Power Xpress

We started our new curriculum a few weeks ago and everyone seems to be enjoying it. We are currently learning about “How the Bible Came To Be.” The children meet at 10:45 for a gathering time before going to their different stations. So far the stations the children have been visiting are art, storytelling, and games. In the next couple of weeks children will attend the computers, cooking, science, and music stations. Stay tuned for more information about the fun we are planning for reflection week.

Children's Ministry Magazine LIVE!

There are still two open spots for this one day workshop on April 5th. This workshop is for anyone who is currently helping in children's ministry or considering helping out. We will leave the church at 7:00 a.m. and return between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. lunch will be provided. I need to know by Tuesday, March 25th if you want to go. Depending on how many sign up, the cost will be somewhare between very, very cheap and...FREE! For more information, talk to me or go to www.group.com/cmml.

Children's Area Remodeling

Be sure to check out the children’s classrooms. We are still redecorating, but you can check out our progress. The “Heaven” room is complete and the “Temple” room is coming along. Still to come: Bethlehem Marketplace, the Upper Room, and the Tomb. Be here on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. to help us create this warm environment for the children of BUMC. Don’t forget to wear your paint clothes and bring a sack lunch.

Children's Teddy Bear Tea

The Teddy Bear Tea was April 12 and everyone had a great time! We dressed up, used our good manners, and talked about love and prayer. After our delicious meal a mime group performed some skits for us and even taught us a few mime techniques. Every child that attended made their own prayer bear. The bears were stuffed with prayers and the children took the bears home to remind them that “God hears our prayers.” Thanks to everyone that helped make this event a success!

Family Challenge

Here is a fun activity for your family to do together. It's taken from Group Publishings's book Children's Ministry in the 21st Century

Read together Matthew 28: 18-20 and Acts 1:8. God wants us to share his love to the whole world! How many countries and how many people groups there are in the world? As a family, choose a people group to "adopt". You can go to these websites to help you find a people group and to research their culture:

www.peoplegroups.org;
www.joshuaproject.net
www.gmi.org/ow

After you have chosen a people group to adopt and you know a little more about them, there is no limit to what you can do. Start by praying as a family for the people you have chosen. Put up pictures and maps in your house, continue to research your group, try some food from their culture or learn a traditional dance.

Are there any mission agencies that are reaching your chosen people group? Some mission groups allow you to support a local missionary or a child in that region. You could write to, pray for, or financially support someone through a mission agency. Check out these websites to find a mission agency:

MinistryWatch.com
www.gbgm-umc.org
www.gfa.org

I want to hear about what you have found. The first family to show me proof of their research will get a prize. If I hear from at least three families, we'll plan a night for you to share about the people group you adopted.