Coming September 2013

September is just around the corner! As a matter of fact they've already got Halloween decorations up at most stores. Before you know it you'll be hearing Mariah Carey sing "All I want for Christmas is You" over the PA system in the mall over and over and over again.

But I digress.

The beginning of September ushers in a new school year and that means, new and exciting stuff at New Life Kids too!  So, here's the scoop!

Nursery (Babies Under 2yrs)- Kangaroo Room

• NEW! Starting September 1st, Check-in for Babies (under 2 years old) will open at the beginning of each service. Opening 9:00am, 10:30am and 12:30pm respectively. And will close 20 minutes after service begins.
• PROMOTION SUNDAY: is Sunday, September 8th. This means that all children who have turned 2 are invited to join our Giraffe class for 2's and 3's on that Sunday.
• We have Parent Cues available for all parents with children under two. It's a quick encouragement for busy parents with small children.
• We have bottle warmers available in our Nursery for parents with small children. To keep the room sanitary please remove shoes before entering carpeted area though.

2's and 3's - Giraffe Room

• NEW! Starting September 1st, Check-in for all kids will now open at the beginning of each service. No longer after worship. Here are the check-in open and closing times at each service: 9:00am-9:20am, 10:30am-10:50am, 12:30pm-12:50pm. Once Check-in is closed our Greeter and Registration teams will no longer be allowed to check-in children.
• NEW! Starting September 1st, Our 2's and 3's classroom (Giraffe Room) will be moving and switching places with the Elephant room (across the hall). This is because our Elephant class is growing and needs more space to sing, dance, run and play as they learn about their loving Heavenly Father. Keep an eye out for posted signs.
• PROMOTION SUNDAY: is Sunday, September 8th. This means that all children who have turned 2 are invited to join our Giraffe class for 2's and 3's on that Sunday. And all children who are now Preschool age are invited to join our Elephant class for PreK & Kindergarten aged children on that Sunday.

PreK and Kindergarteners (children who turn 4 yrs old in 2013 & Kindergarteners)- Elephant Room

• NEW! Starting September 1st, Check-in for all kids will now open at the beginning of each service. No longer after worship. Here are the check-in open and closing times at each service: 9:00am-9:20am, 10:30am-10:50am, 12:30pm-12:50pm.  Once Check-in is closed our Greeter and Registration teams will no longer be allowed to check-in children.
• PROMOTION SUNDAY: is Sunday, September 8th. This usually means that kids move up to the elementary program. But this time around, kids starting Kindergarten this Fall will remain in the Elephant Room. We think our Kindergarteners will feel more comfortable and learn better in this environment. So keep bringing your now Kindergartener to the Elephant room on that Sunday and for the rest of the year!
• NEW! Starting September 1st, Our PreK & Kindergarten classroom (Elephant Room) will be moving and switching places with the Giraffe room (across the hall). This is because our Elephant class is growing and needs more space to sing, dance, run and play as they learn about their loving Heavenly Father. Keep an eye out for posted signs.

1st Graders to 3rd Graders- Upper Stage Room

• NEW! Starting September 1st, Check-in for all kids will now open at the beginning of each service. Before worship! Here are the Check-in open and closing times at each service: 9:00am-9:20am, 10:30am-10:50am, 12:30pm-12:50pm. Once Check-in is closed our Greeter and Registration teams will no longer be allowed to check-in children.
• PROMOTION SUNDAY: is Sunday, September 8th. This means that all children who will start 4th Grade in the Fall are invited to join our 4-5th Grade small groups in the Lower Stage Room on that Sunday.
• NEW! Starting September 1st, We will be implementing new Security Procedures at Check-in and Check-out for all Grades. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Kids will receive a security tag that they will wear for the remainder of their stay with us at New Life Kids. Parents will receive a matching numbered tag and must bring it with them to pick up their child at New Life Kids. For the safety of all of our kids in our big building, no child will be allowed to leave class on their own. They must be dropped off and picked up by an adult (18+). It is irresponsible and unsafe of us to let kids wander off on their own. While minors are in our care we want to be sure they are safe. We also want to make sure we hand them over to the care of an appropriate adult at the end of each service. Thanks for your understanding and for helping us keep your kids safe.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Starting September 1st, 4th-5th Graders will no longer be allowed to enter and leave our ministry environments with out the presence of an adult. We need to be able to reach and communicate with parents before, after and sometimes during services. This new security measure helps keep kids safe and it also helps us partner with you better.  Thanks for your cooperation.
• NEW! Because of our new Check-in time we are not only able to introduce a safer environment for kids at New Life but we are also able to introduce kids to a brand new worship experience that's all their own. We're excited!

