Parkview Kids Team

Author Archives: Stephanie McDonald

• Top 5 Things to Know + Volunteer Rally Pictures

  Posted at 3:11 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Sep 10th

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

  1.   Our first ever all Church Volunteer Rally, Monday, September 8th was a HUGE success!  It was jam-packed with over 900 people in attendance.  THANK YOU for making this one of our best events ever!  It was nice to remember the inspirational evening with a photo and PT strolled by just in time to join us for a team pic!  See above and below for some pics and if you missed out we’ll all get together again soon.
  
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  2. Opportunities await! For this Saturday we are in need for two more adults @ 3:45 and one more adult at 5:45pm.  This Sunday, Sept. 14th, we could really use two more adults at the 11am service.  Please reply or fill yourself in the schedule for an important role. Thanks so much!

  3.  It’s that time of year!  Every September we have new team t-shirts for all of our team members.  We will have these available for pick up on your next serve date.  Please do your best to arrive at least 30 minutes before the service.  These will be distributed duirng our huddle time.  All volunteers receive one free t-shirt, if you request a second we kindly ask for $5.00 to offset the cost. Thanks!

  4.  Visitor Postcards – Please be sure to put the first AND last name of a child if you write out a Visitor Postcard.  I had two from this past weekend with a first name only.  : (  We have over 300 children coming through our six Early Childhood classrooms every weekend so it’s imperative a last name is on the card so we can address and mail. Thank you for understanding.

  5. Volunteer of the Week is coming soon!  We are making a few updates and we’ll be back to putting a weekly spotlight on our awesome team members in the next few weeks!!!

  Thank you for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview.  See YOU soon!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  

   

   

   

  Jill Shea

   

   

  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Did you RSVP for the Volunteer Rally September 8th?

  Posted at 4:21 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Aug 22nd

  Did you receive your invitation for our Volunteer Rally, Monday night, September 6th?  You can view it here and please RSVP at your earliest convenience.  Don’t miss out on this once a year event!

  Here’s some fun pictures from last weekend’s VBS.  We had over 1,000 children attend all four weekends.  Praise God and THANK YOU for you dedication to God’s little ones.

  You are impacting so many lives!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Wrapping Up VBS + 2 Important Events Coming Soon!

  Posted at 4:02 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Aug 14th

  

  It’s goes by soooooooooooo fast!  We are quickly approaching our last weekend of Quest VBS.  Let’s finish this weekend STRONG.

  Look at what God is doing … In only 3 weeks, Parkview Kids have LIVED DIFFERENTLY and raised $5,943.47 for our Clean Water Well Project!  We will be able to build 2 wells…Let’s go for 4!!!  WAY TO GO!

  If you are serving this weekend, August 16/17, please arrive 45 minutes before the start of service for an extra-special huddle which will allow us more time to debrief VBS and be equipped for the last VBS service.  All huddles are held in the Yellow room this weekend EXCEPT for the 11:00am service.  All 11:00am team members please meet us in THE CITY at 10:15am for our huddle time.

  We could still use some extra hands this weekend so if you are available and not currently on the schedule please let me know.  We’d LOVE to have you join us!

  SAVE THE DATES!

  Two important events are fast approaching…

  1.   VBS Closing Program & Family Night Friday, August 22nd 6:30pm-8:30pm.

  We will worship together and recap all of the things we’ve learned. Afterwards we will head outside for a free hot dog dinner, inflatables, balloon artists, dunk tanks…TONS OF FUN!!!!  Dessert will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks.  You are ALL welcome to join us.  If you do not have children in the VBS program please let me know if you’d like to help volunteer next Friday night.

  2.  YOU’RE INVITED to our very FIRST all Church Volunteer Rally Monday, September 8th!  Doors open at 6:00pm for appetizers and desserts.  The Rally starts at 7:00pm.  You don’t want to miss this event.  Pastor Tim will be sharing his heart for being a Church on Mission and he would like to thank you personally for the great role that you play!  Spouses are welcome.  If you did not receive the email invite please let me know.  I also have a hard-copy invite I will hand out in our huddle this weekend.

