January 4

Happy New Year!

We will start off this new year with an exciting Sunday, especially for our 2nd graders. Everyone should plan on having a larger group, since it's a new year AND a special Sunday.

Advent Evaluation

Thank you to all of you teams for rolling with the new Advent curriculum we experimented with. We'd love to know what you thought of this Advent structure and materials. Please tell us in the poll below:

feedback surveys

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible)

As we support and celebrate the gift of God's Word to our 2nd graders, please remember to bring YOUR own Bible to church this Sunday. We will raise our Bibles high in worship as we praise God for the Scripture together, and I hope that each of you will take a moment to share your own copies of the Bible with your groups during your time together.

Let the kids see what God's Word means to you!

Alive Team

With Cindy's move to serve on the 1st grade team this semester, the Alive team now consists of:

Brett Graves – 664-6040
Dale Helton – 639-1073
Pete Kik -741-6283
Kim Minor – 552-0333
Durand Minor – 767-7298
Elizabeth Straub 609-2333

January Curriculum

Wow, this sneaked up on me! All spring curriculum is now posted and linked on the Schedule & Curriculum tab on the blog. To start off the new year, you Alivers get to talk about What Really Matters. Here's a breakdown for this series:

January 4
What Really Matters? - Is Being Liked What Matters?
 
January 11
What Really Matters? - Is Being Right What Matters?

January 18
What Really Matters? - Is Being the Best What Matters?

January 25
What Really Matters? - Is Being Happy What Matters?

Thank you.

It is quite amazing to walk down the hall on Sunday mornings and see you all laughing, telling Bible stories and loving on the kids in your groups. Thank you for your ministry!

December 28 - Last week of Advent

Merry Christmas! I wish I could hug and high five each and every one of you in celebration of our Lord's birthday. It was wonderful to see you sharing the story of Christ's birth with your groups this past Sunday, and with Christmas behind us we will begin the Epiphany story this coming week.

There are not words to thank you enough for the way you are serving with joyful, flexible, loving hearts. I thank God for you!

Last week of Advent

This is our last week of this new and different Advent curriculum. For the last time, 1st-5th graders will begin in Room 005 together, and you get to lead that opening time! Only one person really needs to fill this role, but you can divide it up if you'd like. Talk amongst yourselves!

Here is the outline for leading that opening time:

1. Welcome and opening prayer (10:10)
1. Remind them of the meaning/purpose of Advent
2. Introduce the story of the morning: The Magi
2. Play video (lasts about 5 minutes)
1. Debrief video - ask them to describe what happened and ask their own questions
2. Introduce them to the characters/words in the "Story At a Glance" portion of the leader guide.
3. (optional) Play the video again now that they know what's going on
4. Dismiss one group at a time to classrooms.

After the video and story intro, all groups will return to your rooms for discussion and story activities provided in your curriculum.

On the following week (January 4), we'll return to our regular curriculum, which you will find in your classroom this week if you haven't already received it.

December 28 - The Magi

Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: Alive (4th-5th grade)

As you plan out your message for each week, please reach out to Karen, Cindy or Sarah with any questions or ideas that you want to try out. We are creating a plan to provide all the lesson planning help you need, but if we overlook something, don't hesitate to send out an e-mail or make a phone call, and we are all avid texters too! We're here to help.

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

December 21 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Merry Christmas!

Does it seem like Advent is speeding by to anyone else? Wow! This is such a wonderful, exciting, complicated, anxious, patience-inducing season, and I can think of no better way of experiencing it than through the eyes of children. I'm excited to join you in your Advent small group times this Sunday.

Advent Format

This week 1st-5th graders return to 005 to kick things off with an introduction to the story and a short video.

Kindergartners should still have a TV and DVD of the video for you to play in your classroom.

After the video and story intro, all groups will return to your rooms for discussion and story activities provided in your curriculum. Pickup will be in classrooms. 

December 21 - Jesus is Born

Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 3rd Grade

December 28 - The Magi

Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: Alive (4th-5th grade)

As you plan out your message for each week, please reach out to Karen, Cindy or Sarah with any questions or ideas that you want to try out. We are creating a plan to provide all the lesson planning help you need, but if we overlook something, don't hesitate to send out an e-mail or make a phone call, and we are all avid texters too! We're here to help.

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

December 14 - Toy Sunday

You are all invited to Toy Sunday this week at 10:05 am in Fellowship Hall. Parents accompany their children for this special toy give-away event.

No curriculum or small groups this week. We'll see you Sunday!

December 7 - Second Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent! This is such a wonderful, exciting, complicated, anxious, patience-inducing season, and I can think of no better way of experiencing it than through the eyes of children. I'm excited to join you in your Advent small group times this Sunday.

New Advent Format

If you were here last Sunday, you saw a different curriculum for our small groups during Advent. This curriculum will be posted here each week, and hard copies will be available in your classrooms by the end of the day Tuesday if you would like to pick them up.

In addition to new curriculum, 1st-5th graders will also meet differently during Advent. Those grades will begin each week in Room 005 together where we will view that week's video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Alive) has been assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time.

After the video and story intro, all groups will return to your rooms for discussion and story activities provided in your curriculum. Pickup will be in classrooms. 

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth

Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 2nd Grade (Steve Jones)

December 14 - Toy Sunday in Fellowship Hall 
(no curriculum)

December 21 - Jesus is Born
Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 3rd Grade

December 28 - The Magi

Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades K-2nd   &  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: Alive (4th-5th grade)

As you plan out your message for each week, please reach out to Karen, Cindy or Sarah with any questions or ideas that you want to try out. We are creating a plan to provide all the lesson planning help you need, but if we overlook something, don't hesitate to send out an e-mail or make a phone call, and we are all avid texters too! We're here to help.

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

Spring Semester

As this year begins to wind down, we are looking at the spring (January-May) semester. Would you please contact Cindy Bagley or Karen Larimore to confirm that you are ready for a second semester with your group or that you will take a break? Of course, we hope that each one of you will continue!

Special Kid Support

Becky Powers, our coordinator for special needs ministries, has worked with me for the past several months to develop resources for you to use in your classrooms. We're ready to unveil! Please make use of these resources to help children focus, enjoy, communicate and receive the blessings you're giving them. 

