January goals

Getting own site and learning wordpress, which will have some nice privacy controls among other things.

Teaching children to lead in worship, despite controversy.

Strong focus on making sure that kids make connections with what they are learning and retain it.

Revamp website and other uses of technology in CFM.

Intense prayer for the incoming pastor and pastor nominating committee--that they have strong commitment to children and to seeing them as part of the body of Christ RIGHT NOW, not merely as decoration or entertainment.


That's a good start.

Seeking ideas

Any ideas for the following?

• All church retreats? (ideas, activities, unique ways to include kids in worship?)
• curriculum or other creative ideas for teaching the Parables? (we're doing a weekend series for adults, and I'd like to have a kid component)
• starting a kids' worship team (ideas, suggestions, etc.)
• ideas for teaching kids about how to be leaders in all areas of worship
• ideas for incorporating more technology--we use computers in SS as teaching tools, but I'm thinking more along the lines of having something they can log into from home (e.g. a Sunday School blog or message board; a component of the website that's interactive, etc.).
• parents--getting parents more involved at church AND at home, reinforcing what's learned in SS

How's that for a list?

Evening of Advent

The evening of Advent was a success. First of all, a "cold snap" came in (literally, it was 70 degrees one minute and then clouds flew over and it was 35). That was a good and bad thing. It certainly got me in the mood for Christmas, as well as the other people who were there, but it did deter a large group of folks from coming. Texans don't like cold. ;o)

That said, numbers weren't spectacular, but WHO CARES??? What I saw as I walked around last night was that new families to the church were involved! They were gathered at tables with other new and long time families, making wreaths and discussing plans for the holidays. Also, TONS of the OAKS (older adults keeping spiritual) were there, visiting with families and helping out the kids with their crafts. I, for one, chatted with people I've never had the chance to visit with before (because their kids are grown). Another plus: usually Grinchy members of the congregation were wearing holly bow ties and SMILING!!! Choir members were caroling through the halls. I was immediately cured of any bah humbug feelings (and there is certainly a lot of bah humbugging going on nowadays) and brought back to my youth, to days spent at my home church with my church family decorating the church with greenery and drinking wassail and hot chocolate.

My hope is that the Christmas spirit has spilled over contagiously to the worship services this weekend and into our greeting of visitors. We have the welcome mugs all ready, but I'm hoping our spirit is what embraces people, not a decorative mug.

Speaking of Christmas spirit, my cats have it for sure because I just spied one dragging HER present out from under the tree (she won't touch others). Gotta run before she opens it!