THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!

For our Elementary Advent Mission Project, we have been collecting loose change to raise money for our mission partners in Kenya. Our gifts will support a Christmas party for the children who live at the Jitegemea Children's Home and School. In just three weeks, we raised $202.56. While each grade did an amazing job, our third grade students won the competition and will celebrate with a doughnut party during Sunday School January 3, 2015! 

Thank you for your generosity and support for our mission partners!

Advent Mission Project

This Sunday December 13, 2015 is the LAST Sunday to give to our Elementary Advent Mission Project! We have been  collecting loose change to raise money for our mission partners in Kenya. Our gifts will support a Christmas party for the children who live at the Jitegemea Children's Home and School. There will be jars out in the Elementary hallway labeled by grade level for your child to put in their change this Sunday. The grade who collects the most change will win a doughnut party in January.

In just two weeks, have raised $134.21 and third grade is in the lead! Thank you for your generosity and support for our mission partners!

Advent is Upon Us! During Advent, we wait expectantly to celebrate the birth of Christ. As we wait, we reflect on the amazing gifts God has given us through Jesus, gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. It is exciting to remember that the God of the universe loves us so much that He would send us His only Son Jesus through whom we are able to receive such divine gifts.

During Advent, we reflect on each of these gifts through the lighting of the Advent wreath. Last week in Advent Family Sunday School, we talked about the origin of the Advent Wreath, discussed what each candle represented, and made our own family Advent Wreaths. I hope you will hang up your family Advent Wreath and continue talking with your children about Advent at home, and if you were not able to attend Advent Family Sunday School, I still encourage you to talk about Advent and the true meaning of Christmas with your children. 

One great way to do this is to designate one day during each week to do an Advent devotional together as a family. To guide you, here are four short devotionals that include scripture, questions, and prayers you can read as a family for each week of Advent. 

Advent Week One (this week): HOPE

Scripture

Read Psalm 39:7 as a family.

Questions

What kinds of things do you hope for?

What does it mean to have hope in Jesus?

What is one way you can spread the hope of Jesus to others?

Prayer

God of hope, as we begin Advent, we can get carried away with decorating, parties, and presents. Lord, help us to keep our focus on you and to remember that you are hope of the world and the true reason we prepare and celebrate. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Advent Week Two (begins 12/6): PEACE

Scripture

Read Isaiah 9:6 as a family.

Questions

What do you think it means to have peace?

When is a time you have felt peace?

Why do you think we call Jesus the Prince of Peace?

Prayer

God of peace, sometimes our actions are not peaceful. Help us to quiet our minds, mouths, and bodies, to be still and invite in the peace that can only come through You. Guide us in all that we say and do, that we may show Your love and peace to those around us. Amen.

Advent Week Three (begins 12/13): JOY

Scripture

Read Luke 2:10 as a family.

Questions

Have you ever experienced joy? Share that story.

What is the joy we celebrate at Christmas?

Do you think we can celebrate the joy of Christmas all year? How?

 Prayer                                                                                                                                                   

God we know that some days, we do not act like there is anything to celebrate. Turn our eyes upward and outward, focusing not on ourselves, but on you! Fill our hearts with joy we pray. Amen.

Advent Week Four (begins 12/20): LOVE

 Scripture

Read Romans 8:39 as a family.

Questions

Who do you love?

How does it make you feel that because of Jesus nothing can separate us from God’s love?

How can you show love to others?

Prayer                                                                                                                                                        

God, creator of Love, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to show us unconditional love, a love that can never be taken away and a love that will never end. May all that we say and do be done in love and to the glory of Your Holy name. Amen.

Dear Parents of RPC Children,

In light of the recent attacks in Paris and other places around the world, I wanted to take a moment to offer some helpful tips on dealing with these issues with your children. What is happening is hard enough for an adult to understand and to talk to children about it can be a daunting task. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. Parents across the world are struggling with this very thing, and there is no magic way to handle it. In an effort to navigate this difficult situation, I've done some research on the best practices to help guide parents through this.

There are two common themes in the research I’ve done. One is that you know your child best. You know their personality, their needs, and their fears. As their parent, you know best what they can and cannot handle when it comes to information like this. The other is that just by being present with your child and spending time with them can help you better know what they are thinking and feeling. This time with you can help them feel more secure. However, I know it can be hard to figure out if and when it is helpful to talk with your children and what exactly to share. It can also be difficult to be in total control of what your children hear 24 hours a day. They go to school, they ride the bus, they overhear adults or the news, and they have questions. Therefore, I have included links below to a few of the most helpful articles/resources I’ve found and I hope they will be helpful to you too if you need them.

In this time of fear and uncertainty, I am comforted by the words of Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me….” God is with us even in the darkest of valleys. Let us hold onto that and continue to pray for our world and all those in it.

