Recently I decided to load up my kids scooters and go to one of our favorite parks so they could ride around. They haven't been on their scooters in awhile. In fact my daughter Emmie will be five in March but she still has the pink, Disney scooter with three large wheels meant for a 3 yr. old. The problem with riding this scooter is she has to continually push off one foot to stay in motion. There is no coasting down hill like her brothers scooter can do. My son Rhett decided to make it his mission that day to conquer the circumference of the entire park and surrounding areas several times. This involved going up and down hills, over bridges, grass and even rocks. Although he indeed put forth great effort he often had breaks as he coasted down the hills in the cool, breezy air. Emmie, always the one to keep up with her older brother made sure to stay right behind him. However she never got the breaks coasting down hill. She had to constantly push off one foot the ENTIRE time for close to one hour.
I was so proud of her determination. At one point as they were coming closer to where I was standing I noticed Emmie starting to slow down. She was definitely showing signs of burn out. I said to her, "Emmie you are riding so well. I'm so proud of you." She looked at me, said thank you, got a big smile on her face and rode off with gusto still pushing off of one foot.
I thought of all the parallels to that moment and my life working in ministry. Stating the obvious ministry is hard work. Sometimes it feels like you are on rocky terrain, afraid you might lose your footing. Sometimes you go through seasons where it feels like you're constantly pushing off one foot without a break. And hopefully you have moments when it feels like your coasting downhill feeling the breeze on your face. No matter what season you go through encouragement is like the glue that holds the pieces together. It's especially sweet when the timing is critical. That word of sincere encouragement fuels us to keep keeping on. It reminds us that even if were tired we can do it. It gives us re-focus on the purpose of our mission and gives us joy as we go after it.
The look on my daughters face that day reminded me of the power of encouragement. It inspired me to re-think how to encourage others. It made me thankful for the encouragement I receive. And it made me thankful for the seasons of constantly having to push off one foot so I could appreciate the encouragement even more.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy Birthday Jesus in Pictures
December was a busy month in Noah's Club. The bottom line was Jesus is Gods son. We really wanted to make sure to celebrate the birth of JESUS n a way that kids could understand. What better way to do that with preschoolers then a Happy Birthday Jesus Party!!!
We made sure it was evident what we were celebrating as soon as families walked in.
We also made sure families could celebrate together at home by providing a cake mix & container of frosting along with instructions for a "Happy Birthday Jesus party" for every family.
Craft tables were set up for kids when they walked in.
Nativity scenes were out that kids could play with. 
We provided Christmas treats for volunteers to keep up their energy.
Each space looked festive ready for a party!!
Even our Parent Relations space reminded us what we were celebrating.
Kids made AWESOME party hats.
We even had a Happy Birthday Jesus balloon launch.
What's a birthday party without cupcakes.
One of our amazing volunteers Miss Angie brought in gifts for all the kids in her class.
Just a few of the hundreds of kids that celebrated Jesus is born!Wednesday, July 9, 2008
What Did You Miss??
For those of you who could not make our team meeting this past Sunday........
Here are a couple important things to know:
We are implementing a team of leaders within Noah's Club called CAGs. This stands for classroom, advocate, go to. We will have a CAG for each classroom. They will be the advocate, support, champion for the volunteers serving in each class as well as the point person for all contact. Our current CAGS are:
Veronika Glenn- nursery
Angie Palmer- 3 yr. old class
Leah Ayup- pre-k
We are still looking for CAGS for our toddler and 2 yr. old class.
If you don't already know the CAG serving in your class they would love to meet you and give you their contact info.
SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE
*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****
Saturday, September 6 from 10 am to 5 pm Noah's Club will be having an all day training event. We will be training on our new, exciting Fall curriculum as well as having break out sessions for different age groups and other fun things you won't want to miss. This will be a critical day as we move forward in the best way possible for us to reach kids so we all need to be there. I promise you after the day is over you will be prepared and pumped for the year ahead of us.
Here are a couple important things to know:
We are implementing a team of leaders within Noah's Club called CAGs. This stands for classroom, advocate, go to. We will have a CAG for each classroom. They will be the advocate, support, champion for the volunteers serving in each class as well as the point person for all contact. Our current CAGS are:
Veronika Glenn- nursery
Angie Palmer- 3 yr. old class
Leah Ayup- pre-k
We are still looking for CAGS for our toddler and 2 yr. old class.
If you don't already know the CAG serving in your class they would love to meet you and give you their contact info.
SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE*****SAVE THE DATE
*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****SEPTEMBER 6*****
Saturday, September 6 from 10 am to 5 pm Noah's Club will be having an all day training event. We will be training on our new, exciting Fall curriculum as well as having break out sessions for different age groups and other fun things you won't want to miss. This will be a critical day as we move forward in the best way possible for us to reach kids so we all need to be there. I promise you after the day is over you will be prepared and pumped for the year ahead of us.
Monday, June 23, 2008
WANTED
Noah's Club is looking for a volunteer to serve as a "recruiting liason." This person would be responsible for:
-spending time at the Parent Relations desk on Sunday's getting to know parents or fielding questions of people interested in serving
-serving as go-between people interested in serving and classroom leads
-giving tours to potential volunteers of Noah's Club
-helping director create a recruiting campaign by August 3 including t-shirts, flyers and booth
-follow up with people inquiring to serve
DISCLAIMER: This person is not responsible for handling all of the actual recruiting. Meaning the searching, finding and asking the right people to fill the needed spots. I feel this is the responsibility of any leader serving in our ministry.
-spending time at the Parent Relations desk on Sunday's getting to know parents or fielding questions of people interested in serving
-serving as go-between people interested in serving and classroom leads
-giving tours to potential volunteers of Noah's Club
-helping director create a recruiting campaign by August 3 including t-shirts, flyers and booth
-follow up with people inquiring to serve
DISCLAIMER: This person is not responsible for handling all of the actual recruiting. Meaning the searching, finding and asking the right people to fill the needed spots. I feel this is the responsibility of any leader serving in our ministry.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Green Room
Wikipedia defines green room as:
A green room is a room in a theater, studio, or other public venue for the accommodation of performers or speakers when not required on the stage.
Its function is as a break/touch-up lounge so that performers do not have to go back to wardrobe/dressing rooms and are still easily accessible for their call.
It goes on to say one of the reasons it is called the green room because the room is colored in green which is thought to be a calming, soothing color.
Noah's Club does have a lounge area on the second floor right in front of the resource room. Our Children's pastor has been bringing in donuts to that room on Sunday's for who knows how long. Because of the nature of our ministry the room is rarely used. We don't have the luxury of lounging in a room until it's time to go back on stage, we are on stage (teaching in our classroom) from beginning to end of service without a break.
Even if we have to be creative in the times we use the room I have a heart to see the room occupied. It just so happens that the room is already painted green which might just be some kind of prophesy of whats to come. I have a heart to see volunteers meeting up there before class starts to pray together or even just hang for a moment and get to know eachother. Or maybe after service volunteers can meet in there to recap how class went and pray for students going through a rough time. I would like to expand on the green walls and bring touches of inspiration and "green" to the rest of the room. While attending a conference awhile back a church in Orange County had pictures hanging back stage with inspiring writings on them. They called the area "the hall of preparation" and at the end of the hall volunteers could take communion if they wanted. I would love to incorporate this in our green room.
Serving as director for Noah's Club for the past three months I've already learned so many things. One of the main things would be the volunteers serving in this ministry are faithful. Their commitment to serve week in and week out to reach these kids is truly inspiring. I'm hoping when this room is completed they will have a space to sit and unwind, relax, experience community, feel valued and inspired.
This week we will start with phase one. Donuts, starbucks coffee, bottled water and green M&M's. If you serve in Noah's Club come upstairs and experience your green room.
A green room is a room in a theater, studio, or other public venue for the accommodation of performers or speakers when not required on the stage.
Its function is as a break/touch-up lounge so that performers do not have to go back to wardrobe/dressing rooms and are still easily accessible for their call.
It goes on to say one of the reasons it is called the green room because the room is colored in green which is thought to be a calming, soothing color.
Noah's Club does have a lounge area on the second floor right in front of the resource room. Our Children's pastor has been bringing in donuts to that room on Sunday's for who knows how long. Because of the nature of our ministry the room is rarely used. We don't have the luxury of lounging in a room until it's time to go back on stage, we are on stage (teaching in our classroom) from beginning to end of service without a break.
