August 24, 2009
Our volunteers in KidzCrossing are truly incredible. Our staff marvels every week at how dedicated they are. Just last week I had the privilege of watching one of our Kid Coaches (that’s what we call a small group leader) sit outside the room and talk to a young boy who was really struggling with going into his room. I know, some of you may be thinking–with all the cool stuff in some of our rooms: wii’s, air hockey, foosball, etc. Why would any kid NOT want to go into KidzCrossing? Well, he was fearful because he thought he wouldn’t know anybody. But his Kid Coach spent time with him, got to know him and finally persuaded him to come in. His Coach stayed with him, introduced him to a bunch of other boys and long story short– he ended up having a great time!
Parents, I don’t need to tell you that so much of our kids’ lives are about relationships. We want them to make good friends and have positive, healthy relationships as they grow up. We want you to know that KidzCrossing offers this and even more to your kids every week- the opportunity to make some great friends, Kid Coaches who will build relationships with your kids and encourage them- even call out greatness in them-AND they get to discover how they fit into God’s Big Story!
Because relationships are so important, this is why we encourage you to bring your child to the same service each week. This kind of consistency gives your child the opportunity to make friends, develop that positive relationship with their Kid Coach and we can guarantee they will discover their place in God’s Big Story.
This week KidzCrossing begins it’s new fall curriculum which makes it a great time to meet your child’s Kid Coach, if you haven’t already. Introduce yourself. You’re both on the same great team – your kid’s team!
August 13, 2009
I like this picture. It’s called “Back to School”. But if I had taken the picture, I would have had parents jumping for joy instead of the kids. It’s a bit more realistic at least in our house!
So, next week, most of our kids will start back to school, if they haven’t already. Backpacks get packed with every possible school supply imaginable. Honestly, is there anything cooler than a brand new box of sharpened crayons? Some parents go the extra step to label every single item with their child’s name. (I knew a parent who labeled each one of their kid’s crayons- don’t ask my husband…) If you have girls, their clothes have probably been picked and laid out way in advance, for the first day. We, as parents, just want that first day to set the tone for the rest of the school year.
Well, August 29/30 we launch a new ministry year in KidzCrossing! As a staff, for weeks we’ve been passionately working to write and prepare lessons, plan stages, gather props, and recruit volunteeres for a great year of teaching your kids about God’s Story and help them find their place in His story. Just as you want to prepare your kids for a great year in school- here’s a few ways to set them up for success in KidzCrossing:
• Whichever service you attend- arrive early.
o We print tags 20 minutes before service time. As an added bonus- the kids really enjoy the extra Activity Time before classes start.
• Make sure their tummies are full.
o Kids can fully focus and engage when they’re not hungry.
• If you’re not a regular volunteer- consider being a Parent Helper once a quarter.
(stop at the Kidz Desk or email kids@wcrossing.org)
o Not only will you get a first hand view of what your children are learning, you’re guaranteed to acquire some great ideas for how to reinforce these Biblical concepts when you go home. We hear about incredible God talks that happen on the road home. We don’t want you to miss these opportunities to connect with your kids.
At KidzCrossing we’re committed to partnering with parents to lead kids to Christ and help them grow spiritually. Come talk to one of us on staff and see how you can help be a part of this mission.
Patti Kirkland and KidzCrossing Staff
August 3, 2009
It was a beautiful Sunday morning as John Steckert came rolling into The Crossing. Nothing so different from the many Sunday mornings previous. He had come to be a kid coach for his 2nd grade girls. He strolled by the coffee bar to make some hot tea because coffee is just not his thing. John and I were talking just inside the 2nd 3rd grade room when I saw it out of the corner of my eye. I saw her coming full speed ahead. One of John’s girls had just spotted her “pastor” aka her Kidz Coach. As the hot tea became air born…(don’t worry, no one was hurt!) — I witnessed a relationship. I witnessed an adult who takes time out of his life to mentor a little girl and live the love of Jesus in front of her. All three of us had smiles on our faces. Who cares about the tea on the carpet. That little girl may grow into a Godly woman because of John doing his part to willingly and freely give for Jesus. Relationship is everything.
Stephen Hershberger
elementary group life interim coordinator
Windsor Crossing Community Church
Chesterfield, MO 63005
July 27, 2009
Each week we encourage KidzCrossing volunteers to prepare their hearts before serving. Here is a sample of a devotional we send them.
