Here's the team for this Sunday!
First Service Team:
- Matt Dorothy, Facilitator
- Carlos Moreno, AV Tech
- Nicole Galvin, Administrator
Second Service Team:
- Deb McGondel, Facilitator
- Matt Messina, AV Tech
- Taylor Brownell, AV Tech Trainee *
- Pat Cox, Administrator
- Trish Aulson, Assistant
TYPICAL SCHEDULE:
There is minimal preparation on your part. I will have everything setup and ready to go for you. Here is the expected schedule:
8:30am & 10:30am: Final Preparation
Chaperone Team arrives, reviews plan, prays, and makes final preparations.
When we pray as a Ministry Team we use a very simple technique called “Circle Prayer”. Every member of the team simply holds hands in a Circle. Then one person starts by praying a one sentence prayer. Then the person to their left prays a one sentence prayer. This goes around to the left until everyone has prayed. The person who began the prayer then concludes the prayer time with a one sentence closing prayer. If anyone prefers to prayer silently that is perfectly fine. They should just pray, then squeeze the hand of the person to their left indicating they have finished. That way the Circle Prayer continues. Please make this practice a part of your Chaperone Time. We really believe that it is effective in setting the tone for our ministry time.
If a student comes downstairs before the allotted time, please have them return to their parents until officially dismissed from the Worship Service.
9:00am & 11:00am: Children Dismissal
Children, completed Grade 1-5, are dismissed from the Worship Service via red-lettered electronic notification. It’s good practice for one member of the team to stand at the top of the stairs and direct students downstairs to the Children’s Hall.
9:01am & 11:01am: Attendance
As students enter the Children’s Hall, they should provide their first and last name to the Administrator chaperone assigned to taking attendance.
I will setup a small table for them to visibly see and wait their turn. Keep the completed Attendance Sheet with you, in case you ever have to evacuate children to Trinity Place and then need to establish who was in your care.
At the end of the session, the attendance sheet should be placed at the Administrative Computer next to the door for data entry.
Younger students should be directed to sit in the front row; older students should be directed to sit in the back rows. Common courtesy should prevail.
It’s a more welcoming atmosphere if there is some kid-friendly background music on while the students arrive.
9:05am & 11:05am: Welcome & Greeting
New students should be identified and greeted by the Facilitator chaperone.
Any first-time visitor may be givne a Children's Ministry Welcome Backpack located in the General Store.
New students should also have a Children’s Ministry Registration form completed by a parent. It can be done at the time of pickup if more convenient.
Note: The General Store, however, is not open for points or merchandise.
The Administrator chaperone should review pertinent Announcements from the Sunday Bulletin.
They should be relatively self-explanatory. Just review them briefly.
Refer any questions to me, if asked.
9:10am & 11:10am: MovieTime
AV Tech begins selected movie.
If, for whatever reason, a video doesn’t work, is too short, or isn’t connecting, there will be a supply of other DVDs at the Sound Booth to improvise.
You may also choose to select something of your favorites. Just let me know in advance, please.
9:40am-ish & 11:40am-ish: Potential Break
You may choose to pause the video or use a natural break in a short selection to usher students for a bathroom break.
Students must stay under supervision at all times, including bathroom breaks.
10:10am-ish & 12:10pm-ish: Dismissal
At the conclusion of the worship service, parents must come downstairs to Children’s Hall to personally pickup their child, completed Grades 1-3.
The Sound Booth Tech can monitor the progress of the worship service via our TV monitor at the Sound Booth so you can anticipate this occasion.
Students currently in Grades 4&5 may be released with the understanding that they are to seek out their parents immediately upon leaving Children’s Hall.
In the instance that a parent is delayed in coming downstairs in a timely manner, you may choose to bring one or two of them yourself upstairs as you leave.
Under no circumstances are children to be released to an older sibling. It just isn’t our policy.
On Communion Sundays, we bring the students back into the Main Sanctuary to rejoin their families.
10:15am & 12:15pm: CleanUp
Rather than leave a lengthy list, I’ll just ask you to use common sense and restore the Children’s Hall in a clean and tidy manner.
Other Notes:
Refreshments generally are not scheduled. Given the access to plenty of goodies upstairs, this has proven an unnecessary activity. However, if you wish to bring in something special during your chaperone experience, you may. Please avoid pouring completely full cups of juice (no red or purple juice). Spills will be inevitable. I’d rather they get ½ a cup twice than a full cup once.
You may have some older, mature students who may wish to do acts of service (clean a room; assemble a VBS poster; put away supplies; help you serve) that is acceptable; just use judgment.
If, at any time, you have a need or problem, do not hesitate to contact a Children’s Ministry Leader. Generally, I am accessible all morning. If not, you may choose to contact PromiseLand leadership or Youth Ministry leadership for guidance. Additionally, any Pastoral or Elder Leader would certainly be willing to support you.
Please know how grateful I am for your willingness to serve. Traditionally, our Film Festivals serve as a time that our weekly committed Children’s Ministry volunteer staff get an opportunity to take a break and recharge their batteries. Your willingness to serve lets them do that….
Many Blessings, Pastor John
(978) 729-2207 cell
(978) 664-0635 home
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