Call Becky

If there's a child in your class that concerns you or that you'd like some ideas for how to engage, just give Becky a call! She'd love to hear from you at 502-245-9943. 

Use a Request for Resources Form

In your rooms this Sunday, you'll see a large envelope that says "Request for Resources". Inside will be simple forms and pre-addressed envelopes. If you would like some fidget busters, noise canceling headphones, allergy-free snacks, manipulatives, or just advice for a particular child, fill out a form, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail. Becky will respond within two weeks. 

We want to be a welcoming, fun, comfortable place for children to connect with you, one another and with Jesus. Thank you for helping us meet that goal!

November 30 - First Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent! This is such a wonderful, exciting, complicated, anxious, patience-inducing season, and I can think of no better way of experiencing it than through the eyes of children. I'm excited to join you in your Advent small group times starting this Sunday.

New Advent Format

During Advent we will use a different curriculum for our small groups. This curriculum will be posted here each week, and hard copies will be available in your classrooms by the end of the day Tuesday if you would like to pick them up.

In addition to new curriculum, 1st-5th graders will also meet differently during Advent. Those grades will begin each week in Room 005 together where we will view that week's video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Alive) will be assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time.

After the video and story intro, all groups will return to your rooms for discussion and story activities provided in your curriculum. All leaflets provided with this curriculum will be in your classrooms each week. Pickup will be in classrooms. 

November 30 - The Annunciation
Video Preview
Curriculum:  Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 1st Grade

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth
Video Preview
Curriculum: Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 2nd Grade

December 14 - Toy Sunday in Fellowship Hall 
(no curriculum)

December 21 - Jesus is Born
Video Preview
Curriculum: Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: 3rd Grade

December 28 - The Magi

Video Preview
Curriculum: Grades 3rd-5th
Team leading the intro time in Room 005: Alive (4th-5th grade)

As you plan out your message for each week, please reach out to Karen, Cindy or Sarah with any questions or ideas that you want to try out. We are creating a plan to provide all the lesson planning help you need, but if we overlook something, don't hesitate to send out an e-mail or make a phone call, and we are all avid texters too! We're here to help.

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

Spring Semester

As this year begins to wind down, we are looking at the spring (January-May) semester. Would you please contact Cindy Bagley or Karen Larimore to confirm that you are ready for a second semester with your group or that you will take a break? Of course, we hope that each one of you will continue!

Special Kid Support

Becky Powers, our coordinator for special needs ministries, has worked with me for the past several months to develop resources for you to use in your classrooms. We're ready to unveil! Please make use of these resources to help children focus, enjoy, communicate and receive the blessings you're giving them. 

Call Becky

If there's a child in your class that concerns you or that you'd like some ideas for how to engage, just give Becky a call! She'd love to hear from you at 502-245-9943. 

Use a Request for Resources Form

In your rooms this Sunday, you'll see a large envelope that says "Request for Resources". Inside will be simple forms and pre-addressed envelopes. If you would like some fidget busters, noise canceling headphones, allergy-free snacks, manipulatives, or just advice for a particular child, fill out a form, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail. Becky will respond within two weeks. 

We want to be a welcoming, fun, comfortable place for children to connect with you, one another and with Jesus. Thank you for helping us meet that goal!

November 23

Hello team! Thank you to Durand and Cindy who led Alive to Fellowship Hall for the Christmas Eve offering vote last Sunday. You were wonderful! Here are some announcements for this week:

Team Meeting on Sunday, Nov 30 at 9:30am

As our largest teaching team on Sunday mornings, you guys have some special gifts and challenges in leading 4th-5th graders. We'd like to hear more of what is working and what isn't in your new classroom as we gear up for spring semester. Please plan to meet in the Alive classroom at 9:30am on November 30 to share. Let Sarah know if you're unavailable. Thank you!

Spring Semester

As this year begins to wind down, we are looking at the spring (January-May) semester. Would you please contact Cindy Bagley or Karen Larimore to confirm that you are ready for a second semester with your group or that you will take a break? Of course, we hope that each one of you will continue!

Sarah out of town Sunday

Sarah will be out of town this weekend, so please seek out Cindy or Karen with any questions or needs for your classroom. 

Special Kid Support

Becky Powers, our coordinator for special needs ministries, has worked with me for the past several months to develop resources for you to use in your classrooms. We're ready to unveil! Please make use of these resources to help children focus, enjoy, communicate and receive the blessings you're giving them. 

Call Becky

If there's a child in your class that concerns you or that you'd like some ideas for how to engage, just give Becky a call! She'd love to hear from you at 502-245-9943. 

Use a Request for Resources Form

In your rooms this Sunday, you'll see a large envelope that says "Request for Resources". Inside will be simple forms and pre-addressed envelopes. If you would like some fidget busters, noise canceling headphones, allergy-free snacks, manipulatives, or just advice for a particular child, fill out a form, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail. Becky will respond within two weeks. 

We want to be a welcoming, fun, comfortable place for children to connect with you, one another and with Jesus. Thank you for helping us meet that goal!

Advent Curriculum Starts November 30

During Advent we will use a different curriculum for our small groups. This curriculum will be available as a hard copy in your classrooms in early November, and we will also post it here on the blog for you to download if you prefer. The lessons are:

November 30 - The Annunciation

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth

December 14 - Toy Sunday in Fellowship Hall (no curriculum)

December 21 - Jesus is Born
December 28 - The Magi

These Advent lessons include a short video component. First thru Fifth graders will begin each week of Advent in Room 005 together where we can view the video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Alive) will be assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time. 

November 30 - 1st grade team 

December 7 - 2nd grade team

December 14 - 3rd grade team

December 21 - Alive team

We will provide a TV for Kindergartners and a DVD of the video for you to play in your classroom. Note: If Kindergarten leaders would prefer to come downstairs to watch the DVD with the big kids, please let Karen Larimore or Sarah know!

You'll receive more detailed instructions about that as the time approaches. Do you have some Advent in your heart already? Hope you soon will!

Lesson for this Week

This week we continue the series called Why Can't We Just Get Along? Here's the schedule:

October 26 - Why do my parents always say no?
November 2 - Why can't we all just get along?
November 9 - Why can't I be an only child?
November 16 - Christmas Eve offering vote in Fellowship Hall
November 23 - Why do I have to sit in the back seat?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Do I Have to Sit in the Back Seat?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

November 16

Hello leaders! Welcome to another week with these awesome kids. This coming Sunday is WAY different than any other. This is our Christmas Eve offering Sunday. You will not prepare any curriculum other than simple arrival or dismissal activities.

