Is the church ready for this ?

The Guardian reported more schools closing now

Government is weighing up closing schools in the fall when an epidemic could come when the flu season begins.


I know in Toronto after the SARS scare some churches responded by developing Emergency Response Plans in case there is a similar crisis. (Anglicans in Toronto) What could churches do here ? What could Children and Youth Pastors/workers do ?

New Animated film software

Just tried out this new software for making animated movies - all you need to do is type in the script and edit with a few icons and away you go - I maed this test one in 10 minutes check it out here. Why not check it out. I'm thnking about signing upfor the first year so you might see a few more animations coming from me.

HT to Dwayne Riner

March Break was a blast

Day camp was a blast – the kids learned what it takes to be a hero – heroes cannot be heroes without Jesus. Heroes forgive, tell the truth, are loyal, do what they say they will do, are generous, are humble, always stand up for what is right and never give up doing good.
The kids loved to worship with the Hillsong Kids Supernatural songs.

"What gets asked gets done !"

I've heard this saying many times and often think about the questions I regularly ask. Especially the questions I ask my partners in ministry. But Derek Sanford has caused me to think about the questions I ask my son.

And as a follow-up I have found it to be so important to ask my kids the right
questions at the end of the day. Often parents talk about "how was school," and
"what did you learn." More and more I've been asking my kids "how were you an
example to your friends and teachers today?" and "who did you show Jesus to?"

Thanks Derek.

What questions do you ask your children ?

FamJam to return after Easter

Following on from our first and pilot FamJam in January, after the conclusion of our Forty days of Community campaign and after Easter we'll having our second FamJam. The time/date is Sunday March 30 at 11:00 in the Multi-purpose room. The virtue for the month of April is "Conviction" - standing for what is right even when others don't.

So plan to bring your children K through grade 5 with you to enjoy a faily presentation that will include acting, singing, games, short videos and of course the FamilyTimes resource.

Summer is coming soon !

I know summer is not far away when we start receiving brochures from camps for their summer programs. It is that time again.
I totally believe in summer camp ministry. I've known so many people that have responded to God at camp - whether it's being in a more nature-ful setting or just being out of the nromal setting, God seems to speak very clearly at camp (and maybe we're more ready to hear:) )
Although there are many good camps throughout Ontario, here at First Alliance we have a great relationship with Camp Miniyowe. Many of our kids over many years have spent some of their summers at Miniyowe and then gone on to be on summer staff.

Personally - my favourite camp is back in Quebec - near Magog, near Sherbrooke. Camp Livingstone. I have some very fond memories of times spent there and its also the place I first met my wonderful amazing wife - Dawn, she grew up there too. If you don't mind the trip it'd probably work out chepaer than going to camp here in Ontario !

Books Books

This week sees the distibution of the new Focus on the Family Book club fliers - similar to the Scholastic ones you're probably receiving from your child's school this week. There is a big difference though. The books available through the book club share a Christian worldview or perspective and will support your child's faith development.
Obviously, Scholastic books give you the opportunity to interact with your child over how the world operates. The Focus on the family books selction will support and reinforce your christian worldview for your children. So it is probably worth looking ito the catalogue. Check it out !

Available this Sunday in KIDSZONE.

Boys and Girls Club

We're starting again - more fun for boys and girls. Starting tomorrow - Wednesday Jan 9. Boys under the leadership of Dave Throop and Girls with Vino Gulaskharam.

FAMJAM - week 1

Obedience - "Trusting those who lead you by doing what you're asked to do "

“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I'm wondering how families are interacting with the FamilyTime resources. Have you listened to the CD ? Do you have the mealtime board on the dinner table ? The bedtime cards by the bed ?
Why not share your or your children's interactions with you around these resources ? Add a comment on here so others can be blessed by it !

Soda - be careful !

I came accross an article that explains what happens to your body when you drink soda. It makes interesting reading and might even change your drinking habits or what you let your chidlren drink ! Check it out here.

Virtual Worlds for kids taking off

It's something I've noticed in Clayton(my 8 yr old champ) recently. He's much more into online stuff. It's gone from the Kinder eggs -secret code for a game online, now it's a community where he designs his character and walks around a virtual world doing things like "say Hi!" "pat someone on the back!" "Hug someone !" "Challenge someone to a game !"
The computer is in our living room and I regularly look over his shoulder. We don't let him chat with anyone online.
I am wondering if this desire for virtual world and community is related to how my son sees himself and even his Spiritual-esteem.
As I wonder I'm asking myself how can I help him more to know who he is in Christ ? And if he catches his faith from his parents - how can I reflect who I am in Christ better ?