  Please do your best to review the fun-filled activities Lisa Dorman has planned for this weekend click here .

  Let’s go beyond the call of duty and make this our best weekend yet as we reach out to our community and close out Quest VBS 2014.  RISE UP, you are more than you know.

  With love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Look where we are halfway! Quest VBS Stats, Testimonies & Family Night

  Posted at 3:49 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Aug 7th

  Weekend Quest VBS Stats (Halfway Mark)

  • Week 1 attendance was 1,176!  HIGHEST kids attendance EVER – (previous all-time high was 1,111 which was over 5 services not 4)
  • 52% increase over the attendance from the week prior which was 772
  • Attendance in adult worship was up 33.5% compared to the week prior
  • 27% increase in kids attendance compared to last year’s 1^st week of Boot Camp
  • We’ve reached 37 NEW families over the past two weekends
  • During 1^st weekend 1,129 individual kids attended Quest (some of the 1176 were repeat attenders )– 95 of them had never attended Kids before – 8.5% 
  • After the 2^nd weekend a combined total of 1,509 individual kids have attended Quest – 167 of them had never attended Kids – 11%

  AND CHECK THIS OUT…..

  • Missions Collections (normal weekend giving in kids is $100.00)
    • $1,467.41 – Week 1
    • $2,869.67 – Week 2
    • $4,337.08 – Midway Total 

  Praise God!

  I stand amazed at how God continues to MOVE big time in our Children’s Ministry.  We thank God for YOU as none of this would be possible if we did not have such an INCREDIBLE team. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

  TESTIMONIES:

  • Thank you for a great first week of quest!  Julia, john peter and Allie all came home so excited about church.  We have been singing the theme song A LOT!  During our prayer before lunch john peter thanked God for a good start to quest and the fun they had at church.  The kids are using their shirts to remind them that God is creator, provider, protector, savior and king.  And then tonight, they put on a show for John and me where they sang 3 songs from church and acted out a Bible story.   So I just wanted to say thank you to your whole team for all you do!  The kids are really absorbing all of it and finding church to be a fun and safe place where they can experience God.  John and I are so grateful to have you as our partners in training our children in the way they should go! God bless, Kate R.
  • We were planning to leave on vacation to Michigan for a week very early Sunday morning.  Both Colin  and Emma begged us to delay our departure till after church on Sunday so they can attend vbs! They love it so much that they can’t bear the thought of missing it! Roxanne & John
  • My husband Brad and I have really enjoyed the past 2 weeks services at Parkview. We are looking forward to hearing Tim preach.  Also our kids Kyle (9) Lily (8) and Jacob (5) are LOVING the youth program! Which is why we were looking for a new church, after 20 years for me being at my old church. It is like a new spark has been lit in all of us at Parkview! Kelly D.

  SAVE THE DATE! VBS Closing Program & Family Night Friday, August 22nd 6:30pm-8:30pm.

  We will worship together and recap all of the things we’ve learned. Afterwards we will head outside for a free hot dog dinner, inflatables, balloon artists, dunk tanks…TONS OF FUN!!!!  Dessert will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks.

  If you do not have children participating in VBS we could really use your help during Family night with things like greeting, helping to make sure everything runs smoothly at the inflatables and other areas.  We are in need of lots of helpers and it will be a BLAST!

  Would you consider joining us and volunteer at the fun Family night August 22nd? I look forward to your reply!

  Check out more pics from last weekend’s VBS below.  Can’t wait for more fun-filled activities this weekend as we focus on God is Protector!  You can view the activities online by clicking here. 

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Testimonials

• Record-Number children at VBS – we need more team members this weekend

  Posted at 1:54 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jul 31st

  

  Record-Number of Children Last Weekend at VBS!

  Check out these stats from Week 1 of Quest VBS:

  • 1,176 children attended (a record-number for us!)
  • 23 new families
  • Donations totaled $1,351.76.  The mission project is to raise $2,500 for a well for clean water in Africa.  We are more than halfway to our goal already.

