Presented by St. Andrew United Methodist Church, all LIFT podcasts are available at no cost on Apple iTunes; a new season launches in August

LIFT: A Parenting Podcast, launched by St. Andrew United Methodist Church in August 2019 and available at no cost on Apple iTunes, is entering its third season of helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children of all ages in today’s world. Along with focusing on everyday parenting issues such as discipline, anxiety, college preparations, technology, sex, and drugs, LIFT podcasts have tackled many additional timely, tough subjects including mass shootings, grief and suicide, the challenges of COVID-19, and race, featuring community leaders, church members and other experts as guests.

“Parenting is hard,” said Rev. Kim Meyers, host of LIFT and associate pastor, Family Ministry, St. Andrew United Methodist Church. “It requires heavy lifting – both physically and spiritually. This podcast was created to connect with families in a timely manner and be a source of support. Parenting did not come with any instruction booklets, and we often do not know what to do or ask. LIFT is a perfect way to gain knowledge and support as a parent in what is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging times parents have faced in recent years.”

“I started listening to LIFT last fall while in carpool line,” said Sarah Kubehl, mother of three children, ages 12, 16, and 18. “Kim’s voice is positive, kind, and very real, and she focuses on what is happening now in the community and the world, giving me guidance on how best to handle current situations with my kids.  Also a mom, Kim is going through it all with us. Another thing I love is that LIFT is OK for my children to hear, so if they happen to get in the car while I’m listening, it’s OK for us to listen to it together, and that can lead to some helpful discussions.”

The third season of LIFT will launch this August and will initially address the challenges parents will face as school begins in the fall. There are 13 podcasts in each season.

“Depending on what is happening in the world, we may adjust the schedule or add additional podcasts to address important topics,” added Rev. Meyers. “Last year when our church family experienced the tragic suicide of one of our youths, we quickly put a podcast together on grief, featuring Bryna Talamantez, a licensed professional counselor. The podcast had hundreds of listeners, and following the funeral, multiple people stopped to speak with me about how the podcast had helped them cope.”

“My son was a close friend and classmate of this young man,” added Kubehl. “In fact, we had just seen him the night before. I happened by chance to hear the podcast addressing grief soon after this happened, and it helped me to help my son cope. I learned that kids prefer to grieve with other friends, so I knew it was a good thing to encourage my son to be with his friends during this difficult time. This podcast proved to be quite beneficial at a time when we all needed help in coping with such a devastating tragedy. Other LIFT podcasts that I have found especially helpful include one on the power of our words and expectations, which affect our kids more than we know, and a podcast on race, which provided valuable perspective at a critical time.”

“The podcast on how to talk to your children about race aired on June 16,” added Rev. Meyers. “We invited Jenny Gomez, a licensed professional counselor with years of experience in both private and non-profit settings, to join us along with Dr. Kari Roan, assistant principal at Prosper High School. Our guests shared their insight into the best ways to have conversations with your family about race; how to help children after they have seen violent videos on the news or social media; how seeing skin color is a good thing; and the importance of continuing conversations about racial injustice in our homes.”

Kathy King, a retired educator who served as principal of Plano West Senior High School for 12 years, and a guest for a Lift podcast stated, “Kim’s passion for connecting with and serving her community is evident. She knew there was a need to connect in different ways with our community about relevant topics, and she made it happen through LIFT. She clearly understands the importance of getting helpful resources to families in a timely manner.”

Podcasts available to date are: How to Talk with your Children About Race; Parenting Under Pressure, Marriage In COVID-19; COVID-19 Week 4: Checking in with a Family; Adjusting to Online Learning; COVID-19 Q&A; COVID-19: How do we do our new normal?; What to Expect: College 101; Depression and Anxiety; Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll; Divorce; Expectations: The Power of Our Words; What is Discipline?; Teens and Technology; Technology: What Do We Do with It?; Success in Sports; Grief 101; Let’s Talk about Sex; Allowing Your Children to Experience Failure; Faith and Family; How do I Talk to My child about God when I Don’t Feel Qualified?; Our Family Rules vs. Others; Enneagram and Parenting; Who is in Your Web?; How Do We Live into a New Back-to-School Rhythm and Where is God in That?; and Mass Shootings.