Please feel free to reach out if you need additional resources or support.

Grace and Peace,

Carrie

Carrie Weatherford

Director of Children and Family Ministries

Roswell Presbyterian Church

755 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075

770-649-4533, Direct Line

www.roswellpres.org

Links to Resources

· http://time.com/4112751/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-attacks-in-paris/#4112751/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-attacks-in-paris/

· http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/helping-children-cope/art-20047029?pg=1

· http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-stiffelman/talking-with-children-and_b_8569698.html

Tough Talks, October 4

9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

First Class Sundays on October 4: Tough Talk To Tender Hearts. Join Angela Williams as she helps us understand how to layer conversations over a child’s lifetime about personal boundaries, personal power, and appropriate touch and behavior. Meets in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 a.m. 

First Class Sundays is an open forum for parents, grandparents, and those involved in the life of children and students. You will learn about today's hot topics. Normally scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

For more information and to listen to/download previous presentations,
visit http://www.roswellpres.org/ministries/fcs

Wednesday, September 30

Grove Way Outreach for Elementary Families

Elementary Sunday School Families,

We have an exciting opportunity coming up with our Neighborhood Outreach program. We will be going to Grove Way on Tuesday, September 29 to participate in their after-school enrichment program.  We will have story time, then do a craft project with the students there.  We will meet at the church at 3:00 p.m. and we will head over to Grove Way together. Plan to be at Grove Way from 3:15-4:15 p.m. This is a great opportunity for children and their families to participate in outreach within their own community. Please let us know if you will be able to come by responding to Mem, mem@roswellpres.org.

Have a great week!

Tricia Patterson

patriciapatterson08@comcast.net

Elder on Children’s Ministry Council

F² Event

Fourth and Fifth Graders, join us for:

F² Screen on the Green

Friday, September 25

7-9pm

$5 for pizza

RSVP to mem@roswellpres.org

The F² leadership team voted and we will be watching.... the Sandlot!

First Class Sundays, this week

9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

We will be kicking off our Generosity 2016 Campaign this coming Sunday, September 13.

As part of that, Rev. Emily Wright will be leading First Class Sundays with talking to your children about money.

First Class Sundays is an open forum for parents, grandparents, and those involved in the life of children and students. You will learn about today's hot topics. Normally scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

For more information and to listen to/download previous presentations,
visit http://www.roswellpres.org/ministries/fcs

Sunday School Kick-Off

Kick-Off is this Sunday, August 16!

All elementary children and their parents should check-in in the Gym between 9:30 and 10:00am.

Find the table with your child’s grade listed and check-in with the volunteer at that table. They will give you information about your child’s Sunday School class. Parents will then walk their children upstairs to the Elementary Hall to find your child’s Sunday School classroom.

Children are also encouraged to bring their school backpacks to the 11:15 service this Sunday for ‘Blessing of the Backpacks’ during the Children’s Moment.

Also on August 16, Join us from 4-6pm at Roswell Riverside Park for our Fall Kick-Off Celebration!

VOLUNTEER FOR VBS!

Our Vacation Bible School participant numbers have quickly surpassed 300+ and we are only 32 days away!!!! Sadly, we only have half of the volunteers registered that we had last year!

If you or a friend are not registered to volunteer for VBS and need a little inspiration, I encourage you to watch the video from last year’s VBS. After you see the ridiculous amount of fun we have at VBS you will immediately find the inspiration to drop whatever it is you’re doing that week and VOLUNTEER FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!!!!

Contact Lindsay Lockery if you simply cannot contain yourself and MUST volunteer for VBS at this very moment and have some questions!

Vacation Bible School and Nepal

Dear VBS Parents and Volunteers,

We are deeply saddened by the news of the earthquake in Nepal and Mount Everest. We intend to be sensitive and prayerful as we approach our theme for Vacation Bible School this year. As adults, we understand that natural disasters are possible in God’s vast and mysterious earthly creation, but for children it is difficult to understand how and why such terrible things occur. In the coming weeks and this summer at VBS, we are going to trust that God is at work through us amidst the situation in Nepal. Please know that we will carefully handle talking with the children about the disaster and how we are helping during the week of VBS.

We believe that the way we can support the people of Nepal is to contribute emergency aid. We have decided that it would be best to change the recipient of the Penny Wars to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for disaster relief in Nepal. They have already set up a fund for emergency aid, http://pda.pcusa.org/situation/nepal-earthquake-april-2015/. We will contribute the money collected from the boys and girls during the week to this fund. 

We are working with the Child Development Association (CDA) in Roswell, who was our initial mission partner for this project, to still purchase play equipment for them through other VBS and Mission Outreach funds. We feel it is important to uphold that promise to them.