Even if we have to be creative in the times we use the room I have a heart to see the room occupied. It just so happens that the room is already painted green which might just be some kind of prophesy of whats to come. I have a heart to see volunteers meeting up there before class starts to pray together or even just hang for a moment and get to know eachother. Or maybe after service volunteers can meet in there to recap how class went and pray for students going through a rough time. I would like to expand on the green walls and bring touches of inspiration and "green" to the rest of the room. While attending a conference awhile back a church in Orange County had pictures hanging back stage with inspiring writings on them. They called the area "the hall of preparation" and at the end of the hall volunteers could take communion if they wanted. I would love to incorporate this in our green room.
Serving as director for Noah's Club for the past three months I've already learned so many things. One of the main things would be the volunteers serving in this ministry are faithful. Their commitment to serve week in and week out to reach these kids is truly inspiring. I'm hoping when this room is completed they will have a space to sit and unwind, relax, experience community, feel valued and inspired.
This week we will start with phase one. Donuts, starbucks coffee, bottled water and green M&M's. If you serve in Noah's Club come upstairs and experience your green room.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A New Space
Last week at Journey we had 16 families participate in baby dedications during the services. I was able to pop in during the dedication part of the service and thought Journey did a great job making a group dedication personal and impactful for each family and those watching. Because of this our toddler class second service really felt the impact in attendance.
We had several toddlers walking around with teary eyes and dirty diapers. I was afraid the volunteers serving in there were going to have teary eyes as well before the service was over. Fortunately those serving, Kara and Briana had great attitudes and managed to stay gentle and calm for the kids. Our junior volunteers also helped with lots of hugs and playing with the children.
After reading an article in the magazine K by Michelle Triplett I have decided to change things up a bit to see if we can create a more peaceful atmosphere for the kids and volunteers without adding anything new to the room but rather just working with what we already have.
First things first. The room has to smell good. Rather than putting stinky diapers in the trash can in the room, (with no windows) this week we are going to take dirty diapers to an outside trash can after each and every one. I'm also planning on cleaning the room tomorrow with my favorite organic cleaner Mrs. Meyers geranium scent.
Second today as I was looking around the room I realized we have lots of different kinds of things for the kids to play with but no organization to the room. It's an open, fairly large room where kids have just roamed freely from one toy to the next. I brought in a divider and sectioned off a part of the room for "quiet space." This area has rocking chairs, books, big comfy seats for the kids and a tv. I'm planning on having one volunteer stay in this area to help the fussy children who may need a break from the rest of the room where the kids are playing louder. The divider also helps create a block so the children won't have to constantly watch the door hoping mom or dad will be coming back soon.
The rest of the room is divided up into three other spaces; snack tables, play kitchen and other activity toys and the last one is climbing center where we have two slides, a bin of balls and other things for kids to climb on.
I'm hoping with this new arrangement the kids can become more absorbed in their play. We will see how it goes on Sunday. I'll let you know.
We had several toddlers walking around with teary eyes and dirty diapers. I was afraid the volunteers serving in there were going to have teary eyes as well before the service was over. Fortunately those serving, Kara and Briana had great attitudes and managed to stay gentle and calm for the kids. Our junior volunteers also helped with lots of hugs and playing with the children.
After reading an article in the magazine K by Michelle Triplett I have decided to change things up a bit to see if we can create a more peaceful atmosphere for the kids and volunteers without adding anything new to the room but rather just working with what we already have.
First things first. The room has to smell good. Rather than putting stinky diapers in the trash can in the room, (with no windows) this week we are going to take dirty diapers to an outside trash can after each and every one. I'm also planning on cleaning the room tomorrow with my favorite organic cleaner Mrs. Meyers geranium scent.
Second today as I was looking around the room I realized we have lots of different kinds of things for the kids to play with but no organization to the room. It's an open, fairly large room where kids have just roamed freely from one toy to the next. I brought in a divider and sectioned off a part of the room for "quiet space." This area has rocking chairs, books, big comfy seats for the kids and a tv. I'm planning on having one volunteer stay in this area to help the fussy children who may need a break from the rest of the room where the kids are playing louder. The divider also helps create a block so the children won't have to constantly watch the door hoping mom or dad will be coming back soon.
The rest of the room is divided up into three other spaces; snack tables, play kitchen and other activity toys and the last one is climbing center where we have two slides, a bin of balls and other things for kids to climb on.
I'm hoping with this new arrangement the kids can become more absorbed in their play. We will see how it goes on Sunday. I'll let you know.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A Colorful Craft
Butterflies from our 4&5 yr. old class second service. Mrs. Nancy does such a nice job organizing the craft each week for the parents to pick up. Not only were these lined up and ready to go but the names were in alphabetical order.
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