Staff Bio - Becky Navarro, Administrative Assistant

My title at ACC is Administrative Assistant. Part of my job description is to support Children’s Ministry. I really enjoy this part of my job and the variety of tasks it involves.

I was born in Denver and grew up in Salida, Colorado. I attended the University of Northern Colorado and Metropolitan State College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. I was a cadet and 911 Operator with Denver Police Department before becoming a police officer in Boulder. During my 5 ½ years as a police officer I was a school resource officer for two of those years. I have always enjoyed working with kids in a wide variety of settings.

I have two children; P.J. and Delaney, 2 ½ and 8 months. They are such blessings in my life and teach and inspire me every day. I also have three nephews and one niece in the Denver metro area.

During my free time (what’s that?) I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, serving as a co-coordinator for MOPS, reading, going to movies and shopping. My son looks forward to coming to church each week, which is a true testament to the dedication of the Children’s Ministry staff at ACC. I am proud to be a part of this team!

Staff Bio - Sami Bookout, Children's Ministry Assistant Director

Who is Sami Bookout?  Sami is the Assistant Director of the Children’s Ministry at Arvada Covenant Church, which means she wears many different hats.  She is in charge of loving and taking care of volunteers, as well as scheduling Small Group leaders and Large Group teachers. She does behind the scenes work in Children’s Ministry, as well as teaching right in the spot light, as Sami teaches preschool age up to elementary.  You can find Sami coordinating any special event that involves Children’s Ministry. From Kids’ Camp to Community Fall Festival, Sami is right there making it happen.

Sami was born and raised in Denver, living much of her childhood in Arvada. Sami has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and excited to start the Masters of Education program in the spring ’09.

But who is Sami….really? I love movies, my husband and I go on date nights, which means we go to dinner and a movie. Funny, neither one of us ever tire of that. I have two daughters, Delaney and Kaylie. They are my center. They keep my head straight and remind me how much our Father loves us.

I’m a bit feisty, enjoy Muay Thai kickboxing, running marathons, and dancing to eighties music…just to embarrass my girls. My favorite band is U2, my favorite album has to be Joshua Tree, and one of my favorite person is Bono. He’s an inspiration.

This is an ongoing theme because one of my favorite countries to visit is Ireland. My husband, Shawn, and I love to travel too, it’s just a little expensive to do for every date night.

We have two dogs, a Rat Terrier and a Dachshund (wiener dog), who just ran in the Long Dog Derby. She placed 2^nd last but we consider it another crazy adventure in the life of the wiener dog.

I aspire to be like Mother Theresa, totally living my life for Christ, walking in love, and living as an advocate for children. Understanding that our journey leads us to where we are now, and trust that God will help me through the next bend in the road.

Staff Bio - John Mullis, Children's Ministry Director

Here is some random information about John:

John has been the Children’s Ministry Director at Arvada Covenant Church since 2006.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado in 1990 and a Post-Bachelor Certification in Music Education in 1992.  While teaching instrumental music to 5^th and 6^th graders for 10 years in Chandler, Arizona he earned a Master’s Degree in Education emphasizing elementary curriculum and instruction.

Currently he is responsible for providing vision and leadership for the entire birth-5^th grade children’s ministry at Arvada Covenant Church.  Over the past 10 years, John has run children’s ministries at churches in size from 150-4000.

He and his wife Laura have been married for 18 years and have 4 kids from 11-16 years old.

His music degree was in trombone performance.  He taught 5^th and 6^th grade band. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He’s lived in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.

Favorite book of the Bible right now is Colossians.   Thinks Gideon was cool even though he wasn’t a great leader to start out.  Favorite authors are John Piper, Brennan Manning and Henri Nouwen.

Has read about 10 books on Ernest Shackleton and is fascinated by story of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

Has to repeat Proverbs 3:5-8 to himself often.

He is an avid road cyclist and mountain biker and has been since he was 12.

He likes cats and hopes you’re okay with that.

Staff Bio - Beatrice Shoemaker, Children's Ministry Assistant

My name is Beatrice.  I work part time in the Children’s Ministry and just LOVE it! I enter children’s attendance numbers into our system, print rosters, prepare all the stuff that is needed for Sunday school and check and make sure that our classrooms have all that is needed. So if something is missing in the classroom, or the supplies for teaching Sunday school to our kids were not complete, let me know!  It is great to have a chance to influence kids in a positive way and let them know that God is our best friend that can be trusted, no matter what!

