Inspiring joyful faith; Building a loving community;
Serving Neighbors Near and Far
Good Sam’s youth programs provide a safe place for middle & high school students to gather, explore their faith, ask questions, form friendships and serve the community. We welcome all youth in the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities.
Good Samaritan Family Newsletter, March 6, 2026
Building Faithful Families
We all have such crazy schedules. Making it to church can sometimes be difficult. To help you build your family’s faith, each month we will have a new resource for you to try at home with your family. These resources don’t need a theology degree, just a desire to be come closer as a family and to strengthen your family’s spirituality.
This Month, we have an activity to help your family process traumatic events. They are on the Welcome Table in the Narthex, or let Jan know at jan@good.org if you would like a copy emailed to you.
Youth Group
- Youth Group – 1st and 3rd Sundays, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Please let Jan know if you are planning to attend! jan@good.org.
- Our next Youth get-together is Sunday, March 1, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan.
- Parenting Workshop – New Date! – “5 Keys to Raising Resilient Kids” Sunday, March 29, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – to equip parents, teachers, and school leaders with proven strategies to help kids handle stress, anxiety, and life’s ups and downs with confidence. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
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- Implement anxiety transformation techniques that get to the heart of what’s holding kids back
- Uncover the research-based keys of resilience that help kids bounce back when times are tough
- Unleash true grit and perseverance in your child or student, no matter the challenge
- Boost their self-worth and confidence so they’re prepared to take on the world
- Teach practical, lifelong coping skills they’ll carry with them well into adulthood
There is no charge for this workshop; however, there is a limit on the number of attendees. Please click here to reserve your spot.
- ASP – Appalachia Service Project – Save the date! Our next ASP Mission Trip is on the calendar – June 20-28, 2026. We hope you can join us!
- All students who have completed the 8th grade or higher are invited to serve with families in Central Appalachia. Students who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Good Samaritan church are also invited to participate in the ASP trip. Bring a friend.
- Location: TBD
- Cost: $500. Scholarships are available. Contact Jan Russell at jan@good.org.
- More Details can be found at www.good.org/event/appalachia-
service-project-asp.
Appalachia Service Project
Making Homes Warmer, Safer, Drier, Transforming Lives
2026 will mark Good Samaritan’s 45th year of participation in ASP, traveling to a location in Central Appalachia to help make critical repairs to family homes. Since COVID, the number of ASP volunteers has decreased, but the need in Appalachia has not diminished and neither has our commitment to serving the wonderful people of this area. We welcome youth who have completed 8th grade on up, college students, young adults, and any other interested adults. Church membership or construction experience are not requirements. Gather friends and family and join us as we repair homes, develop relationships, and build hope. If interested, please email Jan at jan@good.org so we can add you to our email list.
According to the ASP website, “each year, more than 15,000 volunteers serve with ASP, providing critical repairs for more than 350 families.” Projects can include roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, digging drainage ditches, making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible, or other projects that help make homes warmer, safer, and drier. In addition to building and improving homes, ASP is also a relational ministry for both the families we serve as well as those serving.
This ministry is about lifting the spirits of Appalachian families and reminding them that God’s love knows no boundaries. In the process of putting your faith in action, God acts in your heart. And when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.
Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class (8th grade and older)
- Historically Confirmation was for students in 9th grade. We are now going to open it up to anyone 8th grade and older. When a student enters 8th grade they will be eligible to register for Confirmation, and they will remain eligible all the way through High school. This way you can choose when the right time for your family is to participate in Confirmation. Maybe that means waiting in order to allow siblings to attend together, maybe that means waiting for an academic year that is less demanding, maybe your student isn’t interested as an 8th grader but will become interested as they get older. Whatever the case may be, we want to make this program more accessible! If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!
Children, Youth and Family Advisory Board
The Children, Youth and Families Advisory Council provide input into events, programming and the physical space that welcomes our new and existing families. The Council meets quarterly. If you’d like to participate, contact Jan to learn more!