January 5

Welcome to a new year! We are thrilled to welcome several new leaders to Children's Ministries this semester, and we cherish those of you who are continuing on as well. My prayer is that the new year and fresh start will revitalize each of you both at home and in ministry at church.

Teaching Schedule

Starting this Sunday, the Alive! teaching schedule is TBD. Please let me know your rotation as soon as you know. Thank you!

New Location for Kindergarten Class

We are overjoyed to have so many Kindergarteners this year! In order to better accommodate this large class, we are moving them to new rooms starting this Sunday, January 6. Kindergarteners should drop off and pick up in Rooms 105 & 106, which are on the upper hallway of the Children’s Wing. These rooms are basically right above the old Kindergarten rooms. Since these are preschool rooms, they are larger and contain some toys and games which will engage the kids during down time.


Will Kindergarteners attending the 11:15am service still be brought to the Sanctuary from Sunday school?
Yes! All procedures stay the same, and only the location is changing.

What will happen to Rooms 006 & 005?

Room 006 will remain empty for the time being. Room 005 will be opened up to create more space for Children's Worship at 9 & 11:15 am. 

Spring Calendar

Here are some special events that will take place on Sundays this semester:

• January 12, 19 & 26 from 5-7:30 pm - Wild for 4th-4th graders.
• January 26 - Children's Serve Sunday. No curriculum this week! Just come prepared to help your class complete service projects led by Jenny Fishback and her team. Come to Fellowship Hall by 10:00am.
• February 16 (tentative) - Leader Lunch & Speaker. Join other Children's Ministries staff and volunteers in Fellowship Hall for a light lunch, followed by a speaker from Square One Specialists here in Louisville. Sherri Stover walk us through some case studies of special needs children we might encounter and how best to lead them in the church. 


• March 16 - Children's Serve Sunday. Fellowship Hall.
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter. No small groups.
• April 24-27 - Created By God Retreat for 5th Graders. This 4-day experience will give your child a God-centered introduction to human sexuality in a safe, loving and educated environment. The author of Created By God, Rev. James Ritchie, will lead our first ever retreat this year. 

Curriculum

New year, new unit! During January, you'll have a blast with the Wanna Have Fun series. This one hits on some very popular questions for this age group:

January 5 - Why Can't I Go to PG-13 Movies?
January 12 - What Would Jesus Play on His iPod?
January 19 - Is God a Party Pooper?
January 26 - Children's Serve Sunday
February 2 - Can Being a Christian Ever Be Fun?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Wanna Have Fun

Why Can't I Go to PG-13 Movies?

December 29

Well, leaders, this is it! The last Sunday of 2013... You have led sacrificially and lovingly this semester, each of you putting hours of preparation in so that the children of Christ Church would grow in their faith. Your commitment will reap untold returns. Thank you so much for your leadership!

To those of you who will continue to lead thru until May 2014, thank you! I am excited to partner with you for another semester in Children's Ministries.

To those of you who will move to other ministries in 2014, thank you so very much for all the service you have given this year. Make the most of this last Sunday with your classes!

Celebration Day

Andrea is scheduled to lead today, with Elizabeth and Amy assisting. 

This final Sunday of the semester will most likely be attended lightly, as families are traveling or recovering from Christmas festivities. Use this last Sunday of the year to

• Review what you have learned this semester
• Talk through the highlights of the semester
• Pray for the new year

Curriculum for the morning is posted below, and you are welcome to use it. However, this does not have to be a curriculum-based day. Simply enjoy each other this morning! Consider bringing orange juice and yogurt to class for everyone to share, or play your favorite games from previous Sundays. 

Happy New Year!

Curriculum

This week concludes the Who Is Jesus? series from Grapple. In a season that is really all about Jesus' birth, it seemed appropriate to focus on who he really is during Advent. Here is an overview of this unit:

December 8 - What if Jesus Is a Liar?
December 15 - What if Jesus is a Lunatic?
December 22 - What if Jesus is a Loser?
December 29 - What if Jesus is Lord? (optional curriculum day)

Here's this week's lesson link:

Who Is Jesus?

What if Jesus is Lord?

She's baaaaaack!

