child care needs

Dear Friends,

If you weren't there this past Tuesday, you missed Fred Hammer, our Director of Children's Ministries at First Covenant, sharing with us about a current situation in our church. Many of you have heard that we are experiencing some pretty serious budget issues that have been severely impacting the staff and every area of ministry. Every department has had to cut expenses, including Children's Ministries, which encompasses the most diverse amount of programs. We have been so blessed to have the support of the Children's Department for so many years through their continued provision of childcare at no cost to us. Fred expressed that he, as well as Pastor Ted, highly value our ministry and desire and plan to continue providing us with childcare without any fees. However, they want us to be aware of the financial needs they are facing in being able to do this. It currently costs the church a minimum of $180-$210 per week to run our kid's program, which includes staffing, curriculum, and supplies. Considering the church has been coming up short almost $100,000 a month, the staff is faced with tough decisions in how to make up the difference and meet the needs of current programs, including ours. While nursery and Kid's Kare has been suspended for a number of ministries, the ones for which it will continue, including ours, are being asked to take a donation offering each week. Fred asked that we consider the following as we institute this in Mom's Connection:

-This is not to substitute for your regular tithe. This would be an additional donation to help offset childcare expenses.

-Please pray about this each week and only give what God has placed upon your heart.

-For some this may mean you discuss what you will give with your husband.

-It is understood that some of you will be able to give more, some will only able to give a little, and others may not be able to give at all sometimes.

-This will hopefully only be a temporary process and will help to offset some of the costs allowing Kid's Kare to remain a free service to us, which is both Pastor Fred and Pastor Ted's desire.

-God is ultimately in control!

Beginning next week, we will provide each small group with an envelope that will remain out on your table throughout the morning. We request that you put your donation in the envelope by the end of your small group discussion and they will be collected at the end of our time.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and support as we begin this process. Personally, I am so grateful for our Children's Ministries department and their commitment to providing us with such excellent care for our children each week. I hope that we can give back to them during this time of need and can continue the wonderful partnership we have established.

Have a wonderful week!

Robin

announcements - march 25, 2008

• St. John's Dinner Service Opportunity coming up on Monday, April 7th. If you've missed the sign-up sheets and would like to participate by donating food (or money toward food), or by helping with food preparation or service, please contact Mary Maples or Tiffany Carter. Money and food donations are needed by next Tuesday.

• Scrap-n-Chat this Friday night 6-10pm in Room 204. Bring your latest craft, scrapbooking, sewing project, etc and join us for some much needed mommy time! Even if you're not crafty, feel free to join us just for the conversation! Snacks to share, while not necessary are always welcomed.

• Swap Day is coming April 22nd! Before you throw out or donate your gently used baby & kids stuff, save it for out swap! It will be a time for you to bring your stuff, set it out with other's things, and take what you'd like. Then, what's left over will be donated. (More details coming soon on what's ok to bring.)

• A BIG Thank You to everyone who has been providing meals for our moms with new little ones. We have had an amazing amount of births in the group this year (with more to come!) and you all have been rising to the occasion! Thank you for your generosity and service!

• We look forward to seeing you next week as we continue our study on Friendship. Looking in depth at the friendship between Jonathan and David we will learn more about what it means to be a godly friend.

announcements-march 11, 2008

• Childcare sign-ups for March 25th: Since the Honeybees group was dispersed, we do not have a group to do childcare on the 25th. Rather than ask another group to serve an additional time, we are requesting individuals volunteer. If you were unable to serve when it was your group's turn, we ask that you please be the first to sign up. If you were not there on Tuesday to sign-up, please contact Marviña to let her know you will help.

• Scrap-n-Chat Friday night 6-10pm in Room 112. Bring your latest craft, scrapbooking, sewing project, etc and join us for some much needed mommy time! Even if you're not crafty, feel free to join us just for the conversation! Snacks to share, while not necessary are always welcomed.

• Get Connected! Don't forget to visit the Mom's Connection Blog at http://www.firstcovmomsconnection.blogspot.com/ (Contact Heidi Watters if you have something you would like to post on the main page).

• No Mom's Connection on March 18th - but join us for an Easter Egg Hunt at Stone Creek Park. 10:00-12:00. Bring a dozen eggs filled with wrapped candy only for each of your children (school-aged children on vacation are welcome also), a sack lunch, sunscreen, and your camera. (Directions: Hwy 50 to Zinfandel Exit. If coming from downtown, turn right onto Zinfandel. If coming from Placerville direction, turn left onto Zinfandel. Go past International Drive. Turn right onto Spoto Drive. Park is closer to the corner of Zinfandel and Spoto).

• We'll see you back on March 25th for the first in our two part series on Friendship!
  
  HAPPY EASTER!
  

announcements - march 4, 2008

• Dinner at St. John's Women's Shelter was once again a success! It was a time of great blessing for those served and those serving. Another opportunity will be coming up in April, so be looking for those sign-ups in the near future.

• Childcare sign-ups for March 25th: Since the Honeybees group was dispersed, we do not have a group to do childcare on the 25th. Rather than ask another group to serve an additional time, we are requesting individuals volunteer. If you were unable to serve when it was your group's turn, we ask that you please be the first to sign up. Please look for the sign-up sheet again next week.

• Childcare Volunteers for the Brunch: we are still in need of some outside volunteers for next week so that all of you can participate in the Brunch. If you know of someone who would be willing to help us - a family member, your babysitter, etc - please contact Robin or Marviña as soon as possible. If we do not end up with enough volunteers we will need to call on some of you to serve again. We will be sure to contact you ahead of time so you can plan accordingly for the morning.

• Have you heard the news?! Our new Childcare Liaison is Marviña Kennedy! Contact her with any questions or concerns regarding the childcare program.

• Get Connected! Don't forget to visit the Mom's Connection Blog at http://www.firstcovmomsconnection.blogspot.com/ (Contact Heidi Watters if you have something you would like to post on the main page).

• Join us next week for our Easter Brunch and Service Project. You should have already received an email with further details on the Easter goodie bags we are putting together. Please coordinate with your small group to decide what you will bring.. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Maples or Tiffany Carter.

• No Mom's Connection on March 18th - but join us for an Easter Egg Hunt at Stone Creek Park. 10:00-12:00. Bring a dozen eggs filled with wrapped candy only, a sack lunch, and sunscreen. Fliers will be available next week.