Over the last several months you have heard the guys – Dave, Ben & JVo – talk a lot about taking a next step in your spiritual journey, getting involved and growing in your faith.
Congratulations! Whether you know it or not, serving in WWKids’ Journey is one type of involvement the guys have been talking about. Each of you play an important role in WWKids’ Journey and I want to thank you for that commitment.
Since you are already serving in Kids, your next step may be different than someone else’s step. Perhaps your next step is to begin to attend Love Shack, WW’s monthly leadership meeting. Love Shack meets the first Monday of each month. Our next meeting is May 4 from 6:30-8:00p.
Love Shack is where you hear what’s up and coming around WW. You’ll meet a core group of people who love WW and call it their home. You’ll be able to ask questions and meet the elders and new deacons.
Step up your commitment at WW and join me and others at Love Shack this Monday, May 4 from 6:30-8:00p at the church. Childcare is provided.
Love Shack is also available via ustreamTV (connect through our website Westwinds.org) and as a podcast, but you miss all the fun of being together if you don’t come.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Deep Thoughts of a 5 year old
an inoculation against death
By david mcdonald
so, you've seen the artwork we're not using for our easter/resurrection series (here shadowinggod.blogspot.com), but i had the coolest conversation with my 5yr old this morning when he happened to see it
(it's currently occupying pride-of-place as my desktop background).
jake: daddy, is that man being inoculated? (no lie...my son really did use that word :)
me: uh...yes, yes he is.
jake: for what?
me: what does that word on the needle say?
jake: life.
me: what would life inoculate you from?
jake: not dying. life makes you not die.
me: right. now, what's on the needle?
jake: jesus on the cross. he died, but then he came back from the dead.
me: right. jesus is the inoculation against death.
jake: like medicine? jesus is life medicine?
me: yes, absolutely.
jake: what does that mean? he died...but then he rose up and wasn't dead anymore? is that it?
me: yes - he defeated death. he died, but that was all that death could do - kill him...then jesus kept on working and he came to new life but death couldn't do anything else to him. jake: that's why?
me: that's why he's the life medicine. that' s why we love jesus - because he takes away our fear of dying and promises to bring us back to new life again too.
jake: like with uncle randy?
me: yes - like with uncle randy. one day, we're all going to be together again.
* * * * *so, yeah - obviously the work i did on this piece wasn't wasted, even though it wasn't ultimately of use to the winds. i feel lucky to be part of God's work in my son, and in me, and in His church.
By david mcdonald
so, you've seen the artwork we're not using for our easter/resurrection series (here shadowinggod.blogspot.com), but i had the coolest conversation with my 5yr old this morning when he happened to see it
(it's currently occupying pride-of-place as my desktop background).
jake: daddy, is that man being inoculated? (no lie...my son really did use that word :)
me: uh...yes, yes he is.
jake: for what?
me: what does that word on the needle say?
jake: life.
me: what would life inoculate you from?
jake: not dying. life makes you not die.
me: right. now, what's on the needle?
jake: jesus on the cross. he died, but then he came back from the dead.
me: right. jesus is the inoculation against death.
jake: like medicine? jesus is life medicine?
me: yes, absolutely.
jake: what does that mean? he died...but then he rose up and wasn't dead anymore? is that it?
me: yes - he defeated death. he died, but that was all that death could do - kill him...then jesus kept on working and he came to new life but death couldn't do anything else to him. jake: that's why?
me: that's why he's the life medicine. that' s why we love jesus - because he takes away our fear of dying and promises to bring us back to new life again too.
jake: like with uncle randy?
me: yes - like with uncle randy. one day, we're all going to be together again.
* * * * *so, yeah - obviously the work i did on this piece wasn't wasted, even though it wasn't ultimately of use to the winds. i feel lucky to be part of God's work in my son, and in me, and in His church.
Monday, April 27, 2009
I believe; Help my Unbelief
In the wwKiD’s art studio this month the kids painted pictures of how they imagined Jesus. Using water color paint and learning how to create shadows with dark and light tones, the kids came up with Jesus with a goatee; pierced ears; tattoos; bald; long hair; short hair; curly hair, etc.
