December:::Art Studio

The first drawing of Mary was done by a 5 year old boy.

The second was done by a 5th grade girl.

The media was crayon and watercolor.

Thanks

WWKids -

We here at Countryside Ganton Care Center want to thank you so much for coming and spending time with us. Our residents enjoy you coming! Thank you for being flexible; things can get a little hectic!! We appreciate the difference you make!

Many Blessings, Martha, Emily, Sandy, Joanne, Michelle &

all the grandmas and grandpas at Ganton

Learning from the Kids

Once again, the 1st and 2nd graders astounded me with their wisdom. During the discussion after signing the song, "Mary Did You Know", I asked the kids to imagine what it felt like during the 9 months when Mary was a pregnant teenager living with her parents. I told them that the neighbors probably gossiped and made fun of her. The first answer they suggested was "embarrassed". The second child said "sad."

Trying to think along with this child, it was the first time that I had ever imagined Mary being "sad" while she was pregnant with God-most-high! And the more I thought about it, I said, "Yeah, when you're getting teased for months and months it gets old, doesn't it! It becomes really hard to bear!"

Wow!...embarrassed and sad...my heart is moved to send a thank you to Jesus' mother in Heaven! I have a 15 year old daughter, and I know how judgmental and vocal peers are.

I learn as much as these darling children learn each week.
Thank you for this opportunity.

Janet - Music & Motion Studio Directer/teacher

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for this day and for all who are here today.

Be with us now as we learn more about your great love.

Give us open hearts and creative minds as we learn and create together.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Student from the 3/4th grade Storytelling Studio

Can I get an AMEN?!

Going a little bit out of order here (chronologically speaking) as I still need to put up the pictures from Saturday's outing to the Together We Can Make A Difference House, but I received this email from Lisamarie Teeters in reference to Sunday and just had to post it right away. This is awesome. This is why we do what we do, because of stories like this. Our kids are learning, God is speaking to them and growing them up to be people who love and trust Him. Our work is fruitful, and here's the proof!

Lisamarie writes:

This past weekend, I was so blessed to serve in the Art Studio with the 3rd/4th graders.
As you know, we have been focusing on the story of Samuel. We are sharing Samuel's story to teach the children the power and wonder of listening to GOD's voice. In the Art Studio, the kids are making a sculpture that reminds them to listen to GOD's voice. Cheryl (Art Studio Teacher) has provided the kids with so many materials to incorporate into their Art. They have fabric, yarn, sequins, feathers, piping and more importantly, blank pieces of paper for writing - WORDS. Words, that will remind them of what GOD is speaking to them, in their own personal journey to grow closer to Him. When the kids went around the table to describe what they had created, my eyes were so teary, I couldn't see the sculpture.

Here are a few examples of what I witnessed:

Owen - Connected his two wires on his sculpture together with piping to "show his connection to GOD"

Dustin - Shaped his two wires into the earth and then covered them with green piping.
He said "he used green to represent peace and the single yellow feather on top, was GOD"

Tyler - Attached a pink ribbon to his wire to represent " his aunt who had died, so he could remember her" and a long purple ribbon to represent "GOD because we can not see him"

Megan - Shaped her wires into a heart to "show her love for GOD"

As I write this, I am teary eyed again, because I see all our hard work and dedication to our kids being rewarded for the glory of GOD. Our kids DO get it and they LOVE Jesus. They understand what GOD's presents in their lives means and how they make a difference through their relationships. And most importantly, they ARE listening to GOD.

Can I get an AMEN?!

Speak: I'm ready to listen

Saturday Nov. 15th Outing

Come join us THIS SATURDAY (yes, as in 2 days from now!) for a morning of toy sorting, pizza, and FUN! We were planning on going to St. Vincent's, but due to a change in plans on their end, we will instead be put to better use at the Together We Can Make A Difference House in downtown Jackson. We'll be doing similar work (sorting and cleaning toys) but just in a different location. Then, we'll be heading over to Little Caesar's for lunch.

We will meet in the church parking lot at 9:30am, and parents can pick up their kids at Little Caesar's around 1-1:15pm.

What a great opportunity for our kids to serve our community, while at the same tme building relationships with other kids from church, as well as their teachers, shepherds, and parents. Please join us!

Friends

I believe . . .

friendships are key to our kids’ spiritual journey.

These friendships
will need to be initiated and nurtured

by you and your kids
as well as through

WWKids’ Journey opportunities.

Our Kenya pen pals

WWKids - thank you so much for your recent donation to the Heshima Children's Center! We are just re-opening this month in a new slum call Ngando. Please pray as we try to locate the "hidden children" with disabilities. We want to honor them at Heshima! 

