Kids' Community Blog http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/ A place for you to find out what is happening in Kids' Community at The River! Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:52:58 GMT en-us Copyright 2010 The River Church Community New Director!! http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/new-director/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/new-director/ Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:52:58 GMT  
Rest assured, that even though Jeannie is "one of our own", we put her through the same level of scrutiny as any other candidate.  And on her end, Jeannie took this opportunity to thoughtfully explore whether or not this is where God was leading her next.  We are confident that of all the people who were considered, Jeannie has the best combination of personal work experience, passion for children and families, understanding of child development, and the right cultural fit for our church.
 
For those of you unfamiliar with Jeannie's background, she has years of experience working directly with children, as well as managing programs and staff who work with children, and did it quite "successfully" in layman terms (she won't brag, but we can do it for her, right?).  Most recently, she has been pursuing a Masters in Education and has been student-teaching in a 4th grade class.  She has been serving in Kids Community at The River for 2 ½ years, most recently as a Godly Play storyteller with the preschoolers.  If you've seen her interact with your kids, you know she has a big heart and a special touch with the children.
 
In her role as Kids Community Director, Jeannie will oversee all our Children's Ministry programs (Sunday mornings, All Church Family services, special events and service opportunities, etc.), including the support of volunteers for those programs.  It also includes the important but less visible work of championing the integration of children into the life of The River and helping to figure out how to form and mark milestones of faith in our children.
 
One difference you'll see in Jeannie's role vs. Jill's role is that Jeannie will not be responsible for parent development.  That was not really in the scope of a KC Director position, especially one working only 20 hours a week (it's more the responsibility of a Family Life Pastor). We are so thankful that Jill had a passion and a natural way of doing this for parents through her Spiritual Director experience and her personal style. And we know that this is something that many River parents have appreciated, so we are hoping to be able to continue to support parents in our roles as primary spiritual influences on our children.  Providing ongoing support and resources for parents will be a team effort for the pastoral staff to shoulder, with Brad taking the lead. You can contact him with questions or suggestions.
 
Jeannie is currently busy finishing up her Master’s program at UC Santa Cruz.  So, she will not take on the full leadership burden until July 28.  However, she will carve out time in the coming weeks for training and overlap with Jill.  During this transition, we will also have the steady support of Danielle (continuing on in her role as K.C. Admin) and Jeff Gee (continuing in his role assisting on Sunday mornings), so we expect a smooth transition.
 
Please join us in thanking and blessing Jill, in welcoming Jeannie onto the staff team, and in continuing to pray for God's best for our children and families at The River.
 
With Gratitude,
 
The K.C. Search Committee
  Judy Tsao
  Dorothy Chang
  K.C. Yatsko
  Robyn Barron
  Jill Bekaert
  Brad Wong
 
]]> 2/28 Parent Seminar http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/228-parent-seminar/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/228-parent-seminar/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:22:45 GMT Hello River parents,

 

Happy 2010! 

 

There are a number of things that I have tried to work on in my role as the Kids’ Community Director, and one is doing some thinking about faith markers for the children.  Because our church has an ”independent” church history, we have not inherited much ritual in terms of celebrating and noting steps of faith for children.  In fact, The River is diverse and many of us have had different kinds of faith experiences as children and adults. 

 

We have stepped up our commitment to baby/young child dedications.  We are also now exploring baptism for children as an expression of a faith commitment.  Thena Gee taught a lesson on baptism for the K-3rd graders this past Sunday, explaining some of what it means.  There was no pressure there and many children expressed a desire to learn more.  I sense that there are children who may be ready to express a commitment to following Jesus or at least talk on a deeper level about faith questions (especially our 4th-5th graders) and that we would be negligent to not offer opportunities to do so.

 

Our next parent vision seminar, on Sunday, Feb. 28, will be an opportunity for us to discuss the kinds of faith markers that we would like to offer our children at The River.  I will share more specific thoughts then and welcome a robust dialogue because I believe that most faith development happens in our families.  We need to explore our beliefs and feelings about children and faith together.

