Q. My wife and I go to a small church where we tithe. The church is continually asking for contributions to other charities and causes, and we don’t have the money to give to them all while we’re sticking to our budget and getting out of debt. The worst part is that we get pretty aggressive pushback when we say no. What can we do?

The diagram apparently was crafted over 1000 years ago - part of a book that was placed on sale by Manhattan’s Les Enluminures Gallery, a dealer in medieval manuscripts, a book written on vellum with a rather unique first page, according to a report on the Religion News Service website, which likens the circular diagram to a game board.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” –J.R.R. Tolkien

 

There are few things in life that bring more joy than holding a newborn baby.  The way they look up at you and the look in their eyes is one of love, innocence, and trust.  As the old hymn says, “How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives; but greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He lives.”

Most of us have had the experience of family life becoming hard to manage at one time or another due to finances, career difficulties, demands of children, or marital conflict.  The tension in the family builds and children begin to squabble about everything, nothing gets done, and you feel guilty for not being able to function in complete bliss.  Does this sound familiar?

Even at the best of times there is nothing simple about raising children. But throw in a million new technologies—new devices and social networks and apps—and things get far more complicated still. This is every parent’s challenge today. 

In the 1980’s Randy Travis wrote and recorded a hauntingly beautiful song called, “I Told You So.” It was very popular, hitting #1 on the country charts. The song describes the anxiety of a man as he ponders what his girlfriend (wife?) might say if he apologizes and offers to come back to her. He wonders if she would forgive him for leaving and attempt to find the closeness they once knew. But he is afraid that she might say, “I told you so, but you had to go.” She might tell him that she found someone new and that he would never break her heart again. The singer does not resolve the question, and you know he will only find out if he faces the one he has wronged.

 

RRJ: Many people can relate to the role “going to church” played in your early exposure to Christianity.  What were some of the benefits you received being raised in the church?

There is a lot to like about Jeff Goins’ new book The Art of Work, and there is a lot to commend in it. For those reasons I really wanted, and even tried, to love it. Unfortunately, though, it cannot overcome a couple of significant, exasperating flaws.

There’s no doubt the culture we live in throughout the United States and our River Region has and is changing rapidly.  We must ask ourselves, “Is the change positive or negative?”

Aldersgate UMC

6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Time Travel 3D

When: June 22-25

Ages: 3 yrs – 5th grade

Register at www.aldersgateumc.org

or call 272.6152.

 

Anointed Remnant International Ministries

1353 Reed Street, Montgomery

Theme: “Journey on the Map”

When: June 17-18

Call (334) 294-2515 for more info.

 

Autauga Heights Baptist Church

1393 Highway 31 N, Prattville

When: June 22-26

Ages: 4 years – 6th grade. Call (334) 322.3222.

 

Blue Ridge Baptist Church  

4471 Jasmine Hill Road, Wetumpka

Theme: Journey

Off the Map

When: July 19-23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

A family night musical performance will be held July 26th at 6 p.m.  Call 567.4325.

 

Camellia Baptist Church

201 Woodvale Road, Prattville

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 15-19, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ages: 3 year preschool through 6th grade, plus adult classes. Register at www.camelliabaptist.com. Call 365.0231.

 

Capital City Church of the Nazarene

4450 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: “God of the Underdogs”

When: June 15-19 from 6:00-8:00 pm 

Ages: Pre-K through 6th grade

For more information, call 272.8176.

 

Capitol Heights Baptist Church

2514 Madison Avenue, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 8-12, 9 a.m. to noon

Ages: 4 years old by Sept. 1 through 6th grade. Nursery provided for VBS

workers only. Call 264.6461.

 

Centerpoint Fellowship Church

2410 Wall Street, Millbrook

Theme: Everest

When: June 22-25; 6 pm to 8:30 pm

For information or registration,

call 356.3076.

 

Covenant Presbyterian Church and Two Cities Church

5 Arden Road, Montgomery

Theme: Summer Sea Quest: Jonah

When: June 15-19, 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Ages: Pre-K4 - 6th grade.

Call 272.1133 or visit

www.covenantmontgomery.com.

 

Dalraida Baptist Church

3838 Wares Ferry Rd., Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 1-5; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Age: Kindergarten through 6th grade

Pre-registration Family Fun Day: May 31st from 5-7:30 p.m. Call 272.2412.

 

Eastern Hills Baptist

3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 8-12; 8:30 – 12 p.m.

