Wow! Can you believe summer has come and gone? It always amazes me how fast time flies when you are having fun: from summer camps…to our Upside Down Town/Berry Blast series…to your own family trips…summer 2010 was a success. With the school year starting, lots of different emotions and circumstances arise. I want to encourage you that no matter the circumstance or the issue, we at Central are here to support you as parents! We want to come alongside you and encourage you and help you walk through your journey as a parent. What circumstances could possibly arise? Here are a few:

Some circumstances are funny and some are sad and hard to deal with! We are here for you! Be encouraged this school year and please LEAN ON US! We love your children and your family. Please be reminded to get your children connected this weekend to Kidzapalooza:

and into a small group. This will help connect your child and help them grow in their spiritual journey with Jesus!

Have a great semester!

Steve Petrauschke

Family Ministries Pastor

Northeast Campus

I think everyone has a memory of being in church as a child. I have very few… but those I do have do not have images of flashy fun goodness learning about God. I remember the hard pews – having to be very, very quiet and I don’t remember having any fun. Boooo!

Lately, we’ve been buzzing in Family Ministries as we plan for our annual kick off event. Have you seen us? We’re gettin’ crazy as we prepare for Fuse Block Party and KidzPalooza!

On September 11, 12 & 15 we break the mold of those old, boring memories of church and we kick off our new ministry year with Fuse Block Party and KidzPalooza. If you’ve been around Central for this annual event, then you know that it’s CRAZY-FUN. Outside our Fuse Students (and all the friends they’ve invited) will hang with inflatable games, giveaways and food! Inside, our Central Kidz (and all the kids that THEY invited) PreK to 5^th grade will have fun with carnival games, giveaways and tons of fun in their age-specific environments.

I encourage all of you to invite other families who may not be familiar with Central’s top notch Family Ministries to come and check it out. Each area (Kidz and Students) have specific invites to hand out to friends – OR, check out these links below:

BLOCK PARTY

KIDZPALOOZA

I am so excited this year to share cotton candy with those kids who attend service in their environment! Who doesn’t love cotton candy?!

See you all there!!

Melissa Millwee
Central Kidz – Preschool

It seems like yesterday that my son, Kylan, was born.  In fact it was 1,883 days ago (but who is counting). Heavy sigh….So now starts a new chapter in his life. KINDERARTEN. On August 30^th at 8:15am (but who is still counting) he officially starts his school career. We have had checklists for months:

1. uniform – check
2. long list of school supplies – really 3 bags of wipes? – check
3. box of tissues…-check

Is he ready? Am I ready? We will know next week when of all horrors I am only allowed to drop him off at the playground. I can’t even walk him to his class! My first born will be out there on his own in the cruel, cold world and I have to leave him to fend for himself? Ok, I know I am exaggerating here, but this is the first time of my existence where I have to do this.

I am afraid. So that is the first step right? Admitting you are afraid. I am petrified. Will he make into class ok? Will he remember to say please and thank you? Will he remember to wash his hands?

I am reminded of the passage in Isaiah….“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (41:10)

So what is this big baby of a mom to do? I have to sit back and take a deep breath. And laugh at myself. Smile and don’t take myself too seriously. God is SO bigger than me and I am worrying about such silly things.

I mean it is kindergarten. It is not like he is driving….or dating……AGGHHHHHH

Lori Aguirre

WOW Ministry Leader

Well, can you believe it? Summer is quickly coming to a close as some of our kids head back to school today and others still have just 2 short weeks left before they hit the books. It’s been a great summer at Central Kidz.  Our kids are still talking about the camps they attended, the fun they had and the friendships they made.

As families begin to plug back in to their routines, I want to encourage every parent to include our weekend services in that routine. Whether you’re new to Central or you’ve been around for a while, we are gearing up for an amazing school year with your kids and I know you wouldn’t want your kids to miss out on any of the fun.

Here’s 3 important sets of dates to keep in mind as you plan ahead…

KIDZPALOOZA…Saturday, September 11…Sunday, September 12…Wednesday, September 15

Yes, it’s back!  Another great weekend of fun, games, singing, shouting, prizes, cotton candy, etc… Kids are encouraged to bring their friends with them, so don’t miss out on this exciting weekend.  Oh, and…for the adults, Jim Caviezel (the actor that portrayed Jesus in the movie, “The Passion of Christ”) will be with us that weekend at all 5 services, so make sure to bring your friends, too!

