Sunday, March 29, 2009

Had the meeting...

It went fabulously! Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers!

Now, time for planning!!!!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

A Great Idea

A woman who is very important to the Children's Ministries at Choctaw United Methodist came up with a great idea for a service project for our kids. Tomorrow morning we will be selling fresh choclate chip cookies and lemonade. The money made will be given to a cause the children choose. They can keep the money for children's ministries activities, give it all away to the organization, or decide if they want to keep part of it and give part of it away. It is their decision what they do with the money they make. It gives them all of the responsibility. It will teach them how to be responsible for their own money. They can either get something for themselves to stay in the children's area or give it away. I thought it was a great idea. It lets them do something fun and learn about the responsibility we have to help out our community. If you have any other ideas like this, comment. Let me know what you think!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Recommended Reads

I have been researching good books with program, curriculum, and/or teacher planning ideas. I was reading one today, Out of the Box: Helps for Children's Sunday School Teachers from Abingdon Press, it has tons of great information! It is easy to follow and has lots of good resources.

Last summer I planned a pre-school day camp. I used the book Wonder-Filled Weekdays for Summer: 65 Lesson Plans for Christian Preschool by Cynthia Gray to help me plan my lessons for each day. It's a great resource to help plan pre-school programs.

These are just a few books that I think anyone in Children's Ministries should have access to. Check them out!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

New Life at Easter

Here is a lesson for Easter!

“He is not here; for he has been raised’ as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6

Call to Worship
(Sing to Frere Jacques)
It is Easter! It is Easter! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen!
Sing a song of praise! Sing a song of praise!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: In God’s world of plants and animals, have you ever seen any signs of new life this spring? (Trees are getting new leaves, etc.)

Listening
Ask the children to join in the story by saying “New Life!” every time you point at them.

Say: After Jesus dies, he was laid into a small room cut into a rock wall. This room was called a “tomb.” A large rock was rolled over the opening of the tomb, just like a door. Jesus’ tomb was in a garden.

Springtime had come to the garden. Signs of the season were everywhere. Baby birds were hatching in their nests. (Point) Bright green leaves were starting to grow on tree branches. (Point) Baby rabbits hopped behind their mother. (Point) Flower blossoms of yellow, pink, and orange opened under the warm sun. (Point) Seeds pushed up through the ground. (Point) Honeybees hatched and flew outside the beehive for the first time. (Point) And tadpoles swam in the water trough. (Point)

Night fell and the garden was dark, until an angel came shining bright as lightening. The angel rolled away the stone, and God game Jesus new life. (Point) Jesus stood and walked out of the tomb and into the garden full of (Point) light.

As the sun came up, the people who loved Jesus went to the garden to visit his grave. They were surprised to see that the stone was rolled away from the tomb and even more amazed when the angel told them that Jesus was raised from the dead. As the people turned to leave, they met Jesus! God had given him (Point)!

Exploring
There will be plastic eggs hidden around the room with chick stickers inside.

Say: Since eggs and chicks are a symbol of new life, let’s play some games using eggs that children have played for hundreds of years!

Egg Hunt: Invite the children to find one egg each from around the room. If the eggs are opened ask the children to put the sticker back inside of the egg until the end of the games.

Egg Balance: Have children form a circle. Give each child a spoon and an egg. Have them try to carry their eggs on their spoons as everyone asks around in a circle.

When the games are finished, they can put their stickers on their eggs.

Benediction
Say: God, what wonderful news we have heard this morning! Christ has risen and lives forever! Alleluia! Amen!

If there is extra time have the children imitate sounds of new life.
Babies (waa waa)
Chicks (cheep cheep)
Duckling (quack quack)
Lamb (baa baa)
Donkey Colt (hee-haw)
Puppy (yip yip)
Kitten (mew mew)
Piglet (oink oink)
Goat Kid (naa naa)

If you would like you could also ask the children to invent some sounds of new life, like what it sounds like for a seed to grow, tree leaves to unfold, or grass growing.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Three Cheers: Palm Sunday

Here is a lesson idea for Palm Sunday.

“Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Mark 11:9

Call to Worship
(Sing to Frere Jacques)
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Here Comes Jesus! Here Comes Jesus!
Riding on a donkey! Riding on a donkey!
Wave your palms! Wave your palms!
Hosanna! Hosanna!
In the highest! In the highest!
Blessed is Jesus! Blessed is Jesus!
Who comes in the name of the Lord!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Have you ever cheered for someone or something?
(I cheer for my favorite football team, etc.)

Listening
Use the donkey puppet as you tell the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Say: Hee-haw, he-haw. I’m Dina the Donkey, and I’m the one who gave Jesus a ride into Jerusalem before Passover. I love outside the city, but I do go to the big city to do errands with my owner. On that day, I was quietly munching hay, when a very interesting man and his followers came near. His followers led me over to the man, who spoke softly to me and patted my nose. I liked him right away. You know, we donkeys can be stubborn and mean if we want to, but I decided I wanted to be nice to this man.

