Kicking off Labor Day Weekend

Tonight our family is heading over to the New Enka High stadium (new to me) to watch Enka pound (one can be hopeful) East Henderson.

Brooklyn will eventually attend Enka unless we move or something so I thought it would be good to introduce her to football. My daddy taught me the game on TV watching the Dallas Cowboys. So when I was in marching band I understood the game and what was going on. My best friend, Michelle, was clueless. She didn't understand downs, penalties, or even kickoffs. So I decided that I want Brooklyn to have the opportunity to learn about the sport before she is in high school and attending games without me. I think for her it will probably be an opportunity to learn more about socializing!

I hope everyone reading this has a fun, safe & happy Labor Day. Make some family memories this weekend.

Why Care?

Why should we care if children have a relevant environment on Sunday mornings to go to? They could just as easily go with their parents to worship.

The attitude could be: oh, they won't behave or they can't sit still.

What if the attitude were instead: let's teach children on a level so they can understand that God made them, God loves them, and Jesus wants to be their forever friend. Or what about teaching elementary students that they can trust Jesus no matter what, they should treat others the way they want to be treated or that they have a place on Jesus' team?

There are so many students in just the 28730, 28803 & 28805 area codes that don't know Jesus (not to mention the rest of our county). They aren't exposed or haven't been invited to an irresistable environment made just for their age-group with adults seeking to build sincere relationships with them that show them the love of Christ.

Do you know a child you could bring to church? September 9 is the kick-off at Covenant for our fall programs. The Avenue for 5th & 6th grade is getting an overhaul complete with colorful Adirondack chairs, moon chairs, a couch, a fridge with drinks, snacks, and a cool small group curriculum - Grapple. The 1st - 4th grade will be checking our Johnny Rogers and KIDMO curriculum with A.I.M. (Agents in Motion).

The Preschoolers (2-5 years & K) will be starting a Bible Heroes series using Lil K' (think Blues Clues meets Jesus). Ms. Paula gets her very own group this fall with the toddlers. They are going to "study" their Beginner's Bible. I think Ms. Paula and Tristan will be doing a lot of playing and some story tellin'.

And last, but definitely not least Ms. Sherrye, Ashley & Ms. Liz will be taking care of the babies. Those not quite big enough for a small group environment will hang out in 107 on Sunday morning and they have a fridge in their room too, but I doubt the fifth & sixth graders will want to raid it :)

Don't forget - invite someone to join us!

Student Impact

Last year our youth group implemented Student Impact. I'm so excited because I now get to partner with our Youth Pastor to seek out teenagers that can be directed to help with our children's small groups on Sunday morning. They are nominated, sent a letter, interviewed, trained in Safe Sanctuary and then placed in serving positions for the school year. They are placed with adults that can model a lifelong commitment to serve. After serving for a few weeks I will follow up with them to see if they like where they are serving to make sure it is a good fit and I will follow up with the person they are serving with to make sure it is also a good fit for them.

Some of the first members of Student Impact were students already serving in the Children's Ministry (Andrew Longcoy, Nick Harris, Emma Longcoy and Alex Crook). Tristan Harris will be joining those ranks this fall. Nick & Tristan have both been serving with their mom (Stephanie Harris) in the 2/3's for the past year. It is great seeing a mom teach her children how to serve.

The challenge is balancing adults with teens. I don't ever want our adults to think the teens should be leading the children's ministry. Teens don't have life experience, teens don't have emotional stability all the time and teens don't usually have the moderating skills that adults have. What teens bring to the table is they are role models showing children that they can make it through their teen years and have Christ in their lives.

We are strategic in nominating students. This is not a club for students wishing to dodge morning worship. Students are only nominated if they regularly attend either worship or youth. They must demonstrate a sincere love for Christ and must have a positive attitude. Students must also have a serving attitude.

It amazes me how children look up to older student role models. My daughter is almost ten and she can pick out the summer camp counselors cars in the parking lot at church and cheers when she knows she is going to see them (thank you David, Lauren, Matt, Will, Emily, and Michelle for showing the love of Jesus to my little girl) and Ms. Amy (summer camp director) is the bomb in Brooklyn's eyes.

