TEC CHILDRENS MINISTRY OnLine

Our Report Card - Wednesday, 01/16/08

Here's my take on this Wednesday's FW Friends MidWeek Club:

Student Attendance:

• Circle of Friends: PreK/K - 9
• Circle of Friends: Grades 1&2 - 20
• Circle of Friends: Grades 3-5 - 15
• Total Students - 44

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 16
• Circle of Friends Leaders - 10
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 16
• Derby Pit Crew - 6
• Other/Parents - 3
• Total Volunteers - 51

Evening Highlights:

• We continue to have a large turnout of adults joining us for a shared experience on Wednesdays.  The atmosphere has been terrific. 

Our Report Card - Wednesday, 01/09/08

Here's my take on this Wednesday's FW Friends MidWeek Club:

First of all, several of our adults really added to our Derby Theme Excitement.

Teresa Reddy, the Derby Cake was great.  Thanks for the help goes to Mary Gail Ranaldi as well.

Teres, you also did a wonderful job decorating the Discovery Zone in NASCAR paraphenalia.

Guy Lento (aka Mr. GoodWrench), your home-made Derby Car Costume was awesome!

Liane Ray, you picked out two really great new songs for this quarter.  Our Opening Exercises rocked!

Student Attendance:

• Circle of Friends: PreK/K - 6
• Circle of Friends: Grades 1&2 - 21
• Circle of Friends: Grades 3-5 - 12
• Total Students - 39

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 7
• Circle of Friends Leaders - 9
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 14
• Derby Pit Crew - 6
• Parents - 6
• Total Volunteers - 42

Evening Highlights:

• We had a really strong first night of Derby Modeling.  Lots of energy and excitement.
• We had 6 new first-time FW Friend students.
• We also had 6 parents choose to join us for the next 7 weeks.
• We also were missing a number of our core kids.  Circle Leaders, make some reminding, encouraging phone calls.

Our Report Card - Sunday, 12/16/07 - BBFJ

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Attendance (estimated):

• 100 people (kids, teens, parents, volunteers, other adults)

Weekend Highlights:

• Well, despite a heavy snowfall and sloppy driving, we still had our Birthday Breakfast for Jesus.  After adjusting our schedule, we invited ANYONE in the building to join us.  Pastor Ray graciously canceled the 8:45am service and encouraged everyone to gather later at 10:30am for Worship.
• Many thanks to Bruce Worthington's Kitchen crew.  Most of them got up early, cleared off their cars, and were here by 7:00am to cook.
• Because so many students missed out on The General Store Christmas Shopping, we will be arranging for them to "shop" during next Sunday's Film Festival.  If you'd be willing to help us get things selected and wrapped, contact Elizabeth Quarles at eliqoj@comcast.net

Our Report Card - Sunday, 12/02/07

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Student Attendance:

• PromiseLand1 (Birth to 36 months) - 12
• PromiseLand 2 (3 yrs to Kindergarten) - 25
• FaithWeavers Sunday School (Grade 1-5) - 47
• KOW Kids Service Team - 9
• Total Students -  84

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 5
• Volunteer Staff - 26
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 10

Weekend Highlights:

• The Christmas Decorations in the Children's Hall and the Discovery Zone looked great!  Our kids and their families walked in and felt special.  Attention to this level of detail screams that we care.  Thanks so much to Elizabeth Quarles and her team from last Sunday.  Job Well Done!

Our Report Card - Sunday, 11/25

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Student Attendance:

• PromiseLand1 (Birth to 36 months) - 10
• PromiseLand 2 (3 yrs to Kindergarten) - 22
• FaithWeavers Sunday School (Grade 1-5) - 38
• KOW Kids Service Team - 9
• Total Students -  70

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 4
• Volunteer Staff - 20
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 8

Weekend Highlights:

• No Youth Worship Service; 2 Infant Dedications this weekend.
• FW1 & FW2 did a good job cleaning up old curriculum!
• Winter 2007 quarter begins next week.... 12/02/07...

Our Report Card - Sunday, 11/18

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Student Attendance:

• PromiseLand1 (Birth to 36 months) - 14
• PromiseLand 2 (3 yrs to Kindergarten) - 17
• FaithWeavers Sunday School (Grade 1-5) - 36
• KOW Kids Service Team - 8
• Total Students -  67

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 20
• Volunteer Staff - 33
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 14

Weekend Highlights:

• While our Youth Leaders-In-Training were away, our Elementary KOW Kids canceled their rehearsals and jumped in and assisted throughout our programs.  Job Well Done!
• We are having a few issues with food left in our classrooms.  While special efforts like bringing in sweets and goodies is appreciated, please make every effort to cleanup after yourselves.  Food debris and general trash should be disposed of properly after class.  There are bottle of disinfectant in every room for cleaning up spills and furniture.  There is a whisk broom and dust pan in every room for spills.  We can even get you a vacuum if you need one.  Just ask...

