Children’s Ministries E-Newsletter
The purpose of this report is to encourage and inform you about all the wonderful ways God is at work through each one of us and all of us together in Children’s Ministries. The more informed and “on the same page” we are – the more effective and united as a TEAM we will be – shining His light & sharing His love with all the children He brings us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this report.
Updated 09/12/12
2012 Facility Improvements
Our Preschool Sunday School / Wonders of Learning Preschool Wing received a HUGE painting upgrade during 1 week of evenings in July. Debe Emerson, Tyler Emerson, and Blake Wyatt repainted and updated every single wall - just in time for VBS and the start of our new school year.
Room #113 in our Elementary Wing was transformed with color by our Trustees the first week in September. A fresh room awaits our children for the new Sunday School year.
The Nursery Playground now has a new, rubber surface !! 25 years of pea gravel has been replaced with an attractive, safe, play surface. A new climb and slide is on order and 2 riding toys were purchaed. See the photos posted in a separate article in this CM section of our website.
The door between the Elementary Craft Room and Game Room has returned. This second door allows us to have both rooms in use with limited staff and access to a sink.
The Wonders of Learning Playground received all new wood chips and new playground equipment in 2012.
New molding in the hallway is planned next.
Ministry Partners
To make the most of the resources God has provided, during our February, 2012 Spring ALL CM Training Potluck, I introduced the idea of Ministry Partners. Essentially, every person who is a part of our Children's Ministries Team is asked to choose 2 people to connect with: 1 person who is currently serving in CM to learn from and be encouraged by and one person not currently serving in CM to invite to join our ministry. At our CM Spring Training Potluck, each CM Team Member was provided with practical tips for how to mentor someone - and at our Fall CM Training Potluck held September 11th, we made a formal commitment in a fun way with a follow-up progress check scheduled for December 1st.
The definition of insanity is: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. We need to change our methods and culture regarding recruiting and we need to improve how we work together as a CM Team. I believe we can strengthen our CM Team (by mentoring each other) and grow our Team (by each of us inviting another people to join us in serving). We are following the example of Jesus when we do this - and each CM Team Member (as well as our ministry to children) will be more effective, as a result.
Who are you partnering with ??
Salvation Sunday for Elementary and Pre-Teens
Each year, the first Sunday in May, Elementary and Pre-Teen Children are encouraged to invite their unchurched friends to Salvation Sunday. This is a day set aside to specifically present the Gospel in child-centered, age appropriate, fun ways and ask Children if they desire to invite Jesus into their lives as their Savior and Lord. This year, two 5th Grade boys prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
In 2011, 8 Elementary Children and 1 Pre-Teen prayed to receive Christ on Salvation Sunday. In 2012 we saw several elementary children make rededications and 2 Pre-Teen boys prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior.
Each child receives one-on-one counseling, a hardcover NLT Bible (if they do not have a Bible of their own), a Bible Tract for Children about "growing in Christ" and an "ask me !" pin that helps alert their family and friends of their decision.
What a privilege it is to lead a Child to Christ ! How encouraging it is to see and hear, first hand, the sincere desire of their hearts and their simple profession of faith ! We thank God for each new Believer and pray He will help us encourage and facilitate their growth as they seek to know Him and love Him "with all their heart, their soul, and their mind - and their neighbor, as themselves !"
Silly Olympics, OMC !
Every year, the last Sunday in June, our two Elementary Teams combine staff to offer Silly Olympics, OMC ! to children 1st thru 4th Grade (and their friends !) 2012 was another fun, free event ! Children began inside Johnson Hall and then moved outside to the WOL Parking Lot to enjoy the nice weather of a beautiful morning. Children participate in outrageous fun activities in which they race to be the first to finish 10 crazy, whacky challenges - some that involve shaving cream, water balloons, animal noises, and more ! Oh, My !!
This is an event children look forward to all year long - and something they are excited to invite their friends to come and enjoy ! Each child new to Crossroad's is sent a personal invitation with information about Children's Ministries, VBS, and Silly Olympics before the event. Our regular students enjoy Silly Olympics, OMC ! as a celebration of the beginning of Summer and an opportunity to invite their unchurched friends to Crossroads.
It is our prayer that each visiting child will return to Crossroads for one or more of our special outreach events so we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them and help them come to a place where they desire Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Teddy Bear Tea Party, 2012
Our annual Teddy Bear Tea Party for Preschool Children and their special guests continues to bless families at Christmas with age appropriate nativity activities, an interactive story time and special tea. Each child who attends leaves with a new stuffed friend and a toy nativity scene is awarded to our door prize winner. The Pre-Teens Sunday School Class serve the tea and delectible desserts with style and the whole event ends with Christmas caroles.
Plan ahead to invite a familiy with preschool age children to be blessed by this event ! This annual event is offered by our "it's a Kid's place !" CM Team each 1st Sunday in December during 2nd Hour Worship.
This year our Teddy Bear Tea Party will be held December 2nd, 2012.