With your donation we've been able to 

    - paint our small 3 room center

    - hire a teacher

    - put curtains on the windows

     - buy kitchen supplies to feed the children!

Much love - Tracey Hagman

On having a small class...

Sunday I shepherded for 5/6th at 11:30. I've noticed that 11:30s have had lower numbers recently, not quite sure why, but this eased my mind a bit because it was (admittedly) my first week ever with 5/6th grade. I was a little nervous! I'm not sure why, it's not like they bite! Anyway, we were in Storytelling and ended up having only three kids. It was GREAT! Honestly, had I left because I wasn't "needed to help out", I would have missed out on a great time. I also had the chance to get to know each kid a bit, and they had the opportunity to get to know each other.

With the small class, the teacher and I were really able to relax the schedule and just have fun! We spent more time on things that the kids wanted to, let everyone have a turn, and everyone got to a chance to play all of the roles in the skit on Samuel hearing God's voice. One of the girls was really shy and I doubt she would have volunteered for a role had there been more kids in class. But since it was only the 5 of us girls there, I saw her really come out of her shell. We had so much fun, lots of laughter, and we all really enjoyed the lesson. What a great day!

Some things I'd like my daughter to learn...

I found out last Friday that we're having a girl! We're so excited. After seeing her on the ultrasound it really started to hit me: I'm going to be a mom. WOW. Such a big responsibility to be given a child to raise and teach, wonderful for sure, but also a huge challenge lies ahead of me. I've been thinking about things I want to make sure she knows about God. Here's my list:

1. I want her to know that God loves her, and that he created her to be in a relationship with him.

2. I want her to know that God created the whole world, and that we as people are supposed to care for all of creation-including plants, animals, the earth and it's atmosphere, and all people.

3. I want her to know that God is always reaching out to us because he wants us to know him better. He's always willing to forgive us when we mess up, and he's always looking for ways to connect with us. We just have to listen.

4. I want her to know that God teaches us in so many different ways, and that he uses our life experiences, good and bad, to bring us closer to him.

5. I want her to develop a love for God's word, because it changes the hearts of those who read it, and thereby changes the world for the better.

6. I want her to be a loving and compassionate person, a person whose love for Jesus is displayed in how she values and cares for other people.

There are more, many more, but since she is only a 21 week old fetus I don't think it's fair to expect too much from her yet! I hope this list has got you thinking about what your children are learning, and about how your relationship with God and others impacts your child's relationship with God. Children learn so much by participation and observation, and I want to make sure that once my daughter gets here I am modeling how to love others so that she learns it too.

Caring for the World @ WW

Westwinds is seeing green in more ways than one. In May of 08 we ditched paper cups with plastic lids and cardboard sleeves for ceramic mugs, stopped purchasing plastic creamer containers and began having local businesses help with donations of organic fair-trade coffee. Because of these steps, we have seen some very exciting results.

We have halted nearly 8000 gallons of garbage from being dumped into
our landfill (about the size of one of those large fuel tankers you see going down the road).

We have saved over $1,500.00 in cups, lids, sleeves, coffee and creamers.

We are hearing many individual stories about how the steps we are
taking at the church are influencing people¹s recycling and conservation habits at home.

Moms, Dads and kids - How are you making a difference in caring for our world? Do you use both sides of your paper? Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth or do you turn it off? Every little bit helps. Let us know what you're doing!

Moses

Who are you inviting?

The other week in Fusion, Dave talked about the “lies” of our world. One of those lies is “there’s not enough ______.” I suspect that Dave was talking about natural resources, etc. However it occurred to me that in the church community, the natural resource is people, God’s people. We frequently feel like there’s not enough help, not enough people, etc.

There are people . . . there are people who will serve. . . but we need to invite them. We need to invite them to join us in teaching the kids. As you hopefully know and have personally experienced, we are transformed in the process of guiding the kids along their journey with Jesus.

WW’s missional emphasis this year is the invitation to shadow God. Who do you know that you could ask to help you in the studio one weekend? Invite them to join you, so they can see and experience for themselves the joy of giving to others. Perhaps it is someone you’ve known for a long time OR perhaps it’s someone you’ve just met recently. Perhaps it’s a mature high school or college student. Many times people don’t help because no one ever personally asks them to help. Let’s ask!

I am willing to invite people to join us, but it’s just like coming to church. People come to church because someone- like you – someone they know invites them.

Who could you invite to get more involved at WW?

