Happy October! Did you know this month is National Pizza Month? True story. So if you needed an excuse to eat more pizza, now you have one.

Here’s a few things coming up in our ministry . . . 

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: PARENT & SMALL GROUP LEADER BREAKFAST
This month, we're creating an opportunity for you to connect with your kid's small group leader so you can better love, lead, and influence your teenager together. Don't miss it! Get all the details on our website.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: VOLUNTEER MEETING(S)
Now that the school year is off to a great start, it's time to learn and grow together at our very first volunteer meeting of the year! We hope to see you there as we learn about [add your own topic(s)] together.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: LARGER THAN LIFE GAME NIGHT
Next month, we're getting students together for a night of board games! Larger than life board games, actually. Get all the details on our website.

THE GREATEST SHOW: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON IDENTITY
WEEK 1 BIG IDEA: YOU ARE LOVED

SERIES OVERVIEW:
Do you ever felt like you’re putting on a show? Like the person people think  you are doesn’t line up with who you really are? Or maybe you’ve been known to put on different personas for different situations -- personas that help you fit in with certain crowds, even if that persona doesn’t reflect who you really want to be. Sound familiar? Of course it does. We can all relate because, at times, we all struggle with the same big questions: “Who am I? Who loves me? Why am I here?” In this 4-week series on identity, you’ll help students find answers to those questions as they discover that, in Jesus, they are loved, they are forgiven, they have purpose, and they belong.

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK'S SMALL GROUP GUIDE HERE

If there's one tip we could give you this month, it's this: connect with the parents of your students. Connecting with parents can be just as important as the connection you’re building with your students. In fact, your connection with a parent could be the thing that makes your connection with a teenager that much more effective.

If you're subscribed to Grow Your Ministry, now would be a good time to attach Volunteer Tip Video #3 from your Volunteer section.

If you're a small group leader, you're the best link we have between our church and your family. So here's a question: How many parents have you connected with so far this year?