APRIL 2007

Welcome to WWM Talk, the e-newsletter for Walk With Me coordinators and teachers. If you have any questions about information in this issue (or anything else), give us a call at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us.

In This Issue

New Faith Alive Regional Training Conferences

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Over the last three years the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Conference has drawn eager crowds of creative church educators from all across the US and Canada. This year we’re expanding the size and scope of our training to inspire, encourage, and equip people from coast to coast! Here’s what’s exciting about 2007: 

We’re introducing Kid Connection:

You’ve probably heard the buzz about Kid Connection over the last several months. It’s our newest curriculum that’s Reformed, Relational, and Relevant! This summer we are thrilled to launch it. Kid Connection was especially designed with small churches in mind, but it’s also perfect for larger churches with midweek and family programs. This summer there are three new workshops that focus on the key elements of Kid Connection: large group storytelling, small group mentoring, and family faith formation.  

We’re including new workshops and presentations:

You’ll find fresh ideas and insights in the six new workshops featuring some of your favorite Faith Alive curriculum authors and editors. The topics range from nurturing a three-dimensional faith in kids, to connecting with families, to exploring Kid Connection and summer programs. The two-day conference in Grand Rapids, MI, will feature special presentations with kids involving drama, worship, and dance using techniques you can incorporate into your ministry.     

We’re involving new locations:

Along with our annual two-day conference in Grand Rapids, this year’s training schedule will include three mini-conferences that feature mornings packed with workshops and a church educators’ lunch for sharing ideas. Thanks to the partnership of pastors and ministry leaders at Rosewood CRC in Bellflower, CA; Willoughby CRC in Langley, BC; and Wyckoff RCA in Wyckoff, NJ; we’re able to extend training across the map!      

We’re inviting everyone:

We’ve changed the name of our conference from the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Conference to the Faith Alive Conferences. We changed the name to include the Kid Connection crowd, and to let ministry volunteers and teachers know they are welcome to join us! In the past our purpose was to equip church education directors with the resources to train teaching teams back in their home church. We still love the vision of church leaders equipping their own volunteers for service. We’re also inspired by the wide-eyed enthusiasm we see when a whole teaching team experiences the energy of a conference together!           

Ten Great Reasons to Check Out a Faith Alive Conference

  1. Experience new workshops and presentations that will challenge and inspire!
  2. Give your teaching team an opportunity to have fun together as they grow!
  3. Hear from some of the creative editors and authors who brought you Walk With Me!
  4. Get the scoop on our exciting new curriculum: Kid Connection!
  5. Hobnob with other coordinators and teachers who can offer insight, ideas, and encouragement!
  6. Discover how to get the most out of the Walk With Me curriculum!
  7. Learn about joining networks of church educators for ongoing support!
  8. Receive resources for training your teachers, or sharing with parents!
  9. Gain knowledge and skills that will bless your ministry!
  10. Ignite a new passion for Christ and his work in the lives of kids!

More Information…

FAITH ALIVE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE

Dates: August 10-11, 2007
Location: Kuyper College: 3333 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Cost: $50, includes registration fees, workshop materials, dinner on Friday, and three meals on Saturday

Workshops:
  • Introducing Kid Connection (NEW!)—An in-depth look at our newest curriculum
  • Welcome to Walk With Me—Introducing Walk With Me to teachers
  • Team Building (NEW!)—Growing a team that serves with passion
  • Helping Children Develop a Three-Dimensional Faith (NEW!)—Build a strong and resilient faith with kids in your home and congregation
  • More Than Storytelling—What makes Walk With Me and Kid Connection Reformed?
  • Connecting with Families (NEW!)—How to partner with families for faith growth in kids
  • Mentoring and Storytelling with Kid Connection(NEW!)—Engaging kids in exciting Bible stories and nurturing relationships.
  • Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun!—Teaching to multiple intelligences
  • Summer Programs (NEW!)—Faith Alive resources for unforgettable summer programs
FAITH ALIVE MINI-CONFERENCES
Dates and locations:
  • June 9, 2007 at Rosewood Church: 10115 East Rose St., Bellflower, CA 90706
  • June 23, 2007 at Wyckoff Reformed Church: 580 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481
  • September 29, 2007 at Willoughby Church: 20525 72 Ave., Langley, BC V2Y 1T2

Cost: $25, includes registration fees, workshop training materials, and lunch on Saturday

Workshops:
  • Introducing Kid Connection (NEW!)—An in-depth look at our newest curriculum
  • Preparation 101—Tips for preparing to teach Walk With Me
  • Welcome to My World—Understanding kid culture
  • Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun!—Teaching to multiple intelligences
  • More Than Storytelling—What makes a lesson Reformed?
  • The World of Middle School Kids—How to vitalize your ministry to young teens

Click here for conference schedules or to register!

Questions? Contact Lynn Setsma at 616-224-0784 or 800-333-8300 ext. 0784 or e-mail SetsmaL@FaithAliveResources.org.

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