Christmas Eve Offering Vote on November 16 

Here is the outline of the morning:

• Meet in your classroom - have an opening prayer or other welcome activity
• At 10:10, bring your class up to Fellowship Hall
• Sarah will lead all K-5th graders in an explanation of our 2 offering choices
• Children will vote in small groups in Fellowship Hall
• You'll return to your classrooms for reflection, prayer and pickup

Reflection & prayer activities include taking prayer requests, saying the Lord's Prayer together, praying for the two choices we will vote on, or speaking a prayer of blessing over each individual child. Please contact Sarah, Karen or Cindy if you have any questions or concerns about how to fill that end-of-the-hour time, which I anticipate will be at the most 10 minutes.

Two Choices

Just to give you a preview, your kiddos will vote between two choices this year:

1. Camp: Summer camp scholarships to Camp Loucon, to be given to children attending Breckenridge-Franklin Elementary School.
   
   OR
   
2. Hunger: Kids Against Hunger meals which will be prepared by children in our partner ministries all over Louisville (Portland Promise Center, Lighthouse Ministries, Fourth Avenue UMC). 

Be prepared to watch in amazement as the kids process these options and take great joy in casting their votes. Can't wait to see you Sunday!

End of Year Schedule

• November 16 - Christmas Eve Offering
• November 23 - regular curriculum
• November 30 - Begin Advent curriculum (large group opening in 005, small group activities in classrooms)
• December 7 - Advent curriculum
• December 14 - Toy Sunday in Fellowship Hall - no small groups
• December 21 & 28 - Advent curriculum

November 9

Welcome to November! Here are some announcements for this week:

Christmas Eve Offering Vote on November 16 (in 2 weeks)

You do not need to prepare any curriculum for November 16. Instead, that is the day that the kids will vote on a Christmas Eve offering recipient for the 4th year in a row! Here is the schedule for that morning:

• Meet in your classroom - have an opening prayer or other welcome activity
• At 10:10, bring your class up to Fellowship Hall
• Sarah will lead all K-5th graders in an explanation of our 2 offering choices
• Children will vote in small groups in Fellowship Hall
• You'll return to your classrooms for reflection, prayer and pickup

Spread the word! 

Special Needs Support

Becky Powers, our coordinator for special needs ministries, has worked with me for the past several months to develop resources for you to use in your classrooms. We're ready to unveil! Please make use of these resources to help children focus, enjoy, communicate and receive the blessings you're giving them. 

Call Becky

If there's a child in your class that concerns you or that you'd like some ideas for how to engage, just give Becky a call! She'd love to hear from you at 502-245-9943. 

Use a Request for Resources Form

In your rooms this Sunday, you'll see a large envelope that says "Request for Resources". Inside will be simple forms and pre-addressed envelopes. If you would like some fidget busters, noise canceling headphones, allergy-free snacks, manipulatives, or just advice for a particular child, fill out a form, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail. Becky will respond within two weeks. 

We want to be a welcoming, fun, comfortable place for children to connect with you, one another and with Jesus. Thank you for helping us meet that goal!

Advent Curriculum Starts November 30

During Advent we will use a different curriculum for our small groups. This curriculum will be available as a hard copy in your classrooms in early November, and we will also post it here on the blog for you to download if you prefer. The lessons are:

November 30 - The Annunciation

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth

December 14 - Jesus is Born

December 21 - The Magi

The last Sunday of the semester, December 28, will be spent simply having fellowship time together. 

These Advent lessons include a short video component. First thru Fifth graders will begin each week of Advent in Room 005 together where we can view the video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Alive) will be assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time. 

November 30 - 1st grade team 

December 7 - 2nd grade team

December 14 - 3rd grade team

December 21 - Alive team

We will provide a TV for Kindergartners and a DVD of the video for you to play in your classroom. Note: If Kindergarten leaders would prefer to come downstairs to watch the DVD with the big kids, please let Karen Larimore or Sarah know!

You'll receive more detailed instructions about that as the time approaches. Do you have some Advent in your heart already? Hope you soon will!

Lesson for this Week

This week we continue the series called Why Can't We Just Get Along? Here's the schedule:

October 26 - Why do my parents always say no?
November 2 - Why can't we all just get along?
November 9 - Why can't I be an only child?
November 16 - Christmas Eve offering vote in Fellowship Hall
November 23 - Why do I have to sit in the back seat?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Can't I Be an Only Child?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

November 2

Happy Monday! (Or Tuesday, if that's when you get this in an e-mail.)

I am so sorry that the curriculum links were broken for Sunday! That was my bad. I have double checked the links for this week, so you should be good to go. Let me know if you have any questions. Here are some announcements for this Sunday:

Special Needs Support

Becky Powers, our coordinator for special needs ministries, has worked with me for the past several months to develop resources for you to use in your classrooms. We're ready to unveil! Please make use of these resources to help children focus, enjoy, communicate and receive the blessings you're giving them. 

Call Becky

If there's a child in your class that concerns you or that you'd like some ideas for how to engage, just give Becky a call! She'd love to hear from you at 502-245-9943. 

Use a Request for Resources Form

In your rooms this Sunday, you'll see a large envelope that says "Request for Resources". Inside will be simple forms and pre-addressed envelopes. If you would like some fidget busters, noise canceling headphones, allergy-free snacks, manipulatives, or just advice for a particular child, fill out a form, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mail. Becky will respond within two weeks. 

We want to be a welcoming, fun, comfortable place for children to connect with you, one another and with Jesus. Thank you for helping us meet that goal!

Advent Curriculum

During Advent we will use a different curriculum for our small groups. This curriculum will be available as a hard copy in your classrooms in early November, and we will also post it here on the blog for you to download if you prefer. The lessons are:

November 30 - The Annunciation

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth

December 14 - Jesus is Born

December 21 - The Magi

The last Sunday of the semester, December 28, will be spent simply having fellowship time together. 

These Advent lessons include a short video component. First thru Fifth graders will begin each week of Advent in Room 005 together where we can view the video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Alive) will be assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time. 

