For those of you who are new to Hillside and those of you who are returning after a summer away - here are a few things that you may want to know.  For the rest, it is a friendly reminder.  

1. 9:30 we continue to offer Waumba Land (Birth-PreK/Transitional K), UpStreet (K-2nd Grade) and Avenue252 (3rd-5th Grade) using our amazing small groups to help children grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. 11:00 we now offer Waumba Land (Birth - PreK/Transitional K) and a modified UpStreet (K-5).  Volunteers are still needed.  
3. Music is being incorporated into the first 15 minutes that will lead toward the kids sharing in a regular worship service in December.  
4. On the go?  Then you will want to download the ParentCue app and help keep your kids growing during the week.  App is available at the App store for a low one-time cost.  Many families are using it and are so excited to have it.  It is for both Elementary and Preschool ages.
5. Reminder:  All of our environments close to incoming children (exception is 1st time visitors who do not know our policy) so please be timely in your arrival.
6. Pick up of children is IMMEDIATELY following the end of the service.  Please return name tag and pick up/parent tag before you leave the HillsideKids area.
7. Sign in when you drop off AND out when you pick up.  We have parents who are forgetting to sign their children in and out.  In the event of an emergency, we need to know who is with us.  Because of this, please do not sign your kids in and out at one time.  It could lead to a child being left in the building because we think they are already with their parents.  
8. We have an amazing team that serve the children and their families here at Hillside.  They occasionally need some time away to tend to their own family’s needs or to refresh and renew themselves.  Please note that we expect parents of children in an age-level group to step up when asked to sub when a dedicated leader needs some time off.  While we do not mandate parents to serve in children’s ministry like other churches do, we do ask that out of thanksgiving and compassion, you occasionally give up your own corporate worship experience to bless someone else.  Thank you.
9. FORMS:  In order to keep the most up to date information on your child and family, every child will need to have a new registration form completed.  By September 30th, if you haven’t filled out a form, one will be required for each child.  This will help update our new database and allow for greater communication between us.  We have intentionally not done this at the same time that you are filling out packets of papers for the school.   Forms will be available each Sunday in the Registration area between now and the 30th for anyone who wants to get ahead of the crowd either before or after services.  We thank you in advance for time the time. 
10. Mission Project for HillsideKids:  A welcome basket for incoming families of Gilead House.  We collect every week items to put in a collapsible hamper for a single mom and her children who are entering the 18 month program at Gilead House.  Items needed are anything personal to set up a rest room or a bedroom.  They like a mix of practical (towel sets, bath room items like loofa, shampoo, soap) but also a few less practical items (nail polish, cologne, satin pillow cases) are welcome.  For the kids, we look for DVDs, books for the ages of the children as well as towel sets, and kid friendly shampoos & soaps.  So we collect items (new preferred) and then pull the appropriate age level items as we put the baskets together.  HillsideKids provides a Bible for each family member. Then the entire hamper is delivered to Gilead House and are in the room when families arrive. It sends a beautiful message of support and love to a young family coming out of a crisis situation.  

To keep current with what is going on with HillsideKids please join up with us on Facebook.  You can search for the HillsideKids page or click here and “like” us to get our updates in your regular Facebook feed.

Also, join our HillsideKids blog where dialogues can happen as well as learning about what’s going on first.  Click here and then sign up to follow via email.  

For more information please feel free to contact me directly!

Terri Woodard

terri@hillsidemarin.org

415-924-2297 x104

HillsideKids Fall 2012 - A few details you will want to know....

Ten Questions About the New Fall Schedule: Asked and Answered

We are so excited to add the 11:00am service hour to the list of environments we offer for children at Hillside while still continuing to provide our high quality of ministry at the 9:30am.  Here are a few questions you are going to want to know the answer to before Sunday, September 9th arrives...

1) Which service hour will you attend?  You will need to choose which service will be the primary service you will attend and let us know on the Fall 2012 Registration Form.  Our new times begin on Sunday, September 9th.  New forms are available starting this Sunday, August 26th for anyone who wants to fill out a form early.  

2) What will happen to my child's small group at 9:30?  Because we value small groups at all ages, HillsideKids is set up with age-level small groups at 9:30am.  We will seek to maintain those small groups. All of our leaders from last year love your kids and are returning this year, many for their 4th year as your child's leader.   Avenue252 will continue to be available at 9:30am only in the conference room. At 11:00am we will need to grow into small groups, so until our numbers allow grade-level groups, we will function as youngers (K-2) and olders (3-5) in the UpStreet Room.