Sarah is back from maternity leave and happy to see your faces in the halls once again. Cindy Bagley is still your main contact for Sunday morning questions, and Sarah is now available to support her (and therefore you!)

December 22

This week is "Christmas Sunday," as my family called it growing up. This is the last Sunday prior to Christmas Day. Attendance may be spotty today, with guests in town visiting family and regular attenders out of town vising their families.

Amy will lead the lesson this week, with Elizabeth and Tara assisting. 

Curriculum

This week continues the Who Is Jesus? series from Grapple. In a season that is really all about Jesus' birth, it seemed appropriate to focus on who he really is during Advent. Here is an overview of this unit:

December 8 - What if Jesus Is a Liar?
December 15 - What if Jesus is a Lunatic?
December 22 - What if Jesus is a Loser?
December 29 - What if Jesus is Lord? (optional curriculum day)

Here's this week's lesson link:

Who Is Jesus?

What if Jesus is a Loser?

She's baaaaaack!

Sarah is back from maternity leave and happy to see your faces in the halls once again. Cindy Bagley is still your main contact for Sunday morning questions, and Sarah is now available to support her (and therefore you!)

December 15

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent! Tara leads this week's lesson, and Amy and Andrea will assist her. 

Curriculum

This week continues the Who Is Jesus? series from Grapple. In a season that is really all about Jesus' birth, it seemed appropriate to focus on who he really is for the next few weeks. Here is an overview of this unit:

December 8 - What if Jesus Is a Liar?
December 15 - What if Jesus is a Lunatic?
December 22 - What if Jesus is a Loser?
December 29 - What if Jesus is Lord? (optional curriculum day)

Here's this week's lesson link:

Who Is Jesus?

What if Jesus is a Lunatic?

Christmas Concert Sunday

Today is Christmas concert Sunday, which means the Chancel Choir will present this year's amazing Christmas concert at the 9 & 11:15 am services. There will be no Children's Worship this week, so that K-3rd graders can worship during the concert with their families.

That simply means, don't look for children to come down the hall from worship this week. Everyone will be dropped off by parents.

Childcare staff will still collect children at 10:55 am as usual to take them to the 11:15 service to meet parents.

Family Christmas Caroling Tonight

Check eNews this week for more information about the Family Caroling opportunity tonight. This event is a perfect time to incorporate service to others into your family's Christmas traditions. All ages are invited! Contact Lisa Watkins for more information.

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

December 8

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent! We begin a new curriculum unit this week, and you will see many indications of Advent throughout worship this Sunday. Dale will lead the lesson this week, with Elizabeth and Tara assisting. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday leading up to this Sunday!

Curriculum

This week begins the Who Is Jesus? series from Grapple. In a season that is really all about Jesus' birth, it seemed appropriate to focus on who he really is for the next few weeks. Here is an overview of this unit:

December 8 - What if Jesus Is a Liar?
December 15 - What if Jesus is a Lunatic?
December 22 - What if Jesus is a Loser?
December 29 - What if Jesus is Lord? (optional curriculum day)

Here's this week's lesson link:

Who Is Jesus?

What if Jesus is a Liar?

This week's lesson includes a video clip, which you can preview here:

4th-5th Grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15 am

The 4th-5th grade PSALM Kids sing in worship at 11:15 am this Sunday. PSALM Kids leaders will pick up those who are singing at 10:50 am and escort them to the Sanctuary. 

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

December 1

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent! We finish a series this week, and you will see many indications of Advent throughout worship this Sunday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday leading up to this Sunday!

Curriculum

This week, we finish the Take a Risk series. This unit explores some of the most frightening "What if..." scenarios that we all struggle with, even as adults sometimes. This is meant to be an empowering series, one that helps kids overcome their fears and choose the right thing, even if it's not easy. 

Here is an overview of the next few weeks:

October 27 - What if I Don't Like It?
November 3 - Stewardship Lesson
November 10 - What if I Fail?
November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering vote
November 24 - What if I Give Up?
December 1 - What if I Get Hurt?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Take a Risk

What if I Get Hurt?

Kindergarten-5th PSALM Kids sing at 9 & 11:15

ALL K-5th PSALM Kids will sing at the 11:15 am service this Sunday. That means that PSALM Kids leaders will pick them up from classrooms at 10:50 am. Please be ready for them to knock at your door and call the PSALM Kids out at that time. Other children attending the 11:15 service will still be picked up by childcare staff at 11 am.