November 30 - 1st grade team 

December 7 - 2nd grade team

December 14 - 3rd grade team

December 21 - Alive team

We will provide a TV for Kindergartners and a DVD of the video for you to play in your classroom. Note: If Kindergarten leaders would prefer to come downstairs to watch the DVD with the big kids, please let Karen Larimore or Sarah know!

You'll receive more detailed instructions about that as the time approaches. Do you have some Advent in your heart already? Hope you soon will!

Lesson for this Week

This week we launch into a new series called Why Can't We Just Get Along? Here's what the schedule will look like:

October 26 - Why do my parents always say no?
November 2 - Why can't we all just get along?
November 9 - Why can't I be an only child?
November 16 - Christmas Eve offering vote in Fellowship Hall
November 23 - Why do I have to sit in the back seat?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

October 26

Hello leaders,

Did you miss me? You may (or may not) have noticed that there was zero communication from me last week to prepare you for Sunday, but clearly you rose to the occasion. I apologize! I attended a conference along with Karen Kleuver this past weekend, and I am looking forward to putting into practice some of the skills we learned there.

In the meantime, here is this week's blog. Love,

Sarah

Advent Curriculum

During Advent we will use a different curriculum for our small groups. This curriculum will be available as a hard copy in your classrooms in early November, and we will also post it here on the blog for you to download if you prefer. The lessons are:

November 30 - The Annunciation

December 7 - Mary & Elizabeth

December 14 - Jesus is Born

December 21 - The Magi

The last Sunday of the semester, December 28, will be spent simply having fellowship time together. 

These Advent lessons include a short video component. First thru Fifth graders will begin each week of Advent in Room 005 together where we can view the video and introduce the story for that morning. Each grade level team (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Alive) will be assigned to one of those Sundays to lead this 10 minute opening time. 

November 30 - 1st grade team 

December 7 - 2nd grade team

December 14 - 3rd grade team

December 21 - Alive team

You'll receive more detailed instructions about that as the time approaches. Do you have some Advent in your heart already? Hope you soon will!

Communicating with your Class Online

I hope you have all gone to www.ccum.net/online to create your account. From there, you can register for events, upload your family photos, access the church directory and update your personal information. And now, you can do even more!

You can view your class list and send out an e-mail to your class. When you are logged in, simply click on "My Groups" up a the top of the page. You will see a class list that includes each child and that child's parent(s). If you click on the "Send an e-mail" link at the top right, you can send a quick e-mail through the browser or port all the e-mail addresses into your own e-mail program. 

If you have any trouble figuring out how to use this new communication tool, don't hesitate to ask Sarah!

Nametags

Remember that we want you to have name tags each week! Just go to the check-in screen, put in the last four digits of your main phone number, and select your name and "event". Then click "Finish", and your name tag will print. 

Lesson for this Week

This week we launch into a new series called Why Can't We Just Get Along? Here's what the schedule will look like:

October 26 - Why do my parents always say no?
November 2 - Why can't we all just get along?
November 9 - Why can't I be an only child?
November 16 - Christmas Eve offering vote in Fellowship Hall
November 23 - Why do I have to sit in the back seat?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why do my parents always say no?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

October 12

Hello small group leader! We apologize for sending out this week's blog so late (please direct all blame toward Sarah's sick 1yr old who cramped her style). Here are this week's announcements:

Stewardship Discussions

By now, each of you should have your own Walking the Path notebook which provides personal reflection throughout our stewardship series. Please take a few minutes over the next four weeks and talk to your class about each of the topics we are studying as a church:

Oct 5 -Prayers

Oct 12 -Presence

Oct 19 -Gifts

Oct 26 -Service

Nov 2 - Witness

Share your own experiences from the workbook and ask them if they're using the take-home stewardship worksheets they receive each week. 

Communicating with your Class Online

I hope you have all gone to www.ccum.net/online to create your account. From there, you can register for events, upload your family photos, access the church directory and update your personal information. And now, you can do even more!

You can view your class list and send out an e-mail to your class. When you are logged in, simply click on "My Groups" up a the top of the page. You will see a class list that includes each child and that child's parent(s). If you click on the "Send an e-mail" link at the top right, you can send a quick e-mail through the browser or port all the e-mail addresses into your own e-mail program. 

If you have any trouble figuring out how to use this new communication tool, don't hesitate to ask Sarah!

Safe Sanctuaries Training

Thank you to those of you who have already made time this week for the 20-minute Safe Sanctuaries training. Our conference policy is that all volunteers complete Safe Sanctuaries training annually. If you did not complete training for VBS or at the beginning of the school year, please contact Sarah Flannery to arrange a training time that works for you. 

Nametags

Remember that we want you to have name tags each week! Just go to the check-in screen, put in the last four digits of your main phone number, and select your name and "event". Then click "Finish", and your name tag will print. 

Reminder E-mails from Elexio

We are so sorry that you have received "confirmation of serving" e-mails from our database for the past few weeks. Many thanks to one of you for pointing that out! We have disabled the reminder e-mail feature, so you should not receive those in the future. But if you DO receive more e-mails, please let us know!

Lesson for this Week

Time to prepare for another awesome week of Alive! The four questions you will grapple with are:

Why did God create me?
How come I'm not perfect?
Why didn't God make us like robots?
What does God want from me?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Didn't God Make Us Like Robots?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

October 5

Hello small group leader! Thank you for your wonderful leadership this past Sunday. Here are some announcements to help you prepare for our upcoming time together.

Safe Sanctuaries Training

Thank you to those of you who have already made time this week for the 20-minute Safe Sanctuaries training. Our conference policy is that all volunteers complete Safe Sanctuaries training annually. If you did not complete training for VBS or at the beginning of the school year, please contact Sarah Flannery to arrange a training time that works for you. 

Nametags

Remember that we want you to have name tags each week! Just go to the check-in screen, put in the last four digits of your main phone number, and select your name and "event". Then click "Finish", and your name tag will print. 

Reminder E-mails from Elexio

We are so sorry that you have received "confirmation of serving" e-mails from our database for the past few weeks. Many thanks to one of you for pointing that out! We have disabled the reminder e-mail feature, so you should not receive those in the future.

Lesson for this Week

Time to prepare for another awesome week of Alive! On this first Sunday of October, you will continue the new series called What's the Point? This series is all about God's plan for us as individuals. The four questions you will grapple with are:

Why did God create me?
How come I'm not perfect?
Why didn't God make us like robots?
What does God want from me?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

How Come I'm Not Perfect?

