2015-2016 Parent Information Yearly Calendar & Registration Form Highview Christian Church 403 James Parkway, Washington, IL 61571 1
Letter from Jenny Welcome to Highview Christian Church Awana Clubs! We are excited about having you and your family participate in this fun and rewarding ministry. At Highview Christian Church, we consider it a privilege to partner with you in your family s Spiritual growth. This handbook provides basic information about our Awana Clubs and additional activities that are offered on Wednesday nights for the whole family. Our Awana staff is composed of volunteers from the church fellowship who have been screened, trained, and care greatly about the spiritual and social development of the children in the surrounding community. Your family is very special to God and to us! Parents, your participation and assistance are very important. Please encourage your child to attend each club meeting, help them to memorize their Scripture verses, and show them your excitement over their achievements. Your help and encouragement are critical. If your child has special needs, please communicate these needs with me. You are always welcome to observe on any evening. Thank you for entrusting us with your child and we look forward to seeing you and your family for another exciting Awana club year! Sincerely, Jennifer L. Sellers Education Coordinatior Highview Christian Church The Awana Prayer That all children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. 2
Table of Contents Awana Leadership... 4 Welcome to Awana... 5 What Is Awana?... 5 When Does Awana Meet?... 5 Registration and Attendence... 5 Costs... 6 Clubs and Age Groups... 6 Nightly Schedule... 7 Helping Your Child: Small Group / Handbook Time... 8 Security Drop Off & Pick Up... 8 What To Bring And What To Wear To Awana... 9 What Not To Bring To Awana... 9 AwanaBucks and Awana Store... 9 Wellness Policy... 10 Inclement Weather Policy... 10 Getting Involved... 11 Discipline... 11 5-Count... 11 3-Count... 11 Club Requirements and Expectations... 12 Leader Requirements:... 12 Parent Expectations:... 12 Clubber Expectations:... 12 2014 2015 Calendar of Events... Appendix Registration Form.Appendix 3
Meet Pastor James Frye. He is the Senior Pastor here at Highview Christian Church and the Leader of the Adult Ministries on Wednesday evenings. He is joined by his lovely wife Melissa and their four beautiful children. This is Jennifer Sellers. Jenny is the Education Coordinator at Highview Chriatian Church. She is the Commander for Awana YM (Youth Ministries) and oversees many areas of Awana Clubs. She loves the amazing opportunity that Awana offers all children to be lifelong learners of the Bible. She has a true heart for children s ministry. This is Sarah Wiese, longtime member of Highview Christian Church and head of the Fellowship team. She is the Commander of Elementary Clubs. Her gift for organization and her love of the Scriptures makes her an invaluable member of our Awana Leadership team. Meet Betsy Koch. Betsy is a member of Highview Christian church and loves the Lord. She is committed to teaching children about Jesus and is a strong member of the Awana team. Her role as the Awana Commander of Preschool Clubs gives her the avenue to help children build a strong foundation of respect for the awesomeness and authority of God. 4
Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. The Awana program has been in existence since 1941 and is currently in 28,000 churches in over 100 countries reaching 2 million children for Christ each week! Awana uses curriculum, including age-appropriate handbooks, Bible lessons, and games that build on each other year after year from age 2 to 18 in order to teach children and youth biblical truths and disciple them to hold a biblical worldview. What Does Your Child Experience At Awana? >Engaging Bible lessons > Affirmation & encouragement from adult leaders >Fun & exciting games > Positive relationships with other clubbers >Scripture memory > Awards and recognition for accomplishments When Does Awana Meet? Wednesday evenings August 19, 2015 through April 27, 2016 (see enclosed calendar) 5:15-5:45 Dinner - Cost is $2.00 per person or a maximum of $10.00 per family (Parents must accompany children if attending meal) 5:50-6:00 Checkin, Line up, Club Open/ Presenting of the Colors (No early drop off) 6:00-7:45 Awana Program for ages 2 years through 12th grade and Adult Bible studies for young adults through seniors Registration All children who participate in Awana must be registered. A registration form can be found at the back of this handbook. Additional registration forms are located at the Highview Christian Church Connection Center and can also be downloaded at www.highviewchristian.org. Please make sure that you register you children because the core of the program is based on the ability for them to work through the books and earn awards. Attendance It is important for the clubbers to be in attendance all year. The lessons build on one another and the awards they are eligible for depend on their ability to finish their book. 5
