Series Offers Insights Into Raising Kids

Steve Wilson, administrator at Spokane Valley Nazarene Church, wants parents in his congregation to know that children will grow up - whether or not parents are really the ones raising them.

“It only makes sense they’ll pick up things from the people they spend the most time with,” Wilson said. “Whether that’s you or little Johnny down the road is up to you.”

The church, located at 10814 E. Broadway, is currently accepting registrations for a series entitled, “Children at Risk.” The series starts at 10:45 a.m. on April 16. It will be held at the same time every Sunday for eight weeks.

The series, based around James Dobson’s book of the same name, is aimed at helping parents detect early problem warning signs and behavioral changes. Wilson said signs that teens are involved in gangs or drugs often go unheeded.

“Many people don’t even know what drug paraphernalia looks like,” he said. “We’re trying to arm parents with a better option.”“It’s not that schools don’t address this, but they have to teach reading and writing,” he said.

Speakers at the series are Mark Sterk of the Spokane Police Department, and Scott Read, vice principal of Mountain View Middle School. Both attend Spokane Valley Nazarene.

The idea for the series came from the concerns Wilson heard from parents attending the church.

“There’s a lot of frustration and wondering what the future holds for children,” Wilson said. “People know it’s important to be involved, but they often don’t know how … there aren’t too many manuals on how to be good parents. When they see hot buttons such as certain clothing, they don’t know what that means.”

The most important message Wilson wants to convey, though, is that parents must spend time with their children.

“Things don’t happen by explosion, they happen by erosion,” he said.

“You can spend time with your kids one way now, or spend time visiting them in a jail cell … material things bought for them are just acquisitions. You can’t buy time and you can’t buy love.”

To register or get more information, call 926-1545.

Spring is here, broom and all

Not unlike many homes this time of year, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 15319 E. Eighth Ave., is in need of some spring cleaning.

Anyone interested in lending a hand pulling weeds, dusting pews, washing windows or cleaning floors is asked to show up April 8 at 9 a.m.

Bring a sack lunch and help the folks prepare for Easter.