The man got on my back, and we began to walk toward the city. One of his followers called him “Jesus.” As we went along the road, people came out from their houses to walk with us. Workers left the fields too and shoppers on their way to market joined us. Everyone was happy and excited to see Jesus. They talked about the wonderful things he had said and done. They all agreed that Jesus was their savior and king.

Soon there was a crowd as far as you could see. The people began cheering for Jesus as they took off their cloaks and cut palm branches to lay in the road. My hoofs clopped over the most beautiful and the most ragged coats, because there were very rich and very poor people in the crowd. Jesus sat calmly on my back, and as the crowds began to press in closer and closer to see and touch him, he spoke gentle words to me; and I was not afraid of all those people.

Finally, he slid from my back and gave me to a kind person who served me water and a bit of food before taking me home. That was the most amazing day because I carried Jesus, the Savior, into Jerusalem. Hee-haw!

Exploring
Make some streamer sticks to help celebrate Jesus! Take the crepe paper and allow the children to glue two strips onto the Popsicle sticks. Have a celebration parade outside if the weather permits or around the room saying, “Hosanna!” as you go.

Benediction
Say: Hosanna! Let us tell the world about Christ and what he has done for us! Amen.

An Excellent Source

I was searching online for coloring pages for our children's activity bags and I have to admit I did not realize the vast resources that crayola has online. Their coloring sheets are not just "stay in lines" coloring sheets. They have creativity producing coloring sheets. They also have a crafts page with unlimited number of suggestions. There is an educators page with teaching resources and how-to's for various art classes. And there is a parents page that is meant to help teach creativity at home. I am so so happy this resource is so easy to access. Up until this point the only coloring sheets I have found that encourage creating what you want on the page was a Scribbles coloring book (great resource too btw). I just thought I'd share that with you. Check http://www.crayola.com/ out!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Discernment

I have recently been hired as the Children's Director at a small church here in Oklahoma. They have never had someone overseeing just their children's ministries and they have recently moved into a new building and are growing by leaps and bounds. I am beyond estatic to have the opportunity to grow a fantastic children's ministries. In fact this is my dream. I want God's love to guide me and shine through me. I want to provide programs that are needed and loved and interesting. I am trying to design a children's religion in the arts program and trying to make it easier for volunteers in their children's church program. I want to implement things that help grow them spiritually. I guess I am writing this to ask for prayers. I will be having my first guardians meeting next Sunday and I am doing my best to prepare for it but I need to make sure the important things get covered, and that those who come work well together and with me. I want this first meeting to establish the relationships I will need to have an amazing ministry for their children. Frankly, I want it to go well. Please pray that God prepares me and those attending and to help us to see what God has in store for us.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Family Rituals Class

OBJECTIVE: To expose parents to new rituals and to teach the importance of family rituals.

PEOPLE SERVED: Families

LEADERS: DRE

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Spring

DESCRIPTION: Offer a class where parents discuss the different family rituals they have and expose them to new rituals they can begin in their own households. Tie family time back to God.

EVALUATION: If the parents find the information helpful.

BUDGET: Money for the different ritual source books.

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Christian Family Skills Class

OBJECTIVE: To teach parents how to have family prayers, family devotions, family mediations and family Bible study.

PEOPLE SERVED: Families, whole church

LEADERS: DRE

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Spring

DESCRIPTION: Offer a class teaching parents basic Christian skills they can use at home with their children. Teach them how to use various sources for things like family prayers, family devotions, family mediations and family Bible study.

EVALUATION: Needed

BUDGET: None

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Friday, March 13, 2009

Family Scrapbooking Class

OBJECTIVE: To promote communication amongst families.

PEOPLE SERVED: Families

LEADERS: Family Life Coordinator, Volunteer who is good at scrap booking

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Before summer vacation begins

DESCRIPTION: Teach a class showing the families how to put together scrap book pages. Give instructions to have your child write in a trip journal about their favorite part of their day. Tie back the awesome experiences to how great God is. Bring back the pages to show the congregation of your trip.

EVALUATION: If it is used and if the parents find useful.

BUDGET: $15 for supplies

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Scripture Readings Newsletter

OBJECTIVE: Printed each month to provide parents with good scripture readings to share with your children that go along with the church seasons and with what is going on with the church.

PEOPLE SERVED: Parents, children

LEADERS: DRE

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Beginning of each month

DESCRIPTION: Each month a calendar of scriptures will be sent out to the parents to provide them with a source for bible study at home.

EVALUATION: If I feel it’s being used.

BUDGET: $5 for paper

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Church Picnic

OBJECTIVE: To promote intergenerational fellowship by being outside in God’s creation.