When you see a teen wearing the black Student Impact t-shirt thank them for serving. Thank them for making a difference in someones life. Who knows that someone might be your child!

When Reality is Voiced, Change is inevitable

Last Friday night I made an announcement that we weren't going to be able to have KIDTime at 11:00 am because there were no volunteers (what happened is a long story, but God knew what He wanted). A nudge was felt by Marty & Danelle Cauley. They will now be leading the 11:00 am KIDTime for this school year. I'm really excited. Danelle is a drama professor at UNC-A and she is talented. I don't know Marty that well, but he seems to be organized and know what he is doing.

I am so excited at our fall lineup from leaders to curriculum. Hold on kids. It's going to be a fun school year.

Hallowest

Save the date now for Hallowest October 31 from 6:30 - 8:30.

A western themed party to beat all parties planned for kids to give them a save place to hang out on Halloween. Live music, a jack-o-lantern carving contest, inflatibles, glow in the dark putt-putt, food, candy, and lots of laughs are planned to give the event something for everyone.

The night will end with Trough or Treat! So, mark your calendar and start working on that western themed costume.

Visions, Dreams & Reality

I have a dream for the children's ministry at Covenant. That vision is very big. At times its really scary. I know it's a vision only God could pull off.

I dream of having enough volunteers to pull off the vision.

Then we are back to reality. Consistency is important. Friday night I'm making an announcement that will make some uncomfortable, but if we are going to grow into a dream that will lead to the vision we have to take this step. We will then take steps forward..to the future.

School is Starting

I've never had a summer fly by so quickly. Some parents have even told me their children are in denial that school starts this week.

As our children are making new friends, being assigned new teachers, some experiencing new schools and experiencing different environments let us all remember to pray for them. Better yet, if you are a parent pray with your child. Ask God to let them make friends that don't know Jesus that they can invite to church. Ask God to let them be an example to teachers that haven't asked Jesus into their heart. And ask God to be with them as they are at school and keep them safe.

If you are sending your little one off to school for the first time this year I pray that your child has a great experience. And if they are headed to Middle School or High School that their combination works on their locker and they don't get lost trying to find the lunchroom (I got lost on my first day of high school).

Camp Tekoa

Recently I had the opportunity to serve for a week at Camp Tekoa as Camp Pastor. What a privilege it was to work with the counselors, PA's, camp nurse, etc. ~ most of which have served all summer long. Yes, most of them are getting paid, but they are true servants as they are mostly gathering treasure in Heaven as they tend to boo-boos, homesickness, anxiety, fear of the unknown, kids that have never been on an adventure before and some drama.

The team had been bonding since May and my arrival in July was so welcoming.

I kept thinking all week why am I here. I really don't like to camp, but I sure am getting a lot of reading done. On Wednesday night I went to the girl's bible study. It was awesome to see a group of 18-20(something) girls gather together and talk about life and how God's word relates to it. I told James he hired well. His PA's knew God's word and how to apply it.

I took some walks and didn't eat sugar the whole week until Friday night at dinner (ice cream). I felt so close to God that week. It was like sitting in His lap.

I don't really care for most hymns. I like some of the words, but feel they are mostly dirges and don't relate to life today. One night after dark a group was cleaning the dining hall and they started singing "It is well with my soul" Wow, what harmony and conviction. You could tell they meant it. Then they added a few other songs. It was such anointed worship by a group of "kids" yielding brooms and mops. How pleased the Heavenly Father surely was at that moment. In the old testament burned offerings cast off a pleasing aroma to God. I know that worship was being offered and God was enjoying the pleasant aroma.

Then on Friday came my divine appointment. First I had an appointment with a hornet that decided he wanted in my hair. We were playing a game during Pastor time and he stung me. I had to go the nurse. Later, I really didn't feel well and it hurt pretty badly. So during rest period (that might have been the best part of camp - rest every afternoon) I stayed in the "lobby" of Little Lodge. Someone sat on the couch with me and shared their life. It was why I was there. We both had similar stories of how one of our parents had passed away. We both healed some during the conversation. Tears were shed. And I came away with a sense that sometimes we are in situations for that one conversation.

God, let us go where you need us to go and let us always be willing to sit and just listen.