When their images were done, the kids read Luke 23.26-24.12 and looked for clues that might help them understand that Jesus was who he said he was – the son of God. After looking at the Luke account, the kids were asked to answer the question from John 11.26 “Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die? Do you believe this?” Based on the kid’s answer they wrote their response under their Jesus drawing.
Last weekend after reading the Luke scripture several of the 3rd/4th graders said they didn’t know if they were ready to say “I believe.” Fortunately the studio teacher affirmed where the kids were spirituality. She did not try to convince them of the “right answer” nor make them uncomfortable. Rather she encouraged the kids to ask God to show them, trusting the Spirit to lead and guide our kids to the Truth.
I love that we – the leaders – are beginning to understand we are merely the “reeds of God” in which His Spirit flows through.
When their images were done, the kids read Luke 23.26-24.12 and looked for clues that might help them understand that Jesus was who he said he was – the son of God. After looking at the Luke account, the kids were asked to answer the question from John 11.26 “Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die? Do you believe this?” Based on the kid’s answer they wrote their response under their Jesus drawing.
Last weekend after reading the Luke scripture several of the 3rd/4th graders said they didn’t know if they were ready to say “I believe.” Fortunately the studio teacher affirmed where the kids were spirituality. She did not try to convince them of the “right answer” nor make them uncomfortable. Rather she encouraged the kids to ask God to show them, trusting the Spirit to lead and guide our kids to the Truth.
I love that we – the leaders – are beginning to understand we are merely the “reeds of God” in which His Spirit flows through.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Be Encouraged
Since the beginning of March the Kids Journey area has enrolled 26 new families that bring 45 kids with them! A new person is someone who has been attending for several weeks and has decided to make Westwinds their home. That means over 71 new people have come to Westwinds Church! That means we get to reach out and touch these families lives with the story of Jesus.
How amazing and what a blessing and a huge responsibility and a lot of kids!
As a volunteer if you are currently serving one time a month, I am asking you to consider “stepping up” and serving 2x a month in your area. Or better yet consider inviting a friend, who is good with kids and is not serving, to serve with you.
Be encouraged! We are in labor, getting ready to birth something new at WW.
How amazing and what a blessing and a huge responsibility and a lot of kids!
As a volunteer if you are currently serving one time a month, I am asking you to consider “stepping up” and serving 2x a month in your area. Or better yet consider inviting a friend, who is good with kids and is not serving, to serve with you.
Be encouraged! We are in labor, getting ready to birth something new at WW.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Adoption Themes
Seven themes of adoption:
Loss Rejection Grief Race Control Identify Intimacy
Research shows that regardless of how old your child was when you adopted, these 7 themes will emerge at some time.
My friend Cindy (Dr. Cindy Koenigsknecht) shared different approaches of parenting adopted kids. The information was so helpful and insightful into my own parenting journey of Allie. Conversations that I need to initiate with Allie so she knows she can talk about her “China Momma.”
I left the meeting with several concrete ways I can be more aware of Allie’s “triggers.” I feel like I can better respond in ways that will touch some of her core needs. That’s pretty impressive, coming from an introverted processer that needs at least 2 hours to 5 days to sort through information!
For more info about parenting an adopted child, check out "Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections"
Loss Rejection Grief Race Control Identify Intimacy
Research shows that regardless of how old your child was when you adopted, these 7 themes will emerge at some time.
My friend Cindy (Dr. Cindy Koenigsknecht) shared different approaches of parenting adopted kids. The information was so helpful and insightful into my own parenting journey of Allie. Conversations that I need to initiate with Allie so she knows she can talk about her “China Momma.”
I left the meeting with several concrete ways I can be more aware of Allie’s “triggers.” I feel like I can better respond in ways that will touch some of her core needs. That’s pretty impressive, coming from an introverted processer that needs at least 2 hours to 5 days to sort through information!