They "got" it

. . . I wanted to let you know what a great time I had on Sunday with the 5&6 graders. No, seriously. They were attentive, enthusiastic about participating in the mime, answered questions, listened to both the Moses and the Rosa parks story and watched all of the Harriet Tubman video. I think they "got" it. - Vicky

Goals for K6 Experience Studios: Moses

Hebrews 11.23-24 . . .
23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born.
They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. 24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (New Living Translation)

Fall 2008 has a reoccurring faith theme
What do I want them to KNOW . . . I want the kids to KNOW that the setting of the times- the political unrest, oppression, plots to murder and control, the conspiracy to save a child (very similar times to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth); a child that eventually saves Israel from their oppressors
- The roles of Moses’ mom, sister and Pharoah’s daughter à risked a lot; God used them
- The importance of listening and obeying God – leads to faith
- God’s covenant (a promise) to/with Abraham and his family – the Israelites in Eygpt

What do I want them to FEEL . . . I want the kids to FEEL . . the responsibility to be a blessing to others (it’s not just about them); to care for others even though it cost them something
- Explore the feelings that surround Faith – the uncertainty of breaking the laws to
save your child

What do I want them to DO . . . I want the kids to (DO). . . learn to hear God’s promptings and see where he is working
- Grow in awareness how today’s decisions impact their future
- Begin to choose to trust God’s promises for themselves and walk by faith

October K6 Studios:Moses

There was child who was put in a waterproofed basket made of papyrus, and set afloat in the largest river in the world. There was another mother who was "forced" to break the law, to protect and keep her child safe from the government authorities.

There were many people, but mostly women that ensured this special boy survived and flourished to become the leader to save the children of Israel. This Hebrew boy had a shrewd mom who hid and protected him as an infant. He had an older sister who watched over him as he floated in the Nile and then she cleverly suggested to Pharaoh’s daughter that his biological mother could care for him. And he had an adoptive mother, the daughter of Pharaoh, who knowingly brought a "unwanted, Hebrew" boy into the palace and raised him in the Egyptian culture as her own son.

In less than 3 hours our kids will enter into another new unit in the K6 Experience Studios. We will be looking at Moses, but from an unusal perspective. We're looking at the women/girls in Moses young life. The 3 key women who broke all kinds of laws to save this special child.

Each of the K6 Studios' curriculum look awesome. I'll get some pictures and post them later.

One thing I know. . .

For everything has the potential of calling forth in us (me) a more loving response to our (my) life forever with God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.

"God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise and honor and service of the God of our life.
All the things in this world are also created because of God’s love and they become a context of gifts, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily.

As a result, we show reverence for all the gifts of creation and collaborate with God in using them so that by being good stewards we develop as loving persons in our care for God’s world and its development. But if we abuse any of these gifts of creation or, on the contrary, take them as the center of our lives, we break our relationship with God and hinder our growth as loving persons.

In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to my life forever with God.

My only desire and my one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me."

Taken from Ignatius'Spiritual Exercises from in
Draw me into Your Friendship: The Spiritual Exercises, page 27

I am often challenged by this statement that . . . everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to God.

I don’t always feel like some of my life circumstances call me forward. On the surface I see little of what I would call God, however, God is teaching me to be patient. Circumstances are not always what they appear to be on the surface. I am learning what faith is – faith in a loving, personal Creator, who made me – yes, Lori Ann Mero Tate - in his image to reflect who he is. A loving God who calls me and invites me to walk along side him and be part of his Kingdom work and in the process be changed myself.

There are lots of things I don’t know – why my friends have cancer; how to be a good mom; how God created the world; how to be a supportive wife or a good spiritual director; to be a great kids ministry leader; how to handle elderly parents and young children, but the ONE thing I do KNOW is I want choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me. . . .

So I try to keep things simple by looking at each of day through those lenses – what leads me to a deeper life in Christ? What draws me away from Him?

The Role of Shepherds

For those of you wondering, "What's a shepherd, anyway?", here's some basics!

A shepherd's main job is to build relationships with the kids through consistency. Talk with them. Learn their names, their likes and dislikes, outside activities, family situations, etc. Find out about their thoughts, and their relationship with Jesus. Ask questions that challenge them to think about God and the world and loving other people. This type of knowledge and familiarity between shepherd and kid doesn't come through an interview, or one conversation. It's built over time, with trust. It's an investment into a child's life, to help guide them into a relationship with Jesus.

But that doesn't mean that shepherds have to have all the answers. Kids ask tons of questions (as I'm sure all of you know...) but it's ok to answer with, "wow! what a great question! I guess we'll have to think about that one", or "I guess we'll have to save that one to ask Jesus when we get to heaven!", or re-pose the question to the entire class for discussion.

