June 2020/Christie Mitchell
Hello Preschool Family and Friends! I am looking forward to the day that our classes are meeting again and kids are learning about following God at church as well as at home! In anticipation of our meeting again, we are trying to stay up to date on the guidelines for schools and implementing those appropriate for our setting at church. The helpful part is many of these guidelines are routine for our preschool staff workers. Here are some examples of those guidelines we can implement to keep our kids/workers safe and help parents feel confident in bringing their children to St. Andrew.
We will ALL need to work together during this time to provide a safe, loving, friendly environment for our preschoolers as we seek to gather again as a church family!
- Health Check (No fever in last 24 hours, temp taken with no touch thermometer)
- Drop Off (One parent walks child to classroom, teacher greets and has child wash hands/hand sanitizer upon entering room and engaging in arrival activity)
- Hand Washing (Encouraged throughout session)
- Surfaces sanitized as needed.
- Toys (Toys that are “mouthed” will be placed in container until it can be sanitized and returned for use)
- Place marks on floors or space chairs for children to sit to encourage social distancing.
- Walking ropes available (Kids hold onto rope at a colored mark to be socially distanced as they walk to playground).
- Playground equipment will be used one class at a time and common surfaces wiped off between classes.
- Gloves/masks used when handling snack.
- One parent picks up from classroom at closing (Avoid gathering in hallways).
We will ALL need to work together during this time to provide a safe, loving, friendly environment for our preschoolers as we seek to gather again as a church family!
Mission: Preschoolers!
August 2019/Christie Mitchell
This week I was looking over our Preschool Kid Zone brochure to update info for our upcoming Reconnect Sunday and fall schedule. I read again our Preschool Mission Statement: Partnering with families to build a strong spiritual foundation in the lives of preschoolers. As I re-read this, I realized how truly important a mission this is! It is the unique privilege of parents and preschool leaders partnering with parents to be servants of Christ who carry God’s love to little children! This mission is important because we follow Jesus’ example. While His closest disciples said we have no time, no resources, no energy for the children people were bringing to see Him, Jesus said “Let them come and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” He took them in His arms and blessed them. (Mark 10:14-16) This mission is critical because Jesus said that the least among us is the greatest; that whoever welcomes a little child in His name, welcomes Jesus and our God who sent His Son. (Luke 9:46-48) This mission is crucial because Jesus valued children and His relationship with them. As parents, as preschool leaders partnering with parents, as a church—we must do the same. Kids need us to be their champion in laying a spiritual foundation. Why? Because one day in Heaven, one of those “little ones” may come up to us and say: “Mom, Dad, Mr. Nick, Miss Robin, etc. I am here with Jesus now because you were there with me when I was little, loving me and pointing me to Jesus!
Just as our brochure needed to be updated, let us update our commitment to spend the time, the resources, and the energy required to shepherd and disciple the children God has blessed us with! What a privilege!
Just as our brochure needed to be updated, let us update our commitment to spend the time, the resources, and the energy required to shepherd and disciple the children God has blessed us with! What a privilege!
One Thing
July 2019/Christie Mitchell
As I was driving home the other day, I listened to a radio show with the foundational principle of intentionally setting a goal of doing “one thing.” My thoughts drifted to the “one thing” scriptures I could recall so I looked them up. These would make an interesting sermon, I thought to myself. Sure enough, others much more scholarly than I, have presented these important scriptures and their impact on growing us in our faith.
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Knowing God by being in His house (church) and praying was David’s “one thing.”
Mark 10:21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Knowing God by surrendering all that we have, all that we are was the “one thing” Jesus told the rich young ruler.
Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Knowing God is the heart of service was Martha’s “one thing.”
John 9:25 He answered, “Whether He is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
Knowing God and what He had done for him personally was the blind man’s “one thing.”
Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Knowing God was the “one thing” that kept Paul moving forward in his faith, his calling, his life.
When you line these scriptures up, we look past the things distracting each person and see that KNOWING GOD is the “one thing” common throughout scripture! What is distracting me from knowing God? What is it that is distracting you from knowing God? What is one thing we can do intentionally that will move us toward the “one thing” of knowing God? A daily time with God? Reading and studying the Bible? Encouraging your spouse/children daily? Attending a Lifechange group to study/discuss scripture with other believers? Serving as a preschool or children or youth leader? Having an attitude of gratitude each day? Going on a mission trip or serving in our local Center of Hope mission? Worshipping regularly? Sharing what God has done in your life with your co-workers? I’m asking God to highlight what my “one thing” is that will move me towards knowing Him more fully! What is your “one thing?”
