Kids Ministry Updates!

We have some exciting news to share! Vanessa Samuels and Maddy Merrill will be joining Kids Ministry as staff members! Vanessa and Maddy have been serving regularly each Sunday - Vanessa as our 9am K-2 Small Group Leader and Maddy as our 9am Preschool Leader.  You will continue to see Vanessa and Maddy on Sunday mornings, as Vanessa will be our main point person for Elementary and Maddy will be our main point person for Babies through Preschool. They will also be busy doing things “behind the scenes” during the week!

Maddy has been an integral part of not only our preschool area, but, has been a great support in planning for this ministry season. She brings a love for our youngest members of Crosswinds as well as creative input into our Sunday morning experience.  

Vanessa brings a passion with a calling to Kids Ministry. Her ministry experience prior to Crosswinds includes developing a Kids Ministry for a new church plant under the Wesleyan Church's Crossroads District out of Indiana. We are excited for her to bring her knowledge and experience to her new role.

In addition, on December 1, Brian Soller, our Family Ministry Pastor, will be stepping down from his role at Crosswinds to follow God’s calling in his life. Brian has faithfully served the past 12.5 years on staff at Crosswinds, including three years as Family Ministry Pastor. We will miss Brian’s regular presence in Kids Ministry, but we will continue to see him and his family as they remain a part of our Crosswinds family.

Also, Seanna Shugars, our Family Ministry Administrator, will be transitioning back to working solely with Wendy Emerson in Student Ministry. Again, we will miss having Seanna in Kids, but we will continue to see her around Crosswinds on Sunday mornings, as well as Wednesday evenings at Student Ministry.

We are grateful for all God has accomplished through our Kid’s Ministry Team these past few years. We continue to be excited about what God is doing at Crosswinds, and in Kids Ministry in particular. We are blessed to have a team who loves God and are dedicated to the children of Crosswinds. We know that God will continue to grow this important ministry and all who are a part of sharing His love with our Crosswinds families!

Here are some important dates for your family:

November 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends!

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour the night before, or else you'll arrive at church an hour early!

November 13: Operation Christmas Child Box Drop Off!

This is the final day to bring back filled boxes before they ship out!

December 18: Pajama/Christmas Party!

We'll be wearing our favorite PJ's and celebrating Jesus' birth together!

December 21&24: Crosswinds Christmas Eve Services

Services times are December 21 at 6:30pm, and December 24 at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm.  **Please note: there will be no childcare provided during these services. The Box will be open and available for families to watch the service, if little ones become antsy or fussy.

December 25 & January 1: No Kids Ministry

Merry Christmas!! Enjoy time at home celebrating Jesus' birth! Kids Ministry will resume January 8,2023.

What We're Teaching!

BEHIND THE SCENES: A 4-WEEK SERIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ON ESTHER

SERIES OVERVIEW:

The most important part of any play is what happens “behind the scenes.” There’s lighting, wardrobe, casting, playwriting — so much has to happen perfectly to bring the production together! In the story of Esther, there is a whole lot going on behind the scenes, too. In this four-week series, kids will discover the most important character in Esther’s story isn’t always center-stage, but can often be found behind the scenes working, helping, giving support and giving peace. (Spoiler alert: It's God!)

Our Kids Points Program is designed to help motivate kids to dig deeper in their personal relationship with God. Each week, kids have the opportunity to earn points for completing tasks such as scripture memory, memorizing books of the Bible, as well as just showing up for Kids Ministry services! Points can be redeemed for rewards such as candy, toys, gift certificates and passes, and more!

Each month, kids will be given the opportunity to memorize five verses. Kids will have the entire month to learn these verses. Here are November's verses (in NIrV):

• Philippians 2:13 - "God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to fulfill his good purpose."
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - "Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loved us. By his grace God gave us comfort that will last forever. The hope he gave us is good. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort your hearts. May they make you strong in every good thing you do and say."
• 2 Thessalonians 3:13 - "And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good."
• Colossians 1:15 - "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
• Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.”

Resource of the Month!

In a world so full of social interactions, it can be hard for the world at large to recognize the greatness within every unique introvert. THIS BOOK is a great and eye-opening read for all introverts and the extroverts who love them.

Tip of the Month!

It's very common for most of our friends to think like us, care about the things we care about, and believe what we believe. While it's comfortable to be around people who are like us, it also limits our view of the world and our chances to find deep, life-altering relationships. So what can we do to model inclusivity and get out of our bubble?  Watch this video for some ideas!