F2 White Elephant Christmas Party

Calling all 4th and 5th Graders! You are invited to our F2 White Elephant Christmas Party December 18 from 12:30-2:00p.m. in the F2 classroom (room 211). We will have lunch, play games, decorate (and eat) cookies, and have a White Elephant gift exchange (bring something from home or less than $5). Please email me if your child will attend so that I can plan for lunch: carrie@roswellpres.org.

Advent Family Sunday School

Sneak Peek!!! Advent Family Sunday School is tomorrow! All are welcome! It's a great way to kick-off Advent with your family and your church family!

 

Advent Family Sunday School

Mark your calendars!!! You don't want to miss Advent Family Sunday School November 27, 2016 for all preschool and elementary families!

Just think... photo booth, games, snacks, crafts, missions, songs, and Jesus all in one place! 

It is going to be a great morning for families to join together to worship, learn, and have fun fellowship with one another! We hope to see you and your family there!

Path to Gratitude

For the month of October, we have been on the Path to Gratitude during our 2017 Generosity Campaign. Children have started each Sunday School class sharing things for which they are grateful and we have displayed these things on three “Paths to Gratitude” on the preschool and elementary halls. On October 16, our Kindergarten through 5^th graders participated in Path to Gratitude Prayer stations where children focused on the importance of responding with gratitude for things we are thankful for in the church that allow us to grow in faith and share God’s love in the world (pictures below). Pre-K through 5^th graders also received their very own offering envelopes that day. Although our season of generosity is coming to a close, we want to continue to encourage our children and families to live with an attitude of gratitude. Below are some helpful resources to help you and your family continue on the Path to Gratitude in your daily lives.

20 Ways to Teach Children to be Grateful - Today.com

Teaching Children to be Grateful - Parents.com

Ten Ways to Raise a Grateful Kid - PBS.org

onCore! Wednesday Nights for Kids

Wednesday nights can mean a lot of things, but for 100+ RPC kiddos, it means onCore night at church! If you're not familiar with it, onCore is Roswell Presbyterian's Wednesday Evening Program for kids, and let me tell you, it's awesome! We start with a fun themed dinner with adults and kids of all ages. Then children go to Bible, choir, and finally, their choice of electives. Electives include things like art, lego club, leadership, hand chimes, rec, and drums.

This week in particular, I loved seeing how our children were able to engage scripture and encounter the Word of God in a real way through our lego elective. Children begin in prayer, then read a story from scripture (this week, it was David and Goliath), discuss what they believe are the most important parts and themes, choose a part they would like to focus on, and then build it! After they do that they read the story again and act it out with their creations. Finally, they talk about what stuck out to them and what they learned about God through the process.

Each week, I am amazed at the discussions and conversations that come out of each area of onCore, and it's also so wonderful to see friendships and community being formed outside of Sunday mornings. Wednesday nights at onCore are fun, loud, and busy, but it's very clear God is at work in a mighty way in the lives of children through their time at onCore!

If you are interested in joining us at onCore, you can still register for our Winter term that begins in January this year, just click HERE!

Check Out the video our children and their fantastic leader, Stan Homer, made of David and Goliath during their elective time!

1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath

A Special Sunday!

October 2, 2016 is a special Sunday! It's World Communion Sunday, so all elementary classes will focus on Communion Education during Sunday School (and they get to eat lots of bread at the 11:15 service...yum)!

Also, this Sunday is the first Sunday of the Kindergarten Worship Education Series where Kindergarten children will learn and experience important elements of worship over the next 4 weeks. There is also a parent track at 9:45 in Alderman Hall.

During the 11:15 service 1st-5th grade choirs will sing which will be awesome!

Last, but not least, Sunday is the last day to bring old frames, Bibles, and crayons to help the Mustard Seed Project. Drop off is in the Sunday School classrooms. We hope to see you this Sunday!

2nd Annual F2 Photo Scavenger Hunt!

It’s that time! Join us for F2’s 2nd Annual Photo Scavenger Hunt September 9th! All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to a night of fun and fellowship. We'll meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Alderman Hall for a pizza dinner and then split into teams for a photo scavenger hunt in the nearby Roswell area. We will return to church at 7:30 to see everyone's photos and to announce the winning team! We will end at 8:00 p.m. Cost is $5. We do need parent drivers for this event. Register for this awesome event  HERE!

