February Newsletter

In this issue:
Schedule Needs Updated (important)
Easter?
Safe Sanctuaries
Pennies from Heaven
Schedule

Schedule Needs Updated

I'm getting a little nervous. We only have people scheduled to cover children church through March 19 (except for a couple of other people here and there in the schedule. Please take a moment to go to http://jmchildren.blogspot.com/ to schedule a time to lead the group. Thanks so much to those who regularly teach; you are gems. If you haven't volunteered to fill a time slot yet, and have questions or concerns, please let me know. If you are a little nervous about leading for the first time, I also need a few assistants over the next couple of months. You can volunteer to be a "helper" -- no prep work necessary -- just show up and -- well -- help. Thanks so much to everyone! Note: If leaving a comment on the blog is not your "thing," just send me an email or stop me in church. We'll get you signed up even if we need to use a pencil.

Easter
What is your opinion? Is Easter the perfect time to have the kids in church (and thus we should not have Children's Church that day)? Or is it the perfect time to get the kids together for a service of their own (and we should have children's church that day)? If we do have it, we'll need at least three people to work in the Treasure Seeker's room that day.

Safe Sanctuaries
Thanks to Anita, Mary, and Chyrl for attending the Safe Sanctuaries workshop in Ona last month. Lots of really good information. HOpefully I'll be sharing it with you over the next few months, but I thought it might keep you attention longer if I cut it up into bite sized pieces -- a little here -- a little there -- so it's not so HUGE.

Since the kids of the church are in the middle of raising funds to help prevent child abuse, I thought it would be a perfect time for us to examine how to recognize abuse in children. Remember, these are only warning signs, not evidence. This list is from the Prevent Child Abuse web site:

The behavior of children may signal abuse or neglect long before any change in physical appearance. Some of the signs may include:

• Nervousness around adults
• Aggression toward adults or other children
• Inability to stay awake or to concentrate for extended periods
• Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities
• Unnatural interest in sex
• Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries
• Low self-esteem
• Poor hygiene

The site also offers a handout with even more extensive information. You'll need Acrobat reader to open this page (click on the word "handout").

Pennies from Heaven
The children of the church are collecting Pennies from Heaven to benefit TEAM for WV Children, a group dedicated to helping to prevent child abuse. Support our kids by donating your pocket change in church on February 19 and February 26.

Treasure Seekers Children's Church Schedule

February 19 -- Suzi
February 26 -- Steve and Shelly
March 5 -- Jodi
March 12 -- Mary and Jeff
March 19 -- Suzi