Occasionally, a shepherd will have to remind a kid to sit still or to listen, or take a kid to the bathroom. It happens. But these are a shepherd's more minor duties! Shepherds are not crowd-control, they are relationship-builders. So even if there are only four kids there with the teacher, YES we still need to be there getting to know the kids, talking with them, guiding them. It's especially important for shepherds to take advantage of days with small class sizes because that's more one-on-one time with each kid in class! Why pass it up?

A BIG thank you to everyone who is shepherding. It makes a difference. The kids get to know you, they miss you when you aren't around for awhile, the learn from you. You become important to them! If you are interested in shepherding, please contact me at jkgienapp@gmail.com .

Satellite groups

Satellite Groups : : : Connecting adults and kids
One of the challenges of being at a larger church is that
- our kids go to a variety of schools;
- our kids attend church, at best, every other week;
- our kids attend at different times.
These factors make it challenging for our WWKids’ servants to build consistent relationships with the kids, and it also makes it challenging for our kids to build relationships with one another. Hey, it’s not just the kids who face this challenge.
Over the years I routinely ask various adults about their childhood influences on their spiritual journey; “my parent’s friends,” was the answer that most surprised me. My parent’s friends were the other adults in my life. Our families hung out, vacationed, cried and played together. They ‘did life,’ walking side by side together on their spiritual journey.
This next Sunday you will have the opportunity to check out WW new satellite groups. As a parent, this could be the single most important decision you make for your family. These groups not only help adults connect but provide an opportunity for your kids to build relationships with other adults and kids that will potentially shape and influence their lives.
WWKids’ leaders please seriously consider getting involved in a satellite group. Your journey with Jesus was never intended to be a solo trip but a community adventure. Being in community will change your life; it did mine.

Noah's quote

Here's Noah's quote from this morning in the art room, during our discussion on sin and its consequences:

"If people would learn how to not sin, then the world would be so much...BETTER!"

Yep, buddy, you're right :)

This month-Sin

This month in Kids we're taking a good, honest look at sin. Last Sunday, one little girl started out our discussion on sin by saying this, "But I don't even know what a sin is!" The other kids were quick to enlighten her with examples of their own "bad behavior", which was a complete list of examples of times they had disobeyed their parents. The same little girl then added her own example, "Like my sister! She lies to my mom all the time!" Sound familiar? Ahh, yes, that would be Adam in Genesis 3, turning the blame on Eve. It's her fault! She made me do it! What she did was worse than what I did! He did it first!

God created people to live in a perfect relationship with Him, to experience a full, happy, and easy life in the garden. But, when Adam and Eve chose to listen to the crafty serpent rather than God, that relationship was broken. It was easy for the kids to connect the sins in their own lives with consequences. Disobey mom, lose tv time. Make a scene in public, get punished when you get home. The consequences for Adam and Eve were so severe that it completely changed the course of human history right there. God ejected them from the perfect garden, and told them that instead they would have to work the ground for food. Nothing would be easy anymore, their lives would be lived in toil. And worse yet, sin had created a terrible separation between God and people.

Wonderfully, that is not the end of the story. At all! While Romans tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, we are also taught in the gospels and epistles that Jesus is the bridge between God and people. Here's a verse I memorized a couple summers ago for a camp I was working. It beautifully explains this.

"This is good and pleases God our Savior. For he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator between God and people-he is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life as a ransom for many. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2:3-6

Because of Jesus, we don't have to live in our sin anymore. He acts as the mediator between God and people, bridging the chasm created by sin. And that is GOOD news!

WWKids Volunteer Party

Kids' poetry

Cinquain poems written in the Discovery Studio:

Jesus
Caring, good
Helping, leading, inspiring
Faith that fills me
Leader
- Kasidy

God
Awesome, loving
Life changing, everlasting, believing
Makes me feel loved
Amazing
- Alex and AnnMarie


God
Amazing, everlasting
Ruling, interacting, forgiving
Knowledge that inspires me
Love
- Adrienne

From our 3/4/5 & 6 th grade kids

Comments from Kim!

So who would have thunk...yes I said thunk...that walking into a kids' studio with a bunch of kids lying around meant they were having an awesome experience? The K6 kids have been picking up on the ideas that they are created in the image of God from storytelling all the way to music. The kids listed off the characteristics of God from kind, nice, loving to mighty and powerful. The kids could not imagine themselves as powerful when they thought of God. But after some discussion, they began to understand, though they would not be powerful exactly like God, they could be powerful.
From Kim Turbin, a teacher and 1-2nd grade shepherd:

In Discovery as the kids wrote notes and drew pictures for children in Africa, one boy asked for clarification on what he was supposed to do. I explained to him who these children were, what kind of home they may have and how the kind of things we see are different from what they see. I told him the little guy in the picture would feel so special and think it was cool to have someone like him say hi.

