Central Church will host a Parent Summit for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students with featured speaker and author Brian Housman of Awake to Life Ministries. The day-long conference will take a look at current adolescent trends by addressing hot topics of media, culture and peer influences as well as give insight into how to understand your child's and teen's heart and maintain a positive spiritual influence. The conference is Saturday, January 9, from 8:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
 
Three fast-paced discussion sessions will cover recognizing trends in the culture, fostering positive relationships with children, and becoming a positive spiritual influence in a child's life. The cost of the community-wide conference is $10/person and $15/couple and includes lunch for those who pre-register. Walk-ins are welcome.
 
Housman, of Awake to Life, a Memphis-based non-profit organization that provides support and training for parents, teachers and churches, offers encouragement and coaching as parents take on the intimidating process of entering their child's world.  "Just imagine that for a day you could occupy the body of a tenth-grade boy or an eighth-grade girl," says Housman. "You could go to all the places they go, see the things they see, hear the things they hear, and participate in all of their activities, but maintain your adult mind. It would be a shock to any parent's system. It's difficult to make sense of what you experience."
 
According to Central Church Children's Ministry Director, Anne Clay, "culture shock" accurately describes how parents feel when they look at the culture our kids live in today. "Even though it is intimidating, parents have to be willing to be bold in setting standards and confronting negative influences in their child's world. The sooner parents do so, the better for their family."
 
Learning how to help kids avoid cultural landmines during middle school and high school can be an overwhelming task without some help. "This conference gives you the practical tools you need to become a relevant part of your child's life," says Housman.
 
For more information on the Parent Summit contact Central Church's Children's Ministry Office at (901) 888-4673 or register on-line at www.centralchurch.com.

Yearbook Sponsor Ad
Parents (or their business/employer) may sponsor an ad in the yearbook for $50. Sponsors receive one free yearbook per ad sponsored. When you fill out the sponsorship form, a yearbook will be reserved for your child.  The deadline for sponsoring a page is FRIDAY.  Click here to order/sponsor your yearbook online.

Williams  v  Leawood (1/2 Boys) - 9:00 a.m. at Kirby Woods Bapt            
McKnight  v  Gtown UMC (1/2 Boys) - 9:00 a.m. at CDS

Inde Pres  v  Jones (1/2 Boys) - 9:00 a.m. at Covenant UMC                  
Walker  v  Holy Comm (1/2 Girls) - 10:00 a.m. at CDS
Anderson  v  Holy Apostles (3/4 Boys) - 10:00 a.m. at Holy Apostles     
Foster  v  Grace Evan (3/4 Boys) - 11:00 a.m. at CDS
Reed  v  Holy Comm (3/4 Girls) - 11:00 a.m. at Incarnation                     
Holy Communion  v  Brown (3/4 Boys) - 12:00 p.m. at CDS
Walker v First Assembly (5/6 Girls) - 1:00 p.m. at First Assembly           
Coll UMC  v  McKnight (5/6 Girls) - 1:00 p.m. at CDS
Hope Pres  v Thomas (5/6 Boys) - 2:00 p.m. at First Assembly