Joy Choir Changes
Carla Tomlinson will be taking a 1 year sabbatical from her position as Director of Joy Choir. Be sure to thank Carla for her many years of service ! To date, she has led the children in 18 separate Musicals ! Whew !
Joy Choir will take a break for 2013.
Joy Choir is for children 1st Grade thru 8th Grade. This ministry usually meets during the regular Sunday School year in Classroom #105 in the Youth Wing, during 2nd Hour Worship.
Pre-Teen Teacher Returns for Another Year
I just couldn't quit ! I love discipling these kids too much and did not have peace about stepping away from teaching this class. This year, my Classroom Assistants will include Laurie Froggatt, Anne Adamson, Marcia Trembley, and Sherri Vigil. Our first day back, September 16th, we will enjoy our first Outreach Party in Johnson Hall - complete with a chocolate fountain !
Please pray for another successful year !
A Wonderful Children’s Ministries Team !
Our Children’s Ministries Team experiences a constant influx and outflux of people; each with their own story and various reasons and seasons. Some of us serving don’t have children. Some, our children are still young and we serve in the ministry where they are learning. Some, our children are grown or teens. There are people on our team who are Grandparents, some are new parents, some are themselves, Teens.
New people join our team regularly. Body Life Journey Workshop brings in some new CM Team Members, our Parent Co-op brings in others, and some actually walk right up to me and ask if they can help !
(I love those !)
We have CM Team Members who have served children at Crossroads for more than 10 consecutive years ! They have alot to share - tips for classroom management, ideas for interactive lessons, and a history we can learn from when we take the time to connect with them and ask for help.
Our CM Team Continues to Grow !
Early in 2011, I mailed a personal invitation to all Crossroads Teens inviting them to serve in Children's Ministries. I also visited our "Senior Rockers" Sunday School Group and personally asked our Seniors to consider assisting in the Nursery or as Greeters for our IKP Team. Doug McMicken visited the Youth and presented opportunities for them to become a part of the Promiseland team.
I am pleased to report several teens and a couple Seniors have answered the call to serve with children. Several adults not currently serving in any ministry have come forward to join our CM Team, as well ! Praise God for these new CM Team Members and please extend the hand of friendship and a warm welcome to each person serving.
New Resource Room Coordinator !
Amanda Briggs is now our RR Coordinator and she would appreciate your full support. This is a self-serve Resource Room provided for your convenience, so please put away what you take to use. To find what you need, check the alphabetical list posted on the back of the door which corresponds to a posted numbered map of the room which is also on the back of the door. When the supplies you take result in a low inventory of that particular item - please write the item down on the purchasing list posted on the wall.
Please note the Fire Inspector requires all items stored in a room that does not have a sprinkler system to have items stored 24" down from the ceiling. I have marked the RR walls in pencil with the 24" mark and have posters reminding you to where items can and cannot be stored. Please help us stay in compliance with Fire ordinances for everyone's protection.
Remember to Follow the 2 Adult Rule !
This is the number one most important thing you can do to keep our church family safe at Crossroad’s !
Please work together as a Team and don't hesitate to remind each other of our CM Policies.
Remember...
We are not teaching lessons, we are teaching children!
Our curriculum provides many excellent ideas for lesson reinforcement, snacks, crafts, games, and more. Teachers are encouraged to pick and choose from the ideas offered and use what will best suit the children in each individual class. Consider learning styles and maturity, behavior challenges, the experience level of your classroom helpers, and attendance patterns when planning your lessons. Try to add new experiences you can try together and remember to praise effort and Godly character traits.
Curriculum is an Expensive Investment !
We need you to take very good care of the items we purchase and return them promptly to your Ministry Coordinator for return to our inventory. We re-use our curriculum for several years before investing in more.
An Awesome Resource Room !
Our RR is stocked from floor to ceiling with everything you can possibly imagine for craft supplies, teaching aids, game supplies, books, DVDs, music CD's, classroom equipment, and more.
These items are for YOU !
Please take the time to get familiar with what we have in our RR so you can put to work these excellent resources and enhance your teaching ! Please also remember to do your part and return items to their correct location promptly, so the next person can find what they need, too. This is a self-serve Resource Room. For your convenience, there is an alphabetical list posted on the back of the door for where items are kept that corresponds to a map of the room.
Our general storybooks and videos are kept in the Church Library. Only children's books with evangelistic themes, or those that would be used for Old or New Testament lessons and holiday messages are kept in our Resource Room. Over a period of several years, our Children's Ministries budget has been used to purchase a wonderful selection of Christian DVDs for children. These are stored in the RR, as well. You may check these out for your family's enjoyment by contacting Debe Emerson at debe@crossroadscma.com.
God Answers Prayer !
A lot of time, effort, and resources go into promoting and providing what we do in Children’s Ministries. We reach out to families in our community by offering events children will be excited and comfortable attending, with the hope that new, unchurched children will be reached for Christ and families will ultimately be strengthened spiritually. It's quite a challenge to reach families with children who are seeking – and do it with barely any funds. Ha !
