Lighthouse Letters
love God. love people. pass it on.
February 2026

A Message from Brooke
Hi Lighthouse Grown-Ups,
Happy February! Man, it’s been cold, hasn’t it?! Since we’ve been hibernating in the frozen tundra and the state of our country seems to get more discouraging daily (referenced in the letter I sent to you guys last week), I’ve been intentionally seeking GOOD NEWS…in books, movies, songs, etc.
I’ve been trying to NOTICE each day some bits of GOOD NEWS (because the freaking bad news feels so prevalent right now)! Here’s some good news I’ve noticed lately:
- I love the song “Both Sides Now” written by Joni Mitchell. Listen to this rendition by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. Unbelievable!
- I stumbled upon a documentary The Kindness Within: A Journey to Freedom about a guy looking for God and seeking enlightenment. I found it so intriguing to learn about other religions and cultures and how they experience God.
- I had never seen the movie The Fundamentals of Caring until a few days ago (even though it’s a 2016 movie). I absolutely love Paul Rudd but fell in love with all the characters. It widens the wingspan on our usual definition of “family.” Inspiring.
- I told you guys about the monks on the “Walk for Peace” through the United States. If you are not following them, you are missing out! They provide such a beautiful daily inspiration and perspective. They epitomize GOOD NEWS!
- There’s a guy I came across on Instagram that tells encouraging and inspiring stories…he calls them “dope stories” and I can’t get enough of them!
- Remember what Mister Rogers’s mom told him when the world seemed so bleak? “Look for the helpers.” Man, what a gift of perspective. Despite all the disastrous events in Minnesota, people have risen up with courage and grace. The solidarity they’ve created has looked like good news.
The good news feels a little harder to find these days, so it takes more effort. May we remember that even among this season that often feels like very bad news, God promised us that Jesus would represent GOOD NEWS of great joy, a promise of abundant life (regardless of our circumstances). No matter how difficult things feel, I believe with everything in me that God is with us in it. We are never alone. That’s GOOD NEWS.
Among these days, when the days feel cold and long, may we remember to NOTICE THE GOOD NEWS! And it looks like we are going to get a little respite from the cold this week. 50ish degrees Thursday is going to feel balmy!!! That’s GOOD NEWS!
Hope to see you soon!
Brooke

