Mind Doodles

Job Well Done

This past week has been crazy.  I mean CRAZY!

Last Sunday, August 30, we started a MAJOR overhaul in our three children's large group environments.  The goal:  Get it done in ONE WEEK and keep it as quiet as possible.  

Mission accomplished. Yesterday, Sunday morning (one week later), kids and their parents came into the building expecting it to be just like any other Sunday.  But, look what they found when they got here...

The Treehouse (preschool environment)

 

My camera battery ran out just as I was taking pictures in this area.  I'll take some more next week.

Kidspointe South (1-2 Grades)

 

 

 

 

Kidspointe North (3-5 Grades)   

 

 

 

 

Here's why we go to all this trouble--so that kids will love coming to church.

 

 

 

  

We had some fantastic volunteers who worked hard to pull it off.  We barely made it.  I kept saying, "Let's finish strong!" Here are the three who were there at the finish--(12:00 midnight Sunday morning).

 

   

I'm so thankful for volunteers.  We have some awesome volunteers at Crosspointe.  

This could not have happened without them.

 

   

  

     

Orange

I've been away for a few days.  That's always nice.  But, even better--I've been away with some of my favorite people!

 

Our children's ministry staff at Crosspointe have all been hanging out in Atlanta for the Orange Conference. 

Orange Conference?  You might be wondering what in the world that is...

Well--Orange is a strategy. . .combining influences to fuel faith in the next generation. 

We can make a greater impact when the light of the church (YELLOW) and the love of the family (RED) work together and show a generation who God is.

The conference is always absolutely inspiring because we totally believe in the strategy.  

We got to hear some awesome speakers--Donald Miller, Mark Betterson, Perry Noble, Nancy and John Ortberg, Sue Miller (and lots more!)....Participate in incredible worship together, Be challenged in our thinking, Laugh together, Even relax.

But, one of my favorite parts is just talking to other leaders from around the country who are doing the same thing we are doing.  I love hearing about their ministries, their successes and their struggles.  It's great to encourage one another and bounce things around together.  

On day one, we met a girl named Ashley, who sat down next to us.  She was at Orange alone.  She is from Life Community Church in Wilmington, NC.  I loved talking with her about her church.  

They meet in Independence Mall in Wilmington.  It's not a closed up, run down mall.  No, this mall is just an ordinary mall with stores and restaurants.  Their church just happens to be one of the mall's "businesses".  After church on Sundays, everyone goes down to the food court for lunch.  All afternoon, you will see other church friends shopping and hanging out in that mall.  

Ashely is the director of the "Greenhouse", the ministry to preschoolers.  

Here I am with Ashley.  I can't wait to visit her church!

 

On our second day in Atlanta, while we were sitting in the arena getting ready for things to start, I heard someone call my name.  Up came a blast from the past.  

Her name is Amy.  

Back in the early days of Crosspointe Church, Amy was my intern.  She was right out of college.  She was with us for about 9 months. Now, Amy is married with three children of her own and is the Director of Children's and Family Ministry at Rockingham Christian Church in Salem, New Hampshire. It was so awesome to reconnect with her.  

Here I am with Amy.  I'm looking forward to following her ministry more closely to see how God is working in the New England area.

 

You know how when you are away on a trip like this with friends and crazy things happen?  You get caught up in the moment and well. . .

Meet Creepy Stefan.

 

 

 

You Crosspointe friends, be watching for him.  He'll be at church tomorrow.  The Kidspointe South kids won't be able to get away with anything now.  He's got eyes in the back of his head!
 
 
 
 

 

Some Music Recommendations

Last week was KidSpace.  I hope you got to be there.  

Afterward, I am always asked about the music that we use.  So, I have listed some recommendations below. Some are available from ITunes, some online.  We even have a couple of these CDs for sale at the Kids Welcome Center.  