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

September 28

Time to prepare for another awesome week of Alive! On this final Sunday in September, you will begin a new series called What's the Point? This series is all about God's plan for us as individuals. The four questions you will grapple with are:

Why did God create me?
How come I'm not perfect?
Why didn't God make us like robots?
What does God want from me?

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Did God Create Me?

Encourage kids to bring their own Bibles to church. The BEST encouragement you can provide is to actually use their Bibles during large and small group time.

New Post-It easels in your room

There are now 3 large Post-It paper easels in your classroom for use during small group discussions. Let us know if you need anything else!

Arrival Time

We completely understand that sharing Room 005 with Children's Worship is not ideal, and we are working toward a better arrangement. In the meantime, please do what you can to limit noise or interruption at the end of the Children's Worship time / beginning of Alive time. Children's Worship officially ends at 10 am, and Alive officially begins at 10:05. Come talk to Sarah if you have any concerns about how to share this space! Thank you for your help.

Schedule

The leading schedule is posted on on the blog under "Leader Schedule" up at the top. Here is a link to it. Elizabeth included cell phone numbers for each of you, so please work together to provide coverage if one of you is unavailable. We are working on getting the new sub list up on the blog, but it's always ideal to cover the class among yourselves if possible, since you all know the group and the system so well!

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

September 21

This is the final week of the Fact or Fiction series. I hope you've had great discussion together! All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. You can download this week's lesson here:

Why Should the Bible Matter to Me?

Make good use of the Bibles in the classroom every week, and encourage the kids to bring their own Bibles to church, because they'll need them!

How is your room working?

We want to hear more about the space you're using. Is Room 005 working okay for you? Have you utilized both sides of the room for breakout discussions? Is there anything else that you need?

Arrival Time

Without a doubt, sharing Room 005 with Children's Worship is not ideal, and we are working toward a better arrangement. In the meantime, please do what you can to limit noise or interruption at the end of the Children's Worship time / beginning of Alive time. Children's Worship officially ends at 10 am, and Alive officially begins at 10:05. Come talk to Sarah if you have any concerns about how to share this space! Thank you for your help.

Schedule

The leading schedule is posted on on the blog under "Leader Schedule" up at the top. Here is a link to it. Elizabeth included cell phone numbers for each of you, so please work together to provide coverage if one of you is unavailable. We are working on getting the new sub list up on the blog, but it's always ideal to cover the class among yourselves if possible, since you all know the group and the system so well!

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

September 14

Welcome to Week 3! Thank you for your wonderful leadership last week.

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. This week we continue with the Fact or Fiction series, which is a great parallel with the ongoing sermon series. You can download this week's lesson here:

How is the Bible Different from Other Books?

Make good use of the Bibles in the classroom every week, and encourage the kids to bring their own Bibles to church, because they'll need them!

How is your room working?

With the room change for Alive this semester, we definitely want to hear your feedback. Is Room 005 working okay for you? Have you utilized both sides of the room for breakout discussions? Is there anything else that you need?

Poster-size Post Its

We will order large post-it paper for you to use in your small group breakout times this week, and we hope to have it in the room this Sunday (Sept 14).

Optional Classroom Decorating

Unlike our previous location in the Scout Center, this room is completely open for decorating. If you'd like to hand some of the wall decals that were in there or put up some posters, or have the kids make posters or other decorations, feel free! You can make that space your own.

Arrival Time

Without a doubt, sharing Room 005 with Children's Worship is not ideal, and we are working toward a better arrangement. In the meantime, please do what you can to limit noise or interruption at the end of the Children's Worship time / beginning of Alive time. Children's Worship officially ends at 10 am, and Alive officially begins at 10:05. Come talk to Sarah if you have any concerns about how to share this space! Thank you for your help.

Schedule

By now you should have your team's teaching schedule. Of the three leaders for your class, we want two of you in the classroom each week for Safe Sanctuaries and general support, but only one of you should be tasked with actually leading the lesson. If you need help figuring out your rotation schedule, just let Karen, Cindy or Sarah know!

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

September 7

Welcome to Week 2! Thank you for your wonderful leadership last week.

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. This week we continue with the Fact or Fiction series, which is a great parallel with the ongoing sermon series. You can download this week's lesson here:

How do we know the Bible is true?

Make good use of the Bibles in the classroom each week, and encourage the kids to bring their own Bibles to church, because they'll need them! 

Curriculum and DVD

It is completely Sarah's fault that the DVD was not available for this past Sunday. Rest assured that the curriculum book and DVD will be on your black bookshelf inside the door this week. Thank you for your patience!

Classroom Decorating

Unlike our previous location in the Scout Center, this room is completely open for decorating. If you'd like to hand some of the wall decals that were in there or put up some posters, or have the kids make posters or other decorations, feel free! You can make that space your own.

Arrival Time

Without a doubt, sharing Room 005 with Children's Worship is not ideal, and we are working toward a better arrangement. In the meantime, please do what you can to limit noise or interruption at the end of the Children's Worship time / beginning of Alive time. Children's Worship officially ends at 10 am, and Alive officially begins at 10:05. Come talk to Sarah if you have any concerns about how to share this space! Thank you for your help.

Schedule

By now you should have your team's teaching schedule. Of the three leaders for your class, we want two of you in the classroom each week for Safe Sanctuaries and general support, but only one of you should be tasked with actually leading the lesson. If you need help figuring out your rotation schedule, just let Karen, Cindy or Sarah know!

Other announcements

Sarah is back in town for this Sunday, so she will be happy to assist Cindy and Karen and all of you in any way!

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

August 31 - Let's Get Started!

Hello, wonderful Alive leaders! Welcome to your first week of Grapple for this fall. I hope you enjoy tossing these great questions out to this group of 4th-5th graders and guiding them through Scripture as they wrestle with them.

All the Grapple curriculum is communicated electronically, and you can find it anytime on the Grapple tab here. This week you begin a series called

Fact or Fiction

We thought this series would be a great corollary to the ongoing sermon series. You can download this particular lesson from here:

Did God Really Write the Bible?

Make good use of the Bibles in the classroom each week, and encourage the kids to bring their own Bibles to church, because they'll need them! 