Costs Registration fees are $30 per child for the whole year. This covers the costs of uniforms, handbooks, awards, prizes, and special events throughout the year. Additional donations are welcome. At Highview Christian Church, we don t want cost get in the way of ministry! If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Jenny Sellers at 815-822-8800 or email jenny.l.sellers@gmail.com to be considered for our Angel Sponsorship program. Clubs and Age Groups Club Age Program (one parent must remain in the building during Awana) 2-3 year olds Children are welcomed with play time, songs, crafts, and activities. Leaders present age-appropriate lessons based on 4 biblical precepts: God Made Everything (Genesis 1:1) God Saw That It Was God (Genesis 1:10) God Is Love (1 John 4:15) Give Thanks (Psalms 105:1) (one parent must remain in the building during Awana) Preschool Cubbie Bear helps teach respect for God and others through games, simple scripture memory, and Bible lessons. Children learn foundational truths about God and Jesus. Kindergarten 2 nd Grade Sparky the firefly helps children gain a foundation for biblical wisdom through memory verse drills, crafts, activities, games, and review of key doctrine and Bible facts. 3rd 6 th Grade T&T uses sea and space exploration and adventures in archeology and canyon camping to teach clubbers grace in their relationships. Clubbers will become equipped to answer key questions about their faith such as Who is God? and How does He want me to live? 7th 8th Grade The theme of Trek is a road trip where junior high students are challenged to consider and pursue their destiny in Christ through life application of God s Word. 9th 12 th Grade Senior high students are encouraged to live each day and to look at the future with perspective that we are loved by a sovereign God. 6
FEAST AWANA Schedule 2015-2016 5:15 Prayer for meal 5:30 Seconds will be served, contact Sarah if late and need a plate before 5:30. (309) 251-1084 5:45 5 minute bell will ring 5:50 Kitchen closes, AWANA leaders to your assigned locations, Registration begins, children enter gym and line up by color 5:55 Club open: Pledge to *American Flag, *Christian Flag, *Bible, *Awana Prayer, dismissed by *color (flag holder and stand holder), form a big line 6:00 Enter Narnia and begin Large Group 6:00-6:20 Large Group Time 6:20-6:45 TnT: Game Time Sparks: Small Group Time 6:45-7:30 Sparks: Game Time TnT: Small Group Time 7:30-7:40 Close and Dismissal 7
Helping Your Child: Small Group / Handbook Time Sparks and T&T clubbers will receive their own handbook. They are responsible for bringing to club each night. Clubbers will have one week to memorize one section in their handbook, and they will need help at home. The average child will be adequately prepared for weekly Awana club meeting if they spend 10 minutes per day in their handbook. During small group time, each clubber will recite the required material to their leader. Each clubber will be given a maximum of 2 helps (or 2 hints) to recite the required verses. In order to pass a handbook section, the following requirements must be met: * The clubber must be able to recite one section during one session with no more than 2 helps. * Clubbers must recite the Bible reference along with the verse. * Clubbers are welcome to use a version of the Bible that is different from their handbook. However, because leaders need a way to check the verse being recited, your child must bring their Bible and/or re-write the verse in their handbook as it is written in their Bible. * Clubbers may use their own words for answers and word definitions. * Clubbers must pass sections in order. Parents need to initial or sign work completed at home.. Security Drop Off & Pick Up 1. Awana check in for all age groups will be in the entryway to the new building from 5:50pm 5:55pm. No early check-in time. 2. No children/youth will be permitted into Awana until they have been signed in by a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult! DO NOT JUST DROP THEM OFF 3. All 2 year olds through 5th grade must be accompanied by their parents, legal guardian, or designated adult at sign-in and must be signed out by their par ents, legal guardian, or designated adult at 7:30pm. 4. Please be considerate of our volunteer staff and arrive on time to drop off and pick up your children. 8