“Recently, I learned that our podcasts are not only benefiting parents, but they are also benefiting prospective parents,” added Rev. Meyers. “I recently spoke with a young man familiar with our podcasts. He shared that he had a difficult childhood and was not sure if he would be a good parent. After listening to our podcasts, he has changed his view and is feeling more confident about becoming a father one day. That was a wonderful moment for me as I had not even thought about this young, single man being a part of our audience. Please join us and consider subscribing to LIFT: A Parenting Podcast and see firsthand how it can be helpful to your family.”

LIFT Podcasts are available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-a-parenting-podcast/id1475570506  

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St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

St. Andrew United Methodist Church offers the community two summer “to-go” programs: “Family Ministry Summer Enrichment” a paid, professionally designed program with weekly themes for early childhood to lower elementary ages, now through July 27, and “Faith at Home,” a free program, June 7 through August 9, for early childhood to 12^th grade age groups. Program participants do not need internet or a computer to complete activities, and they are not required to be members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

“With many in-person camps and activities canceled, parents are searching for ways to keep their kids engaged this summer,” said Rev. Kim Meyers, associate pastor, Family Ministries. “Our ‘Summer Enrichment’ program provides fun, hands-on activities with a variety of themes, from beaches to outer space! If you have multiple children in the home, activities will be similar but developmentally appropriate for each age, making it fun for the child and easy for all family members to participate together.”

Packages for the Family Ministry Summer Enrichment program, June 1 – July 27, are available for purchase weekly, monthly, or for the full summer and include four daily activities based on science, physical games, snack ideas, and fun crafts. Each activity will take approximately one hour a day and can be planned around a family’s schedule. Weekly themes, in order, are beaches, sea life/oceans, real superheroes, camping, patriotic/July 4, zoo animals, circus, dinosaurs, and outer space.  Packets may be picked up weekly and include a passport-to-fun guide for each activity, theme-specific supplies, and recipes as well as a shopping list for snacks needed for the week. Package pricing is $35 weekly; $100 monthly; and $200 for the full summer package. Visit https://standrewumc.org/News/enrichment

“During this time of COVID-19, we also know that in the physical absence of church ministry leaders, the greater responsibility of guiding our children in their faith is falling on families,” added Rev. Meyers. “Our staff has created ‘Faith at Home,’ providing daily, age-appropriate activities up to 12^th grade that align with our sermon series.”

Faith at Home is free and designed to support families on their faith journeys with daily, age-appropriate activities aligning with St. Andrew’s sermon series, June 7 – August 9, titled “The Good News of Matthew.” Families may follow the activity sheets, which offer daily activities, Monday through Saturday, for the early childhood, elementary (K-5), and student (6th-12th grade) age groups. Visit https://standrewumc.org/News/FaithAtHome

“This summer could be challenging for parents, and it is our hope that these programs will provide special times each day for families to engage and unplug together,” added Rev. Meyers. “If you have any questions, we would love to answer them.  Please email Kelley Dock at Kdock@standrewumc.org. We hope you will join us this summer in one or both programs as we navigate these challenging times together.”

St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

The Storehouse of Collin County, a nonprofit which provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need, has more than doubled the number of households served since COVID-19 began. As a participant in “North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,” April 14 – May 5, The Storehouse has created a fundraising theme, “As One Curve Flattens, Another Rises,” to emphasize that while social distancing helps flatten the curve of COVID-19’s spread, another curve is rising that is demanding a response from the community.

Since the shelter-in-place was instituted on March 13, service numbers at The Storehouse’s Seven Loaves Food Pantry have climbed steadily each week: 309 families in the first week, 348 in the second, 555 in the third, and 573 in the fourth.

“Pre-COVID-19, we averaged 250 families per week,” said Candace Winslow, executive director, The Storehouse of Collin County.  “With the closing of businesses, increasing unemployment, and children at home full-time, many of our Collin County neighbors are finding themselves at the doors of our food pantry for the first time. While many sheltering at home may feel helpless, ‘North Texas Giving Tuesday Now’ gives us all a way to do something that will make an impact.”