I grew up in Sweden in a town called Örebro with my mom, dad and 4 years older sister. Traveling runs in the family with my grandmother leading in traveling to the most exotic places (visiting head hunting tribes in Borneo for instance), my dad the most frequent (traveling to Germany about every month for a couple years), my sister the highest altitude (Himalaya), and me the lowest altitude (Amsterdam, which is below sea level!) So I thought marrying an American that was traveling around the globe would be a fabulous idea. So here I am, married to Kenny who grew up here in Arvada but happened to be in Amsterdam when I was there. I’m so happy God is such a great matchmaker and allowed our paths to cross. We got married in Sweden 16 years ago (-92) and have lived in the US since 1995. We have two children who are 10 and 7 years old. They love traveling too, especially to Sweden.

When I don’t run around church preparing for all the fun activities we have planned for each Sunday, I’m home enjoying my own family. I also recently took up painting which definitely is an adventure in it’s self, but it’s a great way to switch gears and slow down the pace. I read a lot whenever I can. I especially like books that teach me about living my life better, serving our Lord more effectively, and loving Him deeper.

3 Resources to Help You Lead Your Child

We believe that no one has more influence on the spiritual development of a child than the child's parents.  So each week we give these resources to parents when they pick up their child from Launch.  These pieces are designed to help parents know what to say and what to do to be the spiritual leader in their home and to help them lead their child into a growing understanding of Jesus Christ.

Small Talk Cards are an useful tool for parents of preschool age children.  The card lets parents know the Bible story reference, Bottom Line and Key Question. It also has a Teachable Moment.  Use these throughout the week with young children to start small talk about God and Jesus Christ.  The cards focus on the three main points that are repeated throughout the year: 1. Jesus wants to be my forever friend. 2. God made me. and 3. God loves me.

'Fridge Door Cards are for the parents of a 1st-5th grader so they will know what their child learned in Launch! at ACC on Sunday.  We want parents to be able to talk with their children about the things that matter most.  God things.  The 'Fridge Door Card includes the monthly virtue definition, memory verse, weekly Bottom Line, Bible story references and a few discussion questions.  Parents use the information on this card to start a conversation with their child and to reinforce the learning.  It works great in the car, bedtime or at meal time.

God Time cards are for 1st-5th grade children.  Each set has 4 short and sweet devotionals that are directly related to the lesson the children learned in Launch! at ACC on Sunday.  Parents can really help their child  learn and develop the habit of Bible study by doing these with them.

Remember, 100 years from now all that will matter is what we believe about Jesus Christ.  These tools will help parents lead their children into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Nothing is more important than that.

Blessings.

Scrip - Practical, painless way to raise money for your child’s camp and mission trips

By Carol Gustafson

If you have kids, you probably know that families and fundraising go together like peanut butter and jelly or field trips and permission slips. It seems like every time we parents turn around, we’re writing another check for the soccer team, the band trip, or the summer camp. To help ease the strain on our family’s budget, my three kids have sold candy bars, cookies, popcorn, magazine subscriptions, butter braids, wrapping paper and even—get this—birdseed! But these days especially, we need all the help we can get.

When I first heard about the grocery scrip program—or fundraiser—here at Arvada Covenant, I immediately wondered, “What’s the catch?” And guess what? There isn’t one. Here’s how it goes: you write a check to ACC for $50. You get a $50 King Soopers gift card in return. The grocery store donates five percent, or $2.50 from every $50 purchase, and the church puts that money into an “account” for your ACC student. Buy $100 in scrip, get $5 in your family’s account. Buy $500 in scrip and $25 goes right to your account, and so forth. You get the math.

The money in your child’s account can be used to pay for church-related activities like Covenant Heights summer camp, Kids Camp registration fees, youth group trips and mission trips. And, since the money can accrue over the years—there’s no use it or lose it—we actually started our ACC scrip account for our kids a few years back when they were all still in elementary school.

Need more enticement? Remember, your King Soopers gift cards can also be used to purchase gas and all the other gift cards sold at the grocery store.You can get your neighbors and grandparents to participate.You could even ask people here at church (think empty-nesters) to buy the scrip and name your child as the beneficiary.

The scrip is sold nearly every week between services down in the Family Life Center. When you need to spend the money in your account, you just call Sheila Knight in the church office with your request.

I don’t know about you, but I have all the gift wrap I need, candy goes right to my waistline and the birdseed…is for the birds. Here’s what I love about this program: we all gotta eat, each and every week. This simple fact makes the King Soopers scrip at ACC the most painless, practical fundraiser I can do.

