Tag: children’s ministry

2 Great KidMin Job Openings

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments
Photo Credit: www.befoundonline.com
Photo Credit: www.befoundonline.com

Are you or someone you know searching for a new kidmin opportunity?  Feel free to consider these 2 great options, both located in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

Nursery/Early Childhood Coordinator, Central Presbyterian Church

My church, Central Presbyterian Church, is looking to hire a part-time (25-28 hours per week) Nursery/Early Childhood Coordinator.  Central Presbyterian is an evangelical Presbyterian Church with an average of 1000 weekly worshipers and 150 children (birth – 5th Grade).  The ideal person will serve on the Children’s Ministry staff under the supervision of the Director of Children’s Ministry (that’s me)!  In addition, the ideal person will provide leadership and care for every aspect of the Nursery and Early Childhood ministry environments (Infants – Kindergarten). Prime requirements for this position are: committed and growing relationship with Jesus Christ; called to Children’s Ministry and our core vision, direction and philosophy; degree in Children’s Ministry or related field, or at least 3 years of equivalent experience; strong leadership skills, including recruiting, training, equipping and shepherding volunteers; committed to overseeing Nursery & Early Childhood environments on Sunday mornings; and satisfactory completion of all background checks.

For more information on this position, click here or contact Kathie Phillips, Director of Children’s Ministry at kathie@centralpc.org.

Kids Ministry Director, City Church Presbyterian 

Another church in our community, City Church Presbyterian, is looking to hire a part-time Kids Ministry Director.  City Church is a worshipping community focused on the neighborhoods of North Baltimore City. The church was planted in 2013 by Chapelgate Presbyterian Church and Mission to North America and is a member of the Presbyterian Church of America.

The position will start at 10 hours per week but could quickly grow to a full-time position as the ministry develops. For more information on this position, click here or contact Patrick Donohue, at patrick@citychurchbaltimore.org.

Please pass along these great opportunities to anyone in your circles!

Dear Student Leader

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

One of our adult leaders called me last week to let me know what a fabulous job the student leader working with her was doing.  So, I wanted to acknowledge the student leader’s service with a personal note.  Here’s an edited version of what I wrote:

Dear [Student Leader},

I wanted to let you know how wonderful it is to have you serve as a student leader in [Children’s Ministry].  I’ve heard how great you are with the children – how you welcome them, help them get settled, how you make them laugh and how helpful you are to [the adult in charge].

Keep up the good work.  Serving as a student leader is a big responsibility.  When children come to church, it is our opportunity to share God’s love with them.  That opportunity is a gift from God, one that is very important and one that we must take very seriously.  

You are doing a fabulous job of sharing Jesus with the [children] and we are blessed to have you on our team.  You are awesome!

Love,

Miss Kathie

Do you have students serving in your ministry?  How can you encourage them this week?

{Advent & Christmas}: KidMin Service Project for College Students

Kathie Phillips

Last month, a great idea was shared at a workshop that I attended at the Engage Conference.  The idea is perfectly suited for the season of Advent & Christmas and will bless your church’s college students.  I’ve expanded a bit on the idea but I’m sure you can add your own twist on the project.

December is a time when college students are studying for final exams before heading out for Christmas break.  Help make the stressful time more enjoyable by providing the students at your church with care packages that your kidmin (and their families) can contribute to and assemble.

Photo Credit: blogs.yu.edu
Photo Credit: blogs.yu.edu

Have kids and families (and your entire congregation for that matter!) donate items such as granola bars, ramen noodles, microwave popcorn, hard candy and chewing gum to help college students survive late-night study sessions.  You might even want to have the children/families write encouraging notes that can be attached to the packages.  Once all items are collected, have your kidmin arrange the items in fun, creative packaging and distribute to the students.

This idea could be as simple or elaborate as you choose but the impact will be priceless to many students who receive the packages.

If you’re looking for more great ideas for Advent & Christmas, be sure to check out my Advent & Christmas Pinterest board.

What fun ways are you, your ministry or your family serving others this Advent/Christmas?  Share your ideas below!

{Advent & Christmas}: Edible Advent Wreath

Kathie Phillips

To kick off the beginning of Advent, our elementary children made edible Advent wreaths in class yesterday.  They loved them and so will the children in your ministry! (Thanks to one of our awesome leaders, Megan, for this fabulous idea.)

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Donuts with a hole in the middle (any will work but I’d suggest glazed or powdered)
  • Green sugar (we used a store-bought one in a shaker bottle)
  • Jumbo marshmallows
  • Pretzel sticks
  • Twizzlers (we used the pull & peel kind), cut into 2-inch pieces
  • Paper plates

Assembling the ‘wreath’ is fairly simple to talk children through. Here’s what you’ll have them do:

1. Place a donut on a paper plate. (The donut represents the wreath.)

2. Place the marshmallow in the center of the donut. (The marshmallow represents the center candle.)

3. Sprinkle the green sugar on the donut and marshmallow.  Careful…some of our kids were very generous with the sugar.

4.  Stick one pretzel stick in the marshmallow and the remaining pretzel sticks around the donut. (The pretzel sticks represent the candles.)

5. Make flames for the ‘candles’ by peeling apart the Twizzlers and wrapping the pieces around the top of the pretzel sticks.

That’s it!  A simple (and delicious!) way for children to learn about the Advent wreath.

If you’re looking for more great ideas for Advent & Christmas, be sure to check out my Advent & Christmas Pinterest board.

What fun ways are you bringing the Christmas story to life through food?  Share your ideas and pictures below!