Dear RPC Elementary Families,

This coming Sunday, August 14 is RPC’s Fall Kick-Off! There is so much going on all day Sunday and I don’t want you to miss a beat! Below you will find everything you need to know about Children’s Ministry Kick-Off Sunday!

First, our regular Sunday School classes will begin this week! Children in Kindergarten through 3^rd grade may be dropped off in the gym to meet their teachers and then the classes will head to their regular classrooms. Children may be picked up in their regular classrooms. 

Fourth and Fifth Grade Students will meet in Classroom 211 on the Elementary Hallway. They will play games, have worship, and then break out into their classes for the lesson and to get to know their Sunday School teachers. 4^th Grade students should be picked up in 211 and 5^th grade students will be picked up in 226 and 227 (across the hall from 211).

Beginning August 21, all children will meet their teachers in the classroom on the elementary hallway.

Following Sunday School, please stop by the Gathering on the Colonnade outside the Courtyard and Sanctuary for some yummy treats and to learn about our upcoming year of onCore, our Wednesday evening program for children.

Please join us for the 11:15 service as well! During the Children’s Moment, Children will receive key chains to put on their backpacks and we will say a special blessing over the school year. Children do not need to bring their backpacks.

We will continue kicking-off the Fall from 3-5 p.m. at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell 30075. All are invited to help us kick-off RPC’s new program year! We will have live music, popsicles, games, and more! The Sprayground will be open for $2/person. We hope to see your family there!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday and to a great year together!

Blessings,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Carrie Weatherford
Director of Children and Family Ministries
carrie@roswellpres.org     

Dear Families,

What an exciting summer it has been! We’ve played together at the pool, the movies, the mini-golf course, My Clayground, and the Sprayground, and we’ve certainly worshiped together during VBS, Word Wednesdays, many camps, and every Sunday (see below for some fun pictures). God has truly been at work in powerful ways through our fellowship and worship. Abby, our summer intern, and I have enjoyed spending an awesome summer with you and your children. Speaking of Abby, we are sad that she is ending her time with us this week in order to head back to the University of South Carolina for her sophomore year. Please join me in thanking her and praying for her. While it is sad that summer is coming to a close, we know that with every ending is a new beginning, and I am anticipating a wonderful beginning to the 2016-2017 year at RPC.

We have so much ahead of us and I want to make sure you don’t miss a thing! There are TWO really important events coming up that I want to make sure you have on your calendar!

First, our Fall Kick-Off is Sunday August 14, 2016, and our regular Sunday School classes will begin. Children in Kindergarten through 3^rd grade may be dropped off in the gym to meet their teachers and then the classes will head to their regular classrooms. Children may be picked up in their regular classrooms. After the 14^th, children will meet their teachers in the classroom. We are excited for a great year of Sunday School! We will continue kicking-off the school year from 3-5 p.m. at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell 30075. All are invited to help us kick-off RPC’s new program year! We will have live music, popsicles, games, and more! We hope to see you there!

Lastly, onCore begins August 24! onCore is our Wednesday Evening Fellowship program for children and families.  Children  through 5^th grade and adults gather for food, fellowship, Bible study, choir and fun with their church family on Wednesday evenings during the school year. We do require at least one parent or guardian per participating family to volunteer. Fall term of onCore is August 24-November 16 and winter term is January 11-March 29. You can register for both terms at a discounted price or each term individually. Register Here!

 Again, while it is sad summer is coming to an end, I am looking forward to a new school year, and I am confident God will be at work in abundant ways!

Many Blessings,

Carrie                                                                                                                                                                                              

Carrie Weatherford                                                                                                                  

Summer Family Fun: Finding Dory

Ready to beat the heat?! All Rising 1st-5th graders and their families are invited to join us for some cool Summer Family Fun at Aurora Cineplex! Cost is $10 per child (snack included) and $6.50 per adult (snack not included).RSVP by July 6, 2016 to Carrie@roswellpres.org. We hope you can join us!

Cave Quest VBS!

What an incredible and amazing week we had at RPC's Cave Quest VBS! Each day was a great day full of singing, craft time, rec time, food, fellowship, and Bible time. We learned about the love of Jesus and how Jesus empowers His followers to share the Good News of that great love! It was awesome!

