A word from Pastor Jenni Colwell
We’ve waited so long to hear the words, “No restrictions on religious gatherings!” As I’m writing this, I’m rejoicing and I mean, like Psalm 100 instructs - make a joyful noise! This Sunday we start a new sermon series called AKA, which is all about the names of God. Since we’ll begin with Jehovah Jireh, God is our provider, take a moment right now to declare how God has provided for you this week! Thank him for what he has done!
CLA Kids has experienced many provisions over the past 16 months, including how many of you who have served behind the scenes in a year of so many changes and challenges. We’re so proud of every parent for intentionally discipling their own children — not just on Sunday mornings, but every day of the week, in prayer, songs of worship, reading God’s Word and having spiritual conversations. We cheer you on!
We’re gearing up for three weeks of camp, Under Construction: Building Gods’ Way. Camp will be in the mornings and afternoons, so please be praying for us as we finally get to have a children’s event in person. What a joy it will be to care for over 400 children in the next month. Pray for transformation in the lives of children. As we focus on the life of David, pray that each child will know that God has chosen them, equips them, protects them, will form their character, and lead them on an adventure as they grow and serve the King of kings. If you would like to sponsor a child from Bus Ministry for summer camp, you can do so online, under the drop-down menu: Bus Ministry Camp Sponsorships. We have approximately 60 children attending from Bus Ministry.
Over the summer the CLA Kids team will be rebuilding our volunteer force to kick off in the fall. Pray for us as we recruit and train new volunteers. AND…consider joining the CLA Kids team to serve on Sunday morning. We need people to teach, help, greet, and to hold and cuddle babies in the nursery. We encourage you to serve in the 9am in the fall and to attend the service with your family at 11am. Serving doesn’t mean you can’t attend church; you can do both. We would love for you to serve alongside us as we disciple the next generation to be Christ followers.
Some have asked why we are not providing Sunday morning kids ministry this summer. In reality, we are busier than ever providing ministry.
#1 – Online weekly kids’ discipleship - We are currently doing online, it’s for our families and it is also being used around the country and globally. On July 1st in conjunction with the BC and Yukon District we have launched a website, www.kidschurchlibrary.com to provide online and in-person discipleship for any church to use for free.
#2 – CLA Kids Summer Camp – For three weeks in July we are engaged in mornings and afternoons discipling children and reaching those coming from the community. It includes Langley, Bus Ministry, Sunbeam, and Maple Ridge. We have also provided boxes for families to do it at home and to one other small church in B.C.
#3 – Working towards building a solid volunteer base for the fall. It should not surprise anyone that we will be using the 8 weeks of the summer to build a new model of ministry after 16 months. We need to recruit, screen and train new volunteers, all this takes time.
#4 – Adjustments? One of the things we have learned in the pandemic is constant evaluation and readiness to pivot. Therefore, we are listening and watching church attendance to determine if there is a possibility to pivot in August. Regardless, we will be ready for Labour Sunday and the Fall Kick-off.
Remember we serve Jehovah Jireh - our provider, and I know that he will provide as we trust him in this season.
