December 30th, 2012 Happy New Year

There will only be one public meeting this evening at the 5.

Plans are still being created and will be updated as soon as we receive information.

December 23rd, 2012 Christmas Weekend

The kids team has decided to have a little extra fun to celebrate the holiday together. They will be sharing the holiday cheer by watching movies together and eating popcorn.

December 16th, 2012 Jesus is making a new home (shepherds/magi)

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & Centers

and remain there until the end of our PM Time. 

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Centers

Tips:

·        Go over schedule each week at the beginning of your “Go Around”.

·        Give kids a heads up before transitioning into each new thing, 

and give them directions on how to transition.

·        Give 5 minute warnings for clean up times.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: Lets learn some Christmas songs! Check out Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. You can also email Meg and ask her to leave copies of the lyrics for you in the kids room. 

Although it's fun to at least have one song that is connected to our theme, it is not mandatory.Take a look at some of our music links for your song ideas and touch base with our music leader for this week 

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: This season we are praying for different sections of Philadelphia. This week we are praying for  Catholic Worker Clinic is located at 1826 East Lehigh Avenue. For more information, visit www.catholicworker.org.

 In 2-3 sentences, explain who this is and ask the kids how they think we can pray for them.

• Consider writing it down on a large piece of paper, and then have the kids take turns praying for each part.

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are following the story of Jesus's Birth.

Today you will read Luke 2:1-15 (Shepherds) & Mathew 2:1-10 (Magi)

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: This season we are making decorations that come from the different cultures and traditions in our neighborhoods. 

Every culture that celebrates Advent and Christmas, uses the symbol of the star. Lets create some fun star decorations. Here are a few options for ideas:

Toilet Paper Roll Star
3D Star
Foil Star

• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

December 9th, 2012 "John points us towards home".

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & Centers

and remain there until the end of our PM Time. 

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Centers

Tips:

·        Go over schedule each week at the beginning of your “Go Around”.

·        Give kids a heads up before transitioning into each new thing, 

and give them directions on how to transition.

·        Give 5 minute warnings for clean up times.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: Lets learn some Christmas songs! Check out Joy to the World. You can also email Meg and ask her to leave copies of the lyrics for you in the kids room. 
Although it's fun to at least have one song that is connected to our theme, it is not mandatory.Take a look at some of our music links for your song ideas and touch base with our music leader for this week 

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: This season we are praying for different sections of Philadelphia. This week we are praying for the Puerto Rican population in this area. Some of the things to pray for: that the younger generations hold on to their culture. For more educational opportunities, which aren't always readily available. And for a clearing in the way of the language barrier Spanish/English. 

For more information you can email Jess McCann.

 In 2-3 sentences, explain who this is and ask the kids how they think we can pray for them.

• Consider writing it down on a large piece of paper, and then have the kids take turns praying for each part.

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are following the story of Jesus's Birth.

Today you will read Luke 1:57-80

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: This season we are making decorations that come from the different cultures and traditions in our neighborhoods. 

Garlands are a staple decoration used in a huge range of cultures, including in Puerto Rico. In our readings today Sarah expressed great joy in the birth of her son John.
Let's make Joy Garlands.

Click HERE for an idea, or create one of your own.

• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.