  Praise God!

  With all these great things in mind, we are in need of more team members this weekend (August 2nd and 3rd) as we prepare for week 2 of Quest VBS.

  PLEASE go to the online scheduler and plug yourself in or contact me or just come on in if you can help any time this weekend.  We need YOU!

  We have a big  need at all of the services this weekend.  This is the order of where we have the biggest need first:

  • Saturday 5:00pm
  • Sunday 9:00am
  • Sunday 11:00am
  • Sunday 5:45pm

  Next, if you are serving this weekend please do the self-check in as usual and print your name tag.  The VBS name tags are only for the new VBS volunteers.

  This weekend we are focusing on, God is our provider.  As we share this truth with the children we are going to show them that God provides the flowers and birds.

  All the children will get to decorate a flower pot this weekend. The 4s and 5s will plant the flowers in their decorated pots during adventure time. The 3s will go back to their classroom after large group to complete their activities in the classroom.

  We will continue to have our Large group time in “The City” during VBS.   YAHOO!!!!

  We really, really could use the extra helping hands this weekend so if you are available for any service this weekend please let me know or add yourself in to the schedule online.

  To prepare for this weekend’s exciting activities please do your best to arrive 35 minutes before the start of service and meet us in the yellow room.  This extra time in our huddle should help everyone have a better understanding of how things will run and look different from our normal weekends.

  Thank you for your dedication to God’s little ones, we cannot do this without you and YOU are making a HUGE difference in the lives of others.  I am so grateful to have you on our team!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  BIG hugs and much love, Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

  “Lord teach me how you want me to live.  Then I will follow your truth.” Psalm 86:11

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Quest VBS Kicks Off THIS WEEKEND!

  Posted at 8:17 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jul 22nd

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

    

  We are SUPER EXCITED, QUEST VBS Kicks Off THIS WEEKEND!!!!!

  Please help us continue spread the word, Parkview’s Quest VBS is free. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!   Anyone can still register their children or walk-ins are welcome.  The more the merrier!

  If you were unable to attend our Super Meeting last week or you did not receive a handout below is a recap.

  Arrive at least 30 minutes before the service (the lobby may be extra crowded during VBS weekends) to check-in, then sign in and find your classroom assignment. Next meet us in the YELLOW room for a team huddle.

  The memory verse is:     “Lord, teach me how you want me to live. Then I will follow your truth.”  Psalm 86:11, NIV

   Our bottom Line that we want to continually repeat to the children is:  “I Can Count on God”

  4 weekly bottom lines:

  •  July 26th/27th – “God is Creator”
  •  August 2nd/3rd – “God is Provider”
  •  August 9th/10th – “God is Protector”
  •  August 16th/17th – “God is Savior/King”

   The children receive water bottles when they sign up for VBS and are encouraged to pour their donations into the water wells that will be outside in our kids lobby.  Please do not let parents leave a water bottle in the classroom.  They need to take those with them to service.

  During our large group time, this is what we will focus on each weekend:

  •  July 26th/27th – Creator – God created Everything
  •  August 2nd/3rd – Provider– God provided for the Flowers and the Birds
  • August 9th/10th – Protector – God protected Daniel from the Lion
  • August 16th/17th – Savior/King – God is our Savior and King

  Here is an example of what each service will look like.

  We open 20 minutes before the service for the families.  Children can free play until service starts then below is a sample schedule.

  Example schedule:

  9:00 to 9:10    Craft

  9:15 to 9:35    Worship/Teach Time

  9:40 to 9:50    Games/Adventure Time (Rotation 1)

  9:55 to 10:05  Adventure Time/Games (Rotation 2)

  10:10 to end   Snack

  Dress Attire:  Please wear comfortable modest clothing.  You can purchase a VBS t-shirt for $5.00 when you check in.  That is optional.

  If you are serving during VBS (July 26 thru August 17) please review the activities and worship songs click here.  

  If you have any questions please reply or feel free to call me at 708-478-7477 ext. 287.  I’m here to help.

