Children's Ministry Which Matters & Makes a Difference by Equipping Parents & Grandparents & Engaging Children . . . and a whole lot more!
Tomorrow, October 1, 2012, is the day I'll be drawing the name of one winner from each of my blogs, (grandma's cookie jar and About the Children's Department) and this winner will receive one DVD of the new VeggieTales movie, the League of Incredible Vegetables . . . my grandson Josiah's FAVORITE movie! You will find my review of this movie at the following link, but today I want to share VeggieTale's Parent's Discussion Guide for this movie!
As the seasons change outside, it is a wonderful time to talk with children about the amazing world God created - and the different seasons He designed for us to enjoy! This new Berenstain Bears book from Zonderkidz is a fun way to get the conversation going!
Maralee McKee is the Manners Mentor - she speaks and writes about manners on her blog, the Manners Mentor. I recently was browsing and noticed a post about how to be Real and Polite. In it Maralee said, "Etiquette and manners are two different things. They tend to be lumped together. To be understood, they must be separated. Manners are the language of our truest self. Their foundation is anchored in our heart. They can’t be faked. Kind manners are our regard for the feelings and comfort of others. Manners are the hidden fruit our spirit yields. Hopefully it includes a healthy crop of kindness, gentleness, self-control, patience… the list continues. Don’t be fooled; when expressed properly, manners never cause us to become a doormat. Instead, we’re a beacon in an unsteady world." 
I wanted to take a moment to invite you to check out my other blog, grandma's cookie jar. I'm planning some wonderful special give-aways for Christmas this year - including an American Girl doll, a K'nex roller coaster, a Little Tikes Action Fliers play set, a Cuisinart Coffee on Demand and so much more! Check the link and get in on the fun . . . I'll be giving away some wonderful things all throughout November! :^)
I've been writing About the Children's Department for almost two years. In this time I've been blessed with many faithful readers. Thank you! About the Children's Department has been included in Ministry to Children's Kidmin Blog Maddness both years - and both years made it into the second round! Last year we made it into Ministry to Children's Top 100 Children's Minsitry Blogs - we actually made it into the top 50! (I haven't heard if they are releasing a Top 100 this year or not) As I said, thank you so much everyone who takes the time to read About the Children's Department!
Do you remember Christmas when you were a child? I do! I LOVED Christmas! I loved everything about Christmas . . . although, admittedly, as a child I loved the "fluff" of Christmas more than what Christmas was really all about. I loved putting up the Christmas tree - I remember one year my parents took us out, in the snow, to find and cut our own tree - since I wasn't a huge fan of snow . . . and we lived in Michigan so there was lots of it . . . while it was fun to go pick a tree and cut it down, it was too cold for me! I loved the Spritz cookies my mom made each year and how we got to help decorate them . . . and of course eat them! I loved watching the Christmas specials on TV - particularly Rudolph and the Little Drummer Boy. I loved spending Christmas at our cottage and I especially loved opening presents on Christmas morning . . . we had to wait for our parents to get up to see our gifts and I always wondered if they would EVER wake up!!!! How could they possibly stay in bed so long on Christmas morning???? 
I'm happy to announce Brigitte Rottman is the winner in my Berenstain Bears, Faith Gets Us Through book give-away. (You'll find the review at this link) Thank you Brigitte for reading About the Children's Department (please message me your address by September 28, 2012 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!
When we serve in children's ministry we are dealing with people all the time . . . young and old. It is essential for us to show good manners in the way we interact with others . . . I'm so thankful for my friend Maralee McKee, the Manners Mentor. She knows how to help us "discover the manners which matter today: simple, savvy, sincere skills which help you become your best self!" I encourage you to check her blog for specific answers to your every day encounters and her facebook page for daily tips to help you as you interact with others. For example, her tip for today - "When an acquaintance or friend says, 'No' to an invitation or request it's a matter of respect to accept their answer without hesitatioin or question. Asking, 'Why not" can make them feel guilty or like they're being interrogated. When someone says, 'No' you can answer, 'Perhaps another time. You're always welcome to join us!' Or, 'Maybe next time. We can always use extra hands!'" Keep this advice in mind when recruiting . . . if a person says "No", accept their answer. It is fine to leave the door open for them to reconsider another time, but graciously accept their answer without trying to "guilt" them into serving!