4th Graders to 5th Graders- Lower Stage Room

• NEW! Starting September 1st, Check-in for all kids will now open at the beginning of each service. Before worship! Here are the Check-in open and closing times at each service: 9:00am-9:20am, 10:30am-10:50am, 12:30pm-12:50pm. Once Check-in is closed our Greeter and Registration teams will no longer be allowed to check-in children.
• PROMOTION SUNDAY: is Sunday, September 8th. This means that all children who will start 4th Grade in the Fall are invited to join our 4-5th Grade small groups in the Lower Stage Room on that Sunday.
• NEW! Starting September 1st, We will be implementing new Security Procedures at Check-in and Check-out for all Grades. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Kids will receive a security tag that they will wear for the remainder of their stay with us at New Life Kids. Parents will receive a matching numbered tag and must bring it with them to pick up their child at New Life Kids. For the safety of all of our kids in our big building, no child will be allowed to leave class on their own. They must be dropped off and picked up by an adult (18+). It is irresponsible and unsafe of us to let kids wander off on their own. While minors are in our care we want to be sure they are safe. We also want to make sure we hand them over to the care of an appropriate adult at the end of each service. Thanks for your understanding and for helping us keep your kids safe.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Starting September 1st, 4th-5th Graders will no longer be allowed to enter and leave our ministry environments with out the presence of an adult. We need to be able to reach and communicate with parents before, after and sometimes during services. This new security measure helps keep kids safe and it also helps us partner with you better. Thanks for your cooperation.
• NEW! Because of our new Check-in time we are not only able to introduce a safer environment for kids at New Life but we are also able to introduce kids to a brand new worship experience that's all their own. We're excited!

It's gonna be a great year at New Life Kids!

Sunday Outdoor Adventure Club!- An Invitation from a New Life Parent

Dear Parents,

I have been playing with ideas of how to connect families more at New Life.  With the first service ending earlier now and with my interest in science and nature I was thinking about trying to put together a once a month Outdoor Adventure Club.  My concept would be that we could meet in the shell room after first service and head to a park - Central Park, Forest Park, Juniper Valley, Alley Pond, etc.  Each family would bring their own packed lunch.  We could do a nature walk/nature scavenger hunt type activity, connecting it to an aspect of God's character.  We have a number of field guides - mushroom identification, edible plant guide, tree identification, bird identification that could assist with that as well as binoculars, field scope, microscope.  Then have a picnic lunch and then free time for the afternoon to hang out as long as you want.  Could also do some organized games if we wanted to depending upon where we were.

Is this something that there is interest for?  I would like to have a team working with me to organize this.  I don't think it will be very labor intensive, more having people know what the plan is for the day to act as leaders of subgroups once we get to the park.  This type of a thing works best in groups where there is not more than 7 or 8 kids.  If everyone could respond with a "yes, I am interested", or "no I am not interested", number and ages of kids, and whether you would be willing to be on the leadership team, that would be really helpful.  I am having Millie and Kelly send this out so please respond to me at skmoltz@verizon.net.  Would like to do the first one toward the end of April.

Thanks!
Kristin Moltz
(Josiah and Aaron's mother)

Email us at children@newlifefellowship.org with "yes, I am interested". And we'll connect you with Kristin Moltz and this fun, family club!

{Orange Conference} OC13 Fundraiser

Hello There!

New Life Kids volunteers and staff are trying to go to the Orange Conference in April! We will have the opportunity to attend workshops like Reaching Tweens: Effectively Ministering to 4th-6th Graders, Off the Couch! Developing a Youth Leadership Culture, Successfully Partnering with Parents of Elementary Kids and How to Teach Preschoolers Spiritual Truth. But to get there, it can be quite expensive. So we will be selling coffee from Land of A Thousand Hills and other yummy treats to raise money for the conference.