I believe God moved to provide for our Children's Ministries financial needs when Christina Rude approached me about partnering with her to publish a 3rd edition of the book, Great Adventures for Kitsap Peninsula. I am Vice President of the non-profit “Building Kitsap Families,” Debi and Doug Crutchfield are Secretary and Treasurer and Christina Rude is President.
The 3rd edition of this book was picked up from the printer April 7, 2009 and we were able to secure 4 Costco locations and several other businesses and bookstores desiring to sell our book, including Barnes & Nobles ! Christina and Cindy Lester co-authored this edition. After we have set aside the funds needed to publish the next edition, Profits from the sale of this book will directly benefit Children’s Ministries at Crossroad’s. Plus - the book provides excellent, FREE publicity for 5 CM events !!
February, 2012 - Building Kitsap Families gifted Children's Ministries at Crossroads $ 4,287.94 towards the total cost of the new Nursery Playground surface from book sale profits :)
You may purchase a copy of this book for $2 less than retail and no shipping any Sunday morning at our Welcome Desk in the Church lobby.
And… did I mention ?...it’s a great book (and wonderful gift) !
Training is the key to confidence !
Our Children's Ministries Team Coordinators met with me this Summer and we made plans and changes for the new year. One decision was to return to separate training Workshops for each age group ministry, instead of continuing with our twice a year ALL Children's Ministries Training Potlucks.
In addition, your Team Coordinators will be asking to meet with you 3 times a year for planning purposes.
Our 1st Training Workshop was for IKP - A potluck in Johnson Hall, September 9th. The Women's Ministry provided childcare and Debi Crutchfield led the training. It was a good turnout and everyone agreed they liked the change of a small size group and a more age specific focus.
Our next Training Workshop is for the Heavenbound Team - September 30th in Room #113 from 12:45 to 2:15. Children's activities will be offered in the same room for those who would like to bring their children to this event. A Taco Salad lunch and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to Sherman or Debe Emerson ASAP.
Those new to our CM Team are required
to attend 1st Year ORIENTATION.
to attend 1st Year ORIENTATION.
CM Orientation provides an overview of CM Policies, our Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Plan, Classroom Procedures, Discipline, Evacuation procedures, and more. Please do everything you can to attend this class as soon after you begin serving as possible. 1st Year Orientation is offered 2 separate dates each year for your convenience, but you need only attend once.
An RSVP for this class is required and a light lunch is served.
2nd Year Team Members are required
to attend our 2nd Year ORIENTATION.
to attend our 2nd Year ORIENTATION.
This 2nd class is a review of CM Policies and a look at what the Bible teaches about teamwork and unity. It is also offered 2 separate dates during the year, but you need only attend once.
An RSVP for this class is required and a light lunch is served. It is suggested you take this follow-up training after you have served 1 year in Children's Ministries.
SCRIP Funding is important to Children's Ministries !
Albertson's no longer participates in the SCRIP program. As a result, our SCRIP income has suffered a reduction. In addition, Safeway recently began requiring each participant to "renew" their SCRIP registration and has added stipulations for what the money can be used for.
If you receive anything about a need to renew your SCRIP registration, don't worry - we have you covered. (This notice may show up on the bottom of your receipt.) We are currently able to renew your registration for you and there is nothing you need to do further once you have initially registered with us for SCRIP. We very much appreciate your assistance to our CM Budget your SCRIP contributions provide.
Please pray with me for a person to come forward to fill the position of SCRIP Coordinator. I do not have time to promote this well (and be your Director). Better promotion of SCRIP is needed to replace the lost Albertson's contributions.
SCRIP funds provided $1,500 for VBS in 2008 and 2009. SCRIP has also provided funds for background checks, several CM Outreach events each year, and New CM classroom assets. The funds received from SCRIP participation help offset our CM Budget shortfall each year. If you have not already signed up for SCRIP (and you sometimes shop at Safeway), please contact the church office, leave me a phone message (or e-mail) and we will mail you a SCRIP Registration Form.
God is definitely at work in Children’s Ministries through each person serving !
I see it and hear about it regularly. I see it when team members allow themselves to be stretched; I hear it in their stories about connecting with the children or a creative idea that really worked. I see it in the spiritual growth of our families and in the hearts of the children. I hear about it from parents who are thrilled their children love to come to Sunday School and as they share a story of something their child learned and applied. I hear about it from visiting families who felt loved and welcomed. I see it in the delight of the children as they talk about their Teachers and show me their crafts and tell about the fun they had with their friends while learning about Jesus. I hear it throughout the building when the Joy Choir Children practice and as Sheila Dean plays her guitar while the Preschoolers sing their hearts out. I see it first hand in the Pre-Teens Class and also when previous students stop to visit and share. One child at a time we are making a difference and growing the Kingdom !
It is a pleasure to serve with you, “as unto the Lord” !
I sincerely hope you benefited from this report.
I sincerely hope you benefited from this report.
Because Jesus Loves Children (and so do we !)
Debe Emerson
Director of Children's Ministries
Director of Children's Ministries