I watched this boy who was fidgeting around and was ready to walk away from the table before he started; his eyes concentrated with compassion, then as if trying to think of the perfect gift he looked at me and stated firmly that he was going to draw a tiger (for him).

In the Art Studio the kids were amazed at what Michaelangelo did on the cathedral ceiling. As they went to work on their "ceilings", looking closely the kids were holding the mirrors in their hands, studying themselves...their images... to carefully draw on the sheets. They took their time and really concentrated on these wonderful images God created. Each kid took pride in their creations and who God created them to be.

Wrapping up with rounds of experiencing various music cultures and instruments in the Music & Motion Studio, Kids' Ministry created a great month for the kids to experience being created in the image of God.

Thought I'd pass this along.- Kim T.

Inspired!

An email I received from Margie Blaker, one of our 1-2nd grade shepherds:

I remember that we did a Discovery room lesson featuring the free rice web site awhile ago. Well, have you heard about the girl who was inspired by that web site to start her own to help abandoned animals? Here are her web sites...

http://www.freekibble.com/

and

http://www.freekibblekat.com/

pretty awesome, huh?

Teaching!

Last Sunday I taught the lesson. ME! This was quite the new experience for me, as I've been a shepherd almost weekly for over a year. It actually went great, minus completely forgetting to do a major portion of the lesson with the first service kids (um, oops!). We actually had about 18 kids in the second service, which was awesome. We learned about the image of God, how though we are all created to look differently on the outside, God made us very much the same on the inside because we were made in God's image. Then, I showed them the pics from the Mwanzo Academy (which they thought was SO COOL!) and we wrote letters to the students there. These were the 3-6th graders, and I was amazed at their awesome letters. Some were very basic, but others were so detailed and kind. The kids seemed very excited to become pen pals with the kids at the Mwanzo Academy, and I think really got the point that kids (and people in general) all over the world are very similar. We all play, eat, love our families, communicate, etc. While the details of languages and cultures may vary greatly, our humanness makes us alike. I had a great time teaching, but I think I'll stick to shepherding for awhile!

Announcements!

There is so much going on in Kids that I must update! Please check here for all the latest news and events, as I'll do my absolute best to keep this up-to-date.

Baptism-August17

Baptism is a way for you to publicly say, "Hey, I need Jesus and want to follow Him." This is a significant step in an individual's spiritual journey.

Kids learn so much from what they see and experience, so plan to attend this next baptism on Sunday August 17. Let them see and learn what baptism is about. Let them ask questions and talk about what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

If you have questions about baptism or if your elementary-aged kid has expressed a desire to be baptized, please give Lori a call. We want to help our parents acknowledge and celebrate their child's spiritual journey.

Any kids that desire to be baptized on August 17 MUST meet one-on-one with Lori and attend the baptism meeting on August 10. Contact Lori at lori.tate@westwinds.org or call 750.1111, ex.14.

(Taken from newsletter)

Mwanzo Academy

As part of our learning on the image of God in July, we will be taking a look at some other cultures. We can see that while cultures can be very different from one another, all cultures are made up of people who are made in God’s image. We may look different, speak different languages, wear different clothes, and live differently from one another we all share the same Father who created us to love each other, as He loves us.

Brad and Karina Kimpell have been in contact with a woman named Jackie, who runs a the Mwanzo Academy in Kenya. Jackie rents two small rooms to hold school (there are currently 13 students), but would like to rent out two more so she can take on more students. She needs to pay her teachers and the cook, and also have money left over for her own rent for herself and her two daughters. Her total expenses each month are about $450. She receives some assistance from the sponsoring church ($300), but the bottom line is that she is not making ends meet for herself or for the school.

This month all of the offering money collected in the studios will go to Jackie. We would also encourage you to get your children involved in thinking of ways that they could raise additional money to put in the offering. Perhaps they could collect and return some pop cans? Make a few bucks by doing extra chores? Forgoing that pop at the restaurant and ordering water instead, with the money being put toward the offering? Whatever way your family decides to help, please talk with your child this month about ways we can help Jackie and her students fulfill their needs.

In the Discovery room, your child will receive a prayer card with a photo of one of Jackie’s students. Please pray for this child by name. This card will be a great starting point for you and your child to dialogue about the image of God, cultures, poverty, etc. We will also be making similar cards with pictures of Westwinds Kids’ pictures to send to Jackie, with some letters from our kids. What a great opportunity for your child to have a pen-pal in Kenya! Hopefully, we will keep up our relationship with the Mwanzo Academy and both their kids and our kids can learn a great deal from each other.