  I look forward to serving with you during VBS.  Thank you for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• The Countdown Begins! SIX more days for our Super Meeting, did you RSVP?

  Posted at 3:39 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jul 10th

  

  ***Six more days til our VBS SUPER MEETING, Wednesday, July 16th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm***

  YOU are invited to an important VBS Super Meeting, this Wednesday night, July 16th, 6:30pm-8:00pm.  There is simply no substitute for attending live events at Parkview.   The training, inspiration and community are priceless!

  This meeting is for current and new volunteers serving during our weekend VBS (July 26/27 – August 16/17).  I suggest you RSVP TODAY, we want YOU to join us!  Things will look very different in Early Childhood’s Backyard during our four VBS weekends.  Stay in the loop!

  We’ll start with large group time in the Underground where we will talk about the vision of  this year’s weekend VBS Quest and overall information.

  Next, we will break out into separate teams so we can go over detailed information.  Again things will look different in our area during VBS.  Our Early Childhood team will breakout and meet in Clubhouse A.  Delicious desserts will be available as well.  Don’t miss out, we want YOU to be there!

  Please RSVP TODAY click here.

  Childcare IS available while attending our Super Meeting  If you need childcare PLEASE make a reservation by using the above link, thanks!

  We have cool NEW VBS t-shirts available for $5.00 in the Grand Foyer at the Orland Campus.  Feel free to wear it now when you serve to promote our VBS Quest.  It’s going to be TONS of fun!!!!

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Invite your friends, family and neighbors to our weekend-style VBS!  Registrations is available online click here.

  If you have a friend that would like to volunteer with you during VBS contact me directly.  Please do not have your friends fill out an online volunteer form.  You can call or email at jill.shea@parkviewchurch.com or 708-478-7477 ext. 287.

  Thank you for your dedication to God’s little ones, we can’t do this without you. I look forward to seeing YOU soon!

  BIG hugs & much love,

  jill

  

   

   

  “He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• VBS Central Opens This Weekend! + Super Meeting July 16th-please RSVP

  Posted at 12:11 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jun 25th

  

   ***VBS Centrals Opens This Weekend, June 28th & 29th***

  Parkview is buzzing with excitement as we finalize VBS Central in our grand foyer!   We will be accepting volunteer registrations and child registrations starting THIS WEEKEND!

  Please DO NOT fill out a Volunteer form.  Your regular assignment and schedule will still apply during VBS (weekend style).  If you would like to be more involved during our four weekends of VBS which starts July 26/27 – August 16/17 during our regular service hours just let me know.   Simply call or email me if you’d like to increase your serving frequency or be a part of other tasks.   I LOVE to hear from you!

  Our cool NEW VBS t-shirts will be available for purchase at VBS Central as well for only $5.00.

  You may be wondering, what will this year’s VBS look like, what will be different on the weekends, is my role expectations different?  GREAT questions!!!  We have a very important “VBS Super Meeting” that YOU are invited to WEDNESDAY, July 16th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Orland Campus.   Childcare will be provided.

  There is simply no substitute for attending live events at Parkview.   The training, inspiration and community are priceless!  I suggest that you get registered early.  Please click here to RSVP to the Super Meeting Wednesday night July 16th from 6:30pm – 8:00pm and if you will need childcare.    THANK YOU!

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet our Volunteer of the Week…Tina Shoemaker!

  

  Tina joined our Early Childhood team last year and faithfully serves every other Sunday in Clubhouse B at 9:00am.  We recently expanded her role to a Team Leader.  Tina is always ready to reach out and help others.  She does a fantastic job leading the children and encouraging others.  She sets a great example for others to follow.  Thank you, Tina, the best is yet to come!

  Volunteer of the week will be on hold for the month of July as we prepare for a very special VBS.

  If you have a last-minute emergency regarding your important role for the weekend (the system does not allow sub requests 48 hours before your serve time) PLEASE contact your awesome coach for the appropriate service time below. THANK YOU!

