Children's Choirs at Hillside are coming!

The interest in the Children's Choirs that are being formed at Hillside has been outstanding.  Unfortunately, the timing of performing on Easter Sunday isn't going to work this year for most of our families.

We are still going to form two distinct children's choirs moving forward - one will be for Preschool-PreKindergarten children ages 3-6 years old but not yet in Kindergarten and will be called the HillsideKids Preschool Choir.  The second group will be our HillsideKids Elementary Choir for Kindergarten through Fifth Graders.  If there are enough of the Third through Fifth Graders, we will brake them off into their own choir so that they may have some music theory along with learning songs and maybe some simple choreography for the right songs.

So if you did not receive an email from me inviting you to sign up for the Children's choirs that are forming, please send me an email or post on this blog site that you are interested and for what children in your family.  Also, please check with the church office to make sure that the correct email address is on file.

A short gathering of families interested in the choirs for their children will be held following the 9:30am Service shortly after Easter to set up a rehearsal and performance schedule.  Those families signing up for the choirs will receive an email notification regarding the exact date of this gathering. So please make sure you let me know that you are interested. 

In an effort to limit unwanted correspondence, only those who express an interest in their child participating in the choirs will receive specific information regarding future choir gatherings.  General information will be available through the usual channels (newsletters, bulletins, website, blog and Facebook page for HillsideKids).  You may opt-in anytime via email to me with your request.

We are really looking forward to adding this ministry to Hillside Church of Marin's Family Ministry.

Thanks!
Terri

Children's Easter Choir forming...all ages

Children's Easter Choir forming...

We are putting together a seasonal choir for children of all ages to participate in our Easter Services this year.  Rehearsals are currently taking place during the 9:30 Service in each of our children's environments.  Special rehearsals will be set up closer to Easter to practice in the auditorium.

Children will sing at all of the Easter Services.  It will be a family style service, so there will be no children's programs that day. Children from our Waumba Land environment will offer one song and a combined group from UpStreet/Avenue252 will learn up to three songs offering two of them on Easter Sunday.

There is a CD available for a small fee ($8.00) to help your child learn the songs.  CDs can be picked up and paid for in the registration area. Checks payable to Hillside Church.

If you would like more information or would like to sign up your kids for the choir, please contact Terri at terri@hillsidemarin.org or 415-924-2297 x104.

Happy New Year! Here's what happening with HillsideKids in January!

Waumba Land (birth through PreKindergarten)

We want preschoolers to take a first look at who God is and understand...

God made me.  God loves me.  Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

A new year gives us another reason to celebrate that Jesus wants to be my friend forever!

This month, we will share several of the miracles that Jesus performed in His short time with us here on earth, showing us that nothing is too hard for Him. If Jesus is so amazing and powerful that He can walk on water then surely He can help me learn to share with my friends.

Preschoolers will hear how Jesus turned water to wine (we call it a “super fancy drink”), helped His friends fill their nets with fish, fed thousands with two fishes and five loaves of bread, and calmed a storm by just telling it to stop. Through each story, our little ones will learn that Jesus can do anything, and “With God, all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26).

UpStreet (Kindergarten through 2nd grade)

Avenue252 (3rd through 5th grade) 

January is a great time to work on changing the way we play this game of life. It feels like a fresh, crisp start to a new year! So, we’re going to spend the month in Proverbs, a book packed full of wise and visual verses to challenge our thinking—especially about the topic of Self-Control.

Self-control means choosing to do what you should do—and not what you want to do. In the moment, that’s hard for a lot of us. The good news is that God doesn’t ask us to do anything all on our own. We’ll share verses like 2 Peter 1:3 that say: “God’s given us everything we need to lead a godly life.” Self-control is a way to display to the world around us that we have God in our lives. And He’s present every hour of every day, ready to help us take control of our thoughts, words and actions.

Each week, we’ll talk specifically about choosing to have self-control in areas where we know kids (and adults) typically struggle, plus we’ll focus on faith skills like navigating the Bible and personalizing Scripture in their everyday lives.