Other announcements

Sarah is out of town this Sunday, so Karen and Cindy are your best resources!

If you haven't attended a training session yet, Sarah is offering a conference call session at 8pm EST tonight to answer questions, explain Safe Sanctuaries and curriculum and prepare you for Sunday. The call information is:

Dial-in Number: 1-857-232-0157 
Conference Code: 211621 

Even if you did attend training but just have some questions or want a review, feel free to dial in!

Other questions? Send an e-mail, phone call or text - we're here for you!

Step Up Sunday - August 24

Welcome to Fall 2014 in children's small groups at Christ Church! Your wonderful coordinators, Karen Larimore and Cindy Bagley, are thrilled to welcome you to a new year of discipling children. This week, all of the children "step up" into brand new classes, and you will be the loving, trusted faces that welcome them. Here are the details to get you started!

1st-5th Grade Leaders

• Arrive in Fellowship Hall at 9:55 am.
• Find your station. 
• Greet children as they arrive and chat with them as they sit down. 
• Follow instructions from the stage. 
• At dismissal, lead your class to your classroom. 
• 1st A - Room 007
• 1st B - Room 008
• 2nd - Room 010
• 3rd - Room 011
• Play icebreakers, enjoy snacks & say a prayer of blessing for each child.
• Allow 11:15 am worshipers to go to Sanctuary with childcare staff. 

We are so grateful for your leadership and are covering both you and the children in prayer for this special start to the year. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns! Can't wait to see you this Sunday!

May 25 - Final Week

This is the final week of the semester! Amy leads this Sunday with Dale assisting. On this last week, we provide curriculum but also hope that you will take some extra time to relive the year together and talk about summer plans.

Thank you again and again for your ministry with 4th-5th graders this year. Many of you have given feedback, and we have listened. We hope to announce some helpful and exciting tweaks for next year in Alive!

Each one of you has been living proof of God's love to these kids this year, and we can't thank you enough!

Spring Calendar

Here are some special events that will take place over the summer:

• June 16-20 - VBS
• June 28 from 11am-2pm - Camp Hi Ho Day for K-5th grade families (sign up with Teri Allen)
• July (date TBD) - Children's Serve Sunday
• July 20-25 - Christ Church Week at Camp Loucon
• August 24 - Promotion Sunday

Curriculum 

We finish out the year talking about a very Big God, and how our awesome God can also be our friend. 

April 27 - How Can Such a Big God Be a Best Friend to Me?

May 4 - Will God Make Me a Jesus Freak?

May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday

May 18 - What About When God Feels Far Away? 

May 26 - Do I Have to Tell Others About My Friend God?

Do I Have to Tell Others About My Friend God?

May 18

Only two more weeks in the semester! Amy leads this Sunday with Tara assisting.

Spring Calendar

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

• May 18 - Church Picnic at 1 pm
• May 25 - Last Sunday!

Curriculum 

We finish out the year talking about a very Big God, and how our awesome God can also be our friend. 

April 27 - How Can Such a Big God Be a Best Friend to Me?

May 4 - Will God Make Me a Jesus Freak?

May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday

May 18 - What About When God Feels Far Away? 

May 26 - Do I Have to Tell Others About My Friend God?

What About When God Feels Far Away?

May 11

Dale & Andrea are up for this week!

Children's Serve Sunday

Sunday, May 11 (Mother's day) is Children's Serve Sunday. We will be celebrating the mothers at Westport Place Health Campus as the children work on a variety of craft projects for the ladies currently staying there. Please come prepared to jump in at the various craft project stations. 

The children will be divided up by age group and may require some additional assistance as they work. We will have members of the Children's Ministry team at each station to lead the activity but we anticipate all hands on deck being needed. If there is additional time at the end children may move to another station as a group to work on another project or they may make Mother's Day cards for these ladies.

Drop off for K-5th will be in Fellowship Hall. Please come to Fellowship Hall at 10am, not to your classrooms!

  

Thanks and looking forward to May 11.

- Jenny Fishback, Serve Coordinator

Spring Calendar

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

• May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday & Mother's Day
• May 18 - Church Picnic at 2pm
• May 25 - Last Sunday!

Curriculum 

We finish out the year talking about a very Big God, and how our awesome God can also be our friend. 

April 27 - How Can Such a Big God Be a Best Friend to Me?

May 4 - Will God Make Me a Jesus Freak?

May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday

May 18 - What About When God Feels Far Away? 

May 26 - Do I Have to Tell Others About My Friend God?

April 13

Welcome to April!

This is a high and holy month in our church calendar because of Holy Week & Easter. Read carefully for some important updates to our April schedule. Dale and Tara are leading this week.

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

April 13 - Palm Sunday

There is a very unique plan for Palm Sunday this year: ALL ages are invited to wave palms at ALL 3 services! Also, we will have a special guest speaker for K-5th grades after palm waving. The schedule for Palm Sunday would look like this:

10am - Line up in Fellowship Hall for Palm Waving

10:05am - Wave palms at the Chapel worship service

10:15am - Return to Fellowship Hall

11am - Pickup in Fellowship Hall

Jeff Kramer from Mercy Ships

In December 2013, our K-5th graders selected Mercy Ships as our Christmas Eve Offering recipient. He will share with us how that offering is helping kids around the world. 

You will simply sit on the floor with your class during this time to listen & ask questions. No curriculum should be prepared for this Sunday. It will be a wonderful start to Holy Week!

Easter Worship

Easter worship services will take place at 8am, 9:30am and 11am, and we encourage everyone who can to attend the 8am service to make room for guests at the later hours. 

Spring Calendar

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

• March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday & special speaker in Fellowship Hall
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders
• May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday
• May 18 - Church Picnic at 1pm
• May 25 - Last Sunday!

April 6

Welcome to April!

This is a high and holy month in our church calendar because of Holy Week & Easter. Read carefully for some important updates to our April schedule. Dale is on for this week. Thanks, Dale!

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

April 13 - Palm Sunday

There is a very unique plan for Palm Sunday this year: ALL ages are invited to wave palms at ALL 3 services! Also, we will have a special guest speaker for K-5th grades after palm waving. The schedule for Palm Sunday would look like this:

10am - Line up in Fellowship Hall for Palm Waving

10:05am - Wave palms at the Chapel worship service

10:15am - Return to Fellowship Hall

11am - Pickup in Fellowship Hall

Jeff Kramer from Mercy Ships

In December 2013, our K-5th graders selected Mercy Ships as our Christmas Eve Offering recipient. He will share with us how that offering is helping kids around the world. 

