Coming to Hillside Church of Marin this Fall just for young families!

I have spent the first part of the summer looking into ways that we can open our church doors wide and create a place for Hillsiders to invite their friends and neighbors to come to Hillside Church of Marin.  I felt like it needed to be something that met a need in the community around the church as well.  I think I have found a couple and want to share one of them with you today.  Take a look at Mainly Music and please consider participating in this program this fall.

Mainly Music is a music program designed to help parent and young child experience music in a fun and creative way while providing social support for both parent and child in a safe and friendly context.

Mainly Music is a Christian program that is open to believers as well as non-believers.  Sessions consists of 8 weeks and has a small fee to cover the costs of weekly refreshments.  Each week, adults bring their children for a 30 minute session of music and movement.  Adults and caregivers participate in the session, modeling the music and movement for their child.  This is a special time for both parent/caregiver and the child.  The second half of the hour is where refreshments are served to the adults and they are given a chance to meet and connect to others in the the session.  The children during this time are still being watched by their parent/caregivers but are able to "free play"in the room with toys that we will be providing.   The children, like their parents/caregivers, will also be building friendships during this time.  A simple snack and water are provided for the children.  The whole concept is to keep things simple and uncomplicated so that it is easy for parents/caregivers to participate.

A Mainly Music team is being currently assembled for this ministry.  I am looking for people willing to provide home baked goodies each week of a session (sessions are 8 weeks and there are a minimum of 3 sessions a year), someone who will help greet, help with name tags and signing in at the door as people arrive, someone to help set up the refreshments and put them away and finally two music and movement leaders, one primary and one as helper/sub.  All positions except the leader can truly be done by anyone.  The leader positions take some musical confidence but they do not require someone to be a singer or a dancer.  Music with young children is really all about knowing the music well enough to lead those who are not as familiar with it and help them have a good time.  The prep for the leader is minimal.  Church will supply all the materials needed (Music CDs, printed words to the songs, kid-friendly musical instruments, scarfs, ribbon wands, etc.) to help make it interactive and fun.  Leaders provide guidance and the rest of the team create the hospitality that will make it easy for young parents to participate.  If you are interested in participating in Mainly Music or would like more information regarding the program or a volunteer position, please contact me directly at terri@hillsidemarin.org or 415-924-2297 x104.