If you are looking for a way to "Put feet to their faith" and help the children in your ministry focus on what Christmas is really all about, then take a look at Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child. You could have the children in your ministry work on projects to earn money so they could purchase items to fill gift boxes for children around the world who otherwise will not receive a gift at Christmas. Most importantly, they will be helping children and families learn about Jesus - and He is the reason for the season!Do you have books in your church library, in your classrooms or do you recommend books to parents? If so, take a look at this new Berenstain Bears book which encourages children to put their faith in God!
Christmas is just three months away, so have you decided what you are going to do at your church for a Christmas program? If not, take a look at this free resource I'm giving away - Joy to the World the Lord is Come! This is a program which can involve everyone in your church from the little children to adults. 
Yes,
Manners That Matter for Moms: The Essential Book of Life Skills for Your Kids
is a book about manners so moms will know how to help their children know everything they need to, as Maralee McKee the author says, "equip their kids to flourish in their relationships." But, just because it is written by a mom for moms, don't think there isn't a wealth of information for dads, grandparents, teachers, children's ministry leaders and pastors to use with children . . . and with ourselves, because there is! Manners is not about a list of do's and don'ts which you only need in the most formal of situations. It is not just about knowing when to say please, thank you and excuse me. Maralee says manners are about, "developing the interpersonal skills which will help them become the best versions of themselves they can be in any setting." We all need to know how to do this, for sure!
I was recently asked to participate in a "blog tour" for Lisa Chan's film, be still (True Beauty Series)
. In this short film she talks about taking time to be quiet and still before God where "they will find power and strength in just being quiet and listening." As grandmas and moms (and as women who are serving in children's ministry) we have busy lives - just as all women - and it is so easy, far too easy, to be caught up in our busy lives and not take the time to just be still before and with God. In this film Lisa challenges women to make being still a priority in our lives.If you are looking for a service project for the children in your ministry; one which they will be able to understand and get excited about working on, consider Operation Christmas Child! This is a project children, small groups - and families - can work on together as they purchase items to fill a shoe box for a child and then pray for the child. 
Yesterday I posted about missing children. I said, "The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says, “Every year in America, an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing, more than 2,000 children each day.” More than 2,000 children each day are reported as missing. Most of these children are runaways. Does this number shock you? It shocks and breaks my heart. So many hurting children." I also said, "for the next few posts I’ll write about what we can do to reach out to children who are at risk. Children who are in serious need. Children who we need to be praying for and who we need to keep our eyes open for so we are able to see and help them."I can not even begin to express how happy I am to share this new Veggie story with you . . . The League of Incredible Vegetables
not only is great fun, but the message is one I especially wanted my grandson to hear! My sweet Josiah is almost four years old and he has been having "scary dreams" lately, so when I heard this new Veggie story was going to deal with fear and trusting God, I was very happy! When I heard it was going to have Veggie "super heroes" in it, well, I couldn't wait for it to arrive as my house has been "blessed" to have "Super Josiah" here when Josiah visits - he loves being a "super hero"! I thought this combination would be perfect for my sweet grandson!
Yesterday I wrote, "The Summer is over and Fall ministries are beginning so now is the perfect time to take a moment to pause, reflect, evaluate and give Thanks!" and then took time to consider pausing. Today I want to take a moment to consider what it means to "reflect" and why we should do so, but first, let's think about what "reflect" means. I looked on-line and found the following synonyms for "reflect" . . . "chew over; think over; meditate; mull; mull over; muse; ponder; ruminate; reflect; speculate; contemplate". So, with these in mind, let's think about taking a moment to "reflect" . . . 
When I was a child I always looked forward to Christmas - I loved the lights on the tree and I knew I'd receive gifts from my parents and grandparents! When my children were young, they always received gifts from their dad and I at Christmas - they still do as adults! One of my favorite times of the year as a grandma is most certainly Christmas! I love celebrating it with my grandchildren - and they absolutely receive gifts from their grandpa and me!
