Dear Parent(s)/Caretakers, Here we all are, once again, at the beginning of a new school/sunday school year. We hope that each one of you were able to find time to step away from schedules and just have fun with your children and enjoy summertime! As our Children's Ministry team prepares for the new year, one of our main goals is to keep parents/caretakers informed with information about our new curriculum, classroom policies and upcoming dates that may impact your child. Included in this packet you will find: 7 Ministry Essentials of the Tru curriculum Philosophy Details regarding dates and age requirements for children moving up to the next class level Requests and reminders about basic issues such as picking up and dropping off children, etc. Our snack policy Classroom location map, for new attendees at First, or long time attendees who may not know where the "next" classroom is. Contact information for all Children's Ministry staff. As always, our greatest hope and goal is to have a part in impacting and equipping our children and their families with the Truth from God's Word. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of teaching the children at First about our Great God, creator and sustainer of all things, and His Son Jesus, our Savior, Redeemer and Risen King! For His Kingdom, Lynne Brown Diana Overkamp Mary VanEvery
FAMILY MINISTRY 7ESSENTIALS Empowering Family as Primary God s design for faith replication is through the context of the family (Deut. 6; Ps. 78). The church plays a supportive/equipping role in this endeavor and fills in the gap for family when sin, spiritual blindness, and/or dysfunction keep a physical family from being the spiritual leader (Eph. 4:12). Spiritual Formation for Lifetime Faith A new generation needs a strong foundation of biblical knowledge in an environment where they can encounter the living God. Children and students can open their hearts to God, learn to discern His voice, have a desire to obey Him, and do so in the power of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13). Scripture is Our Authority The Bible is God s truth for daily living. God s Word holds instruction and inspiration that guides children and students to know God and interpret their lives through the lens of His character and perfect will (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit Teaches Parents and leaders have the opportunity to create environments where the Holy Spirit is free to move, teach, and lead through His Word and other believers (Jn. 14:26). God s Redemptive Narrative The Big God Story is God s ENTIRE story. It incorporates all of history, stretching from Genesis to Revelation and beyond sharing the good news of redemption through Jesus. Every generation not only plays a part in this incredible story, but is also part of a much larger faith community of past, present, and future believers (Romans 8:1-2). God is Central Because it is one story the emphasis is on God s love and redemption through Jesus (Col. 1:20), not the supporting cast in any given storyline (for example: God Is Victorious vs. David and Goliath ). God is central to His Word, our lives, and the gospel. A Community of Ministry Support First, the Holy Spirit comes alongside of each believer to support him/her in living as a disciple of Christ. Next, a unified community of ministry leaders from around the globe inspires, equips, and supports each other to transform the lives of a new generation both in the church and in the home so that no one is alone in the endeavor to pass on faith to the following generation (I Cor. 12:18-27). Information excerpted from 7 Essentials of Family Ministry: A Strategy for Children s and Student Ministry by Michelle Anthony available July 1, 2015
DATES & EVENTS *Tru Blessings - 2 year olds thru 4 year olds *Tru Wonder- Kindergarten *Tru Story - 1st grade thru 4th grade September 6th: No Sunday School September 13th: Children who are eligible will be moving up to their new class 3.5 year olds moving from the 2-3.5 year old class to the 3.5-4 year old class must be 3.5 by September 1st, 2015. 3 year olds who become 3.5 after September 1st will have move up date in March, 2016. September 16th: Wednesday Night Big Life Kick Off!! Starting at 6:30pm and ending at 8pm. Come out for food and fun at our carnival themed family night! Along with food and games, we would love to introduce you to our Big Life team leaders, the folks who will be working directly with your child.
Just a couple of requests and reminders... Along with teaching our children well, we want to have the safety of every child at the top of the priority list. In light of this, we are asking that all children up to the 2nd grade level be escorted to class by a parent or older sibling (middle school age and up). We ask that they picked up at the end of class by a parent or older sibling as well. For all children up to the 4th grade level, please help them to remember to visit the restroom before going into their Sunday School class.
Snack Policy Snacks will be provided by the Children s Ministry. While homemade treats are wonderful, we ask that no other snacks be offered, as many of our children have FOOD ALLERGIES, and all snacks must be free of; Peanuts or any Tree Nuts Gluten Dairy Dyes If you have questions or concerns, please contact any of the Children s Ministry staff listed below, and we will be happy to help. Thank you for all you do! Marcy Van Every: children@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text: 616-403-8793 Diana Overkamp: childrensun@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text: 616-748-4495 Lynne Brown: childrensun14@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text; 616-510-6155
Classroom Map 2 & 3 year olds 204 3 & 4 year olds 206 Club 56 122 1 st & 2 nd Grades 101 Kindergarten 103 3 rd & 4 th Grades 103
Contact Information Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns Marcy Van Every: children@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text: 616-403-8793 Diana Overkamp: childrensun@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text: 616-748-4495 Lynne Brown: childrensun14@fbczeeland.org Phone/Text: 616-510-6155