New Hope Leeward 24
Dear Parent/Guardian, Welcome to Awana at New Hope Leeward. What an opportunity we have for our children to be trained to serve God! Not only will they learn the Word of God, but they will also hear it taught weekly. They will also find excitement in activities and special themes or promotions. During this year, we hope to see children come to know the Lord as their personal Savior. What a joy it would be to see children saved or dedicating their lives to Christ. We ask you to partner with us in this mission by praying, inviting guests to our programs and developing an ongoing conversation with your children regarding the only true way of salvation, Jesus Christ. On behalf of our Pastors and the Awana staff, we look forward to serving our Lord through to help train a child in the way he should go. We are honored to have your children in our program, and we never want to take for granted the responsibility we have to train these children. Please feel free to call me at any time with your questions or concerns regarding your child in any of our ministry programs. You may contact me on my phone, at 678-3778, or by email, at billu@newshopeleeward.org. We hope this handbook answers most of your questions and concerns about Awana. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact our Family Ministry Pastor, Bill Ullom, at 678-3778 or our Family Ministry Adminstrator Ann Purdy, at 386-9410. We feel that Awana is a vital part of your child s spiritual growth. Allowing your children to be a part of this ministry not only teaches them the Word of God, but also sets an example for commitment and faithfulness. We are very blessed to have faithful and committed leadership within this ministry to set the example for our precious children. Again, we want to thank you for allowing us to minister to your child through the AWANA program at New Hope Leeward. Christ for Life, Bill Ullom 2 23
Delve into God s Word, side-by-side with your kids! Awana has optional parent handbooks that parallel what your child is studying in Sparks and Truth and Training Clubs. These handbooks give you deeper understanding of the material your child is learning. Grow spiritually, share biblical insights with your child, and model pacing and handbook achievement with these books. Parent Handbooks (optional) Sparks Beginnings: Studies in Genesis - Joshua $10.00 (Parallels Sparks HangGlider Handbook) Promise: Studies in Judges - Malachi $10.00 (Parallels Sparks WingRunner Handbook) Glory: Studies in Matthew - Revelation $10.00 (Parallels Sparks SkyStormer Handbook ) Truth & Training Guide: Gaining & training biblical worldview $10.00 (Parallels Ultimate Adventure Book One) Shepherd: Loving and leading young lives $10.00 (Parallels Ultimate Adventure Book Two) Witness: Equipping to share the good news $10.00 (Parallels Ultimate Challenge Book One) Servant: Modeling faith in action $10.00 (Parallels Ultimate Challenge Book Two) 22 3
Schedule of Programs Fridayday nights 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm, Sept 7, 2012 to May 24, 2013 AWANA Full program Awana Clubs offers special incentive events several times throughout the Awana year. Your clubber will love the chance to participate in the following activities: Books and uniforms Awards given Youth ministries Extended Fun to 9:30 pm Awana is an international Bible-centered youth organization. The acrostic Awana comes from the first letters of Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). We present the gospel every night in a way that each child can understand, no matter what age they are. We understand that salvation is a free gift, that we cannot earn it or buy it, and that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins on the cross. (Romans 3:23) The key to growing in Christ is to memorize scripture and hide it in our hearts. Awana strongly emphasizes memorizing the Bible to help us during the battles in life, so we can have a victorious life in Jesus. Please encourage your clubber to consistently study his/her handbook. Certain events, such as the Awana Games, require a clubber to qualify by reciting a certain number of sections prior to the event. Others, such as the Sparks-a-Rama have book requirements, as well. Contact your club director for details. 4 21
We have many special nights during the year. A calendar will be provided for each family. Note: Flyers are occasionally sent home with your child to inform you of upcoming events. Follow-us on Facebook to get up to the day reminders and helpful hints! Each clubber is asked to pay $25.00 at the time of registration to cover Leader costs such as t-shirts, curriculum guides, training and production costs. Handbooks - $10 Uniforms - $15 Dues - $40 Dues cover the costs of snacks, crafts, office supplies, game equipment, weekly supply needs and group lesson items Other items are available at our Awana Store and all proceeds go to create scholarships for kids and families. 20 No child will be deprived of participation due to cost. 5
In order to have a safe, enjoyable, orderly environment, our club has established some guidelines. All clubbers are expected to follow the guidelines to ensure a FUN NIGHT FOR ALL!!! 1. Respect your fellow club members, leaders, and teachers - treat them as you wish to be treated. 2. Everyone should participate - whether playing games, listening, studying, or singing - all are expected to be involved. If for some reason you should not want your child to participate, please send a note to the club leader with your child. 3. Leave all toys, food, candy, gum, drinks, cell phones, electronic devices, and athletic equipment at home. 4. Always try to wear a smile. Everyone will enjoy you more. Swimmers practice laps and runners run mile after mile to train and accomplish a goal. In Awana we memorize God s Word with a goal of completing one handbook or more a year. That s what PowerUP is all about - getting as much of God s Word as we can, as deep into the hearts as we can, of as many children as we can. PowerUP is a program to help you encourage your clubbers to complete their handbooks. Clubbers in Sparks and T&T clubs will be provided with monthly Book Walks to show them what they need to accomplish during the current month to stay on track. The best part is that Awana has also provided Parent Book Walks to help you to come alongside your clubber to support them in completing their handbook. Check it out at Awana.org 5. HAVE FUN! Awana is meant to be fun!!! 6. Check-in begins at 6:35 PM. Check-out ends at 8:30 PM. 6 19
