Updated postcards

These are a great way to get your class to write those who have been out lately. If you get your class to write a note and sign it. Just put it in the folder and we will mail them for you. Also you can print these out at home our you can request us to print them for you to put in your folders. I hope this helps. I am also going to work on calling every student on our roll to personally invite them to come and see how they are doing.

Click here to download:

REFUE POSTCARDS.pdf (96 KB)

(download)

Feb.28

Good Morning, I wanted to give you guys a quick update about some things to look for in your Sunday School packs.
1. Beat Cancer 5k - there will be places to sign up to help on race day ex. water stations, handing out food, helping give out the door prizes etc
2. summer Camp - please remind those who have not paid their deposit to do so quiclky if they are planning to go this summer. spots fill up fast.3. refuge cafe sign up for supper this really helps us know how many to prepare for.
Promote Promote Promote
Small Groups on Sunday nights please

This week

Hey everyone , I wanted to thank you for all your help this past weekend.
Things to look for this week.
Order forms for Jordan Tshirtsinfo about jordan Beat Cancer race

Please encourage students to sign up for camp if they have not done so yet.

Jordan Tshirt preview

The shirts are being ordered today. They will be ready Friday. We are asking everyone to wear theres Sunday morning.

This Sunday

Just a reminder this Sunday, we will have joint service due to dnow. We will have breakfast in the fellowship hall 9 am and dnow wrap up is at 9:30 in the refuge. Please make sure that you still get some type of roll.
ThanksBrandon

Building Deeper Connections With Your Small Group (Part 2)

This week we are looking at a few ideas to help get your small group back into a groove toward life-change so you can avoid the rut of simply “going through the motions.”

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Simply

Youth Ministry Conference

: Check out the
"Do's and Don'ts of Small Groups"
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TALK LESS

Many youth ministry leaders, especially those who are just starting out, need to learn to talk less during their group time. Somehow many leaders manage to prop up a rather large pulpit in their small groups and spend the precious discussion time preaching. This isn’t the design for a healthy small group…if you need to pontificate, start a blog (shameless plug: seewww.dougfields.com).

Don’t be afraid of silence, learn to endure those awkward seconds (which we know can feel like minutes) because they’ll lead to a good moment if you don’t talk over them. The real light at the end of that dark tunnel is students feeling free to share. This won’t happen if you do all the talking. Great, life-changing discussions don’t appear when adults keep “saving” the group with all their “words of wisdom.”

MAKE THE MOST OF THE BEFORE AND AFTER

Some of the best time to lay a foundation for relational discipleship can be the 10 minutes before and/or after your small group time. In these precious moments, students are relaxed and open to natural conversation. This is often the time to discover important stuff about what’s happening in their lives.

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Simply

Youth Ministry Conference

: Check out the
"Do's and Don'ts of Small Groups"
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You can leverage this time with a few simple actions. Commit to being completely ready a few minutes before your first student arrives. This is difficult, we know (and we don’t always do this)! And, don’t rush home the minute after AMEN is prayed. Have a few general questions ready to ask as kids arrive. Recall last week’s discussion and follow up on those thoughts and conversations. With just a little intentionality, you can make the most of the “before and after” moments to develop deeper connections.

Dnow Weekend

Due to DNOW we will not have regular Sunday School on Feb.13. We still need to make sure that we will have the rolls taken though. I just wanted to give you a heads up.

Thanks for all you do

building deeper connections with your small group pt.1

building deeper connections with your small group (part 1)

Doug Fields & Matt McGill

January is almost gone and February is knocking on the door. If there was a pause of any small groups (and/or programs), they’re back into full swing after Christmas break. This week we’re going to present a few ideas to help you be more intentional with what you’re doing as a small group leader so you can avoid the rut of simply “going through the motions.”


	Think of 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders, as an investment in your small group leaders.

MAKE YOUR LESSON PREPARATION A PART OF YOUR QUIET TIMES
God is doing great stuff in your life, and your best ministry will happen out of the overflow of God’s Spirit moving in your own heart. As you spend time with God, be thinking about the Scripture text that you’ll soon be teaching on or simply ask yourself this question while you’re reading God’s word: “What can I share from this special time with God with my students?” When you’re teaching from your own times with God, you will be more passionate. A heartfelt passion is always a deeper connection than simply a vibrant personality, wild humor, or cultural relevance.

Of course, we are assuming you are regularly spending time with God! If not, we’d definitely challenge you to focus on building a deeper connection with God before you focus on your students.

PERSONALIZE YOUR CURRICULUM
Good curriculum is an important tool within a youth ministry toolbox. But, curriculum is simply a tool, and it works best when it’s adjusted to take your students into deeper discussions of God’s Word and His ways. Nothing “just works” right out of the box, even the best curriculum requires your adaptation.


	Think of 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders, as an investment in your small group leaders.

A great way to maximize your impact is to shape the teaching time and provided questions to meet your small group’s needs. It’s poor leadership to simply read a word-for-word lesson directly from the book. Make it your own and make it relevant with where your students live. You know your audience better than any curriculum writer. You are the expert on the needs from within your small group. You personalize the material so it best fits your “voice” and heart, which will help move the discussion forward.

Jordan Tshirts

We are doing Jordan a tshirt that says Beat Cancer on them.This Sunday we will have order forms we will be taking orders up til Feb. 6. All proceeds will go to help the family with expenses. It will also be a sign of us being in agreement with him and his family in prayer. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus said, "If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." We want as many people as possible agreeing with us that Jordan beat's this disease through Christ's strength.

Thank You

Good Morning, I wanted to encourage each one of you. I can not thank you enough for all that you are doing by pouring your hearts into our students. I hope that all of you will be attending the teacher appreciation banquet this Thursday. I have teamed up with Larry to make this a special night for you guys and hope that it will show our appreciation.

To know that we are responsible and a part of developing these students theology is just a honor.

Requests- Please keep pushing the announcements - make time to do this if you are excited about it they will be too.
- encourage them about our Wednesday night services