Determination 10.05.08

This month with 1st-5th graders we’ll be focusing on (1) determination—deciding it’s worth it to finish what you started. (2) Have you ever thought about the example of determination that God has set for us? God doesn’t start what He doesn’t finish—ever. (3) And He wants us to have determination too. Just consider Paul. Paul worked harder (not only preaching and mentoring young leaders, but planting churches and discipling them) and gritted his teeth through more bad stuff (beatings, hunger, shipwrecks, mean people) than most people do in a lifetime. God gave him the “work” of sharing Jesus with others, and he was determined to see it through to the end. So this week, help kids think about some hard things they may face in which they’ll have to be determined to keep doing the right thing. What are some right things that kids will need to be determined to keep doing? Reassure them that God will help them every step of the way, just like He did for Paul. (4) And just like Paul, God can use their determination to show other people what He’s really like.

Memory Verse: "Let us keep on racing the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1

Serving Spots

Whether you enjoy holding babies, telling Bible Stories, helping on Wednesday night, playing games, helping people find classrooms for their children or even assisting with office work there is a place for you in the Launch! children's ministry at Arvada Covenant Church!  We want to help you find a spot where you can use your God-given gifts to invest in the lives of children.  Your first step is to let us know that you are interested in finding out more information.  Call John Mullis at 303.422.1235 or email jmullis@arvadacovenant.org

Spots

Serve on a Sunday as a Small Group Leader.  Spots are currently open in preschool as well as 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.  About 1.5 hours each Sunday.

Serve one day during the week behind the scenes in Operations to prepare the rooms for Sunday.  2 hours one day, every other week.

Join the programming team and teach the Bible in a creative way through creative communication, drama and tech support.  3-4 hours one Sunday a month.

Community Fall Festival is coming again soon!

Dress up and join us October 31^st, 6:00-8:30pm, at Arvada Covenant Church for our Community Fall Festival. Come experience a safe and fun alternative this Halloween. Have your child’s face painted. Trick or treat down Treat Street. Enjoy carnival style games in a family friendly environment along with many other surprises!

We are creating an exciting event for you to invite your neighbors, friends and coworkers to experience ACC. You can be involved and make this a huge success! First, invite your friends! There are several ways in which you, your family and friends can serve as we show God’s love to the world around us.

Opportunities to be involved:

Run a game booth

Greeter/Security

Set-up and décor

Clean-up

Face Painting

Go-fer

Photo booth

Planning and preparation

Wednesday Night Bible Memory

In Launch! children’s ministry, our desire is to walk alongside families enabling their child to experience the love of Christ, to know Jesus as their personal Savior and to become His disciple. Because knowing what God says is essential in that process, we want to support you and work with you to motivate and help your child memorize important verses and points from the Bible.

To help with this, we are developing Units of verses and facts for your child to memorize at home. Each Unit will have 5 or 6 items to memorize. If you want to take to participate, work on the verses with your child at home; after they say a verse or fact from memory for you, sign-off on the verse and have your child bring in the Unit paper on Wednesday night. We’ll sign-off on them after they say them for us. Then, once a child completes a Unit, we’ll give them the next unit, as well as a small, but fun, prize to show them that we are proud of the work they’ve put in. Every 2 weeks on Wednesday night we’ll introduce a new Unit; but, your child can work at the pace that is most comfortable for them. Unit 1 was distributed on Wednesday, September 10, so you can begin work as soon as you’d like.

We will always continue to teach kids about the importance of knowing what God says through the Bible so that we can support you in your efforts to lay a spiritual foundation which, in God’s timing will lead a child into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Wednesday nights are also full of guaranteed fun games, Bible teaching and a chance to be with friends. It's a great hour and a half for kids to have fun learning to love life God's way in the middle of the week.

If you have any questions, please call me. I’d like to help. My office number is 303-422-1235.

Blessings,

John Mullis

Children’s Ministry Director

P.S. We’ll be taking all the 1st-5th grade Wednesday night Oasis kids on a fun field trip on November 19. We’ll let you know more details soon!

Preschool Promotion in Launch!

Promotion Schedule for Children at Arvada Covenant Church

At ACC, Preschool age children promote once a year at the beginning of September and stay in the same room until the following September. We don't promote children to the next age level room on their birthdays. Instead, we keep children of the same age together for the entire year. We do this for several reasons:

¨ Children have the consistency of remaining with the same teachers and classmates for a full year.

¨ Teachers have the consistency of the same group of children through the year. They can develop a group of consistent friends.

¨ Children stay with other children that are at a similar developmental stage and they grow together through the year.

¨ Preschool classrooms stay at a consistent size and age throughout the year.

¨ Children are promoted with their friends/peers at the same time - from the time they leave the nursery until they go to college.

The promotion schedule is based on a child’s age on October 1^st. This date was chosen to match with the Jefferson County School District, which the majority of the children attending our church will attend.

