Last Day

June 6 is that last Sunday of school year programming before children are promoted to the next grade's classroom. This is always a bittersweet day for us as staff and volunteers as we say goodbye to the children we've spent the past year with.

Since many of our regular volunteer staff take time off over the summer to refresh and prepare for the next school year, the summer months are an especially critical time new volunteers to step up and help.

Volunteer schedules are posted outside each classroom. Please look at your calendar and on Sunday, consider pitching in to help once a month. Once a month - that's one hour dedicated to your child's spiritual growth. When I think of it in those terms, saying yes seems like a no-brainer.

Why serve? Is it easy? Check out these videos.

Summer Recruiting

How blessed we are to have a dedicated group of teachers that serve faithfully every Sunday throughout the school year. I am so glad our kids get the chance to form deep, trusting relationships with these leaders.

As we look to the summer months, many of our teachers take time off to refresh for the following school year. This is when we look to others to make a short term commitment to serve in Children's Ministry.

There are opportunities to serve:

• in every age group (birth through 4th grade)
• at 9am and 11am
• at varying degrees of commitment (weekly to once a month)

Not sure you're equipped to do it? Watch the video's below.

Why Robin & Gerritt serve in Children's Ministry from SLWC Kids on Vimeo.

Why John and family serve in Children's Ministry from SLWC Kids on Vimeo.

GDO- Girls Day Out- a Mother/ Daughter Event

So we have this great event planned for our BFF's out there- a mother/ daughter event coming up March 20. We’ve been planning this one for a few months now and we are super excited! Just when we think we can't top last year’s event, we just might have done it!

From 10a- 1p the girls will gather for great food, some fitness and style tips, and figure out what 'fills their bag'. And to capture the day, we have a photo booth set up! I know I'm being slightly coy about the rest of the morning, but we don't want to spill ALL the secrets!

We hope you are able to join us! Mark the calendar, and call your girlfriends! Saturday March 20 from 10a- 1p @ Spring Lake Wesleyan Church.
$10 per girl (moms- you’re FREE!)
RSVP on line today- because you know you don't want to miss this!

First in Focus

There is a great article in Children's Ministry magazine I wanted to share with you all! It pits two theories about Children's and Family Ministry against eachother with the question being- Is ministry to families more effective when it's focused first on the home- or the child?

Jay Hostetler from Central Wesleyan offers his viewpoint of a child- centered ministry.

It's a great read- so dive in and let us know what your thoughts are!

http://www.childrensministry.com/backissues/detail.asp?ID=6944

Girls Day Out- A Mother/ Daughter Event

Totally cool. Totally fun. Totally a Girls Day Out! Come 'shop' with us, have brunch, make a cool craft together and get fit together. And what girls day out wouldn't be complete with out a stop at the SPA! From 10a- 1p, we'll mingle and relax as we check off our To-Do list, and learn about 'filling your bag'- why what is on the inside is more important than the outside! Cost is $10 per girl. Check out www.slwc.org for more information and to register today!

Merry Christmas!

From the Children's Ministry team, we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

To Change the World, Start Simple

Here is an amazing article written by Scott Staal, the son of David Staal who heads up Kids Hope! The note below is written by his dad and precedes the article. We encourage you to take a moment to read it!

Note: Today's Christian youth possess passion that might surprise you. Too often, though, they receive little opportunity to express their hearts' desires. This column is the first of two that come to us from high school-aged students. Their messages focus on ministry to children; their motivation comes from zeal to serve God. Enjoy!(David Staal, Senior Editor)

http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/cupothoughts/changeworldstartsimple.html?start=1&sms_ss=email