Tuesday with Tiff: READY.. SET.. GO!

Alright Team! Here we go!!!

This weekend we kick off our new way of helping these kiddos discover God in a safe and fun place!

ARE YOU PUMPED???

Helping our kids that we get the honor of serving has become easier than ever! If you haven't, please download the FREE "Lead Small" app! Please be WELL PREPARED to lead your kids with the curriculum given through this app. If you would like a printed copy, we must know this by noon on Thursdays. Remember, YOU ARE PASTORING THESE KIDS. WE are responsible and held accountable for what we are teaching them and how well we are preparing for the harvest God brings our way each week! This material is so much easier for us to effectively reach the kids, but we must do our parents in preparing throughout the week by reading through the material and knowing it well!

Here are some things for us to remember and enforce:
*All kids MUST wear name tags the whole time.
       If you find that a child is messing with the name tag, please simply move the tag to their back where they can not reach it. If a tag becomes unusable, please go to the check in station to have the check in team print a new tag. Name tags are important for us to know the kids names and for the number in the grey box which matches their parents. If for any reason we need to reach a parent, they should be informed at check in that this number will appear up on the screen. (If you need to reach a parent, simply take the child down to the check in station and one of the team members will inform the Production team of this and will put the number up on the screen.)
*No food or drink in Pre-K through 4th grade rooms.
       We have many food allergies in the Greenhouse. We want to provide a clean and safe place for the kids. We will do our best to stop any food or drinks from entering the GH at the check in kiosks, but if for some reason we miss some and you see a child in your classroom with food or drinks (water included) please dispose of it or have them finish it out in the hallway.
*Once In, You're In.
      We must all help eachother do a better job of keeping this system in place. Once a child is checked in, they become our responsibility and they must enter the GH immediately. We have to ensure kids are not getting checked in but then are not entering right away so they can go get a donut, etc.
*Pre-K to Room 205
       Starting this week, remember that the preschoolers will be moved across the hall into Room 205. What does this mean if you currently serve in the Preschool room or in 3-4th grade? You will need to grab any supplies/games that you need prior to service starting and put what you need in your new space and then put it back following service.
*Bathroom Breaks
       Because Room 204 upstairs will be available, please utilize those bathrooms IF you must take a child to the potty. BUT, if that room is being used by a small group, please continue taking the kids downstairs to the womens restrooms. As always, keep bathroom breaks to a minimum so they can get as much of Jesus as possible!
*Name Badges.
       In pre-service meetings this week, you will receive your name badge. You are responsible for this name badge, just like your WE SERVE shirt that you are asked to wear each week. Please mark your name badge with Miss ______ or Mr _______.
*K-4 in Room 201
      Starting this week, we are going to try something. We are going to have a few rows of chairs set up. We will have a pretty good size gap between rows for free-style worship but this will hopefully create a more distinguished area for the kids during worship and the message.
*Traffic Flow & Safety
      Let's all work together to help our traffic flow get back to the right way. Parents should only be entering through the check in stairs and exiting through the otherside. Those exit stairs should never be used as an entrance for parents or kids. Also, there have been parents coming through the GH during service. If you ever see someone not in a We Serve shirt in our area, PLEASE STOP THEM and ask how you can help them. We want to keep our kids safe and want to personally escort parents through our areas if at all possible.
*Pre and Post Service Check Lists
       You are all doing a fabulous job of keeping the rooms clean and put together! Just remember to check the framed checklists in your rooms for specific instructions on the expectations of the rooms.


Thank you all for helping us kick off new things in the Greenhouse WELL!

On this journey together,
Pastor Tiffany

Curriculum, Leadership, and all things new in the Greenhouse!

To the most fabulous team ever:

I am so excited for us to kick off all kinds of brand new things coming July 5/6! If you missed the all team meeting last week, I want to take a moment and update you on what we went over, just so we're all on the same page. But, before I do that...

I'm so glad to be back and missed you all so much! It was nice having the 8 weeks off with my precious baby girl, that, let's just be honest, should have been named "Little Andrew" instead of Ava Joy! HAHA! But I'm glad to get back to it and partner with you to help you grow as leaders and help these kiddos grow by helping them discover God in a more fun and easy way!

But, let's start off by saying....

THANK YOU!!!

 



Thank you so much for all you do to serve God here at Freedom in the Greenhouse! Your role is vital and we couldn't reach these kids and ONE MORE effectively without you.

Before I left on maternity leave, we had a meeting about upcoming changes about launching the new children's auditorium. We will still be doing this but not until some more money comes in for us to be able to do so. So, hold out... it's coming! I promise!

Just a reminder of why we do what we do... it's all for ONE MORE! At Freedom, we want to create environments where everyone can experience the freedom of Jesus and you are helping us do that in the Greenhouse by providing a safe and fun place for the kiddos to discover God!

