Northwest Conference Children

& Family Ministry news

Monthly Children & Family
Ministry Connection

Thursday, Oct. 24 (moved back one week due to MEA)

Noon to 3 p.m.

Topic: Celebrating Ministry Milestones with Families

Location: Bethlehem Covenant Church youth room (3141 43rd Ave S., Minneapolis 55406) www.bethlehemcov.org

We enjoyed a great turnout at our September CFM connection gathering. Plan to bring a lunch and join us this month for encouragement, prayer, ideas, and ministry support. Note that the CFM connection meets at the same time and location as the youth pastor's connection so you can carpool with your ministry team. Hope to see you there!

2013-2014 dates are:

Thursday, Oct. 24

Thursday, Nov. 21

Thursday, Jan. 16

Thursday, March 20

Thursday, May 15

VIVE Twin Cities

Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Crosstown Covenant, Minneapolis

FREE - Continental breakfast and lunch provided

VIVE logo It's not too early to start thinking about college! For students who are the first in their family to go to college, applying to schools can be overwhelming. Consider attending VIVE, a college prep event for under-represented students in grades 7-12. VIVE's mission is to encourage and prepare these young students to choose a college education. Parents, children and youth pastors and other adults who are invested in students are welcome.

Participants will be inspired by Steve Fitzhugh (former Denver Bronco), interact with the North Park University worship team and learn practical ways to achieve their college dream. Parents will get useful knowledge about helping their child get to college. And ministry leaders will learn about how to advocate for their families when it comes to higher education.

Visit www.northpark.edu/vive to learn more and find us on Facebook at VIVE Twin Cities.

IMAGINE volunteer training

Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

FREE, lunch included

Plymouth Covenant Church

4300 Vicksburg Lane North

Plymouth MN 55446

SPEAKER: Scottie May, Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College

TOPIC: "The Faith Family: Generations Being with God Together"

Scottie is a popular author, conference speaker and local ministry leader who has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process, intergenerational worship, and authentic experiential learning.

For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for a major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren. Creativity runs in their family - one of her sons is the creator of VeggieTales as well as the new DVD series "What's in the Bible."

Download a promo flyer to share with your volunteers at: www.northwestconference.org/imagine

RSVP as a church group by Friday, Nov. 1 to 612-721-4893 or kara@northwestconference.org

C&FM Survey

Have you taken the Children and Family Ministry Survey yet? The CFM Commission is looking for feedback on how we can best encourage and support those of you serving children and families in our conference. Will you please take 5 minutes to click on the link below and give your input? Your responses will help shape our ministry priorities for children and family ministry in our conference. Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SMG9KJ5

Upcoming Events:

RECHARGE

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014

Grace Fellowship, Brooklyn Park

Looking for another great way to train your volunteer teams? Recharge is a day dedicated to equipping leaders in children, youth and family ministry. Main session speaker, Rich Van Pelt, trains thousands of educators, counselors and youth workers each year in adolescent crisis intervention and teen suicide prevention and response. Breakout workshop sessions for Children and Youth Ministry volunteers will be offered. Bring your team!

Early bird prices start at $32. http://www.ministryrecharge.com

Children & Family Ministry Sabbath retreat

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

Sabbath retreat for children and family ministers and volunteers, led by Steve Burger, Director of Christian Formation for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Metro location to be determined. Free.

Save the date:

Go: Serve

Who: NWC Families

April 26, 2014

Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a new NWC Family event, intended to bring Northwest Conference families together for a shared learning and outreach opportunity. This NWC Family event is targeted to families of all kinds with children in pre-K through upper elementary school.

GO: SERVE is an opportunity for families to learn and grow together, in a family-friendly, yet stretching, environment suitable for younger children. Families can expect to have their worldview expanded, to be inspired by God's kingdom workforce in the world, and to have opportunity to extend the hope and love of Christ with those experiencing unmet needs.

Resources will be provided for families to learn together, debrief and reflect on the experience together. Stay tuned for registration information!

NWC Church Resource Bank

Some of you have been asking how we can share resources with one another. Our conference website has a Church Resource Bank where you can post your extra resources or requests for resources you need. Click the link above and look for the Submit a Church Resource link.

Go ahead and post something. Let's help each other out!

Social Media

To get the latest updates on events and other Children & Family Ministry happenings for the NWC, like us on Facebook:

NWC Children & Family Ministry Facebook Page

Did you know there is also an ECC Children's Ministry Facebook page? This is a closed group, so if you are interested in joining (all are welcome!), send an email to kara@northwestconference.org and you will receive an invitation. This is a great way to collaborate on a national level.