Connect with your family :: KidVenture Connection

Lori Short, Director of KidVenture |e-mail|

Mary Harsh, Assistant Director of KidVenture |e-mail|

PARENT CONNECTION

Faith tools for parents to help grow spiritual connections within the home

Family Prayer Journal

KidVenture introduced the idea of a Family Prayer Journal during the Birthday Party for Jesus event and we want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to learn about it. A Family Prayer Journal can be made from any notebook (spiral, journal, 3-ring binder, steno pad, etc.) and offers families an opportunity to share prayer concerns, joys, and blessings with God and one another. There is no one way to use a Family Prayer Journal.

Take a look at some of the ways you can use a Family Prayer Journal:

Leave it in a consistent place in your home so family members can write or draw in it anytime
Use it to write down praises, prayer requests, concerns, anything you feel is on your heart
Read other family members concerns, praises and thoughts so you can pray for them or talk with them more deeply
Share scripture verses together - possibly journal about what a particular verse means to you
Share topics and write thoughts about those topics
Some people number and/or date their prayer requests and refer to them in later prayer requests
Possibly leave space below your prayer requests to write answers to prayers as they come
Add PTL (Praise the Lord moments) moments when prayers are answered
A family journal doesn't have to be a "have to" thing or have a set time - just keep it as a constant presence in your home
Kids and parents can write down questions they have about God, Scripture, church, friendships, or things they see in the news and work through the questions together (remember that your KidVenture leaders are here to partner with you to find answers to tough questions).

Possible journal topics:

How do you see God working in your life?
How and where do you pray? Do you pray throughout the day?
What do you have going on this week that I can pray about?
What are some examples of ways that God has blessed you today/this week?
What are you struggling with this week?
What was the best part of your day?
What are you looking forward to today?

Blessing Your Children

This week's blog article comes from Steve Adams, Children's Pastor of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA.

Many parents are intimidated by the fact that the Bible says parents are the primary people responsible for the discipleship of their kids. They think, "I'm not a pastor. I didn't go to seminary. I'm just a mom or dad." ...read more

Family Tools Links

+ Praying with your child

+ The Action Bible

+ BibleGateway.com

+ YouVersion Bible

CONNECT WITH CALVARY

Opportunities to connect with God, one another, and our world through worship, study, service, and more

Scrip remains available weekly!

Scrip offers ongoing fundraising through the purchase of gift cards. Some people think of gift cards in terms of "gifts" only. However, Scrip offers card options like Wal-Mart, Meijer, Cub, Sam's Club, and many gas companies. Through these options you have the ability to purchase gift cards to fill regular grocery and fuel needs while at the same time giving back to the organization. As you plan your weekly shopping, please consider using Scrip. Orders can be made online or on Sunday mornings at the KidVenture Connecting Point. For more information, please see our Scrip web page.

KidVenture Opening

KidVenture has an immediate need of a Preschool Small Group Leader at the 9 am hour. Leaders are scheduled two or more times per month and work with a team of leaders. Curriculum and materials are provided. If you have a heart for preschoolers and want to know more about this position, please email KidVenture@ConnectWithCalvary.org.

Ash Wednesday Love Feast is Wednesday

Families, please join us on Wednesday, February 13 from 6-7:30 pm in the Worship Center for the Ash Wednesday service. We will begin Lent together by fellowingshipping with one another, receiving the sign of ashes, and celebrating the Lord's Supper together. Please register online if you plan to attend.

Fouth & Fifth Grade Local Retreat Event!

On March 1-2 the nation's BIGGEST Christian preteen event, CIY SuperStart! is coming to Bloomington-Normal. The event will take place from late Friday afternoon through mid-afternoon on Saturday. Students and chaperones will meet at Calvary at 5 pm to drive as a group to the event. The group will return to Calvary for an overnight and then head back to more exciting, Christ-centered experiences. Parents may pick their children up at Calvary on Saturday, March 2 at 3:30 pm. Chaperones are needed for this event also. For more information and to register, please see Calvary's Children Events Page.

The Light Kids Conference

The Light Kids Conference is a one day event designed for children in grades 1-5. The purpose of The Light Kids Conference is to get kids excited about the faith and the walk with Jesus. This is an opportunity for your family rather than a KidVenture group activity.

Conference date options:

March 2 - Washington, IL
March 16 - Marion, IL
March 23 - Troy, IL

Information about the program, pricing, and registration can be found on The Light Kids Conference website.

Kindergarten-3rd Grade Family Communion Night

Parents of K-3rd Graders are invited to join us Wednesday, March 20 from 6:30-7:30 pm as we discuss Communion during KidVenture programming. Pastor Grant will join us as families have an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the sacrament of Communion in the United Methodist Church. After learning, families will have an opportunity to Commune together. Note: Regular programming will take place for preschoolers and 4th-5th Graders that evening.

KIDVENTURE CALENDAR

Ash Wednesday Love Feast - February 13

Join the Calvary family as we begin the season of Lent. Nursery care will be offered, but there will be no regular KidVenture programming.

CIY Super Start (4th & 5th Graders) - March 1-2

An exciting, Christ-centered retreat for 4th & 5th Graders. For more information, see above.

Family Communion Night (Kindergarten--3rd Graders & parents) - March 20

During KidVenture programming our K-3rd Graders and their parents will learn about Communion. For more information, see above.

Holy Wednesday - March 27

Join the Calvary family as we Commune with one another during Holy Week. Nursery care will be offered, but there will be no regular KidVenture programming.

Weather Cancellations at Calvary

In the event of inclement weather,

cancellation notifications will be posted on the Calvary Facebook page (facebook.com/connectwithcalvary), the Calvary website (connectwithcalvary.org), in Calvary's Twitter feed (@CLVRY), and in any after-hours message on our phone system. In addition, Calvary follows the Unit 5 School District schedule for closings, so when their schools or activities are closed or cancelled our programming will be as well.

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