Gather Around the Table This Fall for Wednesday Supper Connections

There is something special about sharing a meal together. Stories are exchanged, friendships deepen, laughter fills the room, and community grows. This fall, Myers Park Covenant Church is bringing back a beloved tradition with a fresh spirit of connection: Wednesday Supper Connections.

On the third Wednesday of each month from September through December, church members and friends of all ages are invited to gather for dinner, meaningful conversation, learning, and fun. Whether you're a parent navigating the challenges of raising children in a digital world, a grandparent looking to learn and connect with other families, a student seeking community, or someone simply looking for a place to belong, Wednesday Supper Connections is for you.

Each evening begins with dinner from 5:00-5:45 p.m., followed by engaging programs and activities from 5:45-7:00 p.m. designed for children, youth, and adults. Childcare will be available for babies through kindergarten, allowing parents and caregivers to fully participate and enjoy the evening.

This fall's lineup offers something for everyone:

September 16 | Social Media & Digital Wellness

How do we help our families develop healthy technology habits in an increasingly connected world? Join us as educator and technology specialist Jenny Beaumont leads a conversation with adults and parents about screen time, digital wellness, and practical ways to navigate technology together.

The Details

Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026
Dinner | 5:00-5:45 pm | Italian Night | Please RSVP (registration coming soon)
Programs | 5:45-7:00 pm | Social Media and Digital Wellness

For the Adults | Social Media and Digital Wellness with Jenny Beaumont 
Technology is woven into nearly every aspect of our daily lives, shaping how we work, connect, learn, and rest. But how can we develop a healthier relationship with the digital tools we use every day?

This interactive session invites participants to thoughtfully explore the role technology plays in their lives and relationships. Rather than focusing on rules, restrictions, or guilt, the conversation will encourage a balanced and life-giving approach to technology use. Together, participants will consider practical ways to use technology more intentionally, strengthen personal well-being, and nurture healthier connections with others.

Through discussion, reflection, small-group conversation, and engaging activities, attendees will have the opportunity to examine their own habits, identify what matters most to them, and discover simple, achievable steps toward greater balance. The session will explore the impact of technology on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being while offering practical tools for creating healthier patterns of use.

Participants will leave with fresh insights, meaningful conversation, and at least one concrete action they can take to ensure they are using technology thoughtfully rather than allowing technology to shape them unintentionally. The goal is not to add another burden, but to cultivate greater clarity, freedom, and intention in our digital lives.

About the Speaker
Jenny Beaumont is a spiritual companion, retreat leader, curriculum writer, facilitator, and lifelong learner who has worked with adults, children, and youth. She is the owner and Director of Swan Learning Center and has worked with children and adults in Christian formation for the past 30 years. She designs retreats that enlighten, inspire, and provide practical ways to deepen spiritual life. She offers practical, relevant, and faithful ways to enrich relationships and deepen understanding of God, others, and ourselves. Her belief that everyone is a child of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and with gifts to share, animates her life and ministry. She earned her MA in Religion in 2021, is a Spiritual Director, Deep Living Spiritual Life Coach, and certified in the Enneagram. Jenny lives in Charlotte with her husband, Michael. By way of fun, she loves to read and to have her hands in the dirt—weeding, planting, and sowing seeds!

For Youth | ScreenStrong 
ScreenStrong is an evidence-based initiative that equips teens, parents, and educators with tools to understand and manage screen use in a way that supports brain health, relationships, and real-world skills.

Teen brains are still developing, with areas like the prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment and impulse control) maturing last. This makes teens more vulnerable to the addictive design of screens, which can disrupt sleep, emotional regulation, and social skills.

ScreenStrong focuses on protecting the brain, strengthening the child, and supporting the family through: 
Brain science education explaining how screens affect developing brains
Practical tools for families to set healthy boundaries
School implementation support for phone-free days and creative play
Community encouragement to foster a “screen-strong” lifestyle

Children's Program | ScreenStrong: The Adventures of Super Brain 
The Adventures of Super Brain introduces elementary students to neuroscience and healthy technology habits using age-appropriate stories and illustrations. The concepts in the book are based on current research in neuroscience, child development, psychology, education, sleep science, and healthy technology use.

Childhood is a remarkable window of opportunity. During these early years, a child’s brain is growing at an incredible pace, shaped by everyday experiences, relationships, challenges, and habits. Every conversation, bedtime story, bike ride, family meal, game of catch, music lesson, and act of kindness helps build the brain that will serve a child for the rest of life.

The purpose of The Adventures of Super Brain is not to create fear about technology. Rather, it is to help children understand that their brains are extraordinary—and worth protecting. When children know how their brains grow, they become empowered to make healthier choices. When parents and educators understand the science, they are better equipped to provide the experiences that growing brains need most.

Technology will continue to evolve, but the basic needs of children have not changed. Growing brains still need human connection, meaningful challenges, active play, loving guidance, and opportunities to discover the joy of the real world.

One of the greatest gifts we can give children is a childhood rich in curiosity, adventure, purpose, and relationships. By protecting these years and filling them with experiences that strengthen the brain, we prepare children not only for success in school, but for lives marked by wisdom, resilience, compassion, and joy.

Mark Your Calendar for These Dates 

October 21 | Family Fun Night

Bring the whole family for an evening of laughter and entertainment featuring the beloved Grey Seal Puppets. This intergenerational event promises fun for children and adults alike and is designed to bring our church family together through shared joy.

Dinner: Mexican Taco Bar

November 18 | Books & Reading

Celebrate the power of stories with children's author Dawn Anthony, who will share insights about her writing with children. Adults will enjoy a special presentation from a representative of Park Road Books, one of Charlotte's treasured independent bookstores.

Dinner: Thanksgiving-Inspired Meal

December 16 | Christmas Celebration

We'll close the semester with a festive evening of Christmas crafts, carol singing, and holiday cheer. It's the perfect way to slow down, celebrate the season, and enjoy time together before Christmas arrives.

Dinner: Special Holiday Meal

At its heart, Wednesday Supper Connections is about more than a meal or a program. It's about strengthening relationships across generations, creating space to learn from one another, and building a deeper sense of belonging within our church family.

Mark your calendars now for September 16, October 21, November 18, and December 16, and plan to pull up a chair. We can't wait to gather around the table with you.

Registration

Registration details will be available soon. Be sure to watch upcoming Weekly newsletters and other church communications for more information.