Student Ministries Letter | October 2026
Dear Middle and High School Families,
As we move further into the school year, many of us are feeling the pace of busy days and full schedules. Between schoolwork, sports, activities, social commitments, family responsibilities, and the general demands of daily life, it can feel as though there is always something requiring our attention. For many of our students, and for many of you as parents, this busyness is very real. It is important to name that honestly and compassionately.
At the same time, one of the great gifts we can offer our children is not the removal of every challenge, but the support and wisdom to navigate life’s demands in healthy ways. We want our students to grow in resilience—not the kind that simply pushes through at any cost, but the kind rooted in self-awareness, perspective, healthy limits, and trust in God’s presence.
This month at our Middle School Life on Sunday mornings, we have been in a series called “Low Battery.” It has been a meaningful way to talk about the emotional, spiritual, and physical exhaustion so many young people experience. Together, we have talked about what it feels like to be running on 1%, trying to keep going when there is very little left to give. We have also reflected on the truth that we cannot recharge ourselves simply by “trying harder” or “being better.” Just as a phone cannot charge unless it is connected to a power source, we, too, need to be connected to the true source of life, peace, and strength.
That message is deeply rooted in our faith. So often, our instinct is to respond to stress by striving harder, doing more, or expecting more of ourselves. But God’s invitation is different. In Scripture, Jesus reminds us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Our strength is not meant to come only from our own effort. We are renewed by abiding in God—through prayer, rest, worship, community, and the quiet confidence that we are loved not because of what we accomplish, but because we belong to Him.
Another important part of this conversation in Life has been the reminder that we do not have to give all of our energy to everything, all the time. This is an important lesson not just for students, but for adults too. Healthy resilience does not mean saying yes to everything or stretching ourselves until we are depleted. It means learning when to persevere, when to rest, when to ask for help, and when to set wise boundaries. It means understanding that not everything deserves the same amount of our energy, and that making thoughtful choices is part of faithful, healthy living.
Our students are growing up in a world that often praises overcommitment and constant productivity. They can easily begin to believe that their worth is measured by how much they achieve, how busy they are, or how much they can carry. We have the opportunity to tell them something better and truer: that they are beloved by God, that their value is not based on performance, and that a healthy life includes both courage and rest.
As families, perhaps this month offers us a chance to pause and reflect together:
- Where are we running low?
- What is draining us?
- What truly restores us?
- What might it look like to be more intentionally connected to God, our source of strength?
- Where might we need permission to let go of the expectation that we must give everything to everything?
My prayer is that in this busy season, our families would not simply try to keep up, but would learn to live with deeper wisdom, peace, and resilience. May we help our children recognize when they are running on empty. May we remind them that they do not need to earn God’s love or prove their worth through constant effort. And may we all learn what it means to stay connected to the One who truly renews us.
In Christ,
Anna Park
Director of Middle School