Amidst devastation we have to intentionally look for the place where God is at work. We do not know why these things happen, but we know that God is present throughout it. In Christ, God suffered the worst that humanity can endure. We know that when God’s children suffer, God is the first to feel that pain. We will do what we can to aid the suffering. The children, youth and adults of the Roswell Presbyterian Church have an opportunity to support Nepal from here through our heightened awareness of this disaster due to our theme for VBS. We are blessed to be able to offer God’s money towards their incredible needs. Our continual prayers for their healing and recovery are needed as well.

Vacation Bible School will still be a wonderful and powerful week for the children and volunteers this summer. The purpose of VBS is not the theme, it is the faith experience for all involved. Therefore we will focus on opening ourselves, all the more, to God’s work being done.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of the church staff or myself for how to help your children, or yourself, deal with the grief of this disaster.

Thank you,

Sarah Kate DeWyngaert
Director of Children’s Ministry
Roswell Presbyterian Church
sarahkate@roswellpres.org
Direct Line: (770) 649-4507

College 101: First Class Sunday

First Class Sunday is this week, May 3. 

College parents: Becca Raymond, Rick Stewart, John Painter, and Carol Swan, will be talking about life as a college parent and answering questions. Even if you do not have a child heading off to college soon, this will be great information to keep in mind for the future. All are welcome!

9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

First Class Sundays is an open forum for parents, grandparents, and those involved in the life of children and students. You will learn about today's hot topics. Normally scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

For more information and to listen to/download previous presentations,
visit http://www.roswellpres.org/ministries/fcs

5th and 6th Flick on the Floor!

Attention all 5th Graders! 

You're invited to get a taste of middle school life on Friday, May 15.

Join us for a Flick on the Floor! Cost for dinner and popcorn is $5. 

Sign up online by May 13.

There is so much fun coming up!

Even though this is a very busy time of the year with summer right around the corner, we have so much coming up in Children's Ministry! Check out all of the ways you and your child can be involved in fun and service in the upcoming weeks.

Sunday, April 26th, BBQ and Field Day for 4th and 5th Graders!

Reservations with Mem, mem@roswellpres.org

Saturday, May 2nd, the Drake Walk for families!

Information and reservations.

Register by April 27.

Friday, May 15th, Flick on the Floor for 5th and 6th Graders!

Information and online reservations.

And don't forget about all of our summer camps!

 

Mission Opportunities for Families this Spring

We are in the midst of RPC's mission campaign, 2nd Mile for Mission. 2nd Mile for Mission is RPC's annual Mission Outreach giving campaign, where every dollar goes out the door to directly benefit our local and global mission partners. This is above and beyond the General Operating Fund.

What better way to be a part of the mission than to also give and serve as a family! Here are some ways your family can participate through Children's Ministry.

Children's Ministry Families, we have two special mission opportunities planned with our local mission partners for this spring that we hope your family will participate with.


1.) We will be collecting items to create  "Welcome Home" baskets for families at HomeStretch. HomeStretch "guides working, homeless families to a place of permanent stability" and often these families have very few possessions besides clothes. Items that we can include in these welcome baskets are: kitchen linens, cleaning supplies, detergent, dish soap, personal hygiene items (bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.). We will have boxes to collect these items on the elementary hall. Please bring all donations in by May 3rd.

2.) Saturday, May 2nd Children's Ministry will participate in the Drake Walk which is a community walk for The Drake House. The Drake House helps homeless mothers and their children get back on their feet. The walk will begin in the Roswell United Methodist Church parking lot and will take place in historic Roswell. Those participating through Children's Ministry, will park and meet at 8:45am on May 2nd in the north parking lot of RPC (near the playground) and walk to RUMC as a group. All participants must register and pay online through RPC, click the link for registration. Cost is $10 per person.
Please let Tricia Patterson know if your family is planning to attend the walk so we can be looking for you!

VBS Training Sessions

ALL Vacation Bible School volunteers, mark your calendars for one of the following volunteer training sessions! Attendance is required at one session.

June 7 session is for youth volunteers in the Middle School Garage.

F² Field Day!

Calling all F² 4^th and 5^th Graders!

Join us for an afternoon of BBQ and fun outdoor games on 

Sunday, April 26^th

Reservations required,  mem@roswellpres.org 

VBS Wish List

It takes a lot of supplies to run vacation bible school for hundreds of kids!

Please check out our wish list of needs to see if you are able to make any donations.

Donate to the VBS Wish List!

Family Easter Service

Join us on Easter Sunday at 9:45am in the Fellowship Hall for a family-friendly worship service.

This service will be very similar to the worship services happening in the sanctuary, but will be perfectly suited to families with children of all ages.

Please join us to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ!

