Youth Ministry NEW!!

Youth Ministry is Ready to Grow! Over the last couple of years, we have been preparing to launch a major new effort with youth.  We have taken some significant steps already both in behind the scenes and in the life of the parish.  Behind the scenes, the Vestry has saved some monies and built up a reserve to launch this new effort with a part-time youth minister.  That has involved shifting some of our financial responsibilities and priorities--and we have done so.  Meanwhile, we have sought to give youth more visibility--as acolytes, as readers, as leaders in VBS, and with a youth center.  These are but the small steps that get the long journey started.  Having prepared, we are now ready to expand our efforts.  At the heart of that is seeking and calling a new youth minister. There's more in the works too in terms of additional opportunities to build community and outreach for youth.  Hopefully, we'll be able to post that here in the middle of July.  So check back and see what's happening.  Also don't forget to look for Church of Our Savior on Facebook. If you are interested in the Youth Ministry position, or know someone who might be, here's the Ministry Profile (what some people call a job description).  We are praying for a person with a dynamic faith and a vision for impacting youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And we are claiming Ephesians 3:20f---that God will answer our prayers beyond what we ask for or imagine for His glory's sake!!

New Facebook
	Are you on Facebook?  Search for Church of Our Savior!  You'll find photos from the recent Acolyte Festival and more. Our goal or experiment is to see how many young people and families we can attract to that site, and then to build up the communication there.  Check it out--add to it as you think best.  Thank you/

Safeguarding
	Safeguarding God's Children is the name of our policy and program to build a safe Church for our kids:  physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Click here to learn more.

Jacob's Family Fellowship

Jacob’s  Family Fellowship Starts Now !! Dear Parents and Grandparents of Children and Teenagers at Church of Our Savior,   I am excited, really excited about Holy Week, Easter and the summer.  I said it on Sunday:  I am looking forward to Holy Week this year more so than in several years.  A big part of that excitement is the possibility for engaging the children and youth.  Let me highlight a few of the key events:   ü  Multi-Church Family Service, Monday March 29, starting at 6:30pm.  The whole service will involve hands-on participation, with a “theatre in the round” style sermon.  The clergy from First Presbyterian, Peace Lutheran, Christ United Methodist, and Church of Our Savior are taking the lead in this drama located in a home in Jerusalem during the original Holy Week.  First Presbyterian Church is on Port Malabar just east of Babcock.   ü  Holy Week Walk, Saturday April 3, starting at 9:00am.  On the walk, children will visit stations remembering Jesus’ actions during Holy Week—receiving mementos at each station.  The children will follow the Walk in small groups, returning to the Parish Hall for a closing at about 10:00am (complete with Hot Cross Buns, a symbol of the empty tomb and the resurrection.)   ü  On Easter, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt during breakfast at 9:30am.   ü  Looking ahead, the Acolyte Festival will be on May 8—details will be sent out soon.   ü  Camp Wingmann offers six weeks of camp during the summer—two each for senior high, middle school and elementary school children.  Fr. Bill Yates has invited me back to be chaplain for the middle school camp the week of June 20-26.  I’d love to have a crowd of kids from Palm Bay attending that week.  You can find details online at www.campwingmann.org or in camp brochures in the Welcome Center.   ü  Vacation Bible School is set for July 19-23.  Hyacinth Clunie and Avis Tulloch have already begun preparing; we will begin recruiting help shortly.   Please check back regularly for updates and further information here on the website.  Thank you.   In His hands, Loren+

An Overview

Here's an obvious observation:  all children have parents!  If we want to bless your child, we must also seek to bless you as the parent, grandparent, godparent, or uncle and aunt!  In our parish, we have children who live with their parents, with their grandparents, with one parent, and with adoptive or foster parents. But all our children live with adults.  Therefore, we are building up our efforts for both children and adults. On Sundays, the Nursery is available for the littlest ones.  Children's Church is available for children 3 years to 5th grade.  Children, 3rd grade up through High School, are invited to serve as acolytes.  Fr. Fox is known to occasionally hold a baby during his sermon--and looks to include any children and teenagers in his sermons, when they are present in the "Big Church". During the Summer, we host our annual VBS (Vacation Bible School, aka Venture in Biblical Surprises!) at the end of July.  This year we are preparing SonRock Kids Camp (VBS) for July 20-24, and are adding a special Barbeque Celebration on Friday evening.  Half of our children are from the Palm Bay-Melbourne area, the other half come from around the country!  Throughout the year, there are several camps and retreats sponsored by the Diocese for children and youth.  For more information, check out the Youth Page and Camp Wingmann.  Fr. Fox will be the chaplain for St. Barnabas week at Camp Wingmann. Kids might enjoy BigIdeaFun or the Wonderzone--safe computer sites just for kids.  I just learned about this site:  WindowKids with games about the world for kids. For parents and caregivers, we make an intentional effort to introduce parents to each other.  We know that parents helping parents is one of the best resources.  On Wednesday evenings, we make childcare available during most of our teaching courses so that you as parents can nurture your own faith and walk with the Lord. For more information, contact us.