  Saturdays 5:00pm – Jen Christensen 815-534-0947

  Sundays 9:00am – Lorie Creedon 708-280-4368

  Sundays 11:00am – Tonya Hoots 815-955-5035

  Sundays 5:45pm – Adrienne Trent 815-302-1163

  Lastly, I will be taking a week of rest starting Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6th.  If you contact me after this Sunday I will promptly return your call or email Monday, July 7th.  Thank  you for your patience.

  I LOVE our team with so much passion and am very grateful for each and every one of you!!!  May God release fresh favor over your life so that mountains move and doors open when you pray.  Be strong and courageous and take good care of YOU.  You are more than you know!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:72 (NIV)

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Do you know where to find a 2nd set of activity sheets? + Welcoming a New Child

  Posted at 12:35 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jun 20th

   

   

  

  Extra Activity Sheets Now Available For You!

  Did you know there is now a second set of the activity sheets in every room in a magnetic holder on the tall metal cabinets.  This will now allow you to take the sheets around the room with you without having to pull them off the cabinet or magnetic boards.   Thank you Lisa Dorman!!!

  Welcoming a new child?  Good preparation and a warm welcome will help make a visitor comfortable and eager to return another time.  For a child not raised in the church, the routines of our Parkview Kids class can be strange.  Love, attention and guidance will ease their fear and discomfort.  Take a few minutes before leaving the classroom for large group to introduce yourselves and explain where you are going and what you will be doing.  Be excited for the children and most importantly HAVE FUN!

  Volunteer of the Week is on hold this week.  I will be out this weekend so if you have a last minute emergency or are running late please notify your coach or coordinator.  We cannot open the classroom unless we have at least two non-related adults in each room.  Please do your best to arrive 30 minutes before the service to meet in the yellow room for an important team huddle.  Here are your point people for this weekend:

  Saturday 5:00pm Jen Christensen 815-534-0947

  Sunday 9:00am Lorie Creedon 708-280-4368

  Sunday 11:00am Tonya Hoots 815-955-5035

  Sunday 5:45pm Lisa Dorman 815-302-0265

  Please help us continue to spread the word about our new and FREE resource for parents www.parkviewparents.com .  Learn, worship and grow as a family available for all families with children birth – High School.   Parents can find the videos and music that we use every weekend at this site as well.  Awesome!!!

  THANK YOU for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview.  We have the best team ever!

  Love Wins!

  Jill Shea

  

  “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:72 (NIV)

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Can you guess this game? + Father’s Day Weekend Update!

  Posted at 11:57 am by Stephanie McDonald

  Jun 13th

  
  

  Can you guess this game?

  Last night we had a BLAST at our Early Childhood Team Summer Celebration! Can you guess the game we played above?  It’s called the human knot.  We broke out into groups of 7 – 8 people, then had to grab hands with someone who is not next to us and then untangle ourselves.  TONS OF FUN!

  Connecting matters and having the opportunity to spend time outside the EC classrooms to connect was priceless!  Thank you to all who were able to attend.  LOADS of food, fun, prizes and fellowship.  We are so grateful to have you on our team.  We’re better together!

  One important note, we are back to TWO services on Saturday this Father’s Day weekend only with special guest, Mike Singletary, live at all services.  WOOHOO!  This  is the PERFECT weekend to invite friends, family, neighbors, co-workers etc. who have never been to Parkview.    Give yourself some extra time to get to Parkview this weekend as Father’s Day weekend is always one of our busiest weekends.  If you are serving PLEASE make sure you arrive 30 minutes before service.  We cannot open the classrooms if we do not have at least two non-related adults in each room.

  We’re putting Volunteer of the Week on hold to take this time to celebrate our AWESOME  T.E.A.M. (Together, Everyone, Achieves More).

  Thank you again for leading God’s little ones!  We so appreciate your heart for God and the children.  Because you serve in Early Childhood’s Backyard, many of these children will find Christ as their Savior.  And the truths you taught them will impact their lives.

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Love Wins!

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:72 (NIV)

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

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