What To Bring And What To Wear To Awana 1. Bible 2. Awana Handbook 3. Awana Uniform T-Shirt: Each clubber will be given an entrance booklet upon joining Awana clubs. Once they have completed registaration and entrance booklet they will receive their shirt and handbook. 4. Pants or shorts: It will be difficult to participate in games/activities in skirts or dresses. 5. Gym shoes: It will be difficult to participate in games/activities in heels, flip flops, sandals, etc. 6. Theme Nights: Fun nights for kids to dress crazy - see the calendar section - information will be sent home prior to each theme night. What Not To Bring To Awana Toys and electronic devices AwanaBucks and Awana Store Clubbers earn AwanaBucks each night for: $ Wearing their uniform $ Bringing their Bible $ Bringing their Awana Handbook $ Club Attendance $ Passing Handbook sections $ Church Attendance (any church) $ Participation in special events including BARF nights, Theme nights, and Missions Twice per year we will open the Awana Store filled with prizes that clubbers can purchase with the AwanaBucks that they have earned in clubs. On Double Bucks Nights, clubbers will earn double AwanaBucks for participation. 9
Wellness Policy Please do not bring your children to Awana if they have any of the following symptoms: v' Fever 100 degrees or higher within the last 24 hours v' Vomiting within the last 24 hours v' Diarrhea within the last 24 hours v' Runny nose with discolored discharge or coughing and sneezing v' Rash that is suspected of being contagious v' If your child has been prescribed an antibiotic, they must have been on the antibiotic a minimum of 48 hours prior to attending Awana. Inclement Weather Policy During inclement weather, a final decision regarding club cancellation will be made by 4:30pm on club night. You can find out if Awana is cancelled by the following: - Washington School District Closing: if Washington schools are cancelled due to bad weather, Awana clubs will be cancelled unless otherwise indicated by email or phone alert. - Email Alert: all known email address of Awana families will be contacted if Awana activities are cancelled when Washington schools are not cancelled. - Phone Alert: we will make every effort to contact each Awana family using our automated phone system if Awana activities are cancelled when Washington schools are not cancelled. 10
Getting Involved 1. Our Awana program is run by volunteers! All adults, parents and grandparents are welcome in our Awana Club. We would love to have you join the Awana Team. No prior experience in Awana is necessary. We only ask that you have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and a love for kids. We will provide the training for the rest. 2. Everyone who works with children at Highview Christian Church must fill out a Volunteer Application and undergo a background check. To get started, please contact me, Jenny Sellers 815-822-8800, to pick up an application at our Connection Center, OR download an application at www.highviewchristian.org You may mail, EMAIL, or bring your application to the church offices. 3. Email application to: jenny.l.sellers@gmail.com and in the subject put, Awana application. Discipline Clubbers should come expecting to be treated as a child of God. Courtesy and respect are expected at all times. Should problems arise, leaders will use two forms of discipline. The 5-count is for all clubbers, while the 3-count is for individual clubbers. 5-Count 3-Count When a leader needs the clubbers to be quiet and listen, the leader will count from 1 to 5; all clubbers need to stop talking immediately and listen. When a child is disrespectful or disruptive, a 1 count will be given to remind the clubber of the expected behavior. If the misbehavior continues, the clubber will be given a 2 count and will be removed from the current activity and counseled by a leader/ commander outside the club room until the child is ready to participate in a respectful manner. If the misbehavior persists, the clubber will receive a count of 3 and the parents will be notified by the club commander to pick up their child. If this occurs, the Awana Commander and Education Director will hold a meeting with the parents/guardians before the next club. 11
Requirements & Expectations Leader Requirements: A leader must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A leader must have a desire to work with and a compassion for children. A leader must have a completed background check. A leader must have completed Awana Certification Training during that year of club. Parent Expectations: Help your children arrive and depart from AWANA every week on time. Please do not bring them early unless you are joining them for the meal. Regular arrival time is 5:50. Help your children memorize their Scripture verses at home as much as possible. Remind your children to wear their shirt and bring handbook to club. Review the rules of discipline in this handbook. Send a note or inform your Club Leader if your child needs to be excused from any activities. Clubber Expectations: 1. Show respect for God s House, God s Name, and God s Word. 2. Respect church property and the property of others. 3. Listen and follow directions at all times. 4. Wear uniforms and bring Bibles and handbooks. 5. Be responsible with your Awana Bucks, they cannot be replaced. 6. Understand the 3-count and 5-count rules of discipline. 7. Memorize your Scripture verses at home! 12