The February "In the K-Zone" Newsletter is out

Yes the next edition of the KIDSZONE newspaper. Youc an pick it up from the table in the lobby.
There's a piece on Cyber bullying and how it is a more serious threat to our kids than even predators. I was moved to write about it after seeing the PBS Frontline documentary. (You can even watch the documentary online)

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.

Meet the KIDSZONE partner in Ministry - Tessie

Every now and again I want to introduce to you our KIDSZONE partners in ministry. Today it's Tessie Reandino. She's a servant of the Lord who loves the children and will often go the extra mile to serve them and their parents. Meet Tessie :-

How long have you attended FAC? What brought you to FAC?
Since Oct. 2006 when I first arrived from the Philippines. It was the classmate of John who worships in FAC that introduced us to this church.

Tell us a little about the ministries you're involved in Feature on you and how that experience has impacted you.
Sunday School ministry gives me the opportunity to stay in discipline with God’s word. I always believe that as I study the God’s word, I need to transfer what God has taught me to other people be it children or adults. This has impacted my spiritual growth and also it is also a good channel of getting to know the parents’ needs.

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
In church.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
I accepted the Lord sometime 1981 thru a Conservative Baptist Church in the Phil. The highlight of my spiritual journey was when I had the privilege of teaching bible study in a group of Filipino women in Casablanca. I have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit guiding my tongue and maneuvering my lesson plan to cater to the needs of the women. I’m amazed myself by the new lessons brought out by the Holy Spirit using my tongue. My spirit is full and I’m so light hearted even though the journey back to my home in Rabat takes an hour by train. It was in Africa that I grew spiritually the most because I had no pastor, nor radio TV stations to feed me but only God’s word thru the concordance.
Secondly, I also experienced the strong leading of the Holy Spirit when He actually guided me to spray the perfume which caused my 1 ½ yr. old son to sneeze out a peanut that was stuck inside his nostril. I will live to tell anyone this story of His grace and mercy shown to me and my family. He is alive thus the scripture is true “my sheep hears my voice”.
Tell us a little about your background (where you are from, education, your family, etc)
Born, raised and educated in the Philippines in a very conservative Chinese family. Since my parents were very frugal immigrants from China, I have learned the value of money and hard work. It was only when I became a Christian that the value of eternal life is the most important insurance in one’s life.
I was the only Christian in the family. However, two months after my mother died, God has confirmed to me that my mother is safe in heaven. Psl 116:15 “Precious in of the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” God has used my friend and a pastor to share the good news to her. Another friend also told me that my mother saw a wonderful place and she says wait I need to say good-bye to many people. I believer she saw heaven and had to wait for me to come back home from HKG.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?

Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:5-6

What are your favorite books?

Christian books especially written by Joyce Meyer – Battle of the Mind

What are your favorite movies?

Any movie that is non violent like the Sound of Music (hahaha), The Passion;

What is your favorite fast food?

Pizza, noodles, fresh spring rolls

What is something that most people at FAC would not know about you?

I had a very successful hotel career some 20 years ago organizing conferences, exhibits, wedding receptions. I rubbed shoulders with the rich and the famous while at work. Personally met entertainers like Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minelli, Julio Iglesia, George Hamilton, etc. God has given me a fulfilled single life. As the bible says everything shall pass away except God’s word, people I have met either have aged, lost their power and influence or have passed away.
Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job? Currently, I’m doing part-time job in a manufacturing company. It is a humbling experience to gain Canadian experience. Who am I to complain having a lowly job in Toronto when He being the son of God came on earth as a human being to carry our sins. This is my pruning stage and waiting for my dream job as Admin Exec. Has been very hard. Just like the handicap man, every time he wants to get into the pool someone always is ahead of him.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)

The unsung heroes – those who are willing to do a second mile such as volunteers, parents who raise up Godly kids for the next generation.

What do you do in your free time?

Family outing in the beach, or sightseeing new places. Attending out of town seminars with inspiring speakers.

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.

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

Fall Kick Off Around the Corner

Yes Fall is almost here. We kick KIDSZONE Sunday off on Sunday Sep 9th.

It's an exciting time as we introduce Children Desiring God curriculum in Discipleland (9:15) and continue the Elevate Adventure at Live@11.

This time Elevate goes on a Tresure Quest in the Jungle !

Day camp comes to a close

Day Camp Rocked !

Not just because we were blessed with over 60 kids over the five weeks,

or we had an amazing team of interns(thank you federal govenerment), LITs and volunteers,

or because we had amazing trips to the Science Centre, Kidstown, Toronto Zoo,

or because we had some amazing worship times,

or because we had a couple of amazing actors performing the skits,

or because we had an amzing Bible Story teller,

or because we had amazing MCs,

or because we had an awesome camp director.

BUT because God was in our midst - answering prayer, planting seeds of faith in children's hearts and bringing 2 children to know him. PRAISE GOD !

