Dear Families,

Hope you are staying dry & safe today! ⛈

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL/SUMMER KIDS DISCIPLE CLUB REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR VOLUNTEERS AND FPC MEMBERS! VBS/KDC will be August 1-4; 9am-noon. Ages three-rising 2nd grade will participate in VBS; rising 3rd-5th graders will attend KDC. To register, click the links below. **We are capping each age group at 20 children, so register ASAP to make sure your kiddos get on the list! Next week, registration will open to Weekday Preschool families and, then, to the community the following week. If you are a volunteer, you should have received an email from me yesterday with a 50% discount code. If you have not yet signed up to volunteer, but would like to, please email me! I’ll be happy to add you to the volunteer list and give you the discount code. 😊

CLICK HERE FOR VBS REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE FOR KDC REGISTRATION

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This Sunday

Kindergarten-5th grade will continue their Lenten series. They begin together in CORL 306 at 10am. After working together on a prayer practice and experiencing the bible story, we will split up into two smaller groups – K-2nd & 3rd-5th – for more activities. This is a great way to build relationships across ages!

  • March 27 – A Passover Meal
  • April 3 – Jesus Dies

Preschoolers will meet in MLC 101 and will be studying these same lessons.

Join us in worship at 9am in Rejoice or 11am in the Sanctuary!

**Nursery care is available on the first floor of the Life Center for infants, toddlers, & preschoolers during both worship services and Sunday School. Our nursery staff are all full time elementary and preschool teachers who have received our Child Protection Training. They would love to welcome your little ones to our wonderful nursery spaces! 

If you are looking for a Sunday school class for yourself, join other parents in the Life Center during the Sunday School hour.

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Coming Up

  • April 10- Palm Sunday & Resurrection Egg Hunt! Families are invited to join us at 10 am on the Elm Street/Labyrinth Playground for a resurrection egg hunt. After the hunt, we’ll have some treats and fellowship. **Children are invited to join the Palm Processional in either Rejoice or Sanctuary! 
  • April 17- Easter Sunday –Children & Parents are invited to join us at 10am on the Elm Street/Labyrinth Playground for bells, bubbles, music, parachute games and fellowship! 
  • April 24 – No Sunday School for children & youth
  • May 1 – 5th grade Celebration Breakfast – 10am
  • May 15 – Children’s musical and preschool bibles in worship! (If you have a “rising” three year old, you will be receiving an email from me about the bible presentation.)

Sunday school in May will be simple family fellowship on the playground! On May 1, 15, & 22 parents of preschoolers and elementary children are invited to come together on the Elm. Street Prayground for some casual conversation, food, and fun. 

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LENT AT HOME

During Lent, I’ll be adding this section to the E-News to share some easy ways you can experience Lent at home with your family.

We have talked about giving and I hope you are working on your Favorite Things Boxes! See attachment for a reminder.

I shared some prayer practices to consider trying with your family. If you missed it, you can read those HERE.

Last week, I offered some suggestions age appropriate ways to approach fasting with kids. You can review that HERE

Another way to explore Lent at home that I often use with children to make or look for crosses. Lent is a journey toward the cross and making or finding crosses is a tangible way children can participate. Here are a few ideas:

  • I love making tape resist crosses! HERE is one way to do it. It can also be done with crayons, markers, or paint!
  • HERE are several cross outlines you can print. Then, let your children decorate them with crayons, markers, tissue paper, buttons, or any type of collage materials! 
  • You can do this “stained glass” cross craft and put it in your window for the remainder of Lent and beyond.
  • You can usually find wooden crosses like this one at craft stores. Children can paint them or glue on buttons, gems, etc. Consider getting a few of them (maybe one for each person in the household) and creating a display after you decorate them.
  • Get in the habit of looking for crosses. While you ride in the car, take a walk, or look at a book, see how many crosses you can find.
  • Finally, HERE is a neat way to experience the stations of the cross with your children at home in the backyard.

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Other Notes and Info

The children’s committee will soon begin working on plans for next year! 😲 If you would be interested in serving on the committee, please let me know or reach out to our incoming committee chair, Catherine Freeze. We would be happy to share more information with you. 

Also, I know this year has still been Covid weird, but if you have feedback on the programs and activities we have offered (or NOT offered), ideas you would like to suggest, or any type of constructive feedback, please feel free to reach out and share your thoughts! The past 2-3 years have changed a lot about the way we approach children’s ministry (as well as many other things!) and our church is in a time of transition. The children’s formation committee will be meeting in early May to dig in a little by reviewing our mission statement, evaluating where we have been, and discerning where we are headed. We would welcome your input. 

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Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns! 

Blessings,
Lisa Witherspoon
Director of Children’s Ministry
First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC
(336) 478-4726