Special Opportunity

Contact Priscilla Summers for more information

VBS registration is OPEN!

Registration for Vacation Bible School is NOW OPEN!

Deadline to register is June 1, 2015

Vacation Bible School at Roswell Presbyterian Church is open to children who are 

*Rising PreK through Rising 5th Grade.

*Rising PreK children must be 4 years old by June 14, 2015 to be left on campus at VBS. Free childcare is available for children of volunteers who are not old enough for VBS.

Due to a gracious donor, VBS will be FREE this summer for all children!

As always, we will need lots of volunteers to help prepare and run VBS!

Please register to be a volunteer

we have a job for everyone!

We will only be able to accommodate 500 children this summer. In 2014 we had 450 participants, so sign up early to make sure your child doesn't miss out on this incredible week! Reminder, the deadline to register is June 1, 2015.

Your expedition to the summit begins June 14!

Dad Panel

First Class Sundays on March 1st is, the Dad Panel

Dads, Bruce Graham, Rick Stewart, Nick Summers, and Rich Vogel will be talking about life as dads and offering perspectives on balancing life and fatherhood.

All are welcome!

9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

First Class Sundays is an open forum for parents, grandparents, and those involved in the life of children and students. 

You will learn about today's hot topics. Normally scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

For more information and to listen to/download previous presentations, visit www.roswellpres.org/adultstudies or contact Rev. Lyndsay Slocum.

It's going to be EGG-cellent!

Join us for the Family Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast!

Saturday, March 28th 9:30-11am

Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall, followed by the egg hunt on the lawn!

(rain plan for an indoor hunt)

Each child needs to bring 2 dozen filled Easter eggs.

There will be an under 3 years old hunt and 4 years old and older hunt.

Online Reservations Required.

*please indicate each family member who will attend.

Ash Wednesday

Tomorrow, February 18th, is Ash Wednesday which begins the season of preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ on Easter.

We hope your family will join us for dinner opening at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall and the Ash Wednesday service at 6:30pm in the sanctuary.

Childcare is available with a reservation during dinner and worship for nursery through 4 year old preschool children.

Talk as a family about what the season of Lent is and why it is important!

"Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty weekdays and six Sundays until sunrise on Easter morning. It is the season in which we prepare ourselves for Easter. Lent is a season for reevaluation, rededication, and discipline. It is a good time to devote ourselves to a discipline of spiritual growth and service.

We begin Lent remembering the failings of our best intentions. We mark our foreheads with ashes to remind ourselves that each of us, though we may welcome Jesus as Lord, has in our own ways, also called for his crucifixion. 

The tradition of giving something up for Lent is growing into a tradition of giving ourselves up to something for Lent. It is a time to stretch our spiritual wings."

Everest, VBS 2015

Registration begins Monday, February 23^rd

Vacation Bible School at Roswell Presbyterian Church is open to children who are 4 years old by June 14, 2015, through rising 5th Grade.

We will only be able to accommodate 500 children this summer. In 2014 we had 450 participants, so sign up early to make sure your child doesn't miss out on this incredible week!

Deadline to register is June 1, 2015.

Skyzone for F²

All Fourth and Fifth Graders are invited to join us for an afternoon of jumping at Skyzone!

Cost is $22 per child

Drop-off and Pick-up at Skyzone location

1425 MARKET BLVD. SUITE 100-A, | ROSWELL, GA 30076

(beside Publix on Holcomb Bridge)

Reservations through Sally Heneghan are required, sally@roswellpres.org

Completed medical waivers also required.

PLEASE SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 13!

We're spreading the love this month!

Our Kindergarten through 3rd Graders made valentines this past Sunday! The valentines were made for our church members who are not able to come to worship on Sunday mornings. Pastors and elders serving at-home communion this week will get to give out these valentines to our church members.

All of our elementary children helped out with this project! 

We came up with several reasons why we love all of our Sunday School teachers, onCore Bible teachers, and all of our Children's Ministry volunteers! 

Come by the elementary hall to see all of the sweet words from the RPC kids.

Register for RPC Summer Camps!

Basketball Camp Session 1 Registration

Basketball Camp Session 2 Registration 

Volleyball Camp Registration
S.W.A.M. Camp Registration 

Preschool Music Camp Registration

Registration for Vacation Bible School will begin on February 23.

Check out all of our fun camps online!

First Class Sundays, Bullying

First Class Sundays is coming up this Sunday, February 1.

Bullying Behavior - First Class Sundays

9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Jeff Dess, Coordinator of the Prevention Intervention Center for the Cobb County School District, will be our guest speaker.

First Class Sundays is an open forum for parents, grandparents, and those involved in the life of children and students.

You will learn about today's hot topics. Normally scheduled for the first Sunday of the month.

Contact: Rev. Lyndsay Slocum