Day camp in full swing

Yee Haw ! - This week day camp started with a western theme - with 40 kids regsitered to take part in one or more of the weeks, a team of dedicated partners in minstry(volunteers), 2 LIT, 2 Junior interns, 5 interns and well-organised Camp Director.

Taking it Home

One half of our passion is to make the time your child spends at KIDSZONE Sunday the best time of their week, the other half of our passion is to partner with you parents to help you in your already amazing efforts to raise Spiritual Champions.

We continue to do that as we launch Taking it home - where parents are asked to come to their children's class on Sunday mornings

“Taking it Home” Sundays

April 29 grades 1-2
May 20 grades 3-4
May 27 grades 5-6

Please plan to come with your child, we're going to give you a chance to talk with your child's teacher, make a craft together, "practice" with a resource that we want to give to your family.

So plan to join us for this important Sunday

Easter Eggstravaganza

Easter's a round the corner and we're excited about celebrating the new life the Christ's death and resurrection brings. To celebrate it we're having our third annual Easter Eggstravaganza. Easter Saturday April 7 @ 10AM. Bring the whole family and your neighbours to have na egg hunt then an Easter presentation. See you there !

New Live@11 theme

Just as it warms up outside we're cooling things down inside :) with Winter Extreme. Here's the beef:-

"On top of this mountain, we do everything to the EXTREME! From skiing to snowboarding, ice sculpting to snowball fights, nothing is too EXTREME! for us, especially living EXTREME! lives for God. This series takes an EXTREME! look at the teachings of Jesus."

So you won't want your kids to miss this exciting life changing time.

More rejoicing !

Last Sunday at the m&m (me and my friends) Sunday five children at each service re-gave their hearts to Jesus, they really want Him to be their best friend. What a great weekend. This is more of what we're about - partnering with parents to help kids love God - love people (nothing else matters). We're on your team.

Party Party Party !

The angels rejoiced last week - five children at March Break Day Camp said yes to Jesus. They started their relationship with Him. The one who made a way for them to know God. God is good. This is what we're here for - to help kids find their way to God and to partner with their parents in the same mission. We're on the your team !

Another kid said YES to Jesus

On Sunday in KIDSZONE another child said yes to Jesus - It's exciting when a new life is born in His Kingdom. It's what we're about in KIDSZONE partnering with parents to raise Spiritual Champions - It's something we can't do apart from God moving and using us.
This child has started on his road to be a Spiritual Champion, now we have to play our part to help him grow and partner with his parents help him grow.

Bible time

Yes It's Bible Time! - email elbourne@firstalliancechurch.org me or voice mail me (416) 494-3269 x26 just tell me what the passage says and explain it in your own words -everyone who does it will get KIDSZONE $5 just for trying. And the best explanation will get KIDSZONE $20.

This week's passage is Phillippians 4:19

deadline is Sunday Feb 25 - well what are you waiting for :)

New Newsletter out Today

Yes! KIDSZONE's February Newsletter In the Kzone is out today. Get your copy from the table in the lobby at Church - don't miss the insert - helpful tips on building your team - "What team ?" you ask - well you'll just have to check it out :)

Winter Family Fest what's to come ...

Still two days to go - we've got parent's night out tonight - we'll take care of your kids if you've already attended one of the workshops this week.
AND THE our Finale with Toronto City Mission Kids choir leading our Family Praise Party.
Invite your friends it will be a balst on Frigay Jan 5.

Sports and Kids

Christy over on Counting the days til Sunday highlights sports ministry as a place for us to learn from. As I coached Clayton's, my 8yr old son's, soccer team this summer I reflected on this as well. I didn't fully get the parent buy-in thing - but looking back there were parents there that made sure their kids were there and encouraged the kids. You could even tell the kids that had had practice at home during the week.

Of all the resources and opportunities that we've offered parents this year - the one that gets the most positive feedback was the 60-day Devotional - which the parents and kids are doing together. So it does seem that we have had some buy-in for that.

I'm glad becasue since we only see the kids for about 40 hours a year and the parents have so much more time - if we can help the parents use their time more regularly with their children to build spiritual champions - we all still win even if they don't buy into KIDSZONE and/or parent activities as much as they could.

So we want buy-in from the parents to KIDSZONE activities but the best buy-in is parents building spiritual champions at home.

Coming Home - A KIDSZONE story

COMING HOME
Sandra and Jonny Santana told me the other day a little anecdote about their sweet daughter Madeline.
Sandra used to come to FAC when she was a teenager. She then moved away to the States.
On Jonny and Sandra’s return to Toronto, as they drove by churches Madeline would say “I want a church, I want a church.” So when they finally settled on coming to First Alliance Church. Madeline had come home to her mother’s church. And now out of all her activities Live@11 is her favourite of the week. She gets help as they practice the grade 1 memory verses.