Announcements and Reminders:

Sunday, we invite all VBS children to lead us in worship through singing a couple of songs from the week. They will sing at the 11:15 service. We would love to have you! Wear your VBS shirt and meet in the Children's Choir room at 10:45.

Penny Wars Winner: THE GIRLS! This week, our Penny Wars raised over $1500 to help the Utalan School in Chichicastenango, Guatemala buy books for their school library. 

Many Blessings,

The 2016 RPC VBS Leadership Team

VOLUNTEERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!

VOLUNTEERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!

Picture this (well, you don’t really have to since there is a picture above)! It’s noon on a Wednesday, prime lunch time, and we’re at our local Willy’s Mexicana Grill with 20ish rising 4^th and 5^th graders. Our goal is to hang out, have lunch, and have Bible study. But as you know anything with almost tweens is not going to go quite as planned! Between ordering that takes forever, mixing every drink together, and eating with friends (WITHOUT PARENTS!) by the time we get to Bible study, I’m not sure if we’ll get anywhere at all. But Abby, the Children’s Ministry intern, and I decide to give it a try. We explain that during the month of June, we are focusing on prayer. We read Jeremiah 33:3 and talk about the fact that God listens to us when we pray. We talk about how God wants us to pray and talk to God about everything in our lives…the big stuff, but also the little stuff. At the end, we give every child a prayer journal and challenge them to write (or color, draw, etc.) a prayer each day this summer. But as we leave, I wonder to myself if they really “get” it.

Fast forward to Wednesday this past week.  It is noon so of course, I’m at Willy’s with the coolest loudest lunch gang ever. One student who was sitting across from me gets my attention. She holds up her prayer journal and says, “You know, when you gave these to us, I really didn’t think I would use mine. But it’s been really cool. I’ve already written 27 prayers. I’m talking to God so much more than I used to.” What? Really? Yes! I was reminded, again, that Children’s Ministry is a ministry of planting seeds. We are meeting them where they are, just like God meets us where we are. This is a reminder I needed, and as I reflected, I decided I wanted to share this with our volunteers as well. Because, let’s face it. Being a children’s ministry volunteer is hard. It’s wild; it’s crazy; it’s chaotic. Sometimes children’s ministry volunteers can wonder, “What difference am I making?" Let me tell you, you ARE making a difference.  You are doing important work….being there for them, being consistent, being vessels of God’s love. They are watching. They are listening. They are learning. They are experiencing God…BECAUSE OF YOU. 

I think this is an especially important message as we rapidly approach Vacation Bible School with 450 children and over 200 volunteers. Volunteers, whether you are walking children, teaching rec, craft, or Bible; you are doing important work. You may not always see the fruit of your labor, but know it is important; it is worthwhile, and it is making a difference. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus with our children!!

F2 Summer Kick-Off

Let's SPLASH into summer! All Rising 4th and 5th Graders are invited to join us for our F2 Summer Kick-Off Pool Party Monday June 6, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. at the Newsom home, 915 Ferncroft Court, Roswell! We'll play games, enjoy yummy snacks, and celebrate the start of a great summer! Cost is $5. Register HERE by June 5 using the link provided! We hope to see you there!

*A lifeguard will be on duty! 

Memorial Day Sunday School

Sunday School is a little different this Sunday! All elementary students are invited to Pajamas and a Movie this Sunday from 9:45-10:45 in Alderman Hall! We hope to see you there! 

**note the location change from the Gym to Alderman Hall

Sunday School is a little different this Sunday! All elementary students are invited to Pajamas and a Movie this Sunday from 9:45-10:45 in the gym! We hope to see you there!

Married People Event

Married People! There is an awesome Married People event coming up this month! Monday May 23 from 5-8 p.m. there will be childcare offered at the church from 5-8 p.m. for $5 per child so that you can take time to hang out with your spouse! You heard right! THREE HOURS of babysitting for just $5 per child! Don't miss this great opportunity for quality time with your spouse! Register HERE!

VBS Wish List!

