Foster Care “Fill-a-Bag” Update
When children come into foster care, they are often removed from their homes in an emotional and chaotic scene.
Their biological families pack their belongings in whatever bags they may have handy, including garbage bags. Sometimes, families don’t have any large bags to give children to carry their things, as many of these children come from low income families. Many times children come into foster care with nothing that first night. To have a bag of their own, filled with items that are just for them as they enter a world that is not their own, can offer a small but powerful comfort.
This was the challenge that we presented to our body back in January. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ by providing shiny new duffel bags filled with the necessities that a child whose world has just been turned upside down would need, plus some extra goodies so they would feel valued and loved. We can’t measure the effect that holding a teddy bear that will be theirs to keep would have on a child that first night away from the only home they have every known.
We are grateful to God that our people are a generous people and embraced this opportunity to love a child they will probably never meet. We had over 200 bags donated, which filled two 15-passenger vans. The bags will be distributed to several local foster care agencies and will meet a tremendous need.
Update: Daddy-Daughter Dance
It’s a very special night, the Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Dance. RBC is transformed into a magical place where little girls and their Daddies create lifelong memories. For the past five years, I have helped my daughter prepare for this much-anticipated event. We shop for dresses, try on shoes, curl hair and paint nails. She comes down the staircase and joins her Daddy for a quick photo shoot, and then off they go. This year, however, my daughter was past the age of being able to attend so she asked if she could serve. As we left for the dance, my husband said goodbye in a difficult moment where we gave each other that “she’s-growing-up-too-fast” look.
The theme of this year’s dance was Enchantment Under the Sea. A treasure map led Dads and Daughters through an undersea world with something special to encounter at every turn, including seafaring crafts, treats, and decorations and plenty of dancing.But the most wonderful thing about the evening was watching the interactions. I did not see Dads absorbed in conversations with one other or checking their phones or watches. Rather, I saw dapper Dads proudly hoisting their girls into their laps for a picture. I saw Dads elbow-deep in glitter creating pretty crafts. I saw Dads enjoying ice cream sundaes and clam cookies complete with a candy “pearl.” I saw a sea of Dads on the dance floor clapping to the chicken dance and cradling their girls in their arms to songs that remind them how precious and short the time is. It was a beautiful night.
Amid the enchantment, I saw little girls whose self-esteem soared. Little girls who felt so loved as their Dad fully engaged with them and entered into their world. Little girls who looked up to their Dads proudly. Bravo to all of you Dads who came and gave the gift of making your daughters feel like the most special little girls on the earth (or under the sea.)
– Vickie Wennemark, Family Ministry Assistant
Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance
Each year, the Daddy Daughter Dance steps fully into the spotlight for 120 girls and their dads who enjoy a night brimming with classy dress, sweet treats, and crafts galore. It’s a special break away from sweatpants and homework helpers towards a focus on relationship. Hear what we heard after the Dance in 2013 and consider this opportunity to join us.
Awesome job and awesome event! Literally the best event and time Savannah and I have shared together. In asking her for her favorite part, her response was, “All of it!” – Chad Baker (Dad)
You guys rock. Awesome event, as always; this was the best one yet, which is hard to believe because past years were awesome too. – Jeff Henshaw (Dad)
Thank you for putting so much effort into this event. The Dance is so special for the Fathers and daughters. Memories being created that are priceless and will last forever. – Leta Hershey (Craft Volunteer)
One of the most memorable nights I have ever had with my oldest daughter. – Anonymous Dad
This year’s Dance – themed Enchantment Under the Sea – will take place on Saturday, February 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The evening will be filled with a dinner date with dad, games, arts and crafts, yummy dessert, a photo with your daughter, and of course dancing!
The Dance is open to any young lady between 1st and 5th grade. Space is limited – so be sure to register early! Get information and register at www.restonbible.org/valentine.
Introducing Courage Quest
According to data collected in 2009, one out of every five households in the United States has at least one child with special healthcare needs. These needs may include physical, cognitive, communicative, and behavioral challenges. This represents a significant segment of the nation’s population and the numbers seem to be trending upward. This same trend is reflected in our church family and that is why I am so excited to share with you the realization of a dream that we have had for RBC Children’s Ministry for many years. It is our desire that EVERY CHILD be able to engage with the timeless truths of the Bible and grow in a joyful relationship with Jesus Christ, not the least of these are our children with special needs.
Courage Quest, or CQ, is a new special needs initiative within the Children’s Ministry of Reston Bible Church. CQ exists to aide and empower all of our children to actively and significantly participate in all aspects of the Children’s Ministry and to provide appropriate support and accommodations when necessary. CQ accomplishes this goal by providing RBC Children’s Ministry volunteers with appropriate tools,resources and instructions to carry out their calling to minister to all children including those with special needs and disabilities.
On January 26th, we will be holding a special training for current Children’s Ministry Volunteers and people interested in learning more about becoming a Courage Quest Volunteer. This training is essential for all, as it will…
• Introduce the Courage Quest team members and their roles.
• Explain how Quest/Awana volunteers can, with and without direct CQ help, better minister to children with a variety of special needs including behavioral, developmental, and physical.
• Introduce new resources to help all Children’s Ministry volunteers know how to respond when issues arise with any child.