Reference: https://7minutes.net/stumble/one-thing-from-christ/
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Knowing God by being in His house (church) and praying was David’s “one thing.”
Mark 10:21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Knowing God by surrendering all that we have, all that we are was the “one thing” Jesus told the rich young ruler.
Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Knowing God is the heart of service was Martha’s “one thing.”
John 9:25 He answered, “Whether He is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
Knowing God and what He had done for him personally was the blind man’s “one thing.”
Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Knowing God was the “one thing” that kept Paul moving forward in his faith, his calling, his life.
When you line these scriptures up, we look past the things distracting each person and see that KNOWING GOD is the “one thing” common throughout scripture! What is distracting me from knowing God? What is it that is distracting you from knowing God? What is one thing we can do intentionally that will move us toward the “one thing” of knowing God? A daily time with God? Reading and studying the Bible? Encouraging your spouse/children daily? Attending a Lifechange group to study/discuss scripture with other believers? Serving as a preschool or children or youth leader? Having an attitude of gratitude each day? Going on a mission trip or serving in our local Center of Hope mission? Worshipping regularly? Sharing what God has done in your life with your co-workers? I’m asking God to highlight what my “one thing” is that will move me towards knowing Him more fully! What is your “one thing?”
Reference: https://7minutes.net/stumble/one-thing-from-christ/
Summer "work" is fun!
Jun 2019/Christie Mitchell
Whew! May is over and SUMMER, here we come! This has truly been a unique year for our community AND, especially, our kiddos. Now, more than ever, we must be intentional about spending time as a family. Sometimes we need a few ideas to get our brains thinking about things we can do as a family at home that don’t necessarily cost anything. I’ll bet some of you did these very things when YOU were a child and can still recall the fun you had! (Be sure to tell your kids about it!) Can you believe that “playing” actually helps your child’s brain develop? Play is a child’s “work” and gives your child opportunities to be creative, to problem solve, and to practice interactions with others. Sooooo, let’s put our phones and tablets down for a bit and choose to play together as a family! I think we could ALL use a little fun this summer.
Ideas for Summer Fun:
-Make a fort inside/outside with a sheet or tablecloth draped over chairs. (You could have a picnic inside the fort or do your family devotional and sleep in it)
-Make paper airplanes and see how far they can fly.
-Play a simple board game or I Spy.
-Draw with sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk.
-Paint with water on the driveway or sidewalk.
-Have a family dance party with upbeat Praise songs or Kid's Praise music.
-Teach your child a nursery rhyme or a kid's song you learned as a child.
-Have a movie night with snacks and snuggles.
-Read a book out loud together, then act parts of it out.
-Take a walk in the rain and jump in some puddles.
-Cook something together. Even a young child can stir!
-Make bubbles to use in the backyard: (Recipe: Dissolve ½ cup sugar in 4 cups warm water with a whisk. Add ½ cup Dawn dish soap and whisk. This can be used immediately or let sit for 2 hours for stronger bubbles.)
**Provide times of “unstructured” play where you follow your child’s lead and become an active participant in your child’s play, not just an observer. Play with your child! It’s a great stress reliever for children and adults! “A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22a
Ideas for Summer Fun:
-Make a fort inside/outside with a sheet or tablecloth draped over chairs. (You could have a picnic inside the fort or do your family devotional and sleep in it)
-Make paper airplanes and see how far they can fly.
-Play a simple board game or I Spy.
-Draw with sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk.
-Paint with water on the driveway or sidewalk.
-Have a family dance party with upbeat Praise songs or Kid's Praise music.
-Teach your child a nursery rhyme or a kid's song you learned as a child.
-Have a movie night with snacks and snuggles.
-Read a book out loud together, then act parts of it out.
-Take a walk in the rain and jump in some puddles.
-Cook something together. Even a young child can stir!
-Make bubbles to use in the backyard: (Recipe: Dissolve ½ cup sugar in 4 cups warm water with a whisk. Add ½ cup Dawn dish soap and whisk. This can be used immediately or let sit for 2 hours for stronger bubbles.)
**Provide times of “unstructured” play where you follow your child’s lead and become an active participant in your child’s play, not just an observer. Play with your child! It’s a great stress reliever for children and adults! “A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22a