VBS Registration is OPEN!

Vacation Bible School registration is now open! This summer kids will learn all about "Standing strong for God"

VBS will begin on Sunday, June 9 at 3pm in the sanctuary. We will have a fun afternoon of introducing Kingdom Rock and enjoying time as a church family.

Monday June 10 - Thursday June 13, we will begin every morning at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall. Kids will enjoy music, Bible time, recreation, snack, and just plain ole' fun until 12:30pm.

VBS is open to children 4 years old through rising 5th grade. We have a modified VBS program for children under 4 years old, however this is available only if a parent or guardian is remaining on campus the entire morning or volunteering with VBS.

DON'T WAIT!!!

REGISTER YOUR CHILD OR TO VOLUNTEER TODAY!

Getting back into the groove!

onCore is back!

The winter 2013 term of onCore has begun!! It’s never too late to sign-up. We've got some great new electives this term and all of the same old fun and fellowship!

February 13th there will be no regular onCore. There will still be a WEF meal and an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 in the sanctuary.

F2 is having 'Lunch with the Pastors'

February 3rd at 12:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.

4th and 5th graders will enjoy pizza with all of the RPC pastors, a panel discussion and some fun games!

What to do with the day off from school?!

Monday, February 18th there is no school so bring your child to have some fun at the church!

10am-noon is for 3 year olds and kindergarteners

1-3pm is for 1st and 2nd graders

Both groups will watch a Veggie Tales movie, talk about the lesson we learned, have some fun on the playground and enjoy some games and crafts.

A snack of popcorn and goldfish will be included.

For both events:

Cost is $2 per child

Drop-off and pick-up is in the Gym

RSVP to Sally.

Bible Sunday

March 10 is Bible Sunday for the 3 year olds and 3rd graders.
3 year olds will be honored at the 9:45 service, and 3rd graders at the 11:15. Look for more information in the mail and in Sunday school for that special day.

Talking to Children in Times of Trajedy

"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will ever take from you." 

John 16:22

The recent tragedies in Connecticut are unimaginable and heart wrenching. Our thoughts and prayers go out to every single person, and their families, who are affected by this tragedy. 

We are so thankful for the wonderful children of RPC and thank God for each and every one of them.

It is incredibly vital at a time like this that you remind your child of God's love for everyone, especially them. Children are at a critical time in their faith development and when tragedies such as these are left unaddressed, we risk children coming to their own conclusions about God's will and abilities. Please contact the church if you need help with how to talk to your child about this topic, or would like Sarah Kate or any pastor to work with your child. I strongly encourage you to look at the resources below for excellent information and tips.

We are quickly putting together resources for dealing with tragedies involving children as well as resources for talking to your children in situations such as these. Lane is posting several resources and reflections on his blog so we want to direct you to that:

Dr. Alderman's Blog

Here are additional resources:

Helping Children Deal with Death

HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH TRAGEDY RELATED ANXIETY

Dealing With Grief: Five Things NOT To Say And Five Things To Say In A Trauma Involving Children
***This is one of the most important resources I can offer to you. It emphasizes the importance of how to portray God in a time like this. We have to prevent children from thinking God played any role in this tragedy.

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting

Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings

A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope

Children and Grief

Talking to Kids After National Tragedy

Caring for Kids After a School Shooting

Talking To Your Children About Violence Against Kids

Some books that offer excellent sections on how to help children understand crisis and distress, while maintaining a centering on God's love.

 

When Children Suffer - section 14, 15
Pastoral Care - section 4 (and several resources of creative ways to help children talk to you and express their feelings and emotions)



If you need more information on talking to your children about grief, tragedy, death, etc. please contact any of our pastors or Sarah Kate DeWyngaert, Director of Children's Ministry.

Family Sunday School

Children's Advent Lesson

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we always combine the elementary Sunday school classes for a special Advent lesson that we call, Family Sunday school. Parents and children come to Sunday school together to learn more about Advent, in preparation of the coming season.

This year we talked about each different candle within the Advent Wreath and what each of them means. Here are some questions about the Advent candles that you can discuss with your children.

1^st candle: Hope - This candle represents the promise of our savior coming to earth. What are you hopeful for this Advent season?

2^nd candle: Peace - Jesus came to earth to bring peace to everyone! He creates calmness in our hearts because he loves us and saved us!

3^rd candle: Joy - We have so much happiness in our hearts because Jesus came to love us and save us. How will you celebrate your joy for Jesus on Christmas day?

4^th candle: Love - God loves us unconditionally. God loves us so much that God gave us Jesus. How will you show people that you love them?

5^th candle: Christ – We light this candle on Christmas Eve. We will celebrate the birth of Christ with presents, our friends and family and yummy food, just like how you celebrate your birthday! What birthday present do you want to give to Jesus?

Together, each family made an Advent calendar to use throughout the season. Advent calendars help us count the days until the celebration of Christ’s birth as well as prepare ourselves by challenging us to act Christ like. Each day of Advent was assigned a special task that the children choose. Below are the tasks they used.

The end product!

If you were unable to attend Family Sunday school on November 25 and want more Advent education ideas for your children or would like this Advent calendar craft kit, please contact Sarah Kate.

Important, but mostly fun, event reminders!

Today is the last day to sign-up for the American Girl Fashion Show in March! There is still time! Get in touch with Sarah Kate (sarahkate@roswellpres.org  770-649-4507) ASAP!

***Because we have had such a great response for adult chaperones we can now offer this event to our preschool and kindergarten children as well.

Available to Prek-5th grade!

Make sure to stay after the 3pm Christmas Eve Service to join us in the narthex for Jesus' birthday party!



Children's Choir Information

Please take note of the different choir rehearsals for the Children's Christmas Concert and the Christmas Eve service.

Last onCore this week!

This Wednesday evening, November 14, will be our last onCore for the term. We'll have a Thanksgiving Feast to finish out the fall!

 

**IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!**

Children's choirs will still have rehearsals on November 28 and December 5.

The WEF dinner lines will open at 5pm for families with children so that your child can eat before their rehearsal and performance. You must make a reservation with the church office if your child will be eating a WEF meal.

Being registered for onCore dinner does not count.

A child's meal is:

$4 for 3-10yrs old

$7 for 11+ years old

Family maximum is $28

 

Don't forget to fill out your registration cards for the winter term!

And bring back your Thornwell turkeys this week

Click to view the Thornwell Turkey story