PCBB - Kids Connection

A part of this congregation that throbs with life five days a week is our Kids’ Connection after-school program. I know about this part first-hand, for I am privileged to be the Director. For fifty hours a month, the energetic, enthusiastic, open, loving, faith-filled children who comprise the “Kids” of Kids’ Connection surround me. They draw out my creativity and passion to share the love Christ has for each one of us. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade listen to the “Word” each day, and then act out the “Word” through games, pantomime or music. Most vital is our daily practice of acting in Christ-like ways with each other. We are intentional in modeling the Christian life.

Don Verberg, the founder and Director of Kids’ Connection for three years had a dream that children in Big Bear would have a safe place to come for after-school activities in a Christian setting. His dream became a reality and through his generous contributions of time, talent and financial backing the program grew. Holly Pierce-Nelson and faithful volunteers supported and continue to support Kids’ Connection. Without this support of our church family, there would be no program.

When I became Director in September 2005, twelve children attended our program. This month, we welcomed our twenty-second child. Four of the children attend North Shore Elementary, two attend Living Waters Christian Academy and the other sixteen attend Big Bear Elementary. Four of the children attend worship on a regular basis with their parents, enriching our Sunday school program. Due to my love of Early Childhood Education, I feel comfortable in opening registration to kindergarteners in the fall. Three kindergarteners are registered for the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. We have another exciting year ahead of us in which we can reach out into our community in a practical way. I believe Jesus smiles on this project and all who support it.

Here is a snapshot of our daily schedule:
• Children arrive by car, or walk accompanied by an adult, to the church.
• Thirty to forty-five minutes of worship includes lighting of a candle, reading of scripture, sharing the day’s events and what is on our hearts, then ends with prayer. Children have learned to pray openly and remember others in times of illness and personal difficulties as well as times of joy.
• Healthy snacks include fruit, cheese, crackers and peanut butter, popcorn, veggies and dip, etc.
• Hands-on art and crafts allow for creative expression.
• Assistance with homework is available each day.
• Supervised play outside gets those big muscles working.

Changes for the fall:
• Kindergarteners will begin attending.

I want to thank all of the members and friends of this congregation for volunteering, donating food and supplies and for those dear ones who have pledged financially to continue this dream of Don’s. You all have been Christ’s hands and voice in a world of stress and hurt. God bless you all.

Your fellow servant in the faith,

Nancy

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Our program is off to a strong start with twenty children participating each week. The theme “Speaking and Acting with Kindness” has been full of practical reminders for all of us in our daily lives. Our delicious snacks have included grapes, oranges, honeydew, cantaloupe, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, nachos, pretzels, carrots/cucumbers and dip, etc. Kids say “please”, “thank you” and “no thank you” as they pass the food family style. Yes, we are like a little family, warts and all!!!!! This is a wonderful, safe place for them to practice being “Christ like”.

We are sad to lose some of our longtime and faithful volunteers; John and Sharen Bartley, Peggy Jones, and Mary Burling have felt the need to resign. The many hours of service they have given over the years, loving our “Kids”, is impressive. Please share your thanks with them.


Our new volunteers this year are Margaret Pace, Ruth Chrisman, Shirley Diers, Cheryl Kaiden and Rosemary Sanders. They join Jane Parker, Don and Doris Stephens and Barbara Cervantes as our mighty team. I also want to thank Barbara Wilson for helping this month, before she and Lowell travel back to their home in Henderson.

Each day three adults are necessary to insure that our program runs smoothly and safely. As of the publication of this newsletter, we need an additional volunteer for Monday and Wednesday. When the weather gets colder, Margaret will be moving back to her home in Palm Springs and then we will need a Tuesday volunteer as well. Please keep this need in your prayers. You may call me any time to find out what is involved in being a Kids’ Connection friend. We all would love to get to know you better as we share God’s love with our kids.

Nancy Reeves



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