January 26, 2014

Ask Your Children...

Jesus proclaimed through his words and actions that children are valued by God. Children have an important place in the community of faith. This message of good news is one our children at First Church are experiencing in this current rotation with the opportunity to:

-hear the story of Jesus welcoming the children

-experience being a valued part of the faith community

-see that we are all, young and old, children of God

-see that every person is someone of worth

-see that children have things to teach adults

The story of Jesus and the children is found in the New Testament of the Bible, in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. At the time of Jesus, children were without rights or status so Jesus' inclusion of children was radical thinking.

Take a moment in the car or around the dinner table to ask the child in your life how she/he can help God make good things happen. Welcoming a new boy or girl to a class, club or sport team, sharing a comforting word when a friend gets hurt or feels badly, offering to help another, even a kind smile - these are all ways our children take their rightful place in God's community. I'm sure the children can continue to make a pretty long list and before long, we'll marvel at the ways children continue to teach US about God's love.

Grateful for our shared ministry,

Chris

If you haven't already submitted a new registration form for each child, please download the form below and bring it this Sunday.
Registration Form 2013-2014

_____________________________________________

If you have an idea to share, a project that was especially meaningful to you from your Sunday Church School days or would like to lend your own unique creative talents to our children's programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at chris@firstchurchguilford.org or call 203-453-3324.

Your feedback and concerns about our programs are very important and I would be more than happy to meet with you.

Christopher Solimene
Director of Children and Families Ministry

Confirmation
Confirmands and Mentors

First and Second Year Confirmands

Confirmation Year 1:
January 27, 7:00 - 8:15 pm in Griswold Hall
Please be sure to meet with your Mentors and work on the 'Images of God' worksheet.

Confirmation Year 2:
Please be sure to complete and hand in your NightWatch Registration for our trip to St. John the Divine, NYC on April 25-26. Need the forms? Click and print below:

Medical Form

Nightwatch Permission Slip

Confirmation 1 & 2 with Mentor Special Activity, Feb 9

Confirmands and mentors for year one and two are invited to participate in a fun and engaging activity with the confirmands from East Haven Congregational Church. Pastor Johnson has developed a fantastic community building event that will have you howling with laughter and thinking about our world in very different ways. Mark your calendars today to meet in Griswold Hall, February 9, 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Food will be provided. Please contact with your Confirmand/Mentor and RSVP with Chris at chris@firstchurchguilford.org

Questions? Contact Chris at chris@firstchurchguilford.org

Kids Living Faith

Church School Registration Forms

Registration Form

It is invaluable to have current contact information. We are able to keep you informed, let leaders get to know your child and be sure to have any important details such as allergies and medical conditions.

New 2013-2014 Registration Forms are now available below:

Registration Form Nursery - 3's Room

Registration Form PK - Gd 8

Please fill out a from for each child in your family and return them to the Adult Leaders or directly to Chris Solimene.

Safe Church for All Adult Volunteers

All teachers, volunteers, and youth workers are required to fill out Safe Church Forms and attend Safe Church Training. If you need a copy of our Safe Church Policy or have and Application to hand in, please see Chris Solimene. Safe Church training classes are offered in the fall and spring.

Lending Library books

Books that deal with children's issues, families and faith issues for kids are available to be borrowed by anyone. The books are on the shelves in Room 9 (next to Griswold Hall) and there is a simple 'lending procedure' card that gives directions on how to borrow a book. Many thanks to Marjorie Colton for working with me to offer these books to families from our Minear Library. Any questions? Ask Chris.

Looking for a fun way to give back?

Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? We would love to add more rotational leaders for the 2013-2014 year. Volunteer commitments can range from doing a 4-5 week rotation or volunteering as a helper. The times can often be varied around specific commitments.

Please let us know if you have more questions or might be interested by emailing me at chris@firstchurchguilford.org

First Church Guilford

In This Issue

Confirmation

Daily Devotional

CALENDAR

Jan 26 Jesus & Children
Week 3

Feb 2 Jesus & Children
Week 4
Annual Meeting

Receiving this Email for the First Time?

We are so glad to have you join us! We send out weekly emails to families, church members and friends about what we are experiencing in our Kids Living Faith and upcoming events for children and youth. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know! If at any point in time you would prefer to stop receiving these emails, an "unsubscribe" button is available. If you'd like to join our list, click the button below.

Our Sponsored Children

Our children's ministry has accepted the sacred responsibility of sponsoring two students in South India. Schooling in India is not free as it is in our United States. In partnership with First Church's Board of Community and World Concerns, we will pay for one girl and one boy to attend the King's Matriculation School on the campus of Family Village Farm.

In addition to paying for their schooling fees, which include tuition and a daily lunch, we are encouraged to send letters, cards and of course, our prayers!

Please read their stories, which are posted on the wall just outside the entrance to the Church School from the Sanctuary. You will also see our letters to the children there.

See Chris Solimene if you would like to know other ways you can assist young Gowthami and Raghul. Our combined efforts allow them to receive life-changing hope, trust and optimism through our gifts and prayers...

'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

Said Jesus,
Matthew 25:40

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Christopher Solimene
First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT
First Church Home Page