Ages: 4 (by August 1st) through 6th grade

Call 272.0604 or register online@

www.ehbconline.com.

 

East Memorial Baptist Church

1320 Old Ridge Road, Prattville

Theme: Camp Kilimanjaro

When: June 15-19, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Family Night, Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m. with hot dog supper beginning at 5 p.m.

Ages: 4 years through 8th Grade

Call 365.7500.

 

Eastmont Baptist Church

4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Theme: Son Spark Labs

When: June 15-19; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ages: 4 yr. - grade 6

Register online @ www.eastmont.org

or call 277.6300.

 

Evangel Church

3974 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Everest

When: July 20-24; 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Ages: 3 to upcoming 6th graders

Call 272.4882 ext. 107.

 

First Baptist Church

305 South Perry Street, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 22-26; 9 a.m. to Noon

You can register on our website at www.MontgomeryFBC.org or call 834.6310.

 

First Baptist Church, Prattville

138 S. Washington Street, Prattville

Theme: Journey Off the Map

June 22-26, 8:30 am-12:00 noon

Ages: 3 years- 8th grade  

Children must turn 4 on or before September 2, 2015 to attend.

Register at fbcprattville.org or call 365-0606.

 

First Baptist Church, Wetumpka

205 W. Bridge Street, Wetumpka

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 8-12, 8:30 a.m.- 11:30

Ages: K-6th grade.  Call 567.5191.

 

First Presbyterian, Prattville

211 S. Chestnut Street, Prattville

Theme: Summer Sea Quest: Jonah

When: June 8-12, 8:30 to noon

Ages: 4 years old through entering 6th grade

Call 365.6387.

 

First UMC, Montgomery

2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery

Theme: Ready, Set, Go:

On the MOVE with God

When: June 15-19; 9a.m. until noon

Ages: Age 3 (by Sept 1 of 2015)

through 5th grade. Call 834.8990.

 

First UMC, Prattville

100 E. Fourth Street, Prattville

Theme: Everest: Conquering Challenges

with God’s Mighty Power

When: June 9-13, 9 a.m. to Noon

Ages: Open to children who have just completed Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Call 365.5977.

 

Fountain City Baptist

492 East Main Street, Prattville

Theme: To The Edge: Encounter the

God of the Universe

When: June 14-18; 6-8 p.m.

Ages: 3 to 12.  Call 365.2034.

 

Frazer Memorial UMC

6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: July 13-17; 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Ages: Finishing K4 year olds (as of Sept. 2 2015) - Finishing 5th grade.

Call 272.8622.

 

Gateway Baptist Church

3300 Bell Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map!

When: June 22-26 9am-12pm

Ages: Completed 1st-5th grades

Call 272.9494 to register.

 

Glynwood Baptist Church

376 N. McQueen Smith Road, Prattville

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 8-12, 5:30 pm each night

Ages: 4 through grade 6

For more info and to preregister, go to

www.glynwoodbc.com or call 361.9180.

 

GracePointe Church

1565 Ray Thorington Road, Montgomery

Theme: Then & Now: A Journey to Nazareth

When: June 18-July 1 from 6-8 pm

Ages: 4-12

 Visit www.grace-pointe.com to register

or call 271.2525.

 

Hayneville Baptist Church

1180 State Hwy 21 N, Hayneville, AL

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: July 12-16, 5:45 until 8:30

Ages: Pre K - 6th Grade (grade completed)

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call

(334) 548.2620.

 

Heritage Baptist Church

1849 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 8-12, 8:30 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

Ages: Complete 4K - 6th grade

Call 279.9976.

 

Heritage Baptist, Prattville

1357 S. Memorial Drive, Prattville

Theme: Mount Kilimanjaro

Dates: June 7-11, Time: 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Ages: K3 through completion of 6th grade

Call 365-2372.

 

His Vessels Ministry, Montgomery

Union Station, Downtown Montgomery

Theme: Patriot Camp

Dates: June 8-12; Times: 9 a.m. until noon

Ages: 6 – 12; Cost: $15 per child,

max $45 for family. Call 334-356-4478 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

8570 Vaughn Road, East Montgomery

Theme: God’s Big Backyard

When: June 15-19; 8 a.m.- 11 a.m.

Age: Entering Preschool – entering 6th grade

Call 277.1989 or register online @

www.holy-spirit-church.com.

 

Hope Hull UMC

305 Wasden Road, Hope Hull

Theme: Hometown Nazareth

When: June 14-18; 6 pm to 8 pm

Small meal provided at 5:30 pm

Call 288.3956 or visit www.hopehullumc.org.