Hillsong Kids Tell the World (available on ITunes)

    My Number One (KidSpace song)

    Tell the World (KidSpace song)

Hillsong Kids Super Strong God (available on ITunes)

    Jesus in My Life (KidSpace and Kidspointe song)

    Radio (New song we will introduce at next KidSpace)

Live It Out (available at Rethinkgroup.org)

    Live it Out (Kidspointe song)

    Celebrate Medley (KidSpace song)

    Happy Day (KidSpace and Kidspointe song)

    Feelin' so Fly (KidSpace song)

    We Won't Be Quiet (Kidpointe and KidSpace song)

Jana Alyra Dig Deep (available at Janaalyra.com)

Jana Alyra Jump Into the Light (available at Janaalyra.com)

    Both of these CDs have a lot of songs that are used in Kidspointe South

Hope this is helpful to you.  Music is a huge part of our Sunday morning experience in Children's Ministry. A great way to bridge what happens on Sunday mornings with conversations in your home is to use some of these songs as a family. The kids love them.  I think you will find that you do as well.

    

Let Me Introduce You...

...To our new Children's Ministry Staff Member!

Meet Kedra Prescott

Kedra will be joining our team as the new WOW Director.  

I am so excited to have Kedra join our team!  She and her husband, Tom, have been very involved in children's ministry at Crosspointe for several years.  You may have seen them leading a small group of kids in Kidspointe North, engaging kids in worship or creatively teaching the story from the stage.  Kedra comes with a great range of experience with children and we are looking forward to discovering all that she has to offer.  She has an incredible passion for creating the best environment possible for kids to connect with God.

Kedra and Tom have been married for almost 10 years.  They have two wonderful children, Sydney (7) and Micah (5) and live in Holly Springs.  When she's not shuttling kids around and organizing her house, she loves to watch movies and read (non-fiction) books.

This week she hit the ground running. I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us as she uses her gifts to lead our early childhood team. You'll see her hanging out in the WOW hallway this Sunday. I know she'd love to meet you!

Or just drop her a note at kprescott@crosspointe.org.

 

Changes. . .

Almost two years ago, World of Wonders, the early childhood area at Crosspointe Church began to show some real improvement.  There was a marked difference in the environment as well as the attitude. People began to feel like they were part of a team.  The program took a huge leap forward.  It became a really exciting place to be for children AND for volunteers.  These improvements were largely due to two incredible women who joined our Children's Ministry Staff as the Preschool Directors--Deena Gilliam and Andrea Petkau.  

Right away, Deena and Andrea went into high speed--filling in the gaps that had been present,caring for the volunteer staff, putting together a team to work specifically on stages and props, making improvements to the large group teaching area. . . the list could go on and on.  Mostly, they just brought an energy and a "can-do" attitude that was refreshing and inspiring. It has been my honor to serve along side of them.

About a year ago, they let us know that they would be finishing their work here at the end of this school year.  Deena and her husband, Jason, have been preparing for the arrival of their new daughter--who will come from China.  Andrea will be jumping in with both feet to a ministry that she loves--Shepherd Care, one that cares for the pastors and their families.  We are so excited for each of them as they step out into new adventures. 

We have been so fortunate to have leaders in this area who care so deeply for children and their families. Their presence will definitely be missed on our team.  But, we will still see them around Crosspointe serving in various areas.  This Sunday, June 7, will be their last official day.  I hope you will take the opportunity to express your appreciation to them for their years of service and leadership. Or even better-take a minute and write a quick note to them. Their shoes will be hard to fill.

5 Things Every Kid Needs

A kid's world changes all the time.  Friends move in and out their lives.  Family relationships change.  They need something solid that they can hang on to--that's always going to be their help and hope.  

They need. . .

1.  A really BIG GOD they can trust no matter what happens.

Kids need to know that God is big enough to handle any problem that comes along. Nothing is more important than understanding how to have a relationship with God.  When children learn who His is and what He has done, they discover they can trust Him with anything and everything in their lives.  There is nothing too big for God.

That's why we celebrate every Sunday who God is and what He has done.

We kick off every Sunday with great music.  We raise the roof and make some serious noise. We want our families to know that praising God is meant to be fun!

  

Weather and Sick Kids

Here's the problem with bad weather and sick kids.  

Both are totally unpredictable.  

Neither comes at a convenient time.  

Today I was reminded of that.  