We are looking forward to Cave Quest VBS! This is an amazing week for children in our church and surrounding community. Because we serve over 400 children, we need LOTS of supplies and rely on wonderful folks from the church to help us with donations.  Please consider donating an item or two from the following Wish List (link below) to RPC’s 2016 VBS. You may leave your items in the boxes located in the Preschool hall, outside the church office, or outside the children's choir room. Please label the items with your name. Note: Please bring perishable food items the day of Kick Off (June 12). Please have all other donations to the church by May 29. If your item has an **, it is needed by May 14. Thank you so much for helping the students of RPC learn about following Jesus, the light of the world!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cada62da2f94-vbs2016

Announcing our 2016 Summer Intern!

I'm SUPER excited to announce that Abby Bangs will be our Children's Ministry intern this summer! Abby is currently a student at the University of South Carolina, but while Abby was in high school, she was an active RPC Children's Ministry volunteer with onCore and VBS. Abby has a heart for teaching children about the love of Christ and I am thrilled she will be joining our team this summer!

It's time to celebrate our 5th graders and make them feel welcome in middle school before their upcoming transition, so we are throwing a Seis de Mayo Party, May 6 from 6-8 p.m. in the Garage (the Middle School area). We will have fun, games, and Moe's catering for dinner! Our 6th graders will also join us to hang out and show the 5th graders around. It's going to be an awesome night and hope to see you there! Cost is $10. Register using the link below:
https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?id=VCLy3g90pqEDKfVrpoIxQQ==&site=90118&ReturnUrl=events%2fwz_people.aspx&ChurchID=1044&EventID=108927&sn=90118

Talking to Our Children About Death: A Lesson from Lane

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post, but as we grieve the loss of our beloved pastor, Dr. Lane Alderman, I believe it is important as a church family, adults and children, to walk this journey together. Losing a loved one is never easy and talking about it can be even more difficult. However, as we grieve this loss, we do need to talk about it with our children. As a parent, I know this can be a daunting task, one that I would sometimes rather avoid. But even at a young age children encounter death, and as adults and parents we need to create a safe and healthy space for them to grieve and ask questions.

How you talk to your children will depend on their age and developmental stage. With young children who are not yet able to think abstractly, it’s better to use concrete language and avoid metaphorical language. This even applies to common sayings mentioned around death. For example, “We lost Aunt Millie today,” could leave a child thinking that perhaps if we look hard enough, we can find her.  Young children usually get the general concept of death, but it can feel a bit distant and more like magic. As children get older, they begin to understand more about death and it becomes more personal. One of the best ways to see what your child understands about death is just by spending time and listening to them. This will give you a better idea of where they are and what they understand. During these conversations, it’s also okay for you to express how you feel as you go through your own grief. You are a role model for your children and teaching them healthy ways to cope with grief is a valuable life lesson. Lastly, as you talk with your child, remind them constantly that they are loved by you and by God.  There is often fear associated with death, so giving lots of reassurance is comforting for children.

I’ll end by sharing a story and a lesson from Lane. When I was in 7^th grade, I lost a dear friend and classmate of mine. I was devastated. My parents were wonderful, but my mom suggested I see our pastor because I was still struggling with some spiritual questions. I was a bundle of nerves as I walked into Lane’s office to talk and to ask him questions about death. But from the moment I entered, he was comforting and kind. He let me talk about what I was thinking and feeling and never once made me feel like I was a bother. As we talked, he answered my questions the best way he could. As I look back on that meeting I had as a young girl with Lane, I find comfort as an adult and parent. You see, I am sure Lane said some really wise and brilliant things, but that’s not what I remember. I remember that he had time for me. I remember that he valued my thoughts and questions. I remember that I felt comforted, assured, and loved. So in this time of grieving, it is my prayer that we would be able to walk with each other and our children. I pray that we would all feel comforted, assured, and loved not only by each other, but most of all by our Lord Jesus Christ, who we know promises to walk with us every step of the way.

 Resources:

• http://childrensministry.com/articles/helping-children-grieve/h
• http://childrensministry.com/articles/helping-children-deal-with-death/
• http://childrensministry.com/articles/dealing-with-grief-grades-4-to-6/Dealing with Grief: Grades 4 to 6

Cave Quest VBS! Volunteers Needed!

VBS IS ONLY 60 DAYS AWAY! Last year we had over 400 participants and the only way we can accommodate all of these children is because of our incredible volunteers. Volunteering for VBS is the perfect opportunity to serve RPC and pour the love of Christ into our children. Plus, it’s a super fun week! Click here to join our 2016 volunteer team. We have a job for everyone!