The Sower
One day Jesus sat down with his disciples and began to tell them a story. He said that there once was a man sowing seeds. As he threw the seeds out into the field, some seeds fell beside the road and died quickly. Some seeds fell on rocky soil and began to grow, but they didn’t have deep enough roots to live. Some seeds fell among thorns and grew, but they were choked out by the thorns and weeds. Some of the seeds fell on good soil and they not only grew, but they also yielded much fruit. Jesus told his disciples that the seeds represent the Word of God, and the soil represents the hearts of the people hearing and receiving His Word. The soil by the road is people who just refuse to believe what they hear. The rocky soil is people who hear the message and think it’s really cool, but forget all about it when something bad happens. The thorny soil is people who hear it and really like it but other things like money and stuff become more important to them. The good soil is the people who hear God’s Word, believe it, and allow it to change their lives. These people are the ones that really grow something! (Mark 4:14-20)
What makes the good soil different than the other types of soil? The good soil allows the seeds to take root and grow into healthy fruit bearing plants. These people not only hear the Word of God, but they actually accept it into their hearts and allow it to change them and grow them into something better.
God’s word is heard by many different people. Some people are excited to hear about what Jesus has done for them, and others really don’t care that much. Many people are excited to hear about how much Jesus loves them, but won’t allow His Word, the Bible, to change the way they live. God wants us to not only hear his word, but also to allow it to change our hearts and minds. When we let the Bible change how we live we’re allowing the seed to take root in our hearts.
Our hearts can be good soil if we not only hear the message God has for us in the Bible, but also accept it into our lives and allow it to change who we are. This week, allow God’s Word to take root in your life and it will change how you minister to your kids.
Adapted from the Pair O’ Bulls Student Handout Lesson 6
Betsy Haller
KidzCrossing Early Childhood Coordinator
July 13, 2009
As we find ourselves half way through the summer, have you stopped long enough or slowed down a little to enjoy this special time of year? You know, that special time in the dog days of summer, when not only parents but kids start to wish they were back in school – when “I’m BORED” is a statement that you start to hear at least once a week? Well let me tell you, the best way I know to “steer” away from summer boredom is to make sure your kids get to enjoy “Pair ‘O Bulls” and all the fun here at KidzCrossing each and every weekend.
The parables the kids are learning about come with not only a weekly take home activity page, but also special daily activities found in the “Family Enter Action Guide”. We hope you picked up your family’s copy. If not, guides are still available at the tag stations.
There are TWO very special events coming up in the next few weeks. First, on July 25th & 26th — our YouthCrossing team will give our 4th, 5th & 5th plus kids a big taste of what awaits them when they get into our Middle School Ministry. We’re calling it the “Non-Hostile Take Over” weekend. They will lead the 2nd – 5th Plus kids in some amazing worship and then Rob Bergman, Youth Pastor will bring a Bible Truth to the 4th, 5th & 5th Plus group. Your kids are not going to want to miss this exciting weekend. Rob and his team will be at the 4:30/6:30/9:00/11:00 services.
Second, have you noticed how talented your kids are? Of course you have! And we get the opportunity to feature some of their talents during the Art Experience. The children in KidzCrossing are being invited to submit their own artwork for the Church wide “Art Experience” happening on August 13th & 14th and August 15th & 16th. An informational flyer will be coming home this weekend with the details for submitting artwork for this amazing, fun event.
Tana Peckham
Kidz Staff
July 15, 2009
Hey KidzCrossing Volunteers and Families!
We are pleased to announce the newest member of the KidzCrossing staff—Mr David Rausch! David’s position will be Elementary Programming Coordinator. David will have his programming eyes on all our creative programs but just so you know, our awesome Tana Peckham will continue to bring her programming skills to the K/1 room which will allow David to be able to focus on 2nd-5th. Yea God!
A little background on David, he comes to us from a “little” church north of us– Willow Creek Community Church.
David has been working in children’s ministry as both a volunteer and a staff member at Willow Creek for almost 12 years. For the first 7 of those years he volunteered as a small group leader in the age 4/5 room. Since then he has taught (LGC) in both the K/1 room as well as the Grade 4/5 room. In addition, David has both written and worked with the curriculum that we are currently using. We have had a relationship with David over the years and he has helped this team out in many ways. You may have heard him speak at one of our Kick-offs a few years ago. And if you’ve ever been to a Promiseland conference with us- you may very well have sat in on one of his breakout sessions.
David has been married to his wife Mindy for over 11 years and has 3 kids: Kennedy (5 years old), Loreli (3 years old), and Lincoln (10 months). One of his greatest passions outside of God and his family is backpacking. When David isn’t backpacking he’s thinking about and planning his next trip. His next major backpacking goal is to climb Mt. Rainier in Washington. David also does a good Chewbacca impersonation. ( I think we definitely need to hear this!)
David will start July 20 and you will be seeing him around beginning the weekend of July 25/26. Be sure to greet him, introduce yourself, and make him feel welcome. We are blessed to have David on our KidzCrossing staff and look forward to how God will use his significant creative gifts to continue the dynamic ministry in KidzCrossing.