You will simply sit on the floor with your class during this time to listen & ask questions. No curriculum should be prepared for this Sunday. It will be a wonderful start to Holy Week!

Easter Worship

Easter worship services will take place at 8am, 9:30am and 11am, and we encourage everyone who can to attend the 8am service to make room for guests at the later hours. 

Spring Calendar

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

• March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday & special speaker in Fellowship Hall
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders
• May 11 - Children's Serve Sunday
• May 18 - Church Picnic at 1pm
• May 25 - Last Sunday!

Lenten Curriculum

This is the fourth Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare for the trials of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. As a church, we will worship, study and reflect on The Way, a curriculum by Adam Hamilton. In Alive!, you will walk the 4th-5th graders through the children's version.

Overview:

• March 9 - Jesus is Baptized
• March 16 - Jesus Heals
• March 23 - Jesus Goes Up a Mountain
• March 30 - Jesus Calms the Storm
• April 6 - Jesus Talks to the Outcast
• April 13 - Jeff Kramer from Mercy Ships
• April 20 - Easter (no Alive!)

This Week's Plan

Jesus Talks to the Outcast

March 30

A sub and assistant are needed for this week. Please make sure to send them the link so they can download this week's plan!

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

Spring Calendar

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

• March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders

Lenten Curriculum

This is the fourth Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare for the trials of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. As a church, we will worship, study and reflect on The Way, a curriculum by Adam Hamilton. In Alive!, you will walk the 4th-5th graders through the children's version.

Overview:

• March 9 - Jesus is Baptized
• March 16 - Jesus Heals
• March 23 - Jesus Goes Up a Mountain
• March 30 - Jesus Calms the Storm
• April 6 - Jesus Talks to the Outcast
• April 13 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem
• April 20 - Easter (no Alive!)

This Week's Plan

Jesus Calms the Storm

March 23

Terrific Tara is on board to lead this week, with Dynamite Dale assisting. Thanks to you both!

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

Children's Ministry Seminar Recap

If you missed the February 16 Children's Ministry Seminar with Sherri Stover or simply want some notes to file away, here is a synopsis of the fantastic session she provided. Please contact Cindy Bagley with any ideas for future speakers or topics for Children's Ministry leader development.!

Supporting Special Needs Kids in the Classroom

Spring Calendar

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

• March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders

Lenten Curriculum

This is the third Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare for the trials of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. As a church, we will worship, study and reflect on The Way, a curriculum by Adam Hamilton. In Alive!, you will walk the 4th-5th graders through the children's version.

Overview:

• March 9 - Jesus is Baptized
• March 16 - Jesus Heals
• March 23 - Jesus Goes Up a Mountain
• March 30 - Jesus Calms the Storm
• April 6 - Jesus Talks to the Outcast
• April 13 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem
• April 20 - Easter (no Alive!)

This Week's Plan

Jesus Goes Up a Mountain

March 16

Awesome Amy is on board to lead this week, with Terrific Tara assisting. Thanks to you both!

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

Children's Ministry Seminar Recap

If you missed the February 16 Children's Ministry Seminar with Sherri Stover or simply want some notes to file away, here is a synopsis of the fantastic session she provided. Please contact Cindy Bagley with any ideas for future speakers or topics for Children's Ministry leader development.!

Supporting Special Needs Kids in the Classroom

Spring Calendar

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

• March 16 - 2nd-3rd grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15am service. Pickup at 10:50am. 
• March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders

Lenten Curriculum

This is the first Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare for the trials of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. As a church, we will worship, study and reflect on The Way, a curriculum by Adam Hamilton. In Alive!, you will walk the 4th-5th graders through the children's version.

Overview:

• March 9 - Jesus is Baptized
• March 16 - Jesus Heals
• March 23 - Jesus Goes Up a Mountain
• March 30 - Jesus Calms the Storm
• April 6 - Jesus Talks to the Outcast
• April 13 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem
• April 20 - Easter (no Alive!)

This Week's Plan

Jesus Heals

March 9

Dynamite Dale is on board to lead this week, with Awesome Amy assisting. Thanks to you both!

No Children's Serve Sunday this week

For the past several weeks, we've told you that March 9 is a non-curriculum week because of Children's Serve Sunday. However, we have rescheduled that event for later in the spring, so you can have your regular small group time back!

Children's Ministry Seminar Recap

If you missed the February 16 Children's Ministry Seminar with Sherri Stover or simply want some notes to file away, here is a synopsis of the fantastic session she provided. Please contact Cindy Bagley with any ideas for future speakers or topics for Children's Ministry leader development.!

Supporting Special Needs Kids in the Classroom

Created By God Retreat

For the first time, Christ Church will offer the Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders this spring. The retreat dates are Thursday, April 24 thru Sunday, April 27, and you can see the full schedule and more details about the retreat at www.ccum.net/cbg. 

As leaders of 5th graders, please take a moment to click over and familiarize yourself with this special new ministry. Contact Kathy Curry if you have any questions!

Spring Calendar

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

• March 9 - Regular week - Children's Serve Sunday has been rescheduled!
• March 16 - 2nd-3rd grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15am service. Pickup at 10:50am. 
• March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders

Lenten Curriculum

This is the first Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare for the trials of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. As a church, we will worship, study and reflect on The Way, a curriculum by Adam Hamilton. In Alive!, you will walk the 4th-5th graders through the children's version.

Overview:

• March 9 - Jesus is Baptized
• March 16 - Jesus Heals
• March 23 - Jesus Goes Up a Mountain
• March 30 - Jesus Calms the Storm
• April 6 - Jesus Talks to the Outcast
• April 13 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem
• April 20 - Easter (no Alive!)

This Week's Plan

Jesus Is Baptized

March 2

Andrea is on board to lead this week, with Amy assisting. Thanks to you both!

Camp Preview in the Gym!

Special announcement! This Sunday, representatives from Camp Loucon are coming to give our Sunday school kids a camp preview. Please leave 15 minutes out of the classroom time when you plan for this Sunday, because these Loucon reps are going to introduce Christ Church kids to some of the crazy camp fun they can experience this summer during Christ Church Camp Week at Loucon (week of July 20).