SMALL GROUPS FOR KIDS (Elementary)…Saturday, September 18…Sunday, September 19…Wednesday, September 22

The 2010/2011 Small Group season is just around the corner.  Registration is underway at our parent website.  With our mid-September launch of the new season, now’s a great time to commit to a specific service hour each weekend to get your kid involved in one of our Small Groups.  If you regularly attend a specific service hour each weekend, then sign-up today.  We are beginning to form our groups with their leaders and the fun will kick off in just a few short weeks. Small Groups are a great opportunity for kids to get more connected with their leaders and friends.  Each weekend, while you’re in BIG church, kids participate in their own service time which consists of a large group component and a small group component.  But don’t worry…if for some reason you are not able to commit to a specific service hour each weekend, your kid will still get to experience Small Groups, they may just be with a different leader and different group of kids each week!

FIRST STEP FOR KIDS…Saturday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m…Sunday, September 19 at 10:20 a.m.

Our next First Step for Kidz class is happening at the Henderson campus September 18 & 19.  If  you feel your child is ready to take that NEXT STEP in calling Jesus their Leader, Forgiver and Friend, then I highly encourage you to register for this class.  If you attend one of our other campuses, please be sure to check with your Children’s Pastor for their upcoming classes.  This class is designed for both the parent and child, so remember that at least one parent will need to attend the class with their child.

Thanks for your support of Family Ministries…for allowing us to partner with you on your child’s journey to becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ.

Laura Murphy

Central Kidz

The part of camp I never get to experience are the stories told at home.  I always wonder how things get relayed back to parents and friends about camp.  What things really made an impression.  I wonder what little funny thing that happened is retold as a huge story and what big things are passed over.  I know as you sit down and read this you are chomping at the bit to hear stories from your child.  They are going to be great.  Enjoy spending time together talking about camp.  I know you will probably hear about the Yeti, Captain Heck, color teams, activities, and friendships formed. I would encourage you to use those times to get them to talk about things they learned from their experiences here or from the camp services.

Some great things are happening.  Last night we spent time learning that Jesus is our rescuer from the punishment of sin and that Jesus is ready to forgive all of us.  Several Central kids named Jesus their Leader and Forgiver last night and several more are processing through what it means.  It is amazing to get to be a part of that decision.  Your child has spent some time this week thinking about their relationship with God.  It was a great, great night!

UCYC has partnered with a missionary nicknamed “Boots” from the Dominican Republic.  All summer long kids have been donating to help him out.  One of the great things UCYC has done to help us choose to give our money to this cause is a “Summer Staffer Dinner Auction.”  This morning, small groups got together and figured out how much money everyone was willing to donate to buy the opportunity to have dinner with the UCYC summer staff.  Our session of camp, Central and the other churches here this week, gave over $700 at the auction today.  That’s $700 of candy and ice cream and drinks your kids chose to sacrifice and give.  We are enjoying a great group of kids this week at camp.  I know now why you are so ready for them to be back home.  We will be back in a little over 24 hours. Until then, here are a few pictures from some of the pool games we have played this week.

Daniel Carnahan
Central Kidz

We are officially over our half way point here at camp and everyone is still alive and well!!! The kids are getting more comfortable with each other and their surroundings which means they are getting rowdier…but don’t fear, the title relates to today’s teaching theme not a cry for help from the leaders

Today is a Big Day at camp. In the midst of swimming, zip-lining, archery, paint ball, hiking, crafts & team building, our theme for the day is Rescue. We’ve been learning that we are all “shipwrecked.” We’re following the story of Jonah each day learning that “we’ve all gone the wrong direction,” “we all need help,” and today: “We need to be rescued.” Hopefully you can figure out that our rescuer is GOD. As you read this, pray that all our campers would have open hearts and ears tonight as they here that they need to let God rescue them through Jesus.

Below is a look at what we did today. Enjoy!

Blessing, Heidi Sandifer

Well we’ve come to the close of another day at camp, and what a day it was!  Team competitions are rocking like crazy.  I got a great big hug from a soaking wet kid during our Color Competition earlier in the day at the pool at the insistence of his Small Group leader.  I must say, it was refreshingly cool at the moment but I definitely see payback coming for this Small Group leader.  We’re having a blast!

This year’s camp speakers are off the hook!  I can’t tell you how engaging they are for the kids! I mean really…4th and 5th graders having to sit relatively still for 25+ minutes while someone teaches?  But, believe it or not, they’re doing it!  Our speakers started off the session with the question,”Who do you look to for help?”  When real problems happen, do we try to handle it all on our own?  They used the story of Peter walking on the water from Matthew 14 to give a great picture of what can happen when we take our eyes off of Jesus, and then pointed out the fact that when Peter was sinking and called out to Jesus for help, that Jesus’ response was immediate!  I think the one sentence that stuck out the most for me was, “God has already done all the work; all we have to do is take one step towards him by asking for help!”  They ended tonight’s session with the question, “Will you ask for help?”  I look forward to tomorrow to see what comes out of our Small Group time with the kids.