Spring 2014 Plans

The staff and Children's Ministry Team at Christ Church cannot thank you enough for your leadership in Children's Ministries this fall. Your love for the children and desire to teach them about faith has an eternal impact.

You committed to lead from August 18-December 29 of this year. What are your plans for Spring 2014 (January 5-May 25)? You get first dibs! We would love for you to continue leading your group thru the end of the year.

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley this week to say either, "Sign me up for spring!" or "My last day is December 29."

Thank you!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

November 24

Thank you for your leadership of the Christmas Eve Offering vote last week! I hope that went well, and I encourage you to contact Patty Groot this week to find out who the chosen recipient was, so you can share that information with your class. Feel free to pass along any feedback about the process as well! 

Elizabeth leads the lesson this week, with Tara and Amy assisting. 

This week, we continue with Week 3 of the Take a Risk series. This unit explores some of the most frightening "What if..." scenarios that we all struggle with, even as adults sometimes. This is meant to be an empowering series, one that helps kids overcome their fears and choose the right thing, even if it's not easy. 

Here is an overview of the next few weeks:

October 27 - What if I Don't Like It?
November 3 - Stewardship Lesson
November 10 - What if I Fail?
November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering vote
November 24 - What if I Give Up?
December 1 - What if I Get Hurt?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Take a Risk

What if I Give Up?

Spring 2014 Plans

The staff and Children's Ministry Team at Christ Church cannot thank you enough for your leadership in Children's Ministries this fall. Your love for the children and desire to teach them about faith has an eternal impact.

You committed to lead from August 18-December 29 of this year. What are your plans for Spring 2014 (January 5-May 25)? You get first dibs! We would love for you to continue leading your group thru the end of the year.

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley this week to say either, "Sign me up for spring!" or "My last day is December 29."

Thank you!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering Vote

This week features our annual tradition of inviting K-5th graders to select the recipient of our Christmas Eve offering. This is the third year children have made this selection, and in the past two years the offering has topped $20,000, in large part due to their involvement!

Elizabeth, Dale and Andrea lead this week. There is no curriculum to prepare, but all three of you will be integral in helping the kids to process their options and explain their choices. 

Christmas Eve Offering

For the past 2 years, the K-5th graders have selected the recipient of our Christmas Eve Offering, and this year is no different! The entire Sunday school hour will involve learning about the three potential recipients for this year, casting votes, and praying for the three recipients.

• 10:05 - Drop off in regular classrooms
• 10:10 - Take your class to Fellowship Hall. (Close your door and leave the provided sign that explains you are in Fellowship Hall)
• 10:15 - Presentation of offering recipients
• 10:35 - Return to classrooms

Once you are back in your room, you will have a stack of postcards for each vote. Review the choices with your class, then allow them to choose the card of the recipient they'd like to vote for. 

The cards contain space for kids to write or draw their reason for making that choice. Give them time to fill in this space. 

Once the cards are ready, pray together over all of the recipients. Then have them turn the cards in to you before they leave. Cindy Bagley will collect cards at the end of the hour. 

Questions? Contact Patty Groot. 

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

November 10

Thank you for your leadership of the Stewardship lesson last week! I hope that went well, and I encourage you to contact Leigh Moore or Brandon Dirks with feedback or stories about the lesson if you have any. 

This week, we continue with Week 2 of the Take a Risk series. This unit explores some of the most frightening "What if..." scenarios that we all struggle with, even as adults sometimes. This is meant to be an empowering series, one that helps kids overcome their fears and choose the right thing, even if it's not easy. 

Tara leads the lesson this week, with Amy and Andrea assisting. 

Here is an overview of the next few weeks:

October 27 - What if I Don't Like It?
November 3 - Stewardship Lesson
November 10 - What if I Fail?
November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering vote
November 24 - What if I Give Up?
December 1 - What if I Get Hurt?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Take a Risk

What if I Fail?

There is a video clip available for you to show this week if you would like. You can preview it here:

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

Spring 2014 Plans

The staff and Children's Ministry Team at Christ Church cannot thank you enough for your leadership in Children's Ministries this fall. Your love for the children and desire to teach them about faith has an eternal impact.

