Family Ministries

Family Ministries is the over-arching ministry to Apostles families, encompassing nursery through college ministry.

Vision

COTA Family Ministries exists to partner with families in knowing, experiencing, and growing in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Values

1  Teach and model the Gospel.
2  Focus on discipleship (cultivating Godly principles and individual giftings).
3  Encourage a healthy personal spiritual life.
4  Emphasize being missional-minded.
5  Ensure a safe, nurturing environment based on open communication and an attitude of respect and obedience.
6  Develop relational, question friendly fellowship.

 

Thursday
Feb092012

Sunday recap and event info ...

Dear Parents,
I enjoyed leading SS Assembly this past Sunday! We started simply with a little song I like to do with preschoolers: "God Gave Us a Special Book, the Bible is its Name: B-I-B-L-E" (it is to the tune of the the little dog song "BINGO") and I had five volunteers hold a card with each letter spelling out BIBLE. We asked them to hold the card up when the letter was called during the spelling portion of the song. Then, when we clapped instead of saying the letters, we had the volunteers jump up. I told them by the time we were clapping all the letters that we should see them jump "the wave" like people do in stadiums. Most volunteers and "audience" members seemed to enjoy it.
Why do I go into detail sharing that? Because I need to tell you - we struggle with grabbing the attention of each child! In a group like SS Assembly, with so many ages represented, it is hard to make it appealing to everyone
We've been working on memorizing Psalm 103 in SS Assembly and I asked for volunteers to say as much as they could of it. Everyone that showed excitement about saying it was in the 5-7 year old range. HMMM...I hear some of our folks saying to me, of course, these are in the beginning "grammar" stage of learning.
Please thank your children for participating in all of the Sunday morning activities, even when some are not exciting for them. We strive to plan variety and believe that each element is important.
This week, SS ASSEMBLY moves rooms. We will go down the hall to the last room on the right. It has been David Browder's office and SS room. Please have your child pick up their name tag by their classroom door and join us in that room for the first 15-20 minutes of class.
 
Also, in light of "age appropriateness" that I discussed above, we will begin adding age descriptions to some of our extra activities. You'll notice our FUN FRIDAY that is on the calendar for 9 March is for K-5th grade and is a movie night. Also, our FUN FRIDAY on the calendar for 11 May is for 7 years and up - it's a LEGO SCULPTING night.
And, if you see CLUB 45 on the calendar - these events are for 4th and 5th graders!!! It has been a long time coming, but we are going to start planning some things just for these older children. Chip suggested the name from another church and I'd heard it before - so, we're just stealing the name :) At about the same time, Sara Phillips forwarded me a Bible Study on Extreme Poverty from Bead for Life, a nonprofit that helps women in Uganda. We've decided to do this 5 week Bible Study during Lent on Tuesday nights, 6:15 - 7:30p at the church. It culminates in a Bead for Life party (fundraiser for Uganda) and you'll all be invited to that! Thanks to Sara and Omar Reyes for volunteering to help teach this with me. I've been waiting to get Omar back in the teaching team somehow!
Blessings,
Melanie
Weekly Update
(from) 5 February 2012
 
SS enjoyed discovering Mark 2:1-12. Four friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. Some watched a short video, some played with legos to make the house. Some imagined being different people from the story. Next week we look at KINGDOM PARABLES from Mark 4 and will PLANT SEEDS - but, we'll try not to get dirty!
CC enjoyed Mr. Lee Fort teach about Elisha, the woman who showed him hospitality, and how he healed her (dead) son from our OT lesson for the day. Sara Fawcett helped. Thanks, CC volunteers. Mr. Lee will lead again this Sunday with Jasper Rogers. They'll look at Elisha's instructions to the Syrian army commander Naaman!
pray for Mrs. Cookie Richardson who should be on her way to Rwanda today and returns 22
Monday
Nov282011

Sunday Recap and Beyond ...

CotA Children's Weekly Update
27 November 2011
What a great morning in our new space!
SS music time will gather on the brick floor area in front of the offices next week at 9:25. It was too loud in the fellowship area. Thanks to Normandy for playing for us!
SS classes enjoyed "Prophecy Candle" Week (the first Sunday in Advent) by making their own advent wreaths. and looking at Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel.
 
Children's Church talked about what is different about our new church space and what is the same. Our main scripture discussion was from the OT reading for the day, Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. We touched our sand box and remembered how God made man in the garden of Eden. We held clay pieces and thought about how God is making us. In light of the epistle reading, I Corinthians 1:1-9, we thought about how God will finish the good work he started when he made us.
Next week we look at John the Baptist in both SS and CC as we light the advent wreath candle of "Preparation."
Thanks to many of you that brought toys to donate to our nursery!
If anyone has an old bookcase, the 3rd grade class wants one for their room.
Becci and I are planning a Children's Day/Parent Day Out on Saturday, 17 December from 10a - 2p. Please let me know if you are interested in bringing your child! We would do some Advent/Christmas related activities, play some games, practice for Lessons and Carols, etc. Your child would need to bring a bag lunch. I need to know if there is enough interest :) Email me!
 
Enjoy your week!
Melanie
Monday
Nov212011

First Day of Classes!

Sunday, 27 November will be our inaugural use of our new classrooms! See you at 9.30a as we begin Advent. 

Thursday
Oct202011

Children's Ministry: CotA Kids

Children's Church and Sunday School are currently on break for the summer. (Except for BIBLE CLUB MORNINGS!) Ministry Leaders are preparing for both and look forward to our regular schedule to resume on 14 August!  

RETURNING 14 AUGUST:

Children's Church offered during 9a Sunday Service. Children 4 years through 2nd grade may exit the auditorium during the Gospel Anthem for an age appropriate story/worship time. Children return to the worship service during the Passing of the Peace in order to experience Communion with their family.

 Sunday School begins each week at 10:30a with large group fellowship time in the Atrium. After music time led by our youth band, children disburse into age graded classes. SS ends at 11:50a. Parents who are attending worship service are encouraged to pick up their children at the beginning of Communion so they may join you in the Eucharist celebration.

Sunday School lessons will be an overview of catechism themes (taken from the 1662 Prayer Book.) 

Weekly parent newsletters are emailed each week.  

Wednesday
Sep212011

CotA Kids Camping Trip

We will be soon departing for our inagural annual Parish Camping Trip! 

State Park Website