Schedule:

• 10:05-10:20 - 4th-5th Graders in the Gym
• 10:30-10:45 - 1st-3rd Graders in the Gym

Please bring your class to the gym at the beginning of your scheduled time and remain with them while they experience a taste of summer camp. This time could be an enhancement of your classroom time by letting some energy out! Thank you for your flexibility!

March 2 Operation Parent Meeting

This Sunday, March 2 at 10:05 in Fellowship Hall, representatives from Operation Parent will give a presentation on how to guide your tween through social media. If you or other parents of tweens are interested in attending this session, please make it known! It should be a really fantastic opportunity to learn how to walk through this sometimes difficult topic. 

No Children's Serve Sunday on March 9

For the past several weeks, we've told you that March 9 is a non-curriculum week because of Children's Serve Sunday. However, we have rescheduled that event for later in the spring, so you can have your regular small group time back! 

Please Give Input!

If you attended the Children's Ministry Seminar on February 19, please let us know what you thought:

• What was helpful?
• What was confusing?
• How can we put Sherri's ideas into practice?

Whether you came Sunday or not, we want to know: What other topics could make you a better leader? Do you have questions about designing a Bible lesson, teaching to a wide array of personalities and energy levels, working with a partner, or something else? 

Please e-mail Cindy Bagley (Prepare Coordinator) with your feedback and ideas!

2nd-5th Grade PSALM Kids sing this week

Kindergarten & 1st grade PSALM Kids will be picked up by music staff at 10:50am this week to prepare to lead worship at 11:15am. You'll want to finish the main part of your lesson a little early this week and prepare for part of your class to leave at 10:50. Thanks!

Spring Calendar

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

• March 2 - 2nd-5th grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15am service. Pickup at 10:50am. 
• March 9 - Regular week - Children's Serve Sunday has been rescheduled!
• March 16 - 2nd-3rd grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15am service. Pickup at 10:50am. 
• March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lent
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders

Curriculum

In March we continue the unit Best Friends Forever (BFF). Below is a link to this week's lesson and an overview of the upcoming weekly topics.

February 9 - Why Do Some People Have More Friends?
February 16 - Am I Only Supposed To Be Friends with Christians?
February 23 - Do I Have to Like Everybody?
March 2 - Why Are My Friends So Mean Sometimes?
March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lenten curriculum

Here's this week's lesson link:

BFF (Best Friends Forever)

Why Are My Friends So Mean Sometimes?

February 23

Tara is on board to lead this week, with Andrea assisting. Thanks to you both!

March 2 Operation Parent Meeting

On March 2 at 10:05 in Fellowship Hall, representatives from Operation Parent will give a presentation on how to guide your tween through social media. If you or other parents of tweens are interested in attending this session, please make it known! It should be a really fantastic opportunity to learn how to walk through this sometimes difficult topic. 

Spring Calendar

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

• March 2 - 2nd-5th grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15 service. Pickup at 10:50. 
• March 9 - Children's Serve Sunday, Fellowship Hall.
• March 16 - PSALM Kids Musical Dress Rehearsal in Room 158. 
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders
• May 18 & 25 - Acolyte Training for 3rd-4th graders and parents in Sanctuary (attend only one)

Curriculum

Dale led in a great introduction to the new unit, Best Friends Forever (BFF). Below is a link to this week's lesson and an overview of the upcoming weekly topics.

February 9 - Why Do Some People Have More Friends?
February 16 - Am I Only Supposed To Be Friends with Christians?
February 23 - Do I Have to Like Everybody?
March 2 - Why Are My Friends So Mean Sometimes?
March 9 - Children's Serve Sunday
March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lenten curriculum

Here's this week's lesson link:

BFF (Best Friends Forever)

Do I Have to Like Everybody?

February 16

Amy is on board to lead this week, with Tara assisting. Thanks to you both!

Children's Ministry Seminar this Sunday - You're Invited!

Join other Children's Ministry staff and leaders to hear Sherri Stover, social worker from Square One Specialists, come to walk us through four vignettes of children with special needs. Sherri will help us understand how to care for these special kids in the context of large groups like Sunday school, PSALM Kids and Children's Worship.

Date: February 16
Time: 12:30-2:00 pm
Location: Christ Church Cafe (2nd floor)
Childcare is not available for this event so that our childcare staff can attend.

Please RSVP SOON so that we can provide food for everyone!

Also on February 16... For anyone that is interested, there is a quarterly Leadership Forum led by Adult Ministries here at the church, and the next gathering will be February 16 from 3:30-5pm in Room 252. Here's what it's all about:

The purpose of our forum is to be an interactive dialogue for leaders to help each other become intentional Disciple-formers.  We meet once a quarter .  Our last session was on developing the skill of “recognizing” God’s love and helping our group members develop this skill.  This session in February is on “Nurturing God’s Love”.   There is a teaching portion of the Leadership Forum but a lot of the time is spent in small group dialogue.

No RSVP needed - just show up! We'll let you know about upcoming forums in the future.

Spring Calendar

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

• February 16 - Children's Ministry Seminar
• March 2 - 2nd-5th grade PSALM Kids sing at 11:15 service. Pickup at 10:50. 
• March 9 - Children's Serve Sunday, Fellowship Hall.
• March 16 - PSALM Kids Musical Dress Rehearsal in Room 158. 
• April 13 - Palm Sunday.
• April 20 - Easter! No small groups.
• April 27 - Final day of Created By God Retreat for 5th-6th graders
• May 18 & 25 - Acolyte Training for 3rd-4th graders and parents in Sanctuary (attend only one)

Curriculum

Dale led in a great introduction to the new unit, Best Friends Forever (BFF). Below is a link to this week's lesson and an overview of the upcoming weekly topics.

February 9 - Why Do Some People Have More Friends?
February 16 - Am I Only Supposed To Be Friends with Christians?
February 23 - Do I Have to Like Everybody?
March 2 - Why Are My Friends So Mean Sometimes?
March 9 - Children's Serve Sunday
March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 - Lenten curriculum

Here's this week's lesson link:

BFF (Best Friends Forever)

Am I Only Supposed to Be Friends with Christians?