3) How is the 11:00am environment for children different than the 9:30am environment?  In Waumba Land we will be grouping the children in two groups:  Birth through 2 year olds in the Nursery (Room 1) and Room 2,  for children 3 years old through Transitional Kindergarteners (TK), Room 4.  This set-up will be identical for both services.  For Elementary aged children, there will be no obvious changes to their environment at 9:30am.  Grades K-2 will meet in the UpStreet environment. Grades 3-5 will meet in the Avenue252 environment (Conference Room).  At 11:00am, both K-2 and 3-5 will combine for a shared environment in the UpStreet Room until our numbers and leaders grow to split them apart.  Snacks will be served in all environments during the 11:00am service so if you have a child with special dietary restrictions, we ask that you provide a snack for them (clearly labeled with their first and last names) so that they can participate in the snack time which is part of our community time.

4) New forms?  Yes, we are asking each family to fill out one form per child.  This insures us the most current contact information and it helps us know which service you are committing to be your primary service of attendance.  Every line of the form is important for us to deliver the best care and minister to your child more effectively.  

5) Will you be continuing with "closed" environments this year?  Yes.  We will have 15 minutes before the service starts and 15 minutes after the service starts for a total of a 30 minute window in which you may drop off your child.  So for the 9:30 service you will be able to drop off as early as 9:15 until as late as 9:45 each Sunday.  If you are serving on a ministry team on Sunday, please see me to make special arrangements for your child to be cared for as an early arriver.  For the 11:00am service hour it will be from 10:45 until as late as 11:15am each Sunday.  After 9:45 or 11:15am, you will need to take your children with you to service or you may enjoy the service from the lobby.  Please note that every service may not be appropriate for children so we encourage you to arrive on time.  The purpose of this policy is to give our leaders as much solid teaching time without interruption as possible.  It is also best for the children because they really do not like to come late, miss the story and not be able to participate fully in all the fun activities and discussions that happen in the course of our morning experience.  If you should arrive late and be asked to worship with your children, please know that this is as hard for us to do as it is for you to hear.  We simply must honor those who follow the policy, our volunteers and the other children who arrived on time.  We honestly want you to come back next week, just a bit earlier. 

6) Will I be asked to serve?  The simple and fast answer is yes but let me explain.  Our teams are made up of people who are making a year long commitment to lead your children in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, to mentor and guide these young spirits toward a life filled with Bible knowledge and Bible application - to disciple them.  Because of the level of commitment these leaders are making we ask parents from each age-level small group to be the substitute for their child's small group leader.  Our leaders find their own subs because they are very picky about who is leading your child/their small group kids.  We have found that small group leaders make relationships with the parents of their kids and thus their parents make the best subs.  Being a sub, doesn't mean you have to be up-to-speed on everything.  What it does mean is that you will arrive a little earlier, 9:00am, on the day that you sub.  You can go over the plan for the morning with the rest of the leaders.  Small group leaders will provide you with a copy of the lesson and activities for the day and will prep whatever you need ahead of time for you.  If you can sit in a circle, and talk to kids for 20 minutes, you will be a great small group sub.  You will go through the morning with your kids, watching the video (bible story) and then leading your kids through 1-2 activities, greeting parents at pick up time, giving them any handouts. We expect each parent to be ready and willing to sub once during the school year and at least once during the summer for each child's small group or age-level group. It's a small return for the 50 weeks of ministry value your family receives each year.   

7) Last year you had a choir for kids - will there be anything like that for our kids this year?  I am excited to say yes.  It will look different but function the same.  This year our two choir directors (Alicia Howard & Jenny Ferrari - they also sometimes lead worship on Sundays) will be alternating Sundays in our environments to offer music as a part of the first 15 minutes each Sunday morning.  Starting at the same time of each service, they will be leading the kids singing the virtue song for that month plus starting on September 9th we will begin learning two Christmas songs that we will present during the Advent season.  We hope this configuration will assist families who just couldn't free up a weekend night for rehearsals.  Another reason to be on-time Sunday mornings! 

8) Is there a Mission project associated with Children's Ministry?  Yes, we are supporting Gilead House (www.gileadhouse.org) by providing a Welcome Basket to new families as they arrive at Gilead House.  These baskets (laundry hamper) are filled with items that someone needs to set up their living quarters at Gilead House.  Things like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a set of new towels for each member of the household, a couple of DVDs (Veggie-tales, etc.) or books for them to have in their room.  Anything you might want if you were moving into a new place in the way of personal items.  So there is a display in the registration lobby where you can drop off your items or leave a financial contribution to the creation of this basket.  A list of suggested items is also available if you would like to work off a list or if you and your family would like to provide one basket (cost is around $150).  We are notified a week in advance to the arrival of a new family so it is critical that we have a basket ready to go or someone who is ready to donate a basket on short notice.  Thank you in advance for supporting this unique ministry to single women and their children.