 

Lakeview Baptist Church

9225 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Theme: Camp Kilimanjaro: An Epic

Expedition through Proverbs

When: June 22-26; 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ages: 4 years old thru entering 6th grade.

Free meal for kids at 5 pm. Call 213.3080.

 

Landmark Church

1800 Halcyon Boulevard, Montgomery

Theme: The Mystery of Christ

When: July 12-15, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Ages: Nursery through adults

Call 277.5800.

 

McGehee Road Baptist Church

2877 McGehee Road,

Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 7-11;

5:30 – 7:30

Call 262.0689.

 

Metropolitan UMC

3108 Rosa L. Parks Avenue,

Montgomery

Theme: Shining Star

When: June 22 - 26, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Call (334) 263-0950. Everyone is welcome.

 

Millbrook Presbyterian (PCA)

3480 Main Street, Millbrook

Theme: TBD

When: July 6-10 6:15-8:15pm

Ages:  Entering K-4 thru 6th grade

For registration, call 285-4031.

 

Montgomery Area Episcopal Churches

St. John Episcopal Church, 113 Madison Ave.

Theme: Building Faithful Friendships

with Legos

Dates:  June 1-4, 8:30 a.m. – Noon

Ages: Rising K4 through rising 6th grade

For registration, call 263.5529.

 

Morningview Baptist Church

125 Calhoun Road, Montgomery

Theme: Mount Everest

When: June 1-5, 9 a.m. to Noon

Ages: Completed Kindergarten-5th grade

Call 272.2304.

 

Mountain View Baptist Church

1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 15-19, Times: 8 a.m.- 11:30

Ages: 4 years old - completed 6th grade

Call (334) 567.4458.

 

Mulder UMC

3454 Firetower Road, Wetumpka

Theme: Blast to the Past

When: May 31 – June 3; 6 – 8 p.m.

For more info please call 567.4225.

 

Open Door Christian Faith Worship Center

2450 Presidents Drive, Montgomery

When: June 8-12, 6 pm to 8 pm

Ages: 3-Adult

For more information, please call 270.6498.

 

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Chruch

501 Doster Rd, Prattville

Theme: TBD; When: June 22-26; 6-8 pm

Ages 3-Adult. Call 361.0574.

 

Ridgecrest Baptist Church

5260 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 1-5, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday, June 7th, we are inviting parents and families

to join us for morning worship and a VBS presentation; a hot dog lunch will follow.

Pre-register online at www.rbcmontgomery.com/register.

VBS t-shirts are available for pre-orders at a cost of $11 each. Call 277.0011.

 

Saint James UMC

9045 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Everest: Conquering

Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

When: June 22-24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ages: K4-5th grade

Call 277.3037.

 

Saint John’s AME Church

807 Madison Avenue, Montgomery

Theme: Jesus: The True Superhero

When: June 15-19, 6 to 8 p.m.

Ages: Classes for all ages.

Call 265.4136.

 

Taylor Road Baptist Church

1685 Taylor Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: July 20-24, 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Ages: Completion K-6th grade.  Call 271.3363.

 

Thorington Road Baptist Church

450 Ray Thorington, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: May 31-June 4; 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Ages: 5 yrs. to 5th grade

Call 396.9376.

 

Trinity Presbyterian Church

1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery

Theme: Summer SeaQuest

When: June 1-5, 9 a.m. to noon.

Ages: Pre-K 4 through completed 6th grade

Call 262.3892 to pre-register.

 

Trinity UMC, Prattville

610 Fairview Avenue, Prattville

Theme: TBD

When: June 14-18, 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Dinner provided for children every night.

Call 365.7339.

 

Vaughn Forest Church

8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Journey Off the Map

When: June 1-5; 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Ages: Entering Kindergarten through

entering 6th grade.

Registration online at www.vaughnforest.com. Call 279.5433.

 

Whitfield UMC

2673 Fisk Road, Montgomery

Theme: Workshop of Wonders

When: June 22-25, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Ages: 3 years to 6th grade.

Call 281.2467.

 

Woodland UMC

4428 Wallahatchee Rd, Pike Road

Theme: Everest

When: June 22-25; 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Ages: 4 years old -6th grade

Call 272.7230.

 

Young Meadows Presbyterian Church

5780 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Sports Camp 2015

When: June 1-5, 9 a.m. until noon

Ages: Kindergarten-5th grade

Call 244.1385.