Family Mission Trip Update!

Day three of the RPC family mission trip is complete! What an amazing week it has been so far! Our team of 30+ has been having an incredible time here on St. Simon's Island and in the neighboring city of Brunswick. Each morning we've gotten to serve with local missions doing everything from cleaning up parks and historic markers to leading crafts and helping out at the Boys and Girls Club. 

In the afternoons, we have lunch in the park by the pier and then either hangout downtown or play at the beach! It's been amazing getting to serve and make new friends through our mission projects and also for our families to have such memorable times together! 

In the evenings, we eat a yummy dinner at Epworth by the Sea (the beautiful place we stay on St. Simon's), and then we gather for our big group time where we play games and have worship together! Our theme for this week is Go Fish! We've looked at the stories of Jesus calling His first disciples and the story of Jonah and talked about what it means to get out of our comfort zones and fish for people both here and at home. These times at night have truly been special! I can't even describe the joy that comes from watching big kids and youth love on the younger children and seeing parents and their children doing devotions together. 

Our nights are filled with crazy and epic games! Apples to Apples is definitely the favorite and tonight there was a giant competition! Two of our youth, Caroline and Anne, were victorious! I see a rematch in our future:)

I am so looking forward to the rest of our time here! I'm confident God has been and will continue to be at work in mighty ways!

Family Journey Through Lent Journey Stop Week 6

Family Journey through Lent

Lent is a time of reflection and prayer as we remember Jesus’ last days on Earth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. During this time of Lent, families can journey together through a time of prayer and reflection. This is such a special time because it is a time we step back and reflect on what is really important in our lives. Each week through this Lenten season, I will post an activity that you can do with your family that will help create a space for prayer together and time to reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus for each of us.  As a family, I hope that this reflection time allows you to grow closer to one another and most of all to Jesus.

Journey Stop Week Six

Fasting

Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness where he did not eat or drink anything for 40 days. This time allowed him to focus more fully on God rather than other things. This week, think of something that you really like doing that you can give up for one or two days (or even the whole week—it’s up to you). This could be anything from watching TV, to playing video games, to eating sweets. During the time you would normally spend doing that activity, say a little prayer or spend time with family. At the end of the week, discuss the difficult times that came from giving something up and then talk about how Jesus must have felt after giving up food and water for 40 days. Did giving something up help you focus more on God and family?

 

Family Journey Through Lent Journey Stop Week 5

Family Journey through Lent

Lent is a time of reflection and prayer as we remember Jesus’ last days on Earth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. During this time of Lent, families can journey together through a time of prayer and reflection. This is such a special time because it is a time we step back and reflect on what is really important in our lives. Each week through this Lenten season, I will post an activity that you can do with your family that will help create a space for prayer together and time to reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus for each of us.  As a family, I hope that this reflection time allows you to grow closer to one another and most of all to Jesus.

Journey Stop Week Five

Giving

Part of the way we can live like Jesus wants us to live and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us is to give things away that we don’t need any more to others who need it. This week, each family member should choose a toy, book, or game to give to someone else in need. You can always drop these off at North Fulton Community Charities. Another option is to clean out your closet and take clothes you no longer need to a charity.

 

Family Journey Through Lent: Journey Stop Week 4

Family Journey through Lent

Lent is a time of reflection and prayer as we remember Jesus’ last days on Earth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. During this time of Lent, families can journey together through a time a prayer and reflection. This is such a special time because it is a time we step back and reflect on what is really important in our lives. Each week through this Lenten season, I will post an activity that you can do with your family that will help create a space for prayer together and time to reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus for each of us.  As a family, I hope that this reflection time allows you to grow closer to one another and most of all to Jesus.

Journey Stop Week Four

      Hospitality

An important time for Jesus was time spent having a meal with friends around the table. Make a special meal and invite friends or other family members over to enjoy it with your family. Here are some questions you can ask everyone around the table. 

Table Talk Questions

1. If you could invite anyone to dinner that is ALIVE who would it be? Why?         2. What was your favorite part of today? Why?

3. If you could any talent in the world, what would it be?                            4. If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?         








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