PEOPLE SERVED: Whole Church

LEADERS: Family Life Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Once in the spring, summer and fall

DESCRIPTION: Each family brings a dish that is usually brought on picnics and they each bring a blanket to sit on. Then you sit at different families blankets while you eat their food. Bring kites and other outdoor things to do after lunch.

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: None

SPECIAL NOTES: Ask families to bring their own after lunch activities.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

All Saint’s Day

OBJECTIVE: To get the children to recognize people they appreciate and to show those people the recognition they deserve.

PEOPLE SERVED: Whole Church

LEADERS: Children’s Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: All Saint’s Day

DESCRIPTION: Have the children each pick a person they think is a saint and someone they can see God in and have them make a card for that person. Have them pass them out during big church after their Sunday School class.

EVALUATION: The level of fun the children are having.

BUDGET: $15 for card making supplies

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Monday, March 9, 2009

Adopt a Grandparent

OBJECTIVE: To promote good relationships amongst generations and to give the children the opportunity to lean from the wise people in our congregation.

PEOPLE SERVED: Children, Older Members

LEADERS: Children’s Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Fall after the children return from summer

DESCRIPTION: Each child entering kindergarten will be paired with an elderly person in the congregation. They will stay as a pair forever. After that it is up to them to decide what they do and how often they do it. I would expect cards to be sent and ice cream trips will be taken.


EVALUATION: Checking up on the pairs

BUDGET: None

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Church Birthday Party

OBJECTIVE: To promote intergenerational fellowship while celebrating each other’s birthdays.

PEOPLE SERVED: Whole church

LEADERS: Volunteers, Family Life Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Once a year at any time

DESCRIPTION: Set up 12 tables, one for each month. Separate the congregation into birth months. Each month will decorate their table according to what happens during their month. Each table will also get a birthday cake. Then you have a birthday party!

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: Money for 12 cakes and for decorations.

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Friday, March 6, 2009

Acolytes

OBJECTIVE: To teach the children how to carry the lighter into the sanctuary and to teach them the significance of the lighting of the candles.

PEOPLE SERVED: Whole Church

LEADERS: Children’s Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Fall

DESCRIPTION: To have a class once a year to teach them how to safely bring in light of the world and to teach them the meaning of what they are doing when they acolyte.

EVALUATION: Needed

BUDGET: None

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Kid’s In Action

OBJECTIVE: To provide safe cultural experiences for the children in our church.

PEOPLE SERVED: Children, parents

LEADERS: Volunteers, DRE, Children’s Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: Wednesdays during the summer

DESCRIPTION: Each Wednesday the children will get to go on a field trip to various cultural events/places. They will go to the zoo, history museums, art museums, plays, etc. It’s a way to maintain learning during the summer. They will all wear the same shirt so we can stay together.

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: Money for events. Check into group and discount rates.

SPECIAL NOTES: Make sure the volunteers keep a very careful eye in their group.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

World Communion Sunday

OBJECTIVE: To celebrate communion throughout the world and teach a little about the various cultures present today.

PEOPLE SERVED: Whole church, children

LEADERS: Volunteers, DRE

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: World Communion Sunday

DESCRIPTION: The children come the Saturday before and have a special unit learning about different cultures by baking bread from that area. They will break into groups of 3 with one adult assistant and each group will bake a different type of bread from an assigned country and then each group will share a little with everyone else there and talk about their country. They will also save some for the Communion service the next day.

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: $25 for ingredients

SPECIAL NOTES: Go over safety instructions before you begin baking. You work with an oven so be sure to point out not to touch it.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Summer Arts Program

OBJECTIVE: To provide an artistic way to worship.

PEOPLE SERVED: Children, parents, church

LEADERS: Volunteers, Children’s Coordinator

STAFF: DRE

SUGGESTED DATE: A week during the summer

DESCRIPTION: A week long arts program utilizing the various talents of the congregation. The children can pick a different class each day and spend the day learning how to do that kind of art. There should be music, drawing, painting, clay, knitting, sewing, etc. Use the sources of the congregation.

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: Money for arts supplies

SPECIAL NOTES: None

Monday, March 2, 2009

Mother’s Day Out

OBJECTIVE: To provide an opportunity for mother’s to take a few hours for themselves so they can provide the best motherly care possible and to have another opportunity for children to have fun in God with each other.

PEOPLE SERVED: Mothers, children

LEADERS: Mother’s Day Out Coordinator, Volunteers

STAFF: DRE, paid teachers

SUGGESTED DATE: Once a month

DESCRIPTION: One morning each month the children will come to the church on a Saturday and have a morning full of activities. They will play games, read Bible stories, and have arts and crafts time and various other activities to promote spiritual growth and fun.

EVALUATION: Attendance

BUDGET: Money for crafts, games, and snacks.

SPECIAL NOTES: None