How Does My Child Earn Awana Dollars? Clubbers can earn Awana dollars for attendance, wearing their uniform, passing sections in their handbook, bringing visitors to Awana club, participating in theme nights, and bringing their Bible. Clubbers may redeem their Awana bucks at the Awana store on quarterly Awana Store nights. The store is stocked with a vast assortment of items ranging from crayons and pens to art sets to CDs, books, DVDs, etc. Regular Club Night Apparel Along with the Awana shirt/vest, it is important that clothing be suitable for active games. Tennis shoes should be worn especially for game time. Long pants are also ideal as we play on carpet and rug burn can be avoid with a comfortable pair of pants. Remember no food items, electronic devices, cell phones, toys, or sports equipment should be brought to club. Puggles For toddlers Fun - and lots of it! Friendly characters and leaders Foundational teaching The Puggles group is for children 2-3 years of age. This group emphasizes fun, God s love and other basics of the Christian faith. 18 7
Puggles Who are Puggles? Boys and Girls 2 and 3 Year Olds (Must be 2 before September 1st) Where does Puggles meet? Puggles Room at 6:45 PM Story Time: Snack Time: A light snack (cookies, crackers, juice or water) Restroom Time: Game Time: A variety of non-competitive games are played for exercise and fun. Each clubber is given a Entrance booklet of general information and material to be memorized. Once clubbers pass the requirements of the entrance booklet, they are eligible to become an official member of the Awana Club and purchase a handbook and uniform shirt or vest (depending on the club). The Handbook contains scripture to be memorized and lessons to be learned for earning awards. By studying at home and attending club regularly, each clubber should be able to finish one handbook per year. Make sure your clubber s name is inside his/her handbook. Encourage your clubber to always bring his/her handbook and Bible to club! The Uniform T-Shirt/Vest is critical to the entire program. Sparks wear a Spark Vest and T&T wear a Uniform T-Shirt. Awards are only awarded if clubbers are wearing their uniforms. Special Activities and Craft Time Note: Flyers are sent home with your child occasionally to inform you of upcoming events. 8 17
Handbook Time Leaders listen to clubbers recite verses that they have memorized at home throughout the week. They also work one-on-one with clubbers to help them complete their handbooks. Game Time During game time, children are introduced to four-team participation on the Awana game circle. Emphasis is placed on developing team spirit, good sportsmanship and self-confidence. Large GroupTime Clubbers will be given their t-shirt on the first night and should wear them each week. Each parent is given a Puggles at home kit. Each week at Awana Puggles receive an interactive lesson. Parents pull out the card from their at home pack and that matches the lesson and conduct 5 at home activites that enforce the lesson. Please make sure that all clothing, books, Bibles, etc. are clearly marked with your child s name. Please make sure that your child has a clean diaper or has used the bathroom before signing them into the Puggles room. The goal of Large Group Time is to focus clubbers attention on Bible truths and relate them to daily life. The Bible message will encourage unsaved clubbers to accept Christ as Savior and saved clubbers to grow in their relationship with Christ. Clubbers are recognized for their hard work with awards that are to be worn on their Awana uniforms. 16 9
Cubbies for Preschoolers Fun - and lots of it! Kindergarten - 2nd Grade 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM Drop off in Phase 2 Hallway, Pick-up in Mini Auditorium Friendly characters and leaders Foundational teaching The Cubbies group is for pre-school children 3-4 years of age. This group emphasizes games, learning to read, learning to use their Bible and other basics of the Christian faith. We love Him because He first loved us. T&T Ultimate Adventure and Ultimate Challenge 3rd -6th Grades 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM Drop off in Main Sanctuary, Pick-up in Phase 2 Hallway 10 15
Fun + learning = results for K-2nd Graders SPARKS SPARKS It is at this level that a clear understanding of the gospel is presented and children are encouraged to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Cubbies begins at 6:45 PM A night at Cubbies will be filled with learning the Bible and fun activities. Handbook Time: Your child will be encouraged to recite the weekly verse. Story Time: A Bible lesson will be taught with colorful flannel graph. T&T Ultimate Adventure (3rd-4th graders) Ultimate Challenge (5th-6th graders) We want our Awana clubbers to know the truth of God s Word, and we want to train them to serve Him in their everyday lives. Truth & Training for 3rd-6th Graders T&T is the program that trains the leaders of tomorrow -today. 14 CraftTime: Weekly puppet shows reinforce the story time. Snack Time: A light snack (cookies, crackers, popcorn, etc., with water) Restroom Time: No evening would be complete without a restroom break. Game Time: A variety of non-competitive games are played for exercise and fun. Special Activities and Music Time Note: Flyers are sent home with your child occasionally to inform you of upcoming events. 11
Each clubber is given a Bear Hug Brochure of general information and material to be memorized. Once clubbers pass the requirements of the entrance booklet, they are eligible to become an official member of the Awana Cubbies and are presented their handbook and uniform vest. The Handbook contains scripture to be memorized and lessons to be learned for earning patches. By studying at home and attending club regularly, each clubber should be able to finish one handbook per year. Make sure your clubber s name/ picture is inside his/her handbooks. Take a look at the scriptures and assignments. Please make sure that all clothing, books, Bibles, etc. are clearly marked with your child s name. Along with the Awana vest, it is important that clothing suitable for active games be worn. Tennis shoes should be worn. 12 13