Meet Joe • Recent Press

2010

March 17

Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church wants to connect parents, youths

Surge program gets the message out this month with an inspirational speaker.

By Shakaya Andres

PONTE VEDRA BEACH - Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church aims to connect parents and youths.

It hopes to do that through the Surge, a monthly program that addresses communication, one of the biggest connection issues in the home, and other issues children deal with, such as bullying, substance abuse and self-esteem, said Randy Coryell, a volunteer who works with seventh-grade boys in the program.

"Kids don't care about video games, the TV, computers; they want the parent and, more importantly, the father," Coryell said. "Kids are praying that their parents give them the time of day."

One parent in the 21/2 year-year-old Surge program said it has helped her connect with her son.

"This church is helping parents know what to do once that blank has been filled," said Kim Purcell of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Purcell is referring to blanks on "hurt cards" that students fill out to describe why they hurt. Some cards were read by a minister at this month's meeting. Children wrote on the cards that they hurt because a family member had died, because they felt lonely or because they wanted their parents to spend more time with them.

About 150 parents and students attend Surge every second Wednesday at the church at 4510 Palm Valley Road. Christian bands such as the Afters have also been invited, as well as have the main actors of "Save a Life," a movie that deals with issues the youths cope with.

Also, speakers such as inspirational speaker Joe Ehrmann join the meetings. Last week, Ehrmann spoke at the group's session at the University of North Florida. He works with corporate, civic and community organizations and associations to promote growth, teamwork, effectiveness and individual responsibility.

About 300 parents and students filled UNF's Lazzara Performance Hall to hear Ehrmann's message.

Ehrmann said parents need to make sure every young person has some kind of clear definition of who they are in the midst of a perverse culture.

"You have to move toward and become that which you believe about yourself," Ehrmann told the audience. "Think about the life of Jesus. ... If we don't understand our feeling, we'll never understand the feelings of someone else."

Ehrmann, subject of The New York Times Best Seller "Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx, is one of the country's most noted coaches in sports education. He discusses his philosophy concerning raising boys and girls and shares his vision to transform personnel practices and community values to create a society where every man, woman and child can reach his or her potential.

Parent Mark Bishop of Ponte Vedra Beach, who was at last week's event, he needed to hear Ehrmann's message.

"Joe was right on the money," said. "In Ponte Vedra, there's a lot of what society is saying to our children."

Parents and students from any denomination can attend Surge, Coryell said. For information, call the church at 285-8225 or Coryell at 226-7800.

Shakaya Andres can also be reached at (904) 249-4947, ext. 6319.