We are so excited about this month in Proverbs with a different principle each week addressing real life situations where we need self-control. Isn’t it great to know that God’s given us everything we need to live a godly life and to grow in wisdom? Join us this month as we dive into our virtue of Self-control: Changing the way you play!

Gingerbread House Building - A parent/child event!

Join in the fun of this parent or grandparent and child event!

Build a Gingerbread House together!  

Date:  Tuesday, December 20th

Time:  6:00-7:00pm

Cost: $27.50/family

All supplies included.

Checks payable to Hillside Church.

Location:  Gingerbread Builders in the Strawberry Village by In and Out Burger.

Sign up between now and Sunday, December 18th at the information counter in the main lobby of the church or drop by church anytime this week to sign up and drop off your check/cash.  Church office is open 9-5pm.

Questions?  terri@hillsidemarin.org

HillsideKids Go Christmas Caroling this Sunday!

Join us for Christmas Caroling this Sunday!

You are invited to this upcoming parent/child event of HillsideKids!

A group will be going to sing Christmas Carols this Sunday.

Meeting at 12:30pm at Church for a quick run through then off we'll go to Aegis Living to sing for the residents there.

Then we can head out into the neighborhood and share Christmas Cheer!

Then back to the church by 2:30 for cookies and coco!

Email me back and let me know if you are planning to attend and how many children/adults are in your group.

This is not a drop off event - a responsible adult must attend with the children in your group.

Blessings,

Pastor Terri

terri@hillsidemarin.org

HillsideKids in December

HillsideKids & Families in December

Seems like we have been forced to think Christmas since before Halloween this year.  For those of us who have Thanksgiving as our favorite holiday, it has been a battle to keep Christmas at bay!  Well, December is finally here!   The reason for the season is in front of us and as parents and church, we want to work together to make sure that Jesus isn’t lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  

To make sure that you are connected, even if you aren’t able to be at Hillside Church each week, please go to the facebook page: HillsideKids and “like” or “subscribe” and then watch our postings as they come up on Facebook.  

Below I have given the basic dates for December activities for kids at each of their age-levels.  Please go to the Hillside Family Ministry blog to get more details about each event and to sign up to get notified when new information is posted.

FamilyTime Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 11, 2011 12:30-2:30pm

We will do a quick run through of the songs and then we will be walking (with strollers if needed) from church parking lot  and back by 2pm for cookies and coco down at The House before heading home.

We will sing for the residents at Aegis Living (5555 Paradise Drive at 1pm as they finish lunch) then divide into two groups if there are enough of us and walk through the neighborhood behind Aegis as well as across the street (Mariner’s Cove), dress warmly and festively and wear your walking shoes.  Songbooks will be available.

Gingerbread House Building

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:00-7:00pm

750 Redwood Highway #1210 in Strawberry Village south of In and Out Burger.

All supplies included to build a family gingerbread house for $27.50/small house.

We will meet there at 6:00pm.  Check payable to Hillside Church is due at time of sign up.  

Sign up will be at the information counter in the main church lobby.  No calls to the office, confirmations of paid spots only.  Reservations necessary for this event.  Last minute spots can add as long as spots are available so that group rate will apply.  Small Gingerbread House is only option for this outing, cost $27.50 for one small house.

Christmas Eve 

Saturday, December 24th:

A description of the services is available elsewhere in this issue of Hillside News.  Here are the details about what we are offering to children on Christmas Eve.

4:00 pm and 6:00 pm Children’s Programs

Waumba Land

Nursery Room 1 for birth-toddlers

Preschool Room 2 for 2 & 3 yr olds

PreKindergarten Room 3 for 4 & 5 yr olds

UpStreet & Avenue252

Elementary UpStreet Room for K-5th Grades

8:00pm & 11:00pm No Children’s Programs/No Childcare

Families are welcome to worship together.

Christmas Morning

Sunday, December 25, 2011

There will be NO services on Christmas Morning at Hillside this year.  We encourage you to enjoy your family time, remembering the brightness of the day that our Savior and King was born and finding ways to incorporate Jesus into the day like having a Birthday Breakfast for Jesus Party.  On Christmas Eve we will have available a kit for you to take home so that you can bake your own cake and celebrate Jesus’ birth as a family.

