NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 3-4 | Cook-Out & Camping  

We are super excited to invite all families to join us for a fun outdoor evening filled with good food, fellowship and old-fashioned play for the kids. Sign up to attend the cookout and if you are feeling adventurous, bring your tent and camp out for the night. Dinner will be hamburgers/hotdogs, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, and chips. Dessert will be roasting marshmallows for s'mores. The cost will be $6 per person, or $15 per family of 3 or more. For those spending the night, please bring your favorite box of cereal to share in the morning at our cereal bar. We provide milk and fruit; you provide the cereal. If you want to attend but do not have a tent, contact Angie and we will help you find one to borrow. Camping in the gym will also be allowed for families interested. Sign Up Here 

June 26 – July 1 | Warren Willis Summer Camp 

We are going to camp week #2, June 26 to July 1. Sign up now. Camp is an amazing, Christ-centered experiences for children and youth who have completed 3rd to 12th grade on the shore of Lake Griffin. For more information about camp, contact Angie or Paula. If you have a child or youth going to camp, please register them at the below link for transportation information. This does not mean they have to ride with us. It simply means they are going to camp, we will be able to help make sure they are fully registered before camp and ensure we help watch out for them at camp. Sign Up Here 

Elementary Bible Stories During Service | We offer Bible stories and activities during all worship services for elementary-aged children. Children will start worship with you, then will be dismissed prior to the sermon. Children will return to you before the end of service so please sit near the end of the aisle.

Babies through Preschool | Childcare and Preschool Sunday School lesson offered during all hours, in the Childcare Center. 



Elementary | Sunday School offered from 10:00-10:55 AM at Mandarin UMC. Drop Off/Pick Up in Gathering Space. No 10:00 AM Sunday School at Longleaf until further notice. 

Starting March 5th at Longleaf | Childcare and Elementary Sunday School lesson will be offered in the Childcare Room during the 10:15 AM New Life at Longleaf Church class starting March 5th.   

Volunteering | We can’t do it without you! Multiple volunteers are needed each Sunday:

• Sunday School (Mandarin campus)
• Children's Message
• Bible Stories & Activities
• Childcare Room

If you are interested, click for Mandarin UMC or Longleaf. By serving one hour a month (or equivalent) you will receive a Parent's Night Out on May 5th. All volunteers working in classrooms with children must be background checked every 3-5 years and go through child protection training annually.

Acolytes | Our acolytes (3rd grade and older) serve in the traditional services each week. If your child is interested contact Courtney Rankin for Mandarin or Angie for Longleaf. Click below to sign your acolyte up for a Sunday:

• Mandarin Acolytes
• Longleaf Acolytes

As a reminder, acolytes who serve on a monthly basis will be invited to our yearly Acolyte Recognition Party.

Junior Youth | Junior Youth (4th and 5th grade) meets most Sundays, 12:00-2:30 PM, on Mandarin UMC campus. Junior Youth schedule is on Sign up Genius - Click here.

Welcome to Worship - next March 19th | We invite 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to participate in a once-a-month workshop from September to April to learn about sacraments, symbols, seasons, sharing, and serving. All children who complete the course will be recognized in a service. Classes will be on the Mandarin campus from 12:00-2:30 PM and will include lunch for $6. Sign up and check dates here.

WEDNESDAY



Wednesday Night Activities | On the Mandarin campus

Dinner - 5:30-6:30 PM 

• See Realm or weekly newsletter for dinner options. We have a Children’s Corner in the dining area, for playing only, not eating. Please encourage children to clean up prior to leaving for their next activity.  

Youth Activities - 5:30-8:00 PM 

Cherub Choir - 6:00-6:20 PM 

• 3 yrs (as of 9/1) to Kindergarten - Children's wing 832

Youth Choir - 6:00-6:45 PM 

• 6th-12th grade - Choir room

Childcare Center - 6:15-8:00 PM

• Birth to 4 yrs, activities provided for preschool-aged children 

Children’s Choir - 6:30-7:00 PM 

• 1st to 5th grade - Children's wing 832 – Check in/out on the 2nd floor of the FLC, down the children’s hallway. Children will be moved to the Children’s Activities after choir if parent is in an adult class.

Children’s Activities - 6:30-8:00 PM 

• Check children (K-5th grade) in at the children’s table in the Gathering Space

Adult Classes - 6:30-8:00 PM 

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 7 | Mommy & Me Book Club

Mommy & Me Book Club will meet in the Children’s Wing of Mandarin UMC on the first Tuesday of each month, 9:00-11:00 AM. Moms and grandmas with kids aged 0-5 years are welcome to join! We start with free play, followed by a themed book and craft starting at about 9:30, and end with more free play. Snacks for the kids and coffee for the moms will be provided in abundance! We cap our meetups at 20 kids, please sign up here. 

Summer Dates  

Mark your calendars! More information is coming soon. Registration will begin in March. 

• June 5-9 -Vacation Bible School, 9:00-12:00, 3 yrs (as of 9/1/22) & up 
• June 5-9 - Basketball Camp, 12:00-5:00, current 2nd grade & up  
• June 5-9 - Arts, Crafts, & Fun Camp, 12:00-5:00, current Kindergarten & up 
• June 26-July 1 - Warren Willis Summer Camp, overnight, current 3rd grade & up 
• July 17-21 – Possible Camp, 9:00-2:00 with option to extend to 5:00, current 2nd grade & up  

Children’s Ministry Social Media

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for pictures and videos from Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and other special events. You will also find our video lessons, and other resources to enhance the lessons learned at church! @MandarinAndLongleafKids 

Now Hiring Children's Ministry Team Workers 

In search of a loving and caring individual who enjoys working with babies to preschool-age children and their parents. We are looking for additional Children’s Ministry Team workers to work with birth - preschool age children. Sunday mornings required and Wednesday evenings are helpful. More hours are available for special events if desired. Please visit the Mandarin UMC or Longleaf Church website for the full job description and application or contact Angie.    

If you have any questions, please contact Angie Engelthaler

SAFETY

Following the CDC Guidelines, the Relaunch Team makes the following recommendations:

SAFETY/ COVID-19

Masks indoors are optional but highly recommended. Please continue to maintain a 3’ distance between family groups. If you have travelled or been around large groups recently, please consider wearing a mask.

Illness Procedure

In order to keep others healthy, you must be free of any illness-symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) for at least 24 hours prior to coming on campus.

COVID Positive

If You Test Positive for COVID-19, isolate for 5 days regardless of vaccination status. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

COVID Exposure

If you have been exposed, please wear a mask for 5 days. Test on day 5 if possible. If you develop symptoms, please get a test and quarantine until you have the results of your test to determine your COVID status.