9)  How does Transitional Kindergarten (TK) fit in with HillsideKids?  If you have a child with a fall birthday who is 4 years old, then you may have a child who is eligible for a TK program in your local school.  For our purposes of age-level grouping, UpStreet is for children who are in Kindergarten.  TK will continue, due to age-level, to be a part of our older Waumba Land grouping.  Small groups are set up by "class" once they enter UpStreet.  Your child's small group is formed during their Kindergarten year and will continue through their Senior High School year.  We are creating communities of children who will be doing life together so it is important that we set these groups up for long term success.  Our PreK/TK group in Waumba Land will do the best job of meeting a young child's social and emotional needs. 

10)  Why does HillsideKids want to partner with parents? Isn't it a "kids" ministry? Partnering with parents continues to be the highest priority moving forward for me and for my team.   We know raising kids, especially given all the hectic schedules, is a difficult task.  In the busyness of the week, it is easy to lose sight of why teaching our children God's ways is the parent's primary task beyond physical health and safety for our kids.  It's a task that God has given specifically to parents, not to the church.  But it is the church's responsibility to provide and equip you with ways to have faith discussions as you do life with your kids.  Beside providing you and your child with an amazing small group leader or age-level leader, we also provide you with a monthly take home (Parent Cue) as well as a weekly devotional (God-Time for elementary) for your child.  On top of those items, our curriculum also provides you with a phone app that has valuable information in it that you can use from your phone to keep these conversations going throughout the week and on the go.  Go to the App Store and download "ParentCue" for a small 1x fee and please begin to use it. It is for both Preschool (Waumba Land) and Elementary (UpStreet/Avenue252). It has our monthly themes, videos from the past week, parenting podcasts and activities to do with your kids and much more.  We have several families that are using this app and reporting that they are seeing their kids grow (and they are too!).  And the bottom line is that I am here for you...partnering with you is not just my job - it's my ministry.  I am a marriage mentor as well as a parenting coach.  Please feel free to contact me and let me walk with you through the highs and lows of your life.  You are not in this alone!  

Thank you for taking the time to read to this point....the secret word is "ParentCue"...free prize for whoever gives me the secret word!   

Praying for you as you and yours begin a new school year - for safety, health and happiness!

Terri
terri@hillsidemarin.org

HillsideKids as Summer Fades into Fall

As we wrap up the summer at Hillside Church of Marin, HillsideKids is excited about what the fall holds for all of us.

• Our fall launch of all our environments happens on September 9, 2012.  Mark Your Calendars.  We are mindful of the busyness of families during the first two weeks of school (for most of our families) so we have intentionally waited to do our launch until after your school routines have begun.
• The addition of our environments for preschoolers (birth-Transitional Kindergarteners/PreKindergarteners), Elementary (Kindergarten-2nd Grades) and PreTeens (3rd-5th Grades) during our second service at 11:00am.  These environments will be modified slightly to accomodate they will follow the same curriculum but will not have small groups and dedicated leaders until we are fully staffed.  
• Waumba Land, our preschool environment, will be digging into the Creation story in a big way through "Creation Station." We will have a fun train them for all of September and October.
• UpStreet and Avenue252 will be "flying high." Our Airplane theme in UpStreet will add to the fun as we take a serious look at the virtue of respect.
• Parent-Child Dedications will take place on the last Sunday of September so if you know you would like to participate or you would like more information please give me a quick call or email.
• Adult/Youth baptisms will also occur on September 9 between the services.  If interested in participating, please contact Brian (brian@hillsidemarin.org) or Ryan (ryan@hillsidemarin.org).
• Please remember to come out for the end of summer picnic on the last Sunday of August at Piper Park.  See the church website for details (www.hillsidemarin.org) 
• Be sure to download the new ParentApp for your smart phone from the App Store.  It is a necessary tool for bringing home and reinforcing the lessons the kids learn on Sunday.  There are also Parenting Helps, videos and discussion starters.  This app is for parents of Preschool, Elementary and Pre-Teen children.  There is a one-time minimum charge to download and is site is updated monthly to correspond with our curriculum.  

As always, it is a blessing to serve at Hillside and be associated with the many wonderful families that make up HillsideKids.  Hoping to see you as we wrap up Space Quest and praying for you as your family begins a new school year!

