare, contact Kelsey Hardeman (childcare@fmcsb.org) by January 25th.

Pastor Colleen will be offering a membership class on three consecutive Sundays in January 2017 (the 15th, 22nd, and 29th) for those who have not yet taken this step and for those who would like to revisit the theology of the church. We will begin with lunch together at 12:00 pm and the class will go from 12:30-3:00 pm. If you have children, they are invited to join in for lunch and then there will be a fun time planned for them with the children's ministry team.

If you are interested in taking the class, please contact Pastor Colleen (colleen@fmcsb.org).
To RSVP for childcare, contact Kelsey Hardeman (childcare@fmcsb.org) by January 18th.

Parents' Night Out
January 20th, 5:30-7:30 pm

We are happy to offer a "Parents' Night Out" on Friday, January 20th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The formula is simple: You drop your kids off at the church, we feed them, we care for them, and you go and have a good time for two hours. Even better, there is no cost! Please RSVP to Kelsey Hardeman, our Childcare Coordinator, at childcare@fmcsb.org by Wednesday, January 18th.

Pastor Colleen will be offering a membership class on three consecutive Sundays in January 2017 (the 15th, 22nd, and 29th) for those who have not yet taken this step and for those who would like to revisit the theology of the church. We will begin with lunch together at 12:00 pm and the class will go from 12:30-3:00 pm. If you have children, they are invited to join in for lunch and then there will be a fun time planned for them with the children's ministry team.

If you are interested in taking the class, please contact Pastor Colleen (colleen@fmcsb.org).
To RSVP for childcare, contact Kelsey Hardeman (childcare@fmcsb.org) by January 11th.