This evening was Fresh Brew--a coffee and dessert event for our incredible volunteers in Children's Ministry. We had some really great things planned.  I was so excited about our breakouts.  I was looking forward to hanging out with the Children's Ministry Volunteers for the evening.

BUT--that's where the bad weather came in.  

The day started out with a lot of really cold rain which promised to turn to an icy mix this evening and 

2-6 inches of snow sometime tonight.  WHAT???  Isn't today March 1?  Isn't this the South?

I was pretty sure that the roads would be okay for Fresh Brew--that it would be later this evening before it got rough BUT you never know. . .

It's like sick kids.--I'm sure you know what I mean.  Your child is sick--has been hanging on with a runny nose, cough and sore throat for a couple of days.  You think it might just be a virus and so you hold off on taking them to the doctor.  You don't want to get in there and have the doctor say, "It's just a virus--that will be $20.00"  But, then when you take them to the doctor you find out it's strep throat.  

Anyway, that's what I've been thinking about all day.  

Oh well, we'll reschedule our event and hope for nice weather.

Anticipation

This is the season for anticipation.  Anticipation= a pleasurable expectation!

Maybe you're anticipating some really great gifts under the tree.  

Maybe you're anticipating some down time with your family.

Maybe you're anticipating the moment someone opens that special gift from you.

You know what I'm anticipating most?

Christmas Eve Service at Crosspointe Church.

I absolutely LOVE our Christmas Eve service.  It is one of my favorite times of the year.  I have been waking up thinking about it.  I love the buzz around the office as we prepare.  I love the way it is planned for the entire family.  There is so much to be excited about:

The music is awesome.

Jonathan's message rocks.

Fabulous media.

And my favorite thing. . .

NICK AND GWENN'S CHRISTMAS STORY FOR KIDS!!!

If you can--be here.  You will not be disappointed.  There are 5 opportunities for you:

Monday night, Dec. 22 at 7:00 p.m. (especially for those of you who are traveling)

Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00.

Random Thoughts on Sunday

1.  Greg and I have been away at a retreat with Crosspointe's leadership staff for a few days.  It was a great time, but it was nice to be home with our girls today. 

2.  Brrrrrrrr!  It was cold this morning

3.  I love the chance to sit at the Kids Welcome Center every now and then on Sunday mornings.  It never ceases to amaze me how many new families come through our doors each week.  I love getting to meet them and introducing them to our INCREDIBLE children's ministry for the first time.

4.  Our volunteer teams rock!  I stuck my head into Kidspointe South, Kidspointe North and World of Wonders this morning.  They were busting at the seams but the volunteers had everything under control. I'm just so proud of these teams who love kids and are sold out to creating a great place for them to come each week.

5.  Greg and I attended a parent meeting communicating some changes on the horizon for students today. Change is often scary, especially when it involves our kids.  What was most exciting for me was talking with a group of students after the meeting who said that they are ready to step up to the plate and lead their peers through the change.  I was especially proud that two of those students were our daughters. I'm telling you, we've got some awesome students at Crosspointe!

6.  We got to enjoy lunch after church with Courtney's friend, Jenna, and her mom, Sheri-- Two of our favorite people.  I love my kids' friends!  Jenna could move in with us and it would be okay with me.

7.  Spent some time this afternoon planning Kelsey's 18th birthday celebration.  Can it be true?  Are Greg and I old enough to have an 18 year old child?????

8.  Life Group tonight.  I love these people that we get to do life with.  Lots of good conversation, laughter and as always good food.  They make my journey better.

9.  The Amazing Race.  Love it.  It's been around for a while, but I never get tired of it.  

10.  It's been a full day.  It's late.  I think I'll call it a day.

Stuck

Years ago, when I first began in Children's Ministry, I had a really bad moment.  I got a call to come down to the preschool area.  A new boy, visiting for the first time that day had gotten himself into an undesirable position. Don't ask me how it happened.  All I know is that we frantically worked to get it resolved before his parents came to pick him up.

In all truthfulness, it only took a few minutes, but it seemed to take forever.  

Anyway--this picture reminded me of it. Who would have guessed that the same thing could happen to someone else!  This boy doesn't seemed at all phased.

Crazy!