 

Thanks for trying to save the date and feel free to contact me to talk about these matters even sooner.  Jill

 

]]> Book Drive Results and Upcoming Worship http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/book-drive-results-and-upcoming-worship/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/book-drive-results-and-upcoming-worship/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:12:33 GMT Soon-to-be Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Some great news:

1) The Gibson family was able to collect over 1600 books.  River families gave about 200-300, and K.C. Yatsko spread the word at her daughters’ school and collected hundreds more.  Amy was really encouraged about the quality of the books.

2) The bake sale raised $673!  I am excited about this because it covers the cost of shipping all of the books with some money left over for a Kidserve Fund.  I have wanted the kids to have an opportunity to give money away together, and this can seed that fund.  In fact, one child has even asked me to have a giving bucket for kids!  I sense the desire for generosity and want to fuel it.

 

A heads up about this coming All Church Family Service and the remaining services during Advent (the first three Sundays in December):

 

1)       No Kids’ Community this Sunday because we will all be together in the ballroom.  Please note that there will be limited childcare (12 spots) for kids 2 and under in the yellow room – first come, first served.

2)     We will be doing a huge service project this Sunday – stuffing 700 backpacks with school supplies for children in Tijuana.  This opportunity is a partnership effort of Six Seeds and The River Church Community.  At this point we need more people to help unload the boxes of stuffed backpacks after service at the Ministry Center.  Pizza provided for those with helping hands!  Please RSVP to me if you can help!

3)       The grade school kids will join the adults for worship in Advent.  Please sign in your child by 10:00am on those Sundays – the leaders will take the kids to the ballroom at that time.  If you arrive late, you can be in worship with your child/ren and then walk them over to sign them in at 10:15.

]]> Final Book Drive Details! http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/final-book-drive-details/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/final-book-drive-details/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:16:53 GMT Hello River parents,

 

I know that life is full and I appreciate you starting off the holiday season by helping your child/ren participate in our book drive and bake sale.  Parents of preschoolers are also welcome to participate.

 

Please note:

 

1)       This Sunday, the 15th, is the LAST Sunday to bring a new or lightly used book to donate!  This will be most powerful for your child if you take a few moments to include him or her if you haven’t already done so . . . shop together, go through books together.

2)       If you are free, you can consider helping pack the books.  The Gibson’s small group will gather at the Gibson's in Los Gatos between 10am-1pm on Saturday, November 21st.  People are welcome to come for any portion of that time.  Please RSVP to Amy at amy_gib@yahoo.com.

3)       Please also bake with your child or purchase an item for a bake sale on the 22nd.  The sale is to raise money for the cost of shipping.  It will take up to $500 to pay for shipping to the Pine Ridge reservation (the Gibson family is collecting books in a few places).  We will be asking the church community to purchase baked items and donate money that day.

 

Thanks!  Jill

]]> Thanksgiving Book Drive and next Baby Dedication http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/thanksgiving-book-drive-and-next-baby-dedication/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/thanksgiving-book-drive-and-next-baby-dedication/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:09:08 GMT Hello River parents:

 

A couple of items for your attention:

 

1)  Thanksgiving is a time when we do a collection in Kids’ Community to serve others.  I am asking grade school kids at The River Church Community to donate one new or very gently used book to a Native American community.  The Gibson family is coordinating a book drive for the Lakota reservation at Pine Ridge.  It has been called the poorest place in the US, where many children are living in trailers without either electricity or running water. The unemployment rate is astronomical. The median income is $3500/year. The school drop out rate is at 70%.  Your grade school child saw an age appropriate video clip showing Pine Ridge at church.

 

The books cannot be faith based because the schools are public.  We will also hold a bake sale on 11/22 after the service to raise money for sending the books and monetary donations for shipping will also be accepted.

 

Please help your grade school child do the following things in response (younger children are also allowed to give but may not “get it” yet):

 

-          Choose a gently used or new book and bring it to church on 11/8, 11/15, or 11/22.  There will be boxes for books at the Kids’ Community connecting table.