In September of this year, children that turn 2 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C102. These are children that will start Kindergarten in 2011

Children that turn 3 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C103. These children start Kindergarten in 2010.

Children that turn 4 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C104. This will be the pre-kindergarten room, for children that will be attending Kindergarten in 2009.

One special note - In February, 2009 we will allow children that that turn 2 between October 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009 to transfer into Room C102.

Knowledge

I love the curriculum we use as a tool to plug children into life through Christ. It's called 252 Basics and is published by the reTHink group. I love how they use the character traits, or virtues, of Christ to guide us in our growth. Here's the "Leaders Only" section for the Sunday, September 14:

This month we’ve been talking about (1) knowledge, which is discovering something new so you can be better at whatever you do. (2) God is perfect and omnipotent—the ultimate Authority on right and wrong, the ultimate Author of Scripture, the Book on wise choices. Jesus used His knowledge of Scripture (that He’d been studying since childhood) to make the wise choice. Because Jesus knew what God said, He was able to withstand the temptation to do wrong things. (3) God wants us to have that kind of knowledge too. So today, focus on helping kids understand that knowing what God says by reading the Bible will help them make wise choices and can even help them avoid or withstand unforeseen trouble. (4) When they know what God says, and follow through on it, it will make a difference in their lives—and in the lives of those around them.

That is great stuff that helps us stay focused on living life God's way.  Talk with you children about the importance of learning what God knows by reading the Bible.  Read and learn the Bible with your children.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding; seek His will in all you do and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Kids' Camp 2008 CDs are in the house!

If you signed up for Kid's Camp before the CDs arrived, you can pick yours up at church now.  Be sure to bring the coupon you received when you registered.

Thanks to Joyco Multimedia for duplicating the CDs.

Kid's Camp T-shirts Have Arrived

If you signed up for Kid's Camp before the t-shirts arrived, you can pick yours up at church now.  Be sure to bring the coupon you received when you registered.

The Kids' Camp music CDs are still in production.  Check back here for the latest on when they arrive.

Let's Love and Thank Our Teachers and Leaders

We need your help.

Every week the volunteers at Launch, the children’s Ministry at Arvada Covenant Church, work to establish a community environment for meaningful interaction with God, leaders, truth, and friends.

Because they serve every week, Launch is a place where children feel welcomed, valued, and cared for while they Learn who Jesus is and how to follow Him.

We want to show our committed volunteers how much we appreciate them, so we need your help. This week (May 19) we are mailing home small note cards to use to encourage and thank our teachers. Please fill it out this week with words of encouragement and appreciation for each of your child’s Sunday School teachers (make sure to include their teacher’s name on the bottom of the card) and send it back in the self -addressed stamped envelope that comes with the card.  Please send these back quickly so we can do this before the end of May.

We will then give the teachers all of their wonderful notes along with a picture of them with their students as a reminder of what an awesome job they do!

Thank you for your help with this!  Our teachers are wonderful and we want to show them we appreciate them.

 

The Children’s Ministry Staff Team

Promoting Children to the Next Level

Promotion Schedule for Children at Arvada Covenant Church

This year, all children finishing Kindergarten through 5th grade will promote to their new grade level rooms on June 29. This is the first Sunday after Kid's Camp 2008 so Kid's Camp will be the last event at ACC at the grade level they are just finishing.

At ACC, Preschool age children promote once a year at the beginning of September and stay in the same room until the following year. We don't promote children to the next age level room on their birthdays. Instead, we keep children of the same age together for the entire year. We do this for several reasons:

¨ Children have the consistency of remaining with the same teachers and classmates for a full year.

¨ Teachers have the consistency of the same group of children through the year. They can develop a group of consistent friends.

¨ Children stay with other children that are at a similar developmental stage and they grow together through the year.

¨ Preschool classrooms stay at a consistent size and age throughout the year.

¨ Children are promoted with their friends/peers at the same time - from the time they leave the nursery until they go to college.

The promotion schedule is based on a child’s age on October 1^st. This date was chosen to match with the Jefferson County School District, which the majority of the children attending our church will attend.

In September of this year, children that turn 2 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C102.

Children that turn 3 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C103.

Children that turn 4 years old on or before October 1, 2008 will be in Room C104. This will be the pre-kindergarten room, for children that will be attending Kindergarten in 2009.

In February, 2009 we will allow children that that turn 2 between October 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009 to transfer into Room C102.

Launch! under construction this summer? No Problem

Welcome to summer? Really? It seems like we just finished celebrating the Christmas season! I hope you can make the time to relax and enjoy the summertime this year.

