II Timothy

This morning I spent time in the book of II Timothy.   The rich relationship between Paul and Timothy is so evident. Paul knows he is writing what will probably be his last letter to anyone.  Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith.  Paul knew Timothy’s history, his youth and how many times Timothy had messed up.  Yet Paul simply would not give up on him.  At the end of the book, we hear Paul’s plea for Timothy to come to him soon.  Oh how Paul loved that boy.  

There are moments when I feel Paul’s intense passion.  His resolve to live out his call while in chains cries out out to every believer.  This clarion call of sacrifice is not popular today.  The call has been muffled by the roar of the world.   Listen fellow servants...listen to the quiet yet clear voice of the Prince of Peace.  Get into the Word allowing it to search out the hidden sin in your soul.  Jesus will never give up on you and me.  Jesus pleas for us to come to Him.

Dear Parents

This week, parents are getting ready to send off their kids to Camp KidJam 2009. This year our kids will experience the action packed Jam sessions which feature high-energy worship, great skits, and the The Incredible Adventure of the Misfit Brigade - the stories of people who Jesus came in contact with and whose lives He changed forever. Their stories are our stories as we learn together how God wants to change us for Him. Additionally, the kids will experience small groups where they can unpack the story with their small group leaders and how the story applies to them personally. Of course what is camp without all the fun, messy games... You know the ones that make kids scream “YUCK.”

So for those of you who have your own set of jitters about sending your kids off to camp, we are praying for you. For those who wish they could be sending their kids... yes, we are praying for you too. Parenting during the summer is always filled with fun and frustration. Hang on. School is around the corner and you’ll be back in the swing of school schedules before you know it. Until then, take a deep breath, round up the floaties and head to the pool or the back yard for a camp out. In other words, hang out with your kids. It is one of the best parts of summer.

News in Adventure Kidz
Family Sunday: August 16
We are kicking off the new school year with a family day. All of the kids from 0 to 18 will join us for worship. The children will sing and be a part of the service. Continuing with the Big Faith That Works series, Tammy will lead a large group time on the virtue of Faith. Also it is very important that you, as a servant, attend the service you normally serve at. We want to recognize your service as well as share the vision for families and the ministry we want to accomplish for this community. Immediately following the 2nd service on August 16, there will be an all-church potluck and games for young and old. Please bring 3 dishes to share with at least 10 people! Drop your food off in the kitchen before 11 am. Paper goods and beverages will be provided. Following our time to eat and visit with each other, there will be organized games for everyone to participate in. This will be a fun time to spend with friends, your family, and your Life Group. If you'd like to help with set up, serving, clean up or games, please contact Linda at lmcmillin@eastsidecommunity.com

AdventureKidz Team Training: Aug 20 at 7pm or August 22 at 9am.
Vision casting, nuts and bolts, soul food. TRAINING In order to develop your gifts, talents, and soul as a leader. We will share the vision for AdventureKidz. We are holding two identical training opportunities for your convenience. So please pick one of the two times. They are August 20 at 7 pm or August 22 at 9 am. Put this date on the calendar. You won't want to miss it.

New blog with great weekly tools for parenting. http://eccparents.blogspot.com/
Terry Eis, our Parent Resource Coordinator, will be blogging weekly with updates on what our children are learning. She will provide talking points for you and your kids as well as give you tools to develop yourselves as parents and to help your kids grow in their spiritual journey. Our goal is that by the time your children launch out in the world that they will be solidly grounded in their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about you, but I know that I certainly could have used a resource like this. Parenting didn’t come naturally for me. Both of our kids were so different from each other. Just when I thought I might have had the parenting thing figured out, my kids blew up the plan. So that’s why we are here. To support you, care for you as parents, encourage you, listen to you, walk with you and love your kids. We are partnering with you...the parents... THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD TO YOUR KIDS.

Warmly,
Cathy

Steal Away With The Prince of Peace

Big Faith That Works...That is a serious topic.  I have been living in a constant tension between giving all I am and have to the Lord and the pull of my fleshly desires.  Honestly, I am not sure which is winning in this tug of war.  My desire to become a “Whatever, Whenever” servant is wrapped up in a body of flesh that needs rest, care and quiet.  Our Beloved Prince Jesus knows this struggle.  For 3 1/2  years He served the multitudes, walked with the 12, and stole away with the Father.  It was during the silent years, while He was growing up, that His heart was formed and His character was forged into all the Father desired.  

I know you are so extremely busy.  I know this because I am.  As I reflect on where you are in raising families, careers, making ends meet, I know each of you are at times stretched in many different directions.  Remember, people all over this community and world are living out their faith just like you are.  Day by day and moment by moment people are worshiping the Prince of Peace right where they live life, in the middle of their one and only life.  Their worship isn’t based on their circumstances but on the reality of who God is and what He has done for them.  Across the world followers are worshiping 24/7. 

I am blown away by each of you.  You know intuitively that the stakes are high and eternity hangs in the balance.  What I deeply love is that you serve with no strings attached....Simply giving, loving and warmly extending the love of Christ.  You are becoming Whatever, Whenever Servants who worship God with your heart, mind, soul and body.

Today I hear Jesus calling, Come Away With Me.  You’ll find me on my porch today, listening, reading, seeking, resting.  May you find a moment to steal away with the Savior.  Be refreshed and recharged to give it up for Him.

Kids

If I were asked “What does it take to have a children’s ministry that helps kids become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ?”,  I would have one answer.  It takes a committed unified team, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who is willing to do whatever it takes, whenever it is needed.  This is a team where serving others is lived out in Big Faith... Faith that says yes because of how Big God is.  

I want you to know our AdventureKidz team is working hard to live out this vision and each of you are a part of this committed team.  We are forging ahead.  We are pulling hard for kids.  

I want to sincerely and genuinely thank each of you for bringing your best as you serve.  The stakes are high.  Families are at risk.   When families are at risk, kids are at risk.  These are some desperate times for some of our people.  It calls for a “Whatever, Whenever” team.   You are the team.

AdventureKidz Team News
The AdventureKidz Team worked hard last week.  We are continuing to flesh out some very important work for our kids. First I want to thank each of them for their sacrifice and passion to see AdventureKidz become all it can be for the kids and equally choosing to serve the parents.  Here is the progress we made.

• We are starting a prayer effort for the children and families.  We believe we must become people of prayer.  As we closed our meeting with prayer, God’s peace settled over us.  We know God will provide.  That’s who He is... Our Provider
• We are developing communication, support, resources and eventually training for families.  
• We are preparing consistent training for all who serve with the kids so you are ready provide excellent ministry to both kids and parents.
• We are modifying roles and responsibilities within the team.   New roles will be communicated.
  

The team is as follows:
AdventureKidz Director - Linda McMillin
AdventureKidz Admin – Kim Foster
AdventureKIdz Parent Liason - Terry Eis
AdventureKidz Prayer Coordinator - ?
Cove Coordinator - Toye Wheatly
Asst Cove Coordinator – Bess Smith
Reef Coordinator – Heather Womack
Asst. Reef Coordinator - ?
River and Studio 45 Interim Coordinator – Linda McMillin  (actively searching to fill this position)
Asst River and Studio 45 Coordinator (Large Group) - Tammy Unruh
Asst River and Studio 45 Coordinator (Small Group ) ?
Staff Management – Cathy Turner

Prayer Requests

• River and Studio 45 Coordinator and Asst Coordinator
• Asst. Reef Coordinator
• Protection against the enemy’s attack to divide
• The AdventureKidz families and children
• Each team member who serves
  

God is at work, building in each of us a faith that perseveres and stands firm on our beloved Prince, Jesus Christ.