Welcome to the Family!

WELCOME to a new year at First Church!  We hope that you will want to be a part of all that we have planned for kids and families and that you will invite your friends to come with you.  We are excited about our schedule of activities and events, from Sunday School and weekday programs to special events throughout the year. A great bunch of volunteers have signed on to make things fun for all. 

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
 

8:15 AM
  Nursery care for Infants through 4 year olds in Room 155

9:30 AM
Nursery care and Sunday School for children through 5th grade

11:00 AM
Nursery care for babies, toddlers, and 2 year olds in Room 155. Children 3 years old (as of Dec. 1, 2007)  through 3rd grade begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment.  3s, 4s, and Kindergartners are grouped together and 1st-3rd graders are grouped together.  4th and 5th graders meet in the Children's Center for God's Kids Youth Group

12:30 PM - begins September 23
Nursery care and children through Kindergarten are in Room 155.  Older children worship with parents.

5:00 PM
Nursery for Infants through Two year olds in Room 155
3 and 4 year olds (by Dec. 1, 2006) through 3rd graders begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment. 

Trick-or-treat for UNICEF
Pick up an orange box in the Children’s Ministry office if you’d like to collect for UNICEF on Halloween.   

Who do we listen to?
FaithWeavers Lesson for October 21

For a long time King Solomon was a wise king, but when he stopped listening to God he no longer made wise decisions.  The kingdom of Israel started to have problems. God decided that he did not want Solomon’s son Rehoboam to rule the whole kingdom.  Instead, the kingdom was divided into 12 parts.  God’s plan was for Rehoboam to rule over 2 of the parts.  The other 10 parts would be ruled by Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s important leaders, a man who obeyed God’s rules and listened to God’s prophets.  When Solomon learned that Jeroboam was to be ruler over most of Israel, he was angry and tried to kill him.  But Jeroboam escaped to Egypt and didn’t return to Israel until Solomon died.  When he returned, it looked like Jeroboam would have to fight to get his kingdom.  But a prophet told the people God didn’t want them to fight.  They didn’t fight, and Jeroboam became king just as God planned.  God has a plan for us, too, and his plans have a way of working out, no matter what we do. We can save ourselves a lot of trouble if we listen to God and obey his rules.

This week’s children’s ministry super stars 
Highlighting those who work in Children’s Ministry 

9:30, 11:00, 5:00 Sunday volunteers
Elementary Grades

Delores Miller, Kristi and Kurt Rillema, Kim Thoren, JoAnne Dalgleish, Cassie Mills, Jane Sigers, Kristen McNally, Melinda Stone, Jen and Jim Irish-Minewiser, Mary Adams, Myra Moreland, Mindy Dunbar, ann Guzdial, Heather and Clay Guise, Jane Myers, Lana Anderson, Susan and John McClelland, Karen Heidacker, Jill Slocum, Kelly Moore, Louise Stubbs, Carol Beggs, Jenni Clark, Melissa York, Steve and Lisa Wells, Diane Miettinen, Kathy Fryhoff, Katrina Belanger, Mike McNutt, Diana and Eric Freeburg, Janine Gallant, John and Wendy Kreitz, Tracey Stinebaugh, Janet Montgomery, Jill Kosik, Jeannine McCoy, Diana McComas, Kathy and Shelly Valentine, Karen Feilla, Jennie Perry, Sharon and Dan Ulep, Kathy Lang, Jillian Albert, David Sprung, Sarah Black, Trip Jones, Gail Granett, Jill Brown, Chris and John Stout, Matt Reynolds, Brennan Burke, Justin Brown, Kelsey Jackson, Amy Bouque, Ann Tenniswood, Charlie Wilshire, Chelsea Watkins, Laura Zeiler, Katrina and Bob VanderWoude, Robin and Mark Adams, Mary Lou Smolinski, Kendall Weinert, Harry Ashbaugh

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Watch for notices about upcoming activities.  The Sunday newsletter, KidLink, appears on the church website as well.  Steeple Notes and flyers are other ways to find out what’s going on. For the very latest information about church activities, check the Interactive Church Calendar on the church’s website at www.fumcbirmingham.org.  Remember, It’s never too late to get involved. New people are welcomed at any time!

    Sunday, October 21 - 9:30 a.m. - Big Chapel for 3 year olds through 5thgraders. Be sure to check our first Big Chapel of the new year!

The whole family is invited to PJS PUMPKIN PARTY on Thursday, October 25 from 6:30-7:30 pm after PJ’s Spooky Diner.  Come in your Halloween costume and make a craft, tour the Fun House, and trick-or-treat throughout the church.  Cost is $5 per family with the proceeds going to UNICEF.    Be sure to tell us if you’re planning to have dinner at PJs.  Cost for dinner is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Call 248.646.6407 ext. 3124

“Remember the Promise”

For the next four Sundays, starting October 21, you will be hearing and seeing a lot about promises - the promises that people make when they become part of the church.  When people join our church, they promise to support the church in four ways:  by their Prayers, by their Service, by their Presence, and by their Gifts.  Each week people will be talking about one of the promises.  We will learn about some of the different things our members do to support the church.  It is a way to get people  thinking about what they can give to the church.  On November 11 people will turn in their pledges and promise to give money to the church in 2008. This week we are talking about praying for the church.

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

A new addition to Kidlink 

Do you have a question about church you’d like to ask?  An idea you’d like to share?  An article,  story, joke or riddle you think other kids would enjoy?  We’re thinking about having a kids’ column for the newsletter and we need your help to make it happen.  Submit your item in writing to Susan Ives.  You can drop it off in the Children’s Ministry office, in the main Church office, or send it by email to sives@fumcbirmingham.org.

 Other Notes

Don’t forget to check the CLC schedule for classes!  There are activities for all ages, from yoga to basketball! Call extension 3155 for information.

 Choirs for all ages are organized by the Music Department.  Call extension 3125 for information.

            SAFETY FIRST...

The Sneed Children’s Park provides many hours of fun for our children.  We would ask that all users of the playground follow basic safety guidelines when playing on the equipment. 

1) Parents or care-givers should supervise children at all times from inside the fenced area.

2) No pets should be brought within the fenced area.

3) The equipment is specifically designed for children 5-11.  Younger children should be closely monitored and children over the age of 11 should not be on it at all.

4) No climbing UP the slide -- use the stairs.

5) No climbing ,sitting, or standing on top of the curly slide structure or the tube.

6) The Preschool and Enrichment programs have exclusive use of the playground Monday through Friday at specific times.  For the safety of all of our children, please do not visit the playground when the preschool and enrichment classes are playing on the playground.

NO NUTS and NO ANIMALS, PLEASE!!!

Please be aware that First Church has been declared a nut-free environment.  No nuts of any kind should be brought to the church.  A number of people in our congregation have life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other kinds of nuts. Please check the ingredients of any food product you bring into the church. Also there are people who are highly allergic to animals, so please leave your pets at home.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

THERE'S ALWAYS A PLACE FOR VOLUNTEERS
IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY!

Volunteers must complete a Volunteer application and submit to a Michigan State Police Criminal Record Search.

IN CASE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY…
During the week you can usually find a staff person in church:
Monday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday—9 a.m. to 4p.m.
Thursday—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays are days off — Please try to contact us about Sundays before Friday morning