 

-          Bake or bring a food item to sell on 11/22 after service.  All proceeds will be used to send the books to the reservation.

 

2) Baby dedication:  Our next baby/young child dedication will be on February 7, 2010.  There is room for one more family to share their pledge.  I know that public speaking can be intimidating, but please consider connecting with the church community in this way so that we can pray for you and support you as parents.

]]> 4th and 5th graders on the move! http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/4th-and-5th-graders-on-the-move/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/4th-and-5th-graders-on-the-move/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:48:43 GMT Hello parents of 4th-5th graders,

 

One of our Kids’ Community values is offering opportunities to kids to serve.  Our 4th and 5th graders are mature enough to do some regular activities, so they will go and serve every other month on Sunday AM’s.  Brett and Angie Bymaster will supervise these opportunities, and they will be near SJSU.

 

The first opportunity to serve this year will be the last Sunday of this month, October 25th.  The children will go to Heritage Home, a home for young and unmarried pregnant women, and do light yard work.  Please note the following:

 

-          Please arrive on time that Sunday.  The group will be out the door by 10:05am.  They will return by 11:45am (note the later time).

-          Permission slips will need to be signed by a parent in order for a child to attend.  It is also fine to opt out and have your child join the 2nrd graders or you in the service if you prefer.

-          Angie and Brett will be driving and will need one more driver.  Let me know if you or a spouse would like to go along, either regularly or for this first event.

-          Obviously – old clothes for this one!  And garden gloves if you have them.

 

The next opportunity will be on Dec. 27, and the group will sing and do a holiday activity at Homewood Nursing Facility.

]]> From Jill on 9/24 http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/from-jill-on-924/ http://www.the-river.org/kids-community-blog/from-jill-on-924/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:53:43 GMT Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write to share some exciting highlights about the beginning of this year and to let you know about some upcoming things.

- The 4th-5th grade community has gone so well!  The kids are relieved to be away from the “little kids” J and the leaders are relieved at how wonderful discussion has been.  It was way past time to offer this, and I am grateful that now we can.

- The kids that moved up from preschool into grade school are also doing well.  It is amazing to see how quickly the children are growing.

- The All Church Retreat really seemed to help some kids connect more with each other.  I sense more friendship and awareness of one another.

-  11 people signed up to try out serving in Kids’ Community via Get Into the Game Sunday – this is way more than I have seen before.

- New storytellers:  This is the first year that I am only on the schedule once a month and that may even change soon.  I love storytelling, but as we grow it is important for me to be available to support and train volunteers.  I have also appreciated being free to meet new families and connect with parents.  Thank the storytellers – they put in the most extra time outside of Sunday AM.  Go ahead and thank all of the volunteers while you are at it.  If you have not gotten the new list of stories check it out here:  http://www.the-river.org/kids-community/godly-play-schedule/

-  The kids are beginning to become more interested in worship and Cindy Kao and Meredith Chew have decided to lead all of the grade school kids in worship every Sunday for the first 15 minutes of service.  Thank them as well!  This is a joy of theirs, but it is also sacrificial.

Important details for you:

1)       Grade School Parents:  Please note that on 10/4, all grade school children will be dropped off at the Feast Room (room behind the connecting tables).  Please sign your child in on the appropriate sheet and always pick your child up at the room that matches the color on your number card (keep an eye out for the big nametag boards).  Thank you for flexing with yet another change. 

2)       All Parents:  Mark the evening of Sunday, October 18 on your calendar.  The Parent Vision Event is an opportunity to take the work we have begun to do on personal vision and take time to work on family mission/values.  This does NOT replace the church-wide vision seminars; it supplements it.  The Parent Seminar will run from 6-8pm, with first come, first served childcare and light refreshments available.  You can RSVP here: 

http://www.the-river.org/event/2009-10-18-parent-vision-event/

3)       All Parents:  There is another item on the fall calendar that is being postponed.  The Kids and Bible workshop will happen at another date and will be for the 4th-5th grade community.  Sorry for any confusion about that.

May God bless this very full but short season of receiving the gifts of parenting,

Jill

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