As a partner agency and one of the largest distributors of food for the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), The Storehouse has the ability to stretch a donor’s dollar to purchase a larger quantity of food. Through its partnership with NTFB, The Storehouse has access to food items, many of which have been provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While The Storehouse doesn’t pay for the food, it pays a small transportation fee to cover handling charges. For example, through NTFB, a $200 donation to The Storehouse could provide 1,224, 16-ounce jars of USDA generic brand peanut butter, equating to approximately 16 cents per jar, compared to a cost of approximately $1.94 for a brand name peanut butter of that size in an area grocery store. Monetary gifts also allow for the purchase of more healthy items such a fresh produce and proteins along with exactly what is needed to provide a family with balanced meals.

“Currently, The Storehouse is relying more heavily on NTFB since our other regular sources (individual food drives/donations and grocery store pickups) are not possible due to our building’s closure and limited resources,” added Winslow. “Our neighbors are currently receiving food items in an outside, revised walk-up model, following CDC guidelines.”

Prior to COVID-19, the need in Collin County, one of the most affluent counties in Texas, was already great. One in 6 households (16.1%) faced food insecurity and 1 in 5 children (21.6%) were affected by hunger. In 2019 The Storehouse provided 1.8 million pounds of food (equivalent to 1,535,231 meals, feeding 36,803 individuals of which 12,466 are children and 3,664 are seniors). The Storehouse served on average 1,000 families per month through its Seven Loaves Food Pantry, supported not only by NTFB, as well local corporations, food service partners, and thousands of volunteers. Presently, that number is on track to be doubled.

“We anticipate that even after the veil of Covid-19 is lifted, The Storehouse has reached a new normal of service that will continue for an undetermined period of time as families struggle to get back on their feet,” added Winslow. “While many will be able to go back to places of employment, there will be many who will not be so lucky. Savings will be depleted, families will face debt, and we will see an increase in needs beyond food in our Project Hope Program, which supports women in crisis. This “echo crisis” will be evident among many nonprofits serving on the frontlines.”

“What food banks and food pantries are experiencing now on a national level is unprecedented,” added Winslow. “During natural disasters and other emergencies, there is the option of relying on other areas for support, but during COVID-19, there is hunger everywhere, and people are hungry every day. We hope you will consider supporting The Storehouse of Collin County during “North Texas Giving Tuesday Now” through May 5 at midnight. Visit www.northtexasgivingday.org/thestorehousecc, and please remember that no gift is too small – just one dollar will provide three meals to a hungry North Texan.”

Visit thestorehousecc.org to learn more.

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The Storehouse of Collin County, a nonprofit whose mission is to feed, clothe and care for neighbors in one community, provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need: the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, serving 1,000 families a month; Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, providing an average of 4,000 garments each month; and Project Hope, a mentoring program supporting women in crisis. The program first began in 2009 under the name of Seven Loaves which provided only food pantry staples and grew over the years to meet a variety of needs. An estimated 130,000 people in Collin County live below the poverty level, more than half of which are children.  In September 2018, The Storehouse received the North Texas Food Bank’s Partner Agency of the Year Excellence in Impact Award in recognition of its life changing services, meeting multiple needs for each family served. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333

Utilizing drive-thru service and fewer than ten staff members/volunteers per distribution period, The Storehouse provides safe distribution of food to neighborsand continues delivery to offsite collaborations 

Known for its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive-Thru, The Storehouse of Collin County has revised its distribution of food to neighbors via pre-packaged food bags in an outside drive-thru model to limit person-to-person contact. The current service model does not allow neighbors to enter the building or congregate together. Following CDC Mitigation Strategy, fewer than ten Storehouse staff and select volunteers work together at any time for preparation and distribution purposes.

“The drive-thru distribution is designed to help to slow the spread of the virus while continuing to get food into the hands of our neighbors and keep our volunteers and staff safe,” said Candace Winslow, executive director, The Storehouse of Collin County. “Now more than ever, our neighbors and offsite collaborators need our help, and we will continue to be there for them.”