Blessings,

Terri

Pastor, Kids & Families

Hillside Church of Marin

terri@hillsidemarin.org

415-924-2297 x104

HillsideKids is experiencing a Space Quest summer!  We are enjoying seeking the truth about Trust and Love as we play games, make a craft and learn about different ways we are to trust and love one another and above all God.


Kindergarten through 5th grades gather in the UpStreet Room. Enter through the Registration area to the left, sign in is set up inside the classroom this year.


For our Preschool crowd, two year olds through Transitional Kindergarters (TK), please go through the Registration area, Room 2 is the last room on the right once you are on the playground.  There is a registration area set up in the classroom and one of our age-level leaders will connect with you as you enter.  Note: If this is your first time and you have a child under the age of three, we ask that you consider staying with your child on your first visit so that you can see the environment, meet the volunteers and help your child to acclimate to this new environment.  


If you haven't joined in the Space Quest fun yet, it's not too late! Come join us this Sunday at 9:30am in the Children's Wing of Hillside Church of Marin.


Questions? Please feel free to contact Terri Woodard, Pastor to Kids & Families by email or phone 415.924.2297 x104.

HillsideKids Promotion Sunday - June 3

 10:30-10:50  in the UpStreet Room at Hillside 

A short celebration of children moving into new environments at Hillside.

All parents are welcome to come and be a part of our special Promotion Event.  But we really want is the parents of:

• PreKindergarteners who are moving up to Kindergarten and UpStreet 
• 2^nd Graders who are making their way to 3rd Grade and Avenue252 
• 5^th graders who are headed into 6th Grade and HillsideStudents and Wyldlife

to leave the sanctuary at 10:30 and come immediately to the UpStreet Room for a brief bridging ceremony.  This is a significant step for your kids and we want you to bring a camera and come be a part of this event.

Parents please let me know if your child will be present for our short but meaningful graduation bridging event. Please send your child's name and grade they are currently in (PreK, 2nd or 5th grades) so that I might have adequate gift choices for them.   

Thanks!

Terri

415-924-2297 x104

terri@hillsidemarin.org

HillsideKids Choirs are here! Rehearsal & Performance Schedules

HillsideKids Children’s Choirs are here....

Calling all children ages 3 years* to 5th Grade...you are invited to join the HillsideKids Choirs.  Our first performance will be on Mother’s Day, May 13th at the beginning of both 9:30 and 11:00.    

HillsideKids Preschool Choir: for children 3-6 (but not yet in Kindergarten)

HillsideKids Elementary Choir: for children in K-5th grades

Depending on how many sign up in each age level, we may be able to have a third choir just for 3-5 Graders.

Rehearsals will begin on Mondays starting April 23rd, 6:30pm.  Dates of rehearsals: 

Mondays, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 at 6:30-7:30pm.  AND Sundays, 4/29 and 5/13 at 8:45am.

Rehearsals will be held in the UpStreet Room here at Hillside Church of Marin.

Children must be signed up in advance to be in the choir.  Please email terri@hillsidemarin.org and ask to be added to the email list for the choirs and provide the name of your child, date of birth, and grade level if K-5.   I will issue the rehearsal schedule listed above and more details about the performance shortly via the email group.  Any adjustments to the rehearsal schedule will also be issued via email so being signed up is important for all of us.

Our rehearsals are going to be fun and energetic.  We will sing a lot but we will also play games and have simple snacks to hold us over until we get back home.

Alicia Howard and Jenny Ferrari will be helping co-direct our multi-age choirs with me so we are guaranteed to have fun while we sing together. 

Program Needs:

BEHIND THE SCENE PERSON:  We do need someone willing to help with props, sets and future concerts so if you are a behind the scenes kind of person, please send me an email and let me know you are willing to help out.  

CHILDCARE FOR LEADERS ONLY: Also would love to add someone to do child care for leaders children who are too young for our choirs.  So if you are going to "wait" for your child in the parking lot or at the mall, would you consider serving instead. Let me know!

RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS: If you have drums, shakers, cymbals, bells, at home and would allow us to use them for our choirs, would you please make sure your name in clearly marked (if you want them back) and drop them off in the children's registration area on Sunday mornings between now and our first rehearsal.  Thank you.

SNACKS COORDINATOR:  If you like to prepare easy healthy snacks for our group on Monday nights only, let me know.  

Looking forward to making "joyful noises" with your kids!

Terri

*Children may join the choir during the month of their 3rd birthday. 

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