We need to raise over $6,000 to get staff members and Volunteer Leaders to Atlanta, GA to attend The Orange Conference!

We'd love it if you'd show your support by purchasing a bag of coffee and/or a yummy treat. It would really encourage our team!

Also, by purchasing coffee you are supporting a great cause. We will be selling coffee from a company called Land of a Thousand Hills. This company started out dedicated to the rebuilding and reconciliation of war torn communities in Rwanda deeply affected by warring tribes and genocide. Land of a Thousand Hills pays a fair wage to the farmers of Rwanda, helps them with their basic needs, and brings a quality product to coffee lovers.

Now, Land of a Thousand Hills has reached beyond the borders of Rwanda to bring dignity and hope to Haiti, Thailand, and other parts of the globe. They partner with farmers and local community leaders to develop the coffee into a sustainable income, pay a just Living Wage, and strive to further meet the needs of the people.

So this month stop by our table in the lobby and purchase a bag of coffee for yourself and one to give as a gift and just for kicks pick up a yummy treat as well. In doing this you are supporting coffee communities in Rwanda, Haiti and Thailand as well as helping our New Life Kids Team get to the Orange Conference. Thanks for your continuous support!

Here are the dates to look out for in February:

• Sunday, February 10 (After all three services)
• Sunday, February 17 (After all three services)
• Sunday, February 27 (After all three services)   

Here's a video about the coffee you will be purchasing and how it helps people across the globe:

Visit their website at Land of A Thousand Hills.

Here's a video about The Orange Conference we will be attending:


If you'd like to help us get to the Orange Conference in a more direct way, please email Milagros Valle at mvalle@newlifefellowship.org or call 718-424-0122.

Thank you for your support and encouragement... it is so appreciated!

Kids Discipleship Process:: We Believe

Most kids for their entire idea of who God is and whether or not they'll have a relationship with Him before leaving 5th grade.

It's because of this that New Life Kids has designed a place where parents and kids can start meaningful conversations about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. That place is We Believe.

We Believe is one of the first steps in the New Life Kids discipleship process.

So I want to invite you to take an active role in the spiritual formation of your children and join me for We Believe.

We Believe is for parents and kids (K-5th grade). It's happening this Sunday, February 3rd at 10:30am in the Yellow Room.

REGISTER TODAY!

 

For more information about We Believe email us at children@newlifefellowship.org.

 

Elementary- CANCELLED

Our New Life Kids Elementary ministry environments will be cancelled for all services on Sunday, August 26th.

We don't like to cancel because we miss your kids and because we know the kids miss us too! But we are getting ready for a great kick off on Sunday, September 2nd, when we start our "new year" at New Life Kids.

We have lot's to do so that we can better partner with you, parents. We also are working to get the best Storytellers for our Large Group Time and we are working to get the best Small Group Leaders for your Kids!

So forgive us as we take one Sunday to prep for our "new year". We must say, we are super excited for what God has in store for us and you and your family.

It's going to be a phenomenal year at New Life Fellowship for kids and families.

We'll be praying for you during our preparations, will you keep us in your prayers as well?  Thanks a bunch and see you soon!

Many Blessings,
New Life Kids Staff

Promotion Sunday

We are all moving up!

Here's everything you Need to know:

This Summer @ New Life Kids!

So summer is literally around the corner!

Not many of you know this, but our AMAZING Small Group Leaders are committed to being consistent mentors every Sunday for a group of 5-6 kids (either the 9:15 OR 11:15am services). They serve with the end in mind knowing that our mission is to lead kids in a growing relationship with Jesus. And since kids live in an information overloaded world we've decided that church should be a place where kids can be seen, known and treasured by an invested leader and a consistent group of friends who believe what they believe.

We Believe!

Kids ask a lot of questions!

Some are easy like... Are we there yet? and Why do I have to take a bath?

Some are harder like... Do frogs go to heaven? and How does God hear me when I pray?

If your child is asking questions about faith, we'd like to help!
If you want to engage your kids in conversations about faith and aren't sure how, we'd like to help!