In Christ,
Patti Kirkland
Director of KidzCrossing
Windsor Crossing Community Church
Chesterfield, MO 63005
www.wcrossing.org
July 8, 2009
Our fun Snack Pack summer is underway with five weeks behind us and eight to go. Ministry to the children continues throughout the summer, with the same energy, creativity and enthusiasm that our children have come to expect. Besides our regular volunteers, we have many Snack Pack volunteers to thank for this!
Snack Pack volunteers get a “taste” of KidzCrossing. They get to “sample” the different age divisions through their serving experiences. Some take a bite-sized serving and many go for seconds. Not only are they meeting new people and making a difference in the lives of children, they are doing something that is 100% good for their souls.
Read what some of our Snack Pack volunteers have to say:
“I have been a SnackPack Volunteer only twice and have been impressed with how friendly and welcoming the regular KidzCrossing workers have been to me! This is truly an example of how much they love to serve Christ and want to share Jesus’ love with the children in KidzCrossing.” Tarah C
“What a good experience I have had with the Snack Pack! Reflecting on the experiences I must compliment the enthusiasm the leaders have that keep God’s Word alive and active. I see a huge time commitment put into each lesson to ensure the kids get the most out of their lesson. The kids just make me smile; they are polite and thoughtful to each other, and receive God’s Word with an equal enthusiasm as the leaders.” Sharon A
“I just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to help with kids ministry this summer by doing Snack Pack. I LOVED working with everyone and was so encouraged by all the helpers who are so passionate about sharing Jesus with the kids! Christ is definitely at work! I am amazed at how organized everything is around Windsor with Kids Ministry. Wow! Growing up, if Sunday mornings would have been anything like Windsor’s kids time, I have no doubt I would have been skipping to the door to see everyone! 
I wish I was going to be around longer this summer to help out. I will be leaving August 17th to go to Burkina Faso, West Africa and will be there through May 2010.” Olivia V
If you are reading this and think a diet of Snack Packing might just be for you, there are still plenty of weekends remaining! Email us at Kidz@wcrossing.org for more information.
Kathy Ziha
KidzCrossing Volunteer Coordinator
Kathy@wcrossing.org
1 July 2009
We are having a good time! The smiles and laughter are a given each weekend. Yet, sometimes it’s the tears that touch our hearts more than anything else. Moments like these do happen when kids talk to their Kid Coaches about issues they are facing or decisions they are making regarding their faith. Do you know that when your child attends KidzCrossing he/she has their very own small group and each is led by a Kid Coach. We consider our Kid Coaches to be “pastors” because these roles are so similar. You may have heard your child exclaim, “But mom we can’t go to church at 6:30 because Ms. Elizabeth won’t be there.” or “Dad why do we have to go at 11:00? Mr. Andy is always there at 9:00!” We celebrate sentiments such as these because it indicates children have built relationships with their Kid Coaches.
The Bible talks about a triple braided cord that can’t easily be broken…
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New Living Translation)
Parents, we want you to know that KidzCrossing is not just a place for your kids to “hang out” while you attend service in “Big Church.” KidzCrossing is a place where the Bible is being taught age-appropriately and deep relationships through which life change can occur are being built . Our Kid Coaches are committed shepherds who love your kids and yearn to make a difference in their lives. Thanks for allowing us to partner with you – to be that “3rd strand in the braid” of your children’s lives. Together we can make an impact that can last for eternity. If you ever want to check out what your child experiences in KidzCrossing or if you ever want to meet their Kid Coach (which I highly recommend), please feel free to email kidz@wcrossing.org to let us know. We’ll happily arrange a time for you to observe!
Privileged to partner with you,
Stephen Hershberger
KidzCrossing elementary group life interim coordinator
Windsor Crossing Community Church
Chesterfield, MO 63005
——————————–
June 22, 2009
We had a great first weekend with our Pair O’ Bulls summer curriculum. While Grades 2-5 are hanging out at the farm, the children in 2-3’s through Grade 1 are “Having A Good Time” (one of our favorite songs) at the beach. You’re probably thinking, “What does the beach have to do with Pair ‘O Bulls?” The answer: nothing. Well my daughter thought it was fun since this summer on our family vacation we hung out at the beach during the day and slept at a farm. Each week your child will have fun in the sun whether they’re kickin’ back in the sand or riding the horses on the farm. The children will be participating in the same Parable as the rest of KidzCrossing. If you missed last week be sure to stop by the Kidz Lobby to pick up your family’s copy of the Family Enteraction Guide. It is filled with activities for you to reinforce the week’s lesson with your children.
Serving His Kidz,
Betsy Haller
Early Childhood Coordinator
Betsy@wcrossing.org
——————————–
June 15, 2009
This Sunday night, June 21, we celebrate and watch as a couple hundred people step into the baptism waters to publically proclaim their faith in Christ. Over 40 children have signed up to be baptized this year. Of course we mean more than just “sign up.” I wanted to take a moment to share a little of the process these boys and girls – and their parents – go through so you can truly appreciate and join in the celebration.