You committed to lead from August 18-December 29 of this year. What are your plans for Spring 2014 (January 5-May 25)? You get first dibs! We would love for you to continue leading your group thru the end of the year.

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley this week to say either, "Sign me up for spring!" or "My last day is December 29."

Thank you!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

3rd-5th Retreat 

This weekend is 3rd-5th retreat! Teachers of those ages should expect a large and possibly tired crowd! Normal operating procedures still apply for this weekend. 

November 3 - Stewardship Lesson

This week we will take a break from regularly scheduled programming to focus on a Stewardship lesson. Dale will lead the lesson, with Tara and Elizabeth along for the ride. 

The Take a Risk unit explores some of the most frightening "What if..." scenarios that we all struggle with, even as adults sometimes. This is meant to be an empowering series, one that helps kids overcome their fears and choose the right thing, even if it's not easy. 

Here is an overview of the Take a Risk series:

October 27 - What if I Don't Like It?
November 3 - Stewardship Lesson
November 10 - What if I Fail?
November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering vote
November 24 - What if I Give Up?
December 1 - What if I Get Hurt?

Stewardship Lesson

In preparation for Stewardship Commitment Sunday next week (Nov 10), this week you will teach from a stewardship lesson developed by our own Leigh Moore, member of the Stewardship Committee. The goal of this Sunday is to teach children two things:

• Giving to God is a matter of TRUST in God.
• Giving to God is a HABIT we should start. 

The lesson will have 3 parts:

• Bible Story: The Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41-44)
• Craft/Activity: Making Stewardship Banks
• Discussion questions

Supplies for the stewardship bank craft will be in your classroom when you arrive this week. You should already have a copy of this lesson by now, but if not, please contact Leigh Moore. Thank you!

Spring 2014 Plans

The staff and Children's Ministry Team at Christ Church cannot thank you enough for your leadership in Children's Ministries this fall. Your love for the children and desire to teach them about faith has an eternal impact.

You committed to lead from August 18-December 29 of this year. What are your plans for Spring 2014 (January 5-May 25)? You get first dibs! We would love for you to continue leading your group thru the end of the year.

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley this week to say either, "Sign me up for spring!" or "My last day is December 29."

Thank you!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

3rd-5th Retreat Registration is Open!

Make sure to check out the new bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Encourage all 3rd-5th graders to post their names on the board if they are coming to retreat, which is November 9-10. 

To register, families can go to www.ccum.net/children for more information.  

October 27

Hi crew! Amy is the leader this week, and Andrea and Elizabeth will be present to assist. This is the first week of the Take a Risk series!

The Take a Risk unit explores some of the most frightening "What if..." scenarios that we all struggle with, even as adults sometimes. This is meant to be an empowering series, one that helps kids overcome their fears and choose the right thing, even if it's not easy. 

Here is an overview of the next few weeks:

October 27 - What if I Don't Like It?
November 3 - Stewardship Lesson
November 10 - What if I Fail?
November 17 - Christmas Eve Offering vote
November 24 - What if I Give Up?
December 1 - What if I Get Hurt?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Take a Risk

What if I Don't Like It?

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

4th-5th Grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15 

The 4th-5th grade PSALM Kids will sing in worship at 11:15 am this Sunday. PSALM Kids leaders will come to your classroom to collect kids at 10:50 am. 

Spring 2014 Plans

The staff and Children's Ministry Team at Christ Church cannot thank you enough for your leadership in Children's Ministries this fall. Your love for the children and desire to teach them about faith has an eternal impact.

You committed to lead from August 18-December 29 of this year. What are your plans for Spring 2014 (January 5-May 25)? You get first dibs! We would love for you to continue leading your group thru the end of the year.

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley this week to say either, "Sign me up for spring!" or "My last day is December 29."

Thank you!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

3rd-5th Retreat Registration is Open!

Make sure to check out the new bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Encourage all 3rd-5th graders to post their names on the board if they are coming to retreat, which is November 9-10. 

To register, families can go to www.ccum.net/children for more information.  