The kids and teachers of the Mwanzo Academy in Kenya.


Soccer!-July 10

Myself and possibly my husband will be hosting a kids pick-up game at Ella Sharp Park, July 10, 6:00. You may have heard 6:30 elsewhere, so to clear up any confusion, you may come at either time! A group of kids will be there at 6 and we will start the game. Anyone else who comes after that can readily be "thrown in"! We will play for about an hour to an hour and a half. Parents, please plan to stay around the field. We'll meet by the swings/softball diamond area and then go find a nearby field. Kids: bring your own ball and water (if you don't have a ball, that's ok, we'll be playing with only one for most of the time). Get ready to have fun and get dirty!

An extra question to be discussed (comments, please!): How did your children respond to their experience in Fusion last Sunday? What types of conversations did you have as a result? What did they like or connect with?

How are we doing so far?

JUNE: Learning Objectives:
2 BIG questions to be explored and answered this summer
Who am I? and Why am I here? Both answers will be discovered as we study Genesis 1-2

What do I want them to KNOW . . . I want the kids to know that God created the universe, the cosmos in which we live in. I want them to understand that God has given humankind the responsibility to work and care for his creation/cosmos, and that He created us to be in relationship with Him and one another – people, animals, creation.
(This reflects the 10 commandments: 4 commands were focused on our relationship with God,
6 commands were focused on our relationships within the community)

What do I want them to FEEL . . . I want the kids to feel the incredible awesomeness of God’s creativity, His love through the in which He created our cosmos, His desire and pleasure to be in relationship with his creation [us], particularly with Humans

What do I want them to DO . . . I want the kids to daily respond to God’s invitation to spend time with him, to identify ways they are personally responsible to care for the world/cosmos,live simply so others can simply live.

Man Gave Names to the Animals

Here's some lyrics that the 5-6th graders wrote to the Bob Dylan song:

New verse:
I saw an animal in the grass
No other animal could run so fast
The mane and tail were so coarse
. . . ahhh.. . . think I’ll call it a horse

He saw an animal over the reef
Long gray body with razor sharp teeth
There was no sun, but in the dark
. . . ahhh. . . . think I’ll call it a shark

He saw an animal bright blue and green
He pecks his feathers to keep himself clean
Talking in a way that was kind a fudgie
. . . ahhh . . think I’ll call it a budgie

Aren't they great?

The Coolest Lesson EVER!

I'm not saying that all the other lessons haven't been cool...this one was just the coolest. Even Jeff said so. He said to me, "Jen, wasn't church today the COOLEST???" Yep, it was! Where else would you:

1. Decorate grocery bags with things God has made
2. Recycle!
3. Brush your teeth
4. Put your hand in a "blind box" with animal furs
5. Play Plinko
6. Make Earth bracelets

Westwinds is the only place where all of this would come together in a cohesive lesson on creation, and caring for God's earth. The kids looked so cute when they were brushing their teeth...all foamy! I took some pictures but they are on Lori's camera, so I'll post them if I can. Suffice to say, Sunday was awesome!

Creation!

Hey there readers! I know it's been awhile since I've written any personal reflections here. I've been busy moving!

Last Sunday was our first official week of our summer curriculum, and we're starting at the beginning. Genesis, that is. Creation. One of my absolute favorite passages of the Bible. Here I see my God moving and creating, loving us and everything else into being. It's incredible. I'd encourage everyone right now to pick up your Bible, turn to Genesis 1-2, and absorb it slowly. Read and reread. Sit with it. Think about it, as Allie would command. Because here in this passage we find answers to many of life's greatest questions:

Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here?

People spend their lives wrestling with these questions, our society constantly discusses these publicly. But here, in the first chapters of the Bible, we read that we are God's children and treasured creation. God created us to be in relationship with him, and to take care of the rest of God's creation. It's fascinating, it's beautiful.

So in class, to help teach this passage, we made a collage showing what God made on each day. Then we read the book "In The Beginning There Was No Sky" by Walter Wangerin and Lee Steadman. Highly recommend this book!

Brandi The Dog Walks On Water

From LisaMarie, Kindergarden shepherd:

As you know, we went camping this weekend in our new camper.
We had a blast ! I wanted to share with you a little story that made me cry.
My son Ethan was drawing his mommie a picture, which he loves to do and
when I asked what it was he said it was a sailboat on the water. I asked what
the drawing next to the sailboat was and he said it was Brandi, our dog. It was
then that Austin blurted out, "Its Jesus's dog, walking on water!"
We all just about busted a seam laughing. The people behind us heard the whole
thing and were laughing just as loud. Before they left, they came up and said that
we should be proud parents, raising our kids to know GOD's stories.