brooke’s books
Becoming Wise
Need something to add to your reading list? Check out another one of Brooke’s favorites, “Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living” by Krista Tippett. Happy reading!
Upcoming Events
COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4. Join us on the first Wednesday of each month for gatherings of Christians learning more about love from world religions with pastor, life coach and founder of Compassion Fix, Ginger Rothhaas. Each gathering will be an introduction to the faith where we will: explore the compassion teachings offered, honor the significance of their holy days and origins of their sacred texts, become aware of the roles of women in the faith, consider what the religion believes happens when we die, and understand how each faith helps people with being human. The order in which the religions will be presented is based on oldest to newest in the dates of origination or formation of the faith. Christianity will be woven in and honored each discussion as well, and in the timeline, Christianity’s formation falls between Buddhism and Islam. The intent of these gatherings is to foster a greater understanding of others, appreciate how we all need something to believe in, and grow in our compassion for the shared human experience. Childcare is available by emailing .
VILLAGE KIDS SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION: Registration opens Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. Get ready for an unforgettable summer filled with creativity, discovery, and fun! Our camps are designed to engage kids in exciting activities that spark imagination and build friendships. Each week offers a unique theme, so your child can explore new interests and enjoy a variety of experiences. Register here.
DETAILS:
Ages: 2–9 (as of May 1, 2026)
Schedule: Camps run 9:30 am – 2:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.
Flexibility: Sign up for one or both days each week!
VILLAGE CHURCH MUSIC & DRAMA CAMP: Registration opens Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. Join us for a fun week of singing and acting as we present “Are We There Yet?” the story of Moses and the journey to the promised land. Camp will take place June 8-12th from 1-4:30 pm each afternoon and ends with a performance at 7:00 pm on Friday night. Before registering, please make sure that your child will be able to participate in the final performance. All are welcome to participate, and no solo singing or speaking is required. However, those interested in solo roles will have the opportunity to try out for one. Auditions will be held for those interested on Sunday, June 7th. Camp is open to students who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade. The cost of the camp is $100 and includes a t-shirt which will be worn for the performance, snacks, and all materials needed for the week. Register here.
VILLAGE PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT: Now enrolling! Village Church Preschool at Mission Campus is a NAEYC accredited preschool guided by the HighScope curriculum and taught by Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education degreed professionals in every classroom. Our quality programming began in 1975 and continues today, serving second-generation students! We are committed to meeting each child where they are in their development. We strive to provide an atmosphere where each child feels safe and able to learn skills at their own rate. We acknowledge that you, the parents, are the child’s first and most significant teachers and seek to build upon the foundation you have laid. Enroll here.
VILLAGE PARENT’S DAY OUT: Now enrolling! Looking for a safe, loving, and engaging place for your little one while you take care of your day? Our state licensed Parents Day Out program is designed to give children a fun, nurturing environment to learn, play, and develop social-emotional skills, while giving parents peace of mind and a few hours off duty. Class runs from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays. Choose the day(s) that fit your family’s schedule, from one to four days per week. Our parents like to mix and match! Children must be 2 years old by Sept. 1 of enrollment year to join PDO. Enroll here.
OPEN PLAY TIME – 9-noon, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Grownups and their littles are welcome to come play in the kid nook in our Young Adult Room until noon. Grab a coffee while you’re there!
FROM MOTHERHOOD TO MATRIARCH – 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21. Ginger Rothhaas of Compassionate Fix will lead the conversation about women’s journey from nurturing life to shaping a legacy. All women are welcome! Register here.
MAHJONG MONDAYS – 6:30-8 p.m., 2nd Mondays Mission Campus Room 230, 3rd Mondays Antioch Campus Multi-Purpose Room. Do you play Mahjong? We’re starting groups to play on the 2nd and 3rd Mondays each month – 6:30-8 p.m. Email to RSVP to ensure adequate supplies and enough players. Bring tiles if you have them!
WEDNESDAY FAMILY DINNERS: Join us for Wednesday Family Dinner from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Friendship Hall. Register now to reserve your spot!
Meet Our Team

Meet Brooke
Brooke loves the mountains…especially when combined with a bike, paddle board, snowboard, family and friends! She also loves acting goofy, not taking life too seriously, and finding her people. She’s the mom to 4 kiddos, a dog, and many Lighthouse kids who have adopted her as their 2nd mom…or big sister…or babysitter. Brooke lives our mantra: love God. love people. pass it on. She brings that energy to our Sunday morning Lighthouse, where kids leave filled with God’s love.

Meet Kate
Kate is our organizer, task master, knower-of-all things Village, and rememberer of names long-forgotten. She is our go-to for crafting group emails and coordinator of baptisms for those sweet Village babies. She’s an avid reader, a HUGE Jayhawk fan, lover of music and theater, and mom to two kiddos and a puppy. She is gifted in interpreting God’s word and enjoys preparing lessons that allow our Lighthouse kids to find their own meaning and understanding.

Meet Kenyon
If you like ill-timed jokes that break up awkward silences, Kenyon is your go-to person. She loves all things funny, spending time with friends, being a boy mom, the KU Jayhawks, and watching all types of movies. Better late than never, she’s discovered a love for writing and creating (being a boy mom provides ample material). She also loves spending time with the Lighthouse kiddos, learning alongside them as they discover their love for God.

Meet Kevin (aka Dino O’Dell)
Here’s what we all know about Kevin: the man can sing. Moreover, he can entertain. Further yet, he teaches without kids knowing they’re actually learning! All while simultaneously wearing jorts. And, if that’s not enough to convince you of this man’s amazing talents, he’s also a video producer. The responsibility of being our lead musician, producing fun and entertaining videos, and leading our 6th graders on Lighthouse mornings rests firmly on his shoulders. And, he still stands tall. The man. The myth. The legend. Kevin “Dino O’Dell” Dolan.