How to Prepare for your Small Group

It doesn't take much to get ready for your small group during the week.  Just a few minutes 2-3 days out of your week and you'll be super ready to make this Sunday The Best Hour of Every Kids Week!

Here's what we suggest:

{Host Team} What You Missed!

If you missed our Fall Kickoff Meeting on Friday (8/31) we are going to try to fill you in with what you missed.

We've clarified roles and responsibilities and shared about the vision for our ministry this school year. Below you will find the Greeter Roles and Responsibilities document as well as a summary of some things Angella and Kelly spoke about in their breakout session for Greeters.

If you have any questions and to find out what else you missed be sure to touch base with Angella and Kelly before your date of service.

We are so glad you are on the New Life Kids Team and we look forward to a great school year!

Here are some pics from our Meeting:

Join Us in the Fall!

Hi Potential Small Group Leader!

We hope you will join us this fall for a new school year (September-June).

Here's what you'll be able to do:

• You will get a list of the kids in your group along with their parents name and contact info. This way you can send them birthday cards and connect with the family outside of Sunday mornings.
• You will get to be a part of a growing leadership team. We will provide all kinds of training and development to develop you as a person, leader and kids mentor.
• You will most definitely grow spiritually as you learn along with the kids to read God's Word and apply it to everyday life. You will be challenged to grow in your faith, that's for sure!
• And last but definitely not least, you will have the opportunity to make an impact in the life of kids, their families and for the Kingdom!

Check out this video to see what is New Life Kids Strategy:

Orange Confernece 2012 (OC12): Main Session

Last night was the Main Opening Session at the Orange Conference 2012. Here are some quick thoughts:

It was such an inspiring message given by Rethink Group (The organization that puts together the conference and our curriculum for Preschool Ministry, Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry) founder Reggie Joiner.

This years theme is Game Changer. Reggie shared how there are events and things in our lives that change the "game" of our lives and ministries. It changes how we think about what we do.

They started off talking about society today and how about 62% percent of people prefer to live in a diverse city/town/community. This generation is looking to be a part of something bigger than themselves and they aren't afraid of differences.

The world is messy, ministry is messy, serving people is messy because the Gospel is messy.

The best way to help kids prepare for a messy world is to get them messy while they are still with you. Get them involved in serving.

"We need to stop acting like we signed up for something and start acting like we are called to something."

The night ended with all 5,000+ attendees taking communion together celebrating and remembering the One paid it all and the reason why we do what we do.

So much more was said... So many thoughts... So moved... So challenged.

I know these thoughts are jumbled but I wanted to share a bit of the gems that we heard at this session.

I'll take better notes at the next main session. ;)

Rosie

Orange Bound

So, tomorrow a team of us leave on a jet plane from LGA to the "dirty south" (a hip hop term of endearment for Atlanta, GA) ;) or ATL.

Five years ago I boarded a plane to head to the first ever Orange Conference. Before then it had been called the "Grow Up" Conference held by NorthPoint Ministries. Since then, Reggie Joiner has created an organization called the ReThink Group which produces the Orange Conference.

UPDATED! Training & Development Opportunities

We value you as a volunteer leader. We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for you to grow as a person and as a children's minister. So here are some upcoming local and "not-so-local" conferences we believe will be a real blessing to you.

I know I (Rosie) am going to attend them all. I'd love for you to join me. I think it would be fun for us to meet somewhere outside of New Life and to learn something new together.

If you are interested in joining us (The New Life Kids Staff) at any of the below Conferences please be sure to send Rosie an email at rosie@newlifefellowship.org. (Financial assistance is available for those who need it.)

Here they are in order of the calendar date:

The Orange Tour Online- Free
When: March 12-31          Anytime, Just log on and watch.
Where: Online- Visit http://whatisorange.org/orangetouronline to register
Cost: FREE
If you missed it last Tuesday. They have the sessions available online through the 31st. Watch and learn!
Website: http://whatisorange.org/orangetouronline


New Life Kids
Children's Ministry Conference
When: Saturday, April 14, 2012           11:00-2:00pm (light breakfast served between 10:30-11:00am)
Where: New Life Fellowship, K-3rd Grade Room
Cost: FREE
This Conference is exclusive to the volunteer leaders at New Life Kids. Lunch and childcare will be provided.
Who's it for: Host Team members, Small Group Leaders, Storytellers, those interested in getting plugged in to serve.

Child Evangelism Fellowship
Children's Ministry Conference
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012          8:15pm-4:00pm
Where: Queens Herald Church, 65-15 164th Street, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Cost: $75.00
          If you register by 3/19/12 cost is $50.00
          If you register by 4/2/12 cost is $60.00
Website: http://cefnyc.com/cmc.html
If you are interested in attending email me with the workshops you want to take so we can register together.

The Orange Conference
When: Wednesday, April 25- Thursday, April 27, 2012
Where: Gwinnett Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: $299.00

{Preschool} March Song "Jesus Loves Us"

Hi Toddler & Preschool Leaders!

We put together an instructional video to help you learn the motions and words to the song of the month. Enjoy!
To download the lyrics to the song click HERE!

{Elementary} March: "Rooted"- Conviction

Watch the video as you get ready for this Sunday!

{Preschool} March- "Everybody!"

We are continuing our theme of love into March with the Bottom Line “Jesus loves everyone.” He does. He loves us even when we feel like nobody else does as He shows the woman at the well. He loves us even when we’ve made some very poor choices like Zacchaeus. Jesus loves us. Wow! Think about how the little hearts of our preschoolers can be impacted by that information. Even when we mess up, He still loves us. And, Zacchaeus shows us that accepting His love can transform us.

Later in the month, we will introduce the idea that because Jesus loves us, we should spread His love through the story of the Good Samaritan. This is a favorite story among the preschool set (because of the Band-Aids I think), and such a great lesson for them. The love of Jesus needs to be shared. Our final week encourages them to go and tell others about Jesus’ great love. What an amazing month!

{Preschool} "This is How!"

Hi Preschool Ministry Leaders! (Yes, this means you too Toddler Leaders.)

Karis has been signing this song all week long and so I looked up the words and hand motions to the song. We totally love it and we've been playing the song over and over in our house.

So to help everyone learn the words and the hand motions/dance moves I have put together an instructional video for you!

Hope it's helpful & Have fun with it!

Also, you can download the lyrics and hand motions HERE!