False Esteem

Craig Groeschel has some amazing spiritual insights. His insight on "Self-esteem" is no exception. The world tries to improve our children's self esteem with programs. And without God in the picture it seems to be a logical thing to do. But it seems pretty empty when God is. Are we as parents taking care foster our own Spiritual-Esteem so our children will catch it because of Him in us. Here's Craig's latest offering on Self-Spiritual esteem (and links to his previous insights -well worth checking out).

False-Esteem: I do good things, therefore God accepts me.
Spiritual-Esteem: I’m accepted because of what Jesus did for me, therefore I do good things.

False-Esteem: I try hard, so God loves me.
Spiritual-Esteem: God loves me radically, so I try hard.

False-Esteem: I produce, therefore God is pleased.
Spiritual-Esteem: God is pleased with me in Christ, therefore He produces through me.

False-Esteem: Self is the center.
Spiritual-Esteem: God is the center.



Spiritual-Esteem 1 (of 4)
Spiritual-Esteem 2 (of 4)
Spiritual-Esteem 3 (of 4)
Spiritual Esteem 4 (of 4)

More on the Golden Compass

Here with an update on the Golden Compass Movie. There is a well written updated tract on the movie here. It's well worth reading. My prayer is that people would be discerning when it comes to this movie.

40 Days of Community coming in the New Year

It's been my desire for the whole church to focus on the same thing on Sundays. And we're going to get to do just that for 6 weeks starting February 3 in just a couple of months time. Unfortunately the Kindergarten kids won't be able to join in on Sundays, but they will have a Kindergarten devotional to match their parent's devotional.
The kids will have their own devotional. In addition tehre will be a family card each week that will help families relate to the theme of the week too.

ADD and troubled Kindergarteners - There is hope!

I know that these kind of behaviours can way heavy on parent's hearts. Running an after school program in Montreal I saw this first hand. But according to some two research papers identified by Keith Johnson, There is hope for those children:

One concluded that kindergartners who are identified as troubled do as well academically as their peers in elementary school. The other found that children with attention deficit disorders suffer primarily from a delay in brain development, not from a deficit or flaw.

Families - You gotta eat together !!!!

It is sooooooooooo easy to sit your kids in front of the TV and give them TV dinner. Let's go the extra mile and have them switch it off and eat together ! It will be worth it.

Thanks to Keithdj1 for this reminder

Dr. Doherty wrote a book Putting Family First: Successful Strategies for Reclaiming Family Life in A Hurry Up World. Doherty, W.J. (2002)
Doherty stated: “For young children, meal time at home is a stronger predictor of academic achievement and psychological adjustment than time spent in any of the following activities: school, studying, sports, church/religious activities, or art activities. For teens, having regular dinners with parents is a strong predictor of academic success, psychological adjustment, and lower rates of alcohol use, drug use, early sexual behavior, eating disorders, and risk for suicide.”

Youth Stepping up !

Way to go Elisabeth !
It's so cool to see youth stepping up and taking steps in Leadership. Girls at Girls Club were very ably led by the engaging Elisabeth. With our regular highly-valued leader Vino not able to be there, Elisabeth stepped up. Other girls are stepping up in Girls Club - like the talented Jessica Frith and others.
She is not the only one of our youth stepping up in leadership and using their gifts. Sean and Keshia bring their talents to teach and apply Bible truths to the kids at Live@11.
Worship teams too are staffed by the youth who lead the kids in both services.

Boys Club cares

I love it when kids are challenged to think about people other than themselves. Last night Dave Throop our Boys Club leader introduced the idea of buying something for a disadvantaged family in the third world through World Vision. The idea was for the kids to bring a quarter or two each week and when enough money had been received the boys would look through the World Vision catalogue and choose what they would buy - anything from a rabbit to a mosquito net.

What was even better was the kids response to his suggestion ! They were excited about helping a family and had lots of suggestions.

Latest News - Halloween and Veggietales !

Just a short note to let you know what's coming soon - this month - We're having a Boys and Girls Clubs special halloween evening - no program as such but we'll be giving candy and comics away and we'll have a bouncy castle. If the weather is fine we'll be outside otherwise we'll be in the gym.
And coming before that - no date finalized we're havig a Family fun night with Showing of Veggietales brand new movie - The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's. We'll let you have a date next week.
God Bless you

Soccer league ends on a high

What a great night to crown the summer of soccer. We had a Bell rep come and present a $25,000 check to Youth Unlimited, 1/5 of which helped FAC and Youth Unlimited put on this low cost soccer league. It allowed us to make our field into a playable state, next year hopefulyl it will be in even better shape.

We also had a visit from two former Olympians who encouraged the kids to hold onto their dreams and not give up even if people told they would never make it.

The two final games the 3rd/4th place final went to a nail-biting shoot out. The final was pretty close until the last minute when the purple team scored their fourth goal to put them 4-2 up.

Medals and trophies were awarded and all the kids went home happy with a ball framed certificate and a soccer ball.