{Elementary} Snacks Unpacked!

(Taken from our NL Kids e-Newsletter)

I’ve been debating for a while whether or not our Elementary kids need to have snack during service. Most kids are only here for one service, which is probably around 55 min to 1hr 15min. Do they really need a snack and is it really a necessary part of the class?

We’ve thought long and hard about it and have decided that we will no longer serve snacks in our Elementary rooms (K-5) on Sunday’s Beginning January 2011.  It wasn’t an easy decision to make. There were many things we had to consider in making this decision.

So, we would like to share with you how we came to this decision:
 

Snack Fact #1:
It costs a lot of money to have snacks.  We have around 100-120 elementary a weekend during the school year and when you add up the cost of animal crackers, cheese crackers, cups and apple juice for that many kids 52 weekends a year, the cost will actually shock you.

Snack Fact #2:
We have many kids with severe food allergies. To assure that each child is safe and healthy we want to leave the food choices in the hands of parents.

Snack Fact #3:
We have so many fun, exciting and powerful ways that we want to introduce worship and other spiritual growth activities on Sunday Mornings, but do not have the time because of the time we take out to serve and eat snacks. Many times we even have to hold off on our learning activities in Small Group because we’re eating snacks.

In light of this change we want to encourage you to be sure to give your child a snack/breakfast before bringing them to church. Or let them know they will eat a snack after church. Or perhaps come a little early and bring them to the Shell room to grab a quick bagel with butter before service begins.

We thank you for your understanding as we strive to create a healthy, safe and dynamic environment where your child can get to know their Creator who loves them immensely.

(P.S. We will continue to serve snacks in our Toddler and Preschool environments.)

Register Your Child for the New Life Christmas Eve Dance Team!

Dear Parents,

This year we are inviting children and youth (Kindergarten and up) to participate in a dance as a special part of New Life's Christmas Eve services. Susan Maysonet, mom and professional dance instructor, will teach the children the dance on Sundays during December to "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" by TobyMac.

If your child would like to participate, please download and fill out theregistration form and bring it to the first rehearsal. Participants need to commit to being on time and present for rehearsals.

Christmas Eve Dance Team Information

Who: Kids, Kindergarten-High School (5yrs and up)
What: New Life Christmas Dance Team

When:

Rehearsals:

December 4
9:15 - 9:45 or 11:15 -11:45 (During adult worship)
December 11
9:15 - 9:45 or 11:15 - 11:45 (During adult worship)
December 18
9:15 - 9:45 or 11:15 - 11:45 (During adult worship)
***Mandatory stage rehearsal December 18th 1:15 - 2:00
Performances:

December 24 (Christmas Eve Services)
5:00pm and/or 7:00pm

Where: All rehearsals will take place in the Upper Stage Room (K-3^rd grade room). Once rehearsal is done K-3^rd graders will stay in the room for their regular program, 4-5^th graders can go downstairs to their room and Jr. High and High School students can go to their class or join the service. Parents do not need to pick up their child after regular rehearsals unless they aren’t going to class.

How: If you would like your child to participate, please fill out the Christmas Dance Team Registration form you received with this letter and bring it with you to the first rehearsal on December 4^th. Costume: Jeans and red turtleneck, please.

We would love for the children participating to dance in both services, but we also understand that they may be very difficult for some families. Please indicate if you will be present for both performances or if not, which one you will participate in. Services are at 5 pm and 7 pm.

Thank you for your help and support!

In His service,

Rosie Villodas

New Life Kids Director

Our Holiday E-Newsletter is Here!

Find out what is happening and what's coming up at New Life Kids!

Here's what's in this Issue:

• December & January themes for Preschool & Elementary ministry
• The latest on snacks @ New Life Kids Elementary Ministry
• What to do if your child has questions about Jesus, salvation and getting baptized
• December giveaways
• Parent, Kid and Family Resources
• And much more!

We're Moving UP!

Dear Parents,

I pray that all is well with you and your families after our encounter with Tropical Storm Irene. We are thanking God that the storm wasn't as bad as we had anticipated it would be.

School will be starting for New York City school kids in about 1 week, which means you are probably in "Back to School" mode getting the kids ready to head back.  Well the same is true for