New Year's Day

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Regular Schedule resumes.

REMINDER: 

Our children’s environments are staffed and ready to receive children beginning as early at 9:15.  All our children’s environments will close at 9:45am once the teaching elements have begun.  The Waumba Land, UpStreet and Avenue252 teams thank you in advance for arriving in a timely way.  Should you and your children arrive after 9:45am, you are welcome to worship with them in the auditorium or choose to attend the 11:00am service where limited childcare is available for younger children.  

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day 

Please consider lending a hand on these special outreach days when we have many guests and visitors with us.  It also is a way to show your appreciation to our dedicated volunteers who work year round to care for all the children in the church.  No training required, just arriving a bit earlier than usual to help set up (4pm) or staying a bit later to help clean up (6pm).  Youth welcomed to serve as crew leaders and community service hours are available.

Contact Terri Woodard terri@hillsidemarin.org or 415/342-9130 to volunteer or to find out what is needed.  

Kids & Families November Preview

FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

Thanks so much to all who joined us for the Family Fall Festival on October 22nd.  40-50 people came and had a great time carving pumpkins, face painting, eating and having conversations.  To see photos of the event, click here.

Special thanks to Heidi Kane and Deena Berger and their families and friends who helped them run this event.  

A spring event is in the works!

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER

November not only brings a change in season and weather but also an opportunity to really connect on Sundays.  In Family Ministry, Ryan and I take our responsibility to create meaningful experiences for children and students seriously.  We strive to make our hour with the kids and our volunteers the best hour of the week.  

Children learn by repetition so getting your children in front of their small group leader as often and as regularly as possible is critical to the growth as Christians.  

Please take time before November 1 arrives and make attending a priority.  Consistency builds trust and comfort for all of us, but it is especially important for our children and students.

Waumba Land:  Birth through PreKindergarten

In November, Waumba Land will be diving into “Happy Helpers” Month.  We will be teaching a different aspect of helping each week.  Our Memory Verse is Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and loving to each other.” (NCV) as we unpack that God made people who help me.  So look for your child to be doing some special helping this month at home and at school!

UpStreet:  Lower Elementary (K-2 grades)

UpStreet  in November is all about the virtue of Gratitude.  It’s all about slowing down and showing gratitude for both the big  and the little things of life.  We remember that because of what God has done for us, we have a reason to be grateful.  Our theme for November is:  Pitstop: Pull over for a Gratitude Adjustment.  So if you have Nascar gear to wear this is the month to break it out and show it off!  

Avenue252:  Upper Elementary (3-5 grades)

We love our new environment for older elementary kids called Avenue252.  While this group does the same lesson as UpStreet, they do it with a whole different attitude - this is more of preteen youth group.  So this group is getting ready to do some special events.  We are working on one for November....so keep an eye on the HillsideKids page on Facebook (Parents: go there and “like” or “subscribe” to it so you stay in the know).  Since our theme is “Pitstop” for the month - I can guarantee you it will be a race for pure fun and something to be grateful for after you have been with us! 

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:

Family Ministry happens at Hillside because of volunteers.  The volunteer team makes what we do at each age level such an amazing experience for the children and their families. We are looking beyond our current families and those who worship with us on a regular basis.  If that’s you, then please prayerfully consider serving in one of the following ways:

Currently we have the following openings: 

• Host Team (greeting, registration)
• Assistant Small Group Leaders  (K-2 grades) 
• Mentors (3-5 grades)
• Registrar (to set up attendance data base and input weekly attendance, make name tags, parent tags, etc.)
• Graphic artist to work with me on different elements within each environment
• Publicity Coordinator to help us get the word out of our activities
• Photographer/Videographer for occasional Sundays and events

If you are able to serve, even if in a limited way, please contact me.

STAY CONNECTED

Please take a minute and go to these two website and join them through “like” or “subscribe”.  This is not only a way for us to communicate to you but for you to give us feedback and get your questions answered.

For parents of kids birth through 5th grade: click  here

For parents of Middle School and High School Students: click here