Food Pantry distribution dates/times remain the same: Thursdays, from 4 – 6 p.m. and Saturdays, from 9 – 11 a.m.  The drive-thru distribution began on Saturday, March 14, serving 111 families with eight Storehouse staff members. The number of families receiving food on March 14 was consistent with The Storehouse’s regular distribution numbers, with the addition of a few new families.

Additionally, The Storehouse is continuing to provide food to existing offsite collaborative partnerships, which include Community United Methodist Church in Copeville, Texas; Evergreen Assisted Living, serving seniors in Richardson and Plano; E3 Ministries, serving a refugee community in Dallas; and Nexus Community Church, serving economically and racially diverse residents in Northeast Dallas.

Currently, The Storehouse staff is handling the preparation and distribution tasks.  The goal of The Storehouse is not to duplicate services of other agencies but rather collaborate to amplify the response to those in need.

The Storehouse serves on average 1,000 families per month in a program supported by the North Texas Food Bank, local corporations, food service partners, and thousands of volunteers. Monetary donations are requested. At this time, The Storehouse is not accepting donations of food items due to building closures. Visit https://www.thestorehousecc.org/give and select “give now” to help feed neighbors in crisis in Collin County.

“The best way to help the neighbors of The Storehouse at this time is through a monetary donation,” added Winslow.  “The generosity of our donors allows us to obtain food from North Texas Food Bank and other food suppliers at a fraction of the cost of the retail price of food items. We can make $1 stretch much further through our food suppliers than our donors can at their local grocery store.”

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The Storehouse of Collin County, a nonprofit organization housed within St. Andrew United Methodist Church, is the umbrella of services providing short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need: the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, serving 1,000 families a month; Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, providing an average of 4,000 garments each month; and Project Hope, a mentoring program supporting women in crisis. The program first began in 2009 under the name of Seven Loaves which provided only food pantry staples and grew over the years to meet a variety of needs. An estimated 130,000 people in Collin County live below the poverty level, more than half of which are children.  In September 2018, The Storehouse received the North Texas Food Bank’s Partner Agency of the Year Excellence in Impact Award in recognition of its life changing services, meeting multiple needs for each family served. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333

One of the premier collegiate choral ensembles in the United States, the Nordic Choir showcases versatility, artistry, and technical mastery across many genres of music

The Nordic Choir of Luther College, one of the premier collegiate choral ensembles in the United States of both national and international stature, will perform at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 West Plano Parkway, on Tuesday, February 4, from 7 – 9 p.m. as one of four stops in Texas on its 2020 Winter United States Tour. There is no admission charge, and the concert is open to the community.

Founded in 1946 and based in Decorah, Iowa, the Nordic Choir, Luther College’s principal touring choir, showcases versatility, artistry, and technical mastery across many genres of music. The choir has performed with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Des Moines Symphony, and Orchestra Iowa, and has toured extensively throughout the United States, performing in churches of all denominations, schools, and concert halls, including Lincoln Center, New York; Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.; Orchestra Hall, Chicago; Orchestra Hall and the Historic State Theatre, Minneapolis; the Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minn.; Walt Disney Concert Hall; the Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles; and the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City.

The Nordic Choir has also appeared at national American Choral Directors Association conventions in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Kansas City, and at the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City, Mo. Audiences across the country have enjoyed radio, television, and online broadcasts of the choir’s performances.  The choir tours internationally every three years and has toured in Scandinavia, Italy, Ireland, England, the Caribbean, Mexico, Russia, and Eastern Europe. In 2021, Nordic Choir will make its first tour to South Africa.

Since 2017 the choir has been under the direction of Dr. Andrew Last, who believes choral music is far more than a vessel for music education and performance. He views his role as facilitating the journey from technical artistry to an emotional awakening, stating, “Great choral music stirs within us a spirit and passion, connecting us in a community of belonging and acceptance.”

To hear a preview of the choir, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=McgdkEtgY_8&feature=emb_logo

“St. Andrew is very excited to welcome the Nordic Choir of Luther College to the area,” said Taylor Davis, director of music and worship arts, St. Andrew UMC. “We encourage the community to take advantage of this very special evening of beautiful music.”

Visit https://standrewumc.org/News/nordic.

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St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.