October 20 - Children's Serve Sunday

This week is Children's Serve Sunday! Jenny Fishback, Serve Coordinator on the Children's Ministry Team, will lead preschool-5th graders in service projects to benefit Lighthouse Ministries.

There is no curriculum to prepare this Sunday. However, we do need you! Please come ready to help guide your class in service. Andrea is the scheduled leader for the morning, and Amy and Dale will be there to assist.

Meet in Fellowship Hall at 10am

We will start off in Fellowship Hall this week, so please report there no later than 10am. We will finish the hour in classrooms, so parents should be instructed to pick up in classrooms at 11am. Here is the plan:

• 10:00 - Arrive in Fellowship Hall, assist with crowd control
• 10:05 - Music, Scripture, introduction to Lighthouse Ministries, youth testimonies
• 10:25 - Service projects in Fellowship Hall
• 10:40 - Go to classrooms for a prayer buddies activity
• 11 - Pick up in classrooms

Members of the Serve Team will be present the whole time to instruct and lead. Those leaders are:

• Kindergarten / 1st grade - Jennifer Welch
• 2nd / 3rd grade - Teri Allen
• Alive! - Andrea Donan

Contact Jenny Fishback with any questions!

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

3rd-5th Retreat Registration is Open!

Make sure to check out the new bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Encourage all 3rd-5th graders to post their names on the board if they are coming to retreat, which is November 9-10. 

To register, families can go to www.ccum.net/children for more information. 

October 13

Hi crew! Elizabeth leads the lesson this week, with Tara and Dale assisting. This is the last week of the Hide 'n' Seek series. 

Your new series in the Grapple curriculum is called Hide 'n' Seek, which raises questions about integrity, the fact that sin hurts everyone, the fact that God looks at the heart, and our responsibility to honor our parents. Here is an overview of the four lessons:

September 22 - Is It Okay if I Don't Get Caught?
September 29 - Is It Okay if Nobody Gets Hurt?
October 6 - Is It Okay if I Was Trying to Help?
October 13 - Is It Okay if My Friends' Parents Say It's Okay?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Hide 'n' Seek

Is it Okay if My Friend's Parents Say It's Okay?

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

Children's Sabbath

At the 11:15 am service this Sunday, the Children's Worship Team as well as many children from our church will lead worship in the Sanctuary. There will be no Children's Worship at 9am this Sunday. K-3rd graders who attend the 9am service will stay in the Sanctuary to worship with families the whole time.

All other normal procedures will take place this morning. Childcare staff will pick children up from classrooms between 10:55-11am and take them to the Sanctuary.

Stickers for Children's Serve Sunday

October 20 is Children's Serve Sunday, and that day in Sunday school will be very different from most. More to come on that!

In preparation, there will be a sheet of label stickers in your classrooms this week. Please make sure that every child gets a sticker before leaving. These stickers tell kids which items to bring to donate to Lighthouse Ministries on October 20. 

Contact Jenny Fishback with any questions.

Where to go in Sarah's absence:

Sarah will be on maternity leave thru December. In her absence, here are directions for whom to contact:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

3rd-5th Retreat Registration is Open!

Make sure to check out the new bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Encourage all 3rd-5th graders to post their names on the board if they are coming to retreat, which is November 9-10. 

To register, families can go to www.ccum.net/children for more information.  

Self-Release

This year, I am experimenting with making self-release an opt-out rather than an opt-in. At 11am, you can allow all of your class to exit, whether "self-release" appears on their tags or not. Parents who do not want their children to self-release can indicate that, and we will put that on tags. 

But remember - no need to dismiss anyone prior to 11am, unless a parent is there for them! Thanks!

October 6

Hi crew! Welcome to October! Amy is up to lead this week, with Andrea and Dale assisting. 

Your new series in the Grapple curriculum is called Hide 'n' Seek, which raises questions about integrity, the fact that sin hurts everyone, the fact that God looks at the heart, and our responsibility to honor our parents. Here is an overview of the four lessons:

September 22 - Is It Okay if I Don't Get Caught?
September 29 - Is It Okay if Nobody Gets Hurt?
October 6 - Is It Okay if I Was Trying to Help?
October 13 - Is It Okay if My Friends' Parents Say It's Okay?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Hide 'n' Seek

Is It Okay if I was Trying to Help?