I want to quickly review some of our policies for you as volunteer team members:

• Wear your WE SERVE shirt and bottoms that are below the knee each time you serve
• Starting July 5/6 also wear your GH name badge---you are responsible for bringing it and wearing it.
• If you decide you would like to take a break from the GH, please give us a 3 week notice as opposed to saying, "I'm taking a break and this is my last day."
• Room 203 is available upstairs for you to utilize for your personal belongings.
• If you serve in room 201 upstairs, please do not use or place anything on the production table.
• This is something we're going to try to catch better at check in, but please no food or drinks in the classrooms upstairs. (nurseries are a little different because of bottles and what not so we're looking into how to best create this policy.)
• If you serve with K-4 kiddos, remember that we have minimal restroom breaks. If the child comes to you and asks to go to the restroom, ask them to wait a few minutes and finish the current activity. If they then on their own come back up to you and ask, then you can DISCRETELY take them to the restroom. Otherwise, this will create a ripple effect of kids wanting to use the restroom when they don't really need to.
• EVERYONE needs to attend their preservice meeting upstairs prior to serving! --This is as mandatory as I can make it for you being volunteers. It's important for us to come together and get excited as a team, pray together and also make sure everyone is there and all positions are filled.
• Just a reminder of our honor code that you all signed when being interviewed for the Greenhouse. Please refrain from profanity and doing anything that would cause Christ to grieve and others to stumble, while serving and outside the church as well.
• We serve consistently in the Greenhouse to build trust and relationships with the kids that we serve.

AND NOW... for the big change that I'm so excited for...
Our brand new curriculum to make life easier on you in preparing to reach the kids and also stream line the ministry!

We have been focusing on helping you develop the content and also wanting you to be good communicators as well. Well, that's a lot so we're switching and giving you the content and you just have to communicate it! This will make your life so much easier during the week as all you will need to do is read through how you will be utilizing the time with the kids, gather your supplies and you'll be off to the races.

I'm excited for you to take the energy you were using from preparing... to pastoring! Let's love on these kids and help them discover God in a more fun and tangible way that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out from preparing all week!

WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

If you have a smart phone, go right now to the app store and download this free app: LEAD SMALL. It has a red dot for an icon. Everything you need to lead your time with the kids, from infants through 4th graders is in that app! (aside from supplies). If you don't have a smart phone or would prefer to have hard copies of the class time, that will be available for you.

Also, I'm very excited to step up our PARENT COMMUNICATION! This curriculum has a great tool to reach parents throughout the week and equip them as main spiritual leaders in their kids lives. Parents will be encouraged to download the PARENT CUE app, for a one time $1.99 fee which has SO much to use during the week. Everything from meal time discussions, bed time prayers, activities and articles on parenting tips!

I'm so excited to scratch all that we have done before --- what got us here won't get us there. We are going to a new level and this will help us get there. We have leaders stepping into new roles and we are developing new leaders. And I'm also excited to scratch anything we have ever thought about doing the rest of the year. God wants to do a new thing.. The Greenhouse is a place to grow... for the kids.. for you.. and for me! And I'm excited to go on this journey!

Thank you all for serving and doing what you do... you're all rockstars and never forget that you're helping fulfill the vision of Freedom by serving in the Greenhouse!

(See below for some more info on the curriculum!)

-We're in this together,
Pastor Tiffany


K-4 Team--check out how we are going to be able to better serve our students through this new curriculum!

 

 

 

Nursery- PreK team--here's how we are going to be able to love on our little ones and help them discover Jesus better! 

 

By the time a child is five years old, we want them to know:

God Made Me

Psalm 139:13-14

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

God Loves Me

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

 

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

 

 

Also, for those leading infants through 5 year olds, here are things you need to know about the curriculum:

MAKE IT FUN

  

Each teaching lesson begins with Small Group activities that are fun and

welcoming. These activities are designed to make the children feel drawn into

the room. Not only do they help the children become more comfortable in

their classroom, they also introduce new concepts they need to understand

the Bible story. There are three types of Make It Fun activities: movement,

game, and investigation or role play.

 

MAKE IT TRUE

  

After a fun time with classroom friends, children are led to a Large Group

time for worship, intro sketch and Bible story. Whether you have Large

Group in a classroom or theater, this is when children come together to hear

the truth of God’s Word.

During worship, children are encouraged to openly express their love for who

God is and praise Him for all He has created. The curriculum provides one

song and recommends up to two others. Worship time also equips leaders to

teach the month’s memory verse.

The introductory sketch (in 3s-5s) provides a real-life situation to which

preschoolers can relate that connects their world to the Bible Story.

The Bible story is written with age-appropriate language and told in an

exciting and interactive manner. First Look Bible stories are written to be told

spoken and not read, and we encourage advance preparation by leaders.

 

MAKE IT STICK

  

Children return to their room to participate in a variety of Small Group

activities that will help them apply what they have learned. These activities

may be crafts, games, or even yummy snacks. Each activity reinforces that

month’s Bottom Line in a fun and interactive way. Throughout this time of

the lesson the Bottom Line is repeated to be sure each child knows the truth

of God’s love. There are five types of Make It Stick activities: Memory Verse

Review, Bible Story review, Just for Fives (more advanced), movement and

craft.

 

MAKE IT REAL

  

Three- through 5-year-olds are led into a Small Group time where they can

personalize the lesson and have a time for prayer. In Small Groups,

relationships grow as children are encouraged to share their thoughts

about the Bottom Line and talk to God in their own words.

 

PARENT CUE

  

Different Parent Cues are provided depending on the age group. Each has a

way for the parent and child to interact over what was learned at church.

What happens at home is more important than what happens at church.