I already heard this story...

...so says a little girl in class this morning. Yes, yes you have! Aha! Now you're starting to get it!

The kids were refreshed on the story of Bartimaeus, and then we cast them for the skit. We had our usual disagreements over who got to be who, but I can honestly say that the lines of the characters were delivered with more enthusiasm than I've ever heard before! So well did the skit progress that we recast the kids and did it again! What a hit!

Lately I've been looking into different outreach opportunities for the kids to do in the upcoming school year. From the beginning, one of our main objectives in kids' ministry has been to develop within the children a servant's heart. I'm hoping that through some of the activities that I'm researching that the kids will come to understand and experience Jesus' directive to us to serve one another. Please be praying for these opportunities, the planning process, and the details. Please pray that God would be preparing our kids for these experiences next year.

Remember: next week we go to 2 services, 9 and 11am!

Blind Drawing Fun!

I wish, I wish, I wish I had remembered to bring my camera! I had made up my mind that I would bring my camera from now on so as not to miss any kodak-moments, but I forgot! The kids were so cute in their felt blindfolds, but more on that in a little bit!

This was my first weekend of the month, since I had last Sunday off, and thus my first week with Bart (Bartimaeus). We were in the art room, so we listened to Cheryl teach us on the floor. We talked about how it must feel to be blind-how it must be frustrating to not be able to see, to feel excluded when other people can see (and thus experience in a way you can't), to have to rely upon your other senses in order to get around. Cheryl began to draw on the board while blindfolded, while the kids shouted out things for her to draw. It was hilarious, and the kids got really excited to try out blind-drawing for themselves.

The best part of the day for me, was blind drawing with Emily and Olivia. These are two girls that are regulars, and even though we've technically known each other for more than a year, we haven't connected a whole lot. Recently, I have seen my relationships with some of the kids transform. I think they've really come to see me as a constant figure in their life, and come to realize that even though I am not there every single week, I'll be there the next or the next. It's cool to see this evolve and with it a deeper level of trust. It has taken more than a year, but it is finally happening and it's wonderful!

Serve this summer!

Serve 3 Summer Sundays!

Did you know that . . .
it takes a minimum of 41 adults & student leaders to make Westwinds’
Kids’ Journey programs happen each Sunday?

Did you know that . . .
the single most factor in our kids’ spiritual formation is relationships?

Over the summer months, we try to give our shepherds and studio teach-
ers a break from their regularly commitments, but we can only do that
with your participation. Please Signup to Serve 3 Summer Sundays. It’s a
great way to say thank you to those who regularly teach your kids about
Jesus and it lets you get a closer look at what cool things are happening in
our Experience Studios.

Get a form and get involved!

Some reflections from Kim

Kim Turbin comments on her time spent teaching the kindergardeners in the Music and Motion room:

I just wanted to pass along that the time with the 16 kindergardeners
was really awesome. Asking them about experiences and stories in the
other rooms, with a prompt or 2 they were telling me the stories of
this month, last month and even the previous month....making the
connections. The kids really got into determining the emotions Peter
was feeling, even though their vocab was limited. I would act out
and use voice fluctuation to see if it drew out some variety but
scary was still scary or became very scary and sad was very sad and
happy became really, really happy. Cute. I could see on their faces
they were getting it and even the quiet/shy kids were saying the
feelings, especially when the music played. Some thought they were
supposed to guess the emotion of the music so it was cool that they
did pick up on emotions/feeling from the music. Showing them how it
tied together with the story and how they picked the music, they
acted out the stories with the music and they were so into it. Then
talking about the ups and downs...we throughout the story and praying
for the guidance and forgiveness at the end, it was just a really
neat time. I felt out of sorts last week I guess and this week
almost felt like I was going to have to leave before the service
started, so it was really cool. And people wonder why I do it.
Seeing those faces, seeing them enjoy it, seeing them think about it
and seeing them get that glimmer even for a second...I love it!

Just thought I'd pass that along.

Draw Me Into Your Friendship

Lord Jesus, from the start
You invite ordinary people to come to where you live.
When they come, you welcome them
and call them to labor and rejoice with you.
You are the most beautiful among all men,
and I hardly believe you want me for your friend.
You are powerful, Lord.
Draw me more and more into your friendship
and lead me along the way you took with friends.

~Joseph Tetlow, SJ

Uh oh! I'm in the Draft!