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

Sarah's Last Sunday

This will be Sarah's last Sunday before maternity leave. In her absence, here is where you should go with questions:

• Curriculum & supplies - Amy Ashton or Janet Hagerty
• Substitutes - the sub list posted on this blog
• Sunday morning questions/needs - Cindy Bagley, or another floater in the hallways

Stickers for Children's Serve Sunday

October 20 is Children's Serve Sunday, and that day in Sunday school will be very different from most. More to come on that!

In preparation, there will be a sheet of label stickers in your classrooms this week. Please make sure that every child gets a sticker before leaving. These stickers tell kids which items to bring to donate to Lighthouse Ministries on October 20. 

Contact Jenny Fishback with any questions.

3rd-5th Retreat Registration Opens this Week!

Make sure to check out the new bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Encourage all 3rd-5th graders to post their names on the board if they are coming to retreat, which is November 9-10. 

To register, families can go to www.ccum.net/children for more information. 

Self-Release

This year, I am experimenting with making self-release an opt-out rather than an opt-in. At 11am, you can allow all of your class to exit, whether "self-release" appears on their tags or not. Parents who do not want their children to self-release can indicate that, and we will put that on tags. 

But remember - no need to dismiss anyone prior to 11am, unless a parent is there for them! Thanks!

September 29

Way to kick off this new series in the curriculum! I checked in on Alive! once Sunday, and you were all engrossed in discussion in small group rooms. For those not in the classroom Sunday, Your new series in the Grapple curriculum is called Hide 'n' Seek, which raises questions about integrity, the fact that sin hurts everyone, the fact that God looks at the heart, and our responsibility to honor our parents. Here is an overview of the four lessons:

September 22 - Is It Okay if I Don't Get Caught?
September 29 - Is It Okay if Nobody Gets Hurt?
October 6 - Is It Okay if I Was Trying to Help?
October 13 - Is It Okay if My Friends' Parents Say It's Okay?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Hide 'n' Seek

Is It Okay if Nobody Gets Hurt?

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

Check-In Issues

We have had some issues with electronic Check-In recently, so if you have had children arriving at your doors without tags, that might be why. There should be guest tags inside the front flap of your black binders. Please have parents fill out those hand-written tags if Check-In has failed them, or if they are a guest.

Self-Release

This year, I am experimenting with making self-release an opt-out rather than an opt-in. At 11am, you can allow all of your class to exit, whether "self-release" appears on their tags or not. Parents who do not want their children to self-release can indicate that, and we will put that on tags. 

But remember - no need to dismiss anyone prior to 11am, unless a parent is there for them! Thanks!

September 22

Thank you to Dale for finishing up the Why Can't I Sleep In series last week. Wish I could have been there to see you all in action! I'll be around for the next four weeks (barring an unexpected early delivery of Baby Jack), and I can't wait to support and enjoy what's going on. 

This week, Elizabeth leads, with Dale and Amy assisting. Your new series in the Grapple curriculum is called Hide 'n' Seek, which raises questions about integrity, the fact that sin hurts everyone, the fact that God looks at the heart, and our responsibility to honor our parents. Here is an overview of the four lessons:

September 22 - Is It Okay if I Don't Get Caught?
September 29 - Is It Okay if Nobody Gets Hurt?
October 6 - Is It Okay if I Was Trying to Help?
October 13 - Is It Okay if My Friends' Parents Say It's Okay?

Here's this week's lesson link:

Hide 'n' Seek

Is It Okay if I Don't Get Caught?

Be sure to take time to check in with the kids, either during large group or small group. Ask how they're doing, how you can pray for them, and how they can pray for one another. 

Check-In Issues

We have had some issues with electronic Check-In recently, so if you have had children arriving at your doors without tags, that might be why. There should be guest tags inside the front flap of your black binders. Please have parents fill out those hand-written tags if Check-In has failed them, or if they are a guest.

Self-Release

This year, I am experimenting with making self-release an opt-out rather than an opt-in. At 11am, you can allow all of your class to exit, whether "self-release" appears on their tags or not. Parents who do not want their children to self-release can indicate that, and we will put that on tags. 

But remember - no need to dismiss anyone prior to 11am, unless a parent is there for them! Thanks!