Around here at Launch! we really won’t be relaxing much. We want to make the most of every opportunity to reach, teach and touch children with the awesome life through Jesus Christ so we are going to take advantage of the 14 Sundays in June, July and August.

In July, a really great construction project will begin that will move some walls and adjust some spaces downstairs for the Launch! team to be able to serve children and families better. It is so great that our church is supporting this project that will improve our facility to help teach the Bible creatively, gather kids for celebration and worship and to create community with kids and leaders that are leading children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Throughout the summer, we'll be able to offer Launch! for children in the rooms that will not be touched during the remodeling project. We'll shuffle room assignments around a bit before the project gets underway and use all 4 of the preschool rooms, the Triangle Room (rooms C101, 107, 108) and room A104. We'll still have enough space to accommodate all of the kids, have a great time together and point them to belief and faith in Jesus Christ all summer long.

The goal is to have this project completed by the end of August. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the July start date.

ARE YOU HUNGRY? Covenant Heights this summer

Located at 9000 feet in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and at the foot of majestic Longs Peak, Covenant Heights Camp and Retreat Center is just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, Colorado and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Many kids from Arvada Covenant Church spend a week up at Covenant Heights during the summer enjoying all that the camp experience has to offer and many of them come back changed forever in the best ways possible. Check out their website for more information. Also, contact our Children's Ministry Director, John Mullis for more information.

Kids' Camp 2008 Custom Garage

Kids' Camp 2008 ACKC Volunteers

Be a part of the experience on the inside - join our great volunteer team. If you'd like to be involved, contact Sami Bookout @ 303.422.1235.

It's going to be a GREAT week for children at Arvada Covenant Church!

The Creator of All You Can See or Imagine

Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger, Who has put all the earth’s dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill?

Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business?

What expert would he have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows, showed him how things work?

Why, the nations are but a drop in a bucket, a mere smudge on a window. Watch him sweep up the islands like so much dust off the floor!

There aren’t enough trees in Lebanon nor enough animals in those vast forests to furnish adequate fuel and offerings for his worship.

All the nations add up to simply nothing before him— less than nothing is more like it. A minus.

So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare him?

from Isaiah 40:12-17, The Message//Remix

Take some time and read this to your children. Talk it through. Discuss what the language means. Talk about the word pictures. Try substituting "Colorado" for Lebanon; the point is still the same: God is AMAZING! There is no one like our God. Not even close.

History Starts Now video

Ministry to children makes a difference in the lives of children at Arvada Covenant Church.  Each week children grow their knowledge and understanding of who God is and what it means to live a life of faith and live His way.  They also get a chance to be around leaders that are passionate about following Christ and teaching children the most important things of faith and, to be around other children that are learning the same things.  What we do every Sunday and every Wednesday matters in the life of children.

 

Great Music for Kids and Families

I think you'll really enjoy these contemporary child-targeted CDs.  Great music, lyrics and production.

Let us know what you think.

Check out the list over there on the right hand column  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kids' Camp 2008 ACKC

Mark your calendars and reserve the dates:

June 23-27, 2008  9 a.m.- Noon each day.

The theme will be announced next week!

Now accepting applications and looking for the best leaders for the Coordinator positions.  If you'd like to be involved at this level, contact John Mullis - 303.422.1235.

It's going to be a GREAT week for children at Arvada Covenant Church!

Wednesday Night Oasis for Kids

Kids are welcomed and loved on Wednesday nights at Arvada Covenant Church.  We have three good environments for them to learn about living life God's way.

Loving and safe Nursery care is available for children under 4 upstairs in the Nursery

Fun games, crafts and Bible learning for children 4 years old - Kindergarten age downstairs in room C104.

Children in grades 1-5 gather in the Launch Pad for time with friends, action games, learning about who God is and worship and celebration.  We are continuing to understand how God worked in Joseph's life from Exodus 39-47

Rooms are open for check-in beginning at 6:15.  Children should be picked up at 8:00.  Rooms close at 8:10.

Various studies for adults available.  Visit www.arvadacovenant.org for more information.

Covenant Heights Winter Trailblazer Camp

February 8-10, 2008  Winter Trailblazer is a camp for students currently in grades 3-6.  The plans for this year are really exciting.  The theme is "The Flame" based on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 which reads, "Do not put out the Spirit's Fire."  Campers will be learning about igniting God's flame in their hearts.

Also featuring great winter activities, tubing, snowshoeing, worship, broomball and crafts!

Registration forms will be available at Arvada Covenant Church.  The cost is $95.  Covenant Heights will be offering pick-up and drop-off at the church.  If you have any questions, please contact the John Mullis at ACC or Covenant Heights directly at 970-586-2946.  www.covenantheights.org