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