Please consider joining us for this important training. By helping a child engage with the Savior you are inviting the presence of Christ into your life. “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE JANUARY 26 COURAGE QUEST TRAINING EVENT.
When: 1/26/14 – Right after the second service from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
Where: Quest Clubhouse
What: Lunch and free childcare will be provided. (If your children cannot eat pizza, please provide a bag lunch for them.)
I look forward to seeing you there.
Blessings,
Mike Meyers, for the RBC Children’s Ministry Staff
An International Connection Thanksgiving
The RBC Club House room was packed with international faces and languages – children, adults, seniors – all chattering and eating. The annual Thanksgiving Dinner for International Connection (our ESL, or English as a Second Language program) was a chaotic but lively and warm gathering! We welcomed 168 guests, which made it shoulder-to-shoulder in that space.
The buffet area was set up with two rows of international cuisine – tamales, rice pilaf, spring rolls– mixed in with traditional dishes of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. The International Connection volunteers (plus extra helpers) provided the traditional Thanksgiving fare to give our students a taste of North America. The students proudly contributed the bounty from their home countries. What a feast!
After dinner, the children were dismissed to take part in their own supervised activities while the adults remained to enjoy the program. Pastor Ed Nalle led us in singing “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” and then performed “Be Ye Glad” to a rapt audience. We watched a short video that presented the history of the holiday. Then there were class presentations and individual student speeches – the highlight of the evening. From the choral readings to the personalized expressions of why they are thankful, it was a time to count our blessings and then focus on the greatest gift of all – Jesus. Mike Meyers, Children’s Ministry Director, reminded us to stop and recognize the good things right in front of us that are easily taken for granted.
Our students come from about 25 different countries and 14 language groups. They are sometimes mystified by the new culture in which they find themselves but when they come to English classes here at RBC each week, they find an oasis where they can practice their language skills in a safe and caring environment and where they can learn about how to adapt to life in this country. Many come for the English but come back for the friendship and more. May God give us grateful hearts this holiday time as we think of those who are struggling to survive in the midst of so much upheaval
Event Update: Trunk-or-Treat
Two years ago, it snowed for Trunk-or-Treat, forcing our event indoors. Last year, Hurricane Sandy (also known as “Frankenstorm”) shut us down completely. This year, we trusted the weather would cooperate. While it was challenging to set up with the crazy wind, we tied, taped and bungeed everything down and were ready to go by 6:00pm last Thursday evening. Finally the winds blissfully died down… only for it to begin to rain.
Many thanks to all who didn’t let being slightly damp put a damper on the evening. We had 32 spots filled with decorations, games, and wonderful people in costumes giving out candy to the hundreds of children who came out to trick-or-treat with us. I have to admit, I had my doubts about how many people would venture out on a windy and rainy night with their kids in costumes – but as usual, the Lord showed me what a waste of time worrying is. Lots and lots of kids and parents dressed in costumes and ready to spend a safe, fun-filled evening with their family arrived in spite of the off-and-on rain. After playing games and trick-or-treating, the children were treated to hay rides, candied apples and popcorn, and fun Halloween crafts. Several hundred of our surrounding neighbors and friends from Guilford came out for the fun.
Our parking “spots” were amazingly creative with Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter, Captain America and the Avengers, Batman, aliens, the Pumpkinmobile, a photo booth, and Duck Dynasty – just to name a few.
A HUGE THANKS to everyone that helped – set up, clean up, food, crafts, hayrides and of course the parking spots. It takes a lot of help to put on an event like this, and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers. I think it’s safe to say that everyone went home “Happy, happy, happy!”
Event Update: Community Yard Sale
Thank you to all who donated items, picked up furniture, sorted and priced, and worked the day of our recent Community Yard Sale. We raised over $6500 to put into our Community Ministries – but even more importantly, we saw God meet specific needs in the body.
In spite of the rain, we had a great turnout and people were blessed to be able to purchase clothing and household items for their families at very affordable prices. I was able to help one woman choose Christmas presents for her extended family – things that were beautiful and special but that she would not have been able to afford to buy from stores. We watched as a young family purchased furniture that they desperately needed, plus a few toys for their young children. One woman bought armfuls of clothing to send back to her homeland, where even after she pays the shipping costs the clothes were still less expensive than if her family members bought them in their country.
It was a lot of work, but the Lord used it for His glory and to further His kingdom. Thank you to all who played a part in making this event happen.
Partnering with the Gospel
Last Sunday, Pastor Mike asked us to consider how we are partnering with the gospel. The RBC vision statement says, “To know Christ and make Him known … ” In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations …” That’s a command, not a suggestion, from our Savior to each of us who’ve submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to go because we highly value the gospel and have committed to following Him as a disciple. The question is, how are you partnering with the gospel?
For some, “all nations” means missionary work in a foreign country, but for most of us, it’s within the borders of Fairfax or Loudoun Counties. Our mission field is where God has strategically placed us within our families, our neighborhoods, communities and workplaces. How are you fulfilling Jesus’ command to go and make disciples, how are you partnering with the Gospel? Here’s an opportunity.
The RBC Men’s Ministry holds THE SUMMIT as an outreