Hello Volunteers,
Thank you so much for making it possible for the Skycrest Kids to host a Parent's Night Out. This truly is a great opportunity to spend some time with fantastics kids and give their guardians a chance to spend a few peaceful hours out on a Friday.
I will continue contacting volunteers this and next week and let you know what your role will be on Dec 2. All volunteers will need to show up between 5:30-5:45.
Welcome current volunteers, potential volunteers, and those who aren't yet admitting that you are interested in volunteering (since you're on this page, you know you want to - fess up!)
In all honesty, thank you all for being a part of the Skycrest community, specifically the Children's Ministry. You affect so many more lives than can be counted.
About the Children's Ministry:
As we move forward making some drastic changes to this ministry, a core focus is connecting the family to the church - this means more than connecting the kids to the church; it means more than sending home a flier to a parent about Sunday School - it's about genuine connection. Our goal is to get parent's to be the biggest part of their child's spiritual growth and journey. As the church, we can provide some of the tools, some material to ignite conversation, and some of the direction for families, but we only see these kids 2 hours a week at the most!
For true family worship, family connection with God, and family spiritual growth, "Sunday School" needs to continue beyond the church walls.
For that to happen, God calls us as a church to be there for these kids and their families. We are called to give the Word, have fellowship, and most importantly love. That only happens when God's disciples (that would be you) earnestly seek to do God's will.
If you are already volunteering, please make sure you pause - even right now - and pray that God leads you to do His work and gives you the strength, patience, and loving attitude needed to continue being a part of these kid's lives.
If you are thinking about volunteering, also pause right now - ask God to show you His path for you in this church. Ask to be used as God's disciple.
WARNING: For all those reading this, and who have hopefully just finished praying, know this: Praying to God about your role in volunteering and participating in the church doesn't lead to easy results. It may mean stepping out of your comfort zone, or getting asked a ridiculously hard question by a 6 year old, or sacrificing 'your time' for God's time.
That's not meant to scare folks off - quite the contrary - it's meant to inspire you to do more for God than maybe you've done in the past. It's meant for you to think about what it means to Volunteer for God - because that's ultimately what's going to happen - Yes, you'll be working with the kids, staff, and volunteers of Skycrest, but it will be for God. At no point will you be forced to do anything you don't want to do, or looked down upon for not doing a task. Volunteers are just that - volunteering their time. That you have committed to any amount of time as a volunteer is doing God's work!
Thank you all for what you have done and what you may do in the future. Know that you are being prayed for. Know that being a part of this ministry means the world to me, the staff, and these children. You will be equipped, you will be listened to, and you will make a difference.
-Ted Rokitowski
Skycrest UMC Director of Children's Ministry
Cell: 813.478.3055
Church: 727.446.2218
All Volunteers will have the opportunity to be fully screened (Child-Protection class, background check).
Contact Ted Rokitowski if you have an interest in any area.
Nursery
The nursery is open Sunday from 8:30a - 12:15p.
Volunteers needed for:
Regina is our screened, paid, staff member supervising the Nursery each Sunday morning. Volunteers will be assisting Regina with birth-up to-Preschool kids. Any child not potty trained will be in the nursery.
You will be assisting with general safety of the kids, helping parents check-in/check-out their kids, playing, changing diapers, soothing babies, supervising kids playing with toys and equipment, cleaning up messes, and following Regina's requests.
Skycrest Kids' Group Worship
Volunteers will help from 10:00a to 11:15a.
NEEDED:
Kids are invited to Group Worship during announcements of the Modern Service. The Modern Service begins at 9:45a. Announcements are usually around 10:00a. The kids are escorted upstairs to the Children's area where we will have worship (singing, dancing, motions), a story or skit, and a short ammount of free-time. Group Worship ends at 10:45a. 10:45 to 11:15 is a transition time where some kids will leave and others will be arriving.
You will be dancing and singing with the kids as well as helping them with motions for songs - have fun! You will also be responsible for general safety and well being of the kids, helping them upstairs, leading them to the Group Worship area, keeping them in the area, escorting kids to the bathrooms, helping them keep focused during skit/story time, supervising (and playing) during free-time, and assisting parents with check-in/check out of their kids.
Note: Preschool and Elementary Sunday School follow the same curriculum, and have the same responsibilities, however some material will be slightly altered to coincide with the different ages (activities, the way a Bible story is told, etc)
Preschool Small Group
Volunteers help from 11:15a - 12:15p (must stay until last child is gone)
NEEDED:
11:15a our Group Worship kids split up and head to their rooms; parents attending the second service bring their kids upstairs to be checked-in.
Volunteers scheduled for that week of teaching will receive the information by Thursday so they have time to read it over and be prepared.
Preschool Volunteer responsibilites:
Elementary Small Group
Volunteers help from 11:15a - 12:15p (must stay until last child is gone)
NEEDED:
11:15a our Group Worship kids split up and head to their rooms; parents attending the second service bring their kids upstairs to be checked-in.
We will follow the 252 Basics curriculum from Orange. Material will be printed and ready as well as any props/toys/equipment. Volunteers scheduled for that week of teaching will receive the information by Thursday so they have time to read it over and be prepared.
Our curriculum follows the same format each week and month - theirs a monthly theme, scripture for that theme, a weekly "Bottom Line" (mini-theme for the week), Scripture for that week, as well as games and activities tied into each theme.
Kids will receive a "God Time Card" that has that week's scripture/bottom line and activities for them to do with their families during the week. Volunteers encourage kids to use these cards and participate with their families!
Parents will receive a Parent Cue each week (also a monthly version at the beginning of the month). This is for them to connect with what their child is learning. It also provides some questions they can ask their kids - these are tools for families to connect with their kids and Skycrest!
Elementary Volunteer responsibilites:
One-Time Call
Children's Ministry Events
Easter Spring Festival Team | January 2012 (1st meeting tba)
Vacation Bible School Team | March (1st meeting tba)