Our Report Card - Wednesday, 11/14/07

Here's my take on this Wednesday's FW Friends MidWeek Club:

Student Attendance:

• Circle of Friends: PreK/K - 10
• Circle of Friends: Grades 1&2 - 14
• Circle of Friends: Grades 3-5 - 17
• Total Students - 41

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 8
• Circle of Friends Leaders - 15
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 14
• Total Volunteers - 37

Evening Highlights:

• I had a chance to meet with our Teen Leaders-In-Training.  They identified lots of stuff that is going well this year.  They also identified some areas that can improve. 
• I had a chance to do the same.  I told that they represent the largest group of teens consistently serving anywhere in the life of the church and we have felt their impact.  Many of them are developing stability and increased responsibility.  I'm really proud of their efforts.
• I also had a chance to share a few observations about opportunities to improve.  First, I'd like them to more consistently wear their TShirts and support our club environment for the kids.  Second, they must... they must... they must... stop socializing in the back of our large group experiences.  It's distracting and irreverant.  (By the way, I still have this concern with our adult servants as well).  Third, some of them are beginning to lose their focus in their defined roles.  I've asked them to reconfirm their commitment to their specific roles.  All-in-all, it was a good session.

Our Report Card - Sunday, 11/11

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Student Attendance:

• PromiseLand1 (Birth to 36 months) - 16
• PromiseLand 2 (3 yrs to Kindergarten) - 17
• FaithWeavers Sunday School (Grade 1-5) - 36
• KOW Kids Service Team - 10
• Total Students -  69

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 15
• Volunteer Staff - 31
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 13

Weekend Highlights:

I don't know about you but I found this week's Story about Elijah and the prophets of Baal particularly intriguing.

• Did you notice how aggressive, yet controlled, Elijah was when he engaged evil.  While the prophets of Baal screamed incoherently, gyrated feverishly, and mutilated irrationally, the prophet Elijah called on God, stood his ground, and anticipated the One True God's power.  Pretty instructive for us when we encounter evil.  I kept thinking to myself - kinda like Clint Eastwood in all those spaghetti westerns....
• Did you find it kind of odd how Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal.  At first, I must admit, I found this a bit unsettling.  I always assumed humility and piety is the calling card of a faithful God-follower (in fact, I still do).  Then I realized what troubled me.  I sorta assumed that the prophets of Baal were like my neighbors who don't know God.  It seems a bit obnoxious to think that I'd taunt them like Elijah did.  Then I realized the difference.  My neighbors, for the most part, remain in ignorance about the One True God.  They need and deserve my compassion in sharing with them about the One True God.  In contrast, there was nothing ignorant about these prophets of Baal.  They had access to the commands of the One True God.  They chose to ignore them.  In fact, they chose to conduct heinous acts, in the name of worship, and in direct conflict with the Mosaic Law.  They actively engaged in evil with knowledge and assent.  They had gone "over the Dark Side" so-to-speak.  I guess there are times when a full frontal assault on evil is what God requires.  May God give us the wisdom to discern as such.

Our Report Card - Wednesday, 11/07/07

Here's my take on this Wednesday's FW Friends MidWeek Club:

Student Attendance:

• Circle of Friends: PreK/K - 10
• Circle of Friends: Grades 1&2 - 17
• Circle of Friends: Grades 3-5 - 15
• Total Students - 42

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 3
• Circle of Friends Leaders - 12
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 15
• Total Volunteers - 30

Weekend Highlights:

Other:

Our Report Card - Sunday, 11/04

Here's my take on this Sunday:

Student Attendance:

• PromiseLand1 (Birth to 36 months) - 17
• PromiseLand 2 (3 yrs to Kindergarten) - 27
• FaithWeavers Sunday School (Grade 1-5) - 32
• KOW Kids Service Team - 0
• Total Students -  76

Volunteer Staffing:

• Leaders & Support - 14
• Volunteer Staff - 26
• Teen Leaders-In-Training - 16

Weekend Highlights:

• WOW!  Our single service Sunday was certainly a success.  And as expected we had a boffo attendance in our PromiseLand Division.  Almost 30 students joined the PromiseLand2, ages 3-5, suite.  The team adjusted quickly, split them into two groups, and ran their program by rotating one group in the MiniTheater and the other group in the Classroom.  Then 1-2-3, switch!  Great job on the move!
• The kids really really really liked the Family Brunch that followed.  Keep in mind that we plan on doing this again in March.