We ended the night with a late night activity.  Kids gathered around a campfire as the Camp Staff shared some crazy stories! My favorite one was about the purple gorilla.  You’re gonna have to ask your kids to tell you that one!

I’m so glad to see so many of you following our blog! Thanks for your support and prayers.  Look for some more pictures to be uploaded over the next couple of days.

Laura Murphy

Hey parents!

I first want to say it has been an incredible blessing to be a part of your kids lives this week. God has been moving in significant ways here at UCYC, and it is great to see God’s movement here.

We are in the middle of our set scheduled days, which are filled from church services, to color competitions, pool games, rock walls, zip lines, and other fun activities the camp has planned for the kids. But rather then me telling you, I will show you a little bit of what is happening from camp. All pictures posted with this blog were taken during small group times. Pictures of games, activities, and worship sessions will come later!

Please continue to keep the leaders, camp, and safety in your prayers. As I said, God is moving, and we want you to be a part of it, even from Las Vegas!

Cameron’s Small Group

Kristi’s Small Group

Caleb’s Small Group Bridget’s Small Group Joe’s Small Group

Dan’s Small Group

Ashley’s Small Group

Brittney’s Small Group

Maribel’s Small Group

Alyssa’s Small Group

Peter’s Small Group

Sam’s Small Group

Tony Caniglia

Central Kidz

I just sent the kids off with their counselors to begin winding down and getting ready for bed.  Monday has been awesome!  We enjoyed a nice overcast day.  It’s wonderful to be outside having fun.  After dinner tonight we participated in some Amazing Race style competitions.  Our kids had to work as one large team to accomplish some tasks and also work just with their small group for a few.  One of the fun large group tasks was for everyone to have mismatched shoes.  I was surprised by how many didn’t want to put on someone else’s shoe.  I might have been slightly carried away with the competitive nature of the moment and not thinking about the fact I was putting my foot in a dirty, sweaty shoe from camp.

All day today we have been challenged with what direction our life is heading.  Our speakers tonight did a great job of asking us if we are heading down the wide path that most people take or if we are ready to walk the narrow path that God asks us to take.  (Matthew 7:13-14) Your child may be deciding this week to live their life fully for God.  I get so excited thinking about these great kids living their whole life following God’s direction.

One last thing before I shut down for the night.  Your kids have some amazing counselors spending time with them this week.  They are patient, fun, caring, full of love, energetic, and super excited to be here with your child.  Thanks for allowing us to partner with you this week and care for your child at camp.  It’s the first time away from home for a lot of our kids and I count it a privilege that you chose this week at camp for that first experience.  Thank you.

One more thing, I promise this time.  We will have some pictures up for you tomorrow afternoon around 2 pm.  Be sure to be back to see some wonderful smiles and fun experiences.

Daniel Carnahan
Central Kidz

Hello Parents!

Camp got off with a bang as we had our first worship and evening session last night. Your campers jumped, screamed, sang, danced, and laughed their little hearts out as they were introduced to the idea that camp can be an eye opening experience, as God wants to open up our eyes to who He is. Our next 4 camp days look a little something like this: 7:45 AM breakfast, then cabin clean up, followed by our first morning session in the chapel. Then it’s small group time to discuss the session, then an all camp fun, crazy, and sometimes messy large group game. Lunch @ 12, followed by “nap” time, 3 hours of activities with their small group, dinner, an evening game, evening session, church wrap up time and bed time. Pheww….they love it so far.

But the real news is this…your kids are self-sufficient, capable people Like it or not your kids are growing up. Over the last 26 hours, I’ve watched a 100 campers responsibly care for themselves and others. From the time we got here they had to find their own luggage, hull it to their cabin and set up their bunks. The bathrooms have been flooded with campers brushing their teeth, combing their hair, changing their clothes, and showering all to their own schedule. ALL Kids were up on time this morning, getting themselves ready for breakfast by 7:45! They are responsible to report to and stay with their leaders and follow the schedule that hangs from a lanyard around their neck. They patiently wait in the dining hall lines, they prepare their own plates of food AND they clean up their own dishes after each meal! The kids are having a blast and my encouragement to you is this: as kids start to discover how much they can do for themselves, camp becomes the perfect opportunity for them to realize how much THEY can do WITH God. Being here, being on their own, taking care of themselves, brings with it individuality and maturity. As campers listen to God’s Word in sessions, they will begin to hear that they individually get to choose to follow God. How he loves them individually, and has blessed them individually with gifts that only they can choose to use for Him. As this week continues, please know that your campers are doing well. I challenge each of you to pray for your camper. Pray for their unique personality and giftedness. Pray that they would hear what God wants them to hear this week at camp, and pray that they will take it with them long after camp is over. Your campers love you!!

Heidi Sandifer

Central Kids