I opened my copy of the Draft this morning to find a link to my blog, and quickly came to the realization that people will read this! Of course, that is the whole point, but now I know for sure that people will read it. While that does put me on the lookout for grammar and spelling errors, it is great to know that parents and friends at Westwinds will be checking this out to see what's going on with our kids. So welcome everyone! :)

Today in the art room we talked about the ups and downs in Peter's life. How great he must have felt when he "gave the right answer" to Jesus, when Jesus asked him who he thought he (Jesus) was and Peter confidently answered, "You are the Christ". What a high point! But then, not very long after, Peter denies even knowing Jesus (not once, not twice, but THREE times)! And that's when his stomach must have dropped, shame and guilt washed over him when he'd realized what he had done. The lowest point in his life: denying Jesus.

The lesson we take from Peter is this: Our lives, like Peter's our filled with highs and lows. Just because we follow Jesus doesn't mean that we won't have hard times or that life will be easy. In fact, Paul assures us that as believers, we can expect hard times to come. But God is with us, he really cares about our situations and feelings, about our relationships and hurts. So when hard times come, as they inevitably will, our Creator has promised to be on our side.

The kids made woven paper mats, using the motion "over, under", tying into the "ups and downs" that we talked about with Peter. Afterwards, I played Chutes and Ladders with 3 girls, which was very fun. Two of these girls are regulars and I have known them for awhile, but I loved interacting with them in a game setting because I got to see more of their personalities. Turns out they were both pretty competitive, and funny too as we were teasing each other when one of us had to go down the chute for breaking the cookie jar or pulling the cat's tail. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the board for Chutes and Ladders).

I decided that starting now, and for all future posts as well I'm going to try very hard to remember the greatest quote of the morning. I'm sure some will be funny or awkward (like today's!), but I also think that there will emerge some very moving and thought-provoking words from our kids. Let's just start out with a funny one!

Quote of the morning: "I like going to the circus to see all the hot girls!" ~Second grade boy

...to which I responded with a dropped jaw and an "oh wow...are you serious....???"

Music and Motion

This month's lesson is on Peter. Ah, Peter. He's such an interesting character because his life with Jesus is filled with some really high highs and some very low lows. He's a do-first and think-later sort of a person. Here's the three events we'll be teaching on this month.

1. The disciples go on ahead of Jesus in the boat, while Jesus goes off alone to pray. The disciples are straining at the oars in the Sea of Galilee because a storm has come. And then, through the waves, they see a figure walking on the water. The disciples are terrified and think it to be a ghost. When Jesus tells them to not be scared, it's only him, Peter says "Jesus! If it's really you, tell me to come out of the boat and walk on water with you!" Jesus does, and Peter obeys. When he notices the waves around him he begins to sink and cries out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reaches down and pulls Peter up out of the water.

2. Scene: The Last Supper. Jesus is telling his disciples that one of them will betray him. Peter declares that even if he has to die with Jesus, he would never deny him. Jesus says that before the rooster crows in the morning, Peter will have denied him three times. Peter is shocked, and hurt. Later that evening, after Jesus is arrested, Peter follows the guards to see what will happen to his friend Jesus. One of the servant girls sees him and accuses Peter of being one of his followers. Peter denies it. Next, a woman recognizes Peter's accent as being Galilean, and assumes he was with Jesus. Peter denies it. Then, some others near Peter say that he was with Jesus, to which he replies "I don't even know this man you are talking about!"

3. Jesus has died, and has risen, but the disciples do not know it yet. They are out fishing, when Jesus calls out to them from the shore. They don't recognize him at first, but when Peter realizes that it is Jesus, he leaps from the boat and swims frantically to shore. After a breakfast of miraculously caught fish, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Peter, exasperated at being asked three times, declares that he does love Jesus. Jesus tells him, "feed my lambs".

This morning, after briefly going through these three stories, we had the kids choose music from a pre-made sound track. Their task was to match the mood of the music to the feelings of Peter and the tone of the story. They did awesome! After we chose our soundtrack, we had the kids act out the story and I played the songs they had chosen. They did so well! They fought over who got to be Jesus and Peter, and enthusiastically played the parts well. The rest of the kids who didn't get a speaking part for the scene were the rest of the disciples. It worked out well and they seemed to really enjoy it.

This lesson was really a double-whammy in the fact that the kids were using music and a storytelling method (acting) to help reinforce the lesson. Music is tremendously powerful and I loved watching their faces as they listened to the sounds while they were picking them for the soundtrack. They were very concentrated on how Peter would feel in each scene, and I really think that the experience will be memorable because of the music. GREAT!

Welcome!

Hello there world! I started this blog because Lori had asked me to journal on some of my experiences with the kids at Westwinds. So I thought that this would be my best bet at keeping it up-to-date, since I blog anyway. I work with the first and second graders, so all my writings will be about them. There's my premise, here's my story.