For more info about parenting an adopted child, check out "Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections"
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter @ the WW
We had a ton of kids and a ton of help. Thanks to every person who served and helped out in Kids on Easter Sunday. Each of you in your own way make it possible for these incredible experiences and moments for our kids to encounter God.
"I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me will have everlasting life. Do you believe this?"
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Easter: Jesus is who He said he is
April's K6 Experience Studios
This month our kids in K6 Studios will be asked to personally wrestle with and respond to some huge questions that Jesus asked his disciples. Jesus states "I am the resurrection and the life" in John 11.26 and he identifies himself as the "Son of Man" in Luke 19.31. Both statements are very bold and revolutionary claims.
Through Luke’s account of the Easter story (found in Luke 23.26-24.12) the kids will explore and identify evidence that supports Jesus’ bold claims. They will look at Jesus’ prayer to the Father for forgiveness (23.34);
the robber’s request (23.39-43);
the captain’s response (23.47);
the empty tomb and missing body (24.1-3);
the two men at the tomb (24.6); and
their statement, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you" (24.6).
After gathering the evidence the kids will examine and evaluate it and then be given the opportunity to express if they personally believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
Pray for our kids as they encounter Jesus, a revoluntionary who changes lives. Pray for our teachers and shepherds who are also encountering the same Jesus and helping guide our kids towards Him. Pray that they will trust God’s Spirit to work in and through them and the kids.
May your hearts be fillfed with hope and joy this Resurrection season.
This month our kids in K6 Studios will be asked to personally wrestle with and respond to some huge questions that Jesus asked his disciples. Jesus states "I am the resurrection and the life" in John 11.26 and he identifies himself as the "Son of Man" in Luke 19.31. Both statements are very bold and revolutionary claims.
Through Luke’s account of the Easter story (found in Luke 23.26-24.12) the kids will explore and identify evidence that supports Jesus’ bold claims. They will look at Jesus’ prayer to the Father for forgiveness (23.34);
the robber’s request (23.39-43);
the captain’s response (23.47);
the empty tomb and missing body (24.1-3);
the two men at the tomb (24.6); and
their statement, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you" (24.6).
After gathering the evidence the kids will examine and evaluate it and then be given the opportunity to express if they personally believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
Pray for our kids as they encounter Jesus, a revoluntionary who changes lives. Pray for our teachers and shepherds who are also encountering the same Jesus and helping guide our kids towards Him. Pray that they will trust God’s Spirit to work in and through them and the kids.
May your hearts be fillfed with hope and joy this Resurrection season.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Introducing a New Studio - Fall ‘09
This Fall wwKiD’s will introduce a new experience studio designed for young kids, ages 3-6 years old. This new studio, saturated in the Montessori philosophy, will reflect Westwinds’ core beliefs, iPAC.
imagination – we believe that kids use their personal experiences and imagination to connect with God.
Permission – we believe that kids encounter God in unique ways and we "give" permission to God to work uniquely in our kids’ hearts.
Authenticity – we believe that kids have real, authentic encounters with God and develop personal relationships with Him.
Community – we believe that kids communities are built as they learn to respect each other and learn to hear God’s voice.
I believe that not only will our kids grow and flourish within this Montessori, self-discovery environment,but all who lead and work along side the kids will also be transformed.
If you are interested in learning more about this new studio, please contact Sarah Ansel, Sarah Richmond or Lori Tate. NOW may be the time for you to get involved in KiD’s.
imagination – we believe that kids use their personal experiences and imagination to connect with God.
Permission – we believe that kids encounter God in unique ways and we "give" permission to God to work uniquely in our kids’ hearts.
Authenticity – we believe that kids have real, authentic encounters with God and develop personal relationships with Him.
Community – we believe that kids communities are built as they learn to respect each other and learn to hear God’s voice.
I believe that not only will our kids grow and flourish within this Montessori, self-discovery environment,but all who lead and work along side the kids will also be transformed.
If you are interested in learning more about this new studio, please contact Sarah Ansel, Sarah Richmond or Lori Tate. NOW may be the time for you to get involved in KiD’s.
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