March 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

• Summer program planning—tips for getting a head start!
• Recommended resources
• Important curriculum survey!
• Request a FREE catalog

Sensing Summer

The leaves aren’t even on the trees yet, so why should we start thinking about the summer program? Because before we know it we’ll be ankle deep in daisies and wondering where all those winter weeks have gone!

Read on for tips on getting the summer program ball rolling, then print and post this list to help keep you on track!

Start praying!
It’s never too early to start praying! John 15 reminds us that we can’t do anything without Christ. Since staying connected to the Vine is the key to bearing fruit, you’ll want to start seeking God’s direction in prayer and looking for his guidance as you begin the planning process.

• Contact the “prayer warriors” in your church and ask them if they will commit to regular prayer for your upcoming program.
• Give those who’ve promised to pray a list of your needs and update it as more needs arise or as prayers are answered! 

Start scheduling dates!
Speak to key leaders and volunteers to get your program’s dates set and announced as early as possible. If you wait until your congregation starts planning vacations you may find yourself saying “Bon Voyage” to the summer program!

• Set up a timeline for regular planning meetings. Tip: To maximize participation, avoid March Madness game days!
• Make a list of specific steps your church will need to take to make the summer program a success and then assign dates to the steps to keep the planning team on track (i.e.: recruit drama team leader by April 20th, order curriculum by May 16th, distribute fliers by June 24th).

Start previewing curriculum!
One of our curriculum authors once told us that when she opened a VBS story that had Jesus driving a safari jeep she knew it was time to start writing her own stuff! The choices are vast—finding material that’s fun, budget-conscious, and theologically sound can be a challenge. Before you make a decision ask these questions:

• Who are the children we hope to reach? (Church kids, community members, etc.)?
• Will the kids identify with the characters, themes, and issues this material focuses on?
• Is God’s redemptive plan at the heart of every lesson?
• Will children who need to wiggle and love to move and sing feel included?
• Does this material fit the size of our program, leadership, and budget?

Coordinator’s Tip: Narrow the curriculum options down to two excellent choices and have the team of volunteers give input into the final selection. Everyone will be more enthusiastic about a program they’ve helped select!

Start getting excited!
Summer programs often bring churches together. When else do you get to see Mrs. Weidemeyer in hip waders and a fishing vest, the pastor snacking on Rice Krispie treats with a group of four-year-olds, and sophisticated teens letting down their guard long enough to play hopscotch in the parking lot! Let folks know that VBS is a wonderful way to try something new, explore their gifts, and to get to know the people who sit beside them in church on a Sunday morning! Your excitement will be contagious; here are some ways to help you spread it!

• Gather photos from last year to make a bulletin board or PowerPoint presentation of summer program highlights. Use it to invite the congregation to this year’s first prayer and planning meeting.
• Get testimonies from last year’s team and include them in your weekly bulletin or any other recruiting you’ll be doing. Ask, “What was the coolest thing about VBS last year?” Tip: Ask a few kids to tell you one thing they learned last year and add their answers too!
• Consider ways people of various ages, with different levels of ability, skills, and passions could fit into your program. Keep the list handy as you begin recruiting members of your congregation.
• Make a special effort to include teens and/or preteens in the planning and leadership of your summer program. Young people are often eager to serve and have free time in the summer to devote to cutting out craft molds, painting backdrops, practicing a drama, or decorating the church for your program!

Tip: Many high schools now require a certain number of volunteer hours before graduation. Offer to keep track of volunteer time during the planning and program, and be prepared to address a simple note to the guidance counselor to vouch for the student’s remarkable service.

Start Seeing the Big Picture!
Like the Thanksgiving Day feast that took all day to prepare and ten minutes to devour, your summer program will fly by in a flash. And just as the guests disappear after the pie, some kids disappear when the last note is sung, never to be seen again until the following year! Here are some ideas to help you enfold new students into the life of your church:

• Set up an enrollment system that includes a plan for passing on each new student’s contact information to the appropriate Sunday school teachers and children’s ministry leaders.
• Encourage the summer ministry team to hand write “Great to have you!” notes to new students that include an invitation to fall church education programs.
• End your summer program with an event that parents won’t want to miss (with sweet treats and presentations by their children). Include a short explanation of the children’s ministry along the lines of “If you thought this was great, come back for . . .”. Hand out colorful fliers with the list of dates and times as parents are walking out the door.
• Prepare the members of your summer ministry team to meet, greet, and get to know kids’ parents. Many times the Lord draws whole families to himself through programs that are geared towards children!

Check out these summer ministry resources from Faith Alive Christian Resources:
	The Walk With Me summer units give you lots of choices! Each of the six books in the series containsa complete themed curriculum for five large and small group sessions that are perfect for VBS or a once-a-week summer program. Inside you’ll find original dramas, craft and activities ideas, a CD of fun music, and lesson plans to make your program run smoothly. The new books out this year include Paul’s Race, God’s Grace, and Follow the Leader. You can get more details here.
	Another great resource for summer day camps is WWJD Day Camp, an innovative summer program for kids (grades 1-6) that allows them to work at various service agencies in you community and learn about what Jesus would do—all in five action-packed days! For more information, click here.

WANT A CATALOG? Would you like to receive a free copy of the new 2007-2008 Faith Alive Christian Resources catalog? This year we’re offering you, your church, or organization the opportunity to specify how many free 2007-2008 Faith Alive catalogs you'd like to receive. Just use this easy form to tell us exactly how many you'd like—preventing wasted catalogs or unnecessary phone calls to request additional copies. If you don't want to receive a catalog at all, just enter zero as the quantity. It’s fast and easy—and will help us serve you better! Click here to tell us how many catalogs to send! Catalogs will be mailed next month.

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