Youth Newsletter

YOUTH NEWSLETTER

As I watch the children move about the church on any given Sunday morning, I’m struck by how truly comfortable they are at Chestnut Ridge Independent Fellowship Church. Visiting children and youth are always welcomed and included. Of course, our regularly attending children know that they "own" the place, and move about freely and confidently in and around "their" church. Thank you, adults, for not stepping on them as they dart in and out and around you on Sunday mornings.
I can’t say enough about our volunteer teachers. They are always prepared, always willing to give, and really make a difference in the live of these children. It is a big sacrifice, and they never complain.

The parents of the children who come to church are my heroes, too. Getting children breakfast, dressed and out the door on time, is a major accomplishment. Parents never underestimate the value of children on Sunday morning, just watching them going through the trouble of getting up, getting ready, and going to church on a perfectly fine day that could be spent doing so many other things. That is a blessing. Regularly attending church teaches them that going to church and living a life of faith must be important. Thank you, parents, for bringing your children to church.
I can remember how hectic Sunday mornings were growing up with a family of 4 children and the temptation to "take a day off" was strong. However, mom always saw that we attended Sunday School. (We even had to attend the morning that we had a car accident going to church; we weren’t allowed to go home until after church service.)

A very special thanks to those who helped make the Easter Egg Hunt successful. There were over 1500 eggs hidden (or scattered in the wet grass) and we could have used more. We will promise to have lots more eggs next year. There were over 49 young children in attendance and the weather turned out to be very nice. Everyone had a good time. Special thanks to Herb and Jeanne Lehman (my parents) who came early to help set-up and stayed late to help clean-up. I couldn’t have done it without you guys! Thanks to everyone for their support in the children’s ministry.

The older children helped clean the church on Saturday, April 30th. While I am certain that they would have rather been doing something else, I am very grateful to those who showed up to help. It is important that the children learn that part of being a Christian is to accept responsibility for the church and community. I am also thankful to the parents and grandparents who so willingly donate their time to transport the children to our many activities.

Vacation Bible School will be the week of June 20th. We will be practicing the songs in church and I will be passing CD’s out to the children to learn the songs at home or in the car. If anyone is willing to help with VBS, please see Becky Claar or me. Bible School sign-ups will be in a few weeks, so start recruiting friends and neighbors. It would be nice to have over 100 children in attendance this year!!!

I have been asked if the church youth will be going to an Altoona Curve Ballgame this summer. Please let me know if you would like to attend a game on Friday, July 8th at 7:00. The Curve play the Bowie Baysox and it is Tuna Bobblehead night. After getting a count of those who want to attend, I will be able to know an exact cost of the tickets. The price will be between $7.00 and $9.00 a ticket. This will depend on the number of tickets we purchase. Hopefully we can get many of you to attend the game.

We will be having a float in the Memorial Day Parades on Saturday, May 28th and Monday, May 30th. Please mark your calendar and plan to either ride or walk along the float. We will be decorating the float on Saturday morning, May 28th. This is a lot of fun for everyone!

My phone number is 839-4194 and my e-mail is: kimlivin@pitt.edu. Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions if you can help with Bible School and if you would like to attend the Altoona Curve ball game.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the ladies of the church for loving the children of the church as if they were your very own!

God Bless You!