In addition to filling out an online Baptism registration where they share when they made the decision to follow Jesus and now why they want to get baptized, the children attend a 90 minute baptism class with their parents. Wow, 90 minutes, really? Yep. This class is so important because, in the midst of the joy of baptism preparations, there is a sadness when we read an on an adult registration, “I was baptized as a child and didn’t fully understand what I was doing” or “I got baptized as a child because my family was doing it (or my friend was doing it).” We want parents and their children to be crystal clear about what baptism means and to give careful thought to whether or not they are indeed ready to take this next step of faith. Should they decide to be baptized, or should they decide to wait, we celebrate either decision because they are truly engaging in their faith and wrestling with spiritual concepts.
During the class, we address the parents also. Scripture makes it plain that it’s their responsibility to nurture their child’s faith. We challenge the parents to grow right along with their children in order to be able to lead them well. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says,
“Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.”
We also cover the “ABC’s” of the gospel as well as the symbolism of baptism, etc with the children. Because baptism reflects a public expression of a decision they’ve made to follow Christ, it’s important for them to articulate what baptism means – in simple terms. We divide up into REALLY small groups of 2-3 children with one of our Kid Coaches, often someone they already know from KidzCrossing. In that setting the kids get the chance to verbalize their decision while parents listen. By the end of the class, it becomes pretty clear if a child is ready or needs to wait a year. And we’re ok to wait because we recognize that baptism is not what saves them or seals their relationship with Christ, it is a symbol of a decision already made.
Is it a perfect system? Absolutely not. Last time I checked, none of us here are perfect. But it is the best way we currently know how to help walk kids and families through this very serious and holy step of faith. We love your children and consider it an honor and a responsibility to point them to Jesus.
Hope you don’t miss Sunday night…
Patti Kirkland
Director of KidzCrossing
——————————–
June 8, 2009
Dear Parents:
KidzCrossing begins our new summer series, “Pair O’ Bulls” (get it? – parables) this weekend, June 20-21. Make sure you receive a “ticket” to claim your FREE copy of the Family EnterAction Guide when you pick up your child after service. This guide is designed to help you reinforce with your children what is being taught each week during the weekend services. All you need to do is stop by the Kidz Lobby for your family’s guide. Each week you will find the memory verse we are learning, along with fun ideas and daily activities you can do as a family. We suggest that you keep this Family EnterAction Guide on your desk, dresser or kitchen table as a reminder to read it each day. It is our prayer that together, as you and your children learn more about these parables, you can “Enter into Action” and begin to apply Jesus’ teachings to your daily life!
Serving His Kids,
Tana Peckham
Elementary Programming
——————————–
June 6-7, 2009. Whew – what a weekend!
If you weren’t here for the 9:00am service, I’m sure you have heard by now that we had a power outage a little after 8:00am. The cause remains a mystery but it affected a big part of Chesterfield Valley. As you can imagine, it took a tremendous team effort to pull off any sort of a 9:00am service. Greg spoke from the back of a pick-up truck on the Loft parking lot. Our musicians led a beautiful “unplugged” worship set. Our communion teams scrambled to set up tables outside, and last but not least, our KidzCrossing teams worked together magnificently to check in kids manually, maintain safety at all costs, account for every child, re-work lessons on the fly, reassure parents and keep kids calm and focused. The entire service was annointed and holy as we watched the church gather off the back patio, and, be the church. Nothing stopped the Word of God from being proclaimed! Truly it was a reminder that the church can be The Church anywhere – in an auditorium, on the back lawn, or in a refurbished Sears Warehouse in Fenton. It’s all about the people – focused on lifting Jesus up.
For a variety of logistical reasons, we sent the 2nd thru 5th graders with their parents to the service. This decision turned into a blessing. Read an email from one of our parents below:
“I love The Crossing. A power outage is simply not a catastrophe. In fact, today allowed KJ and me a great teaching opportunity. Leenie was to experience her 1st day in the 2nd grade room, but wound up with us on the back lawn. Since she has never seen communion before it was the perfect teaching moment. We got to explain communion and then pray with our daughter in such a holy way. Thanks for always thinking outside the box and being such an awesome place for families to grow together. Yeah God and you guys rock!”
Managing a “curve ball” such as this is a huge undertaking requiring enormous amounts of leadership. It was a reminder to us of how important our LEADERS are to this church and especially this ministry. Thanks to every one of our 9:00am teams who arrived on-time and ready to roll with a servant heart. Your calm, can-do attitude was passed onto the kids in each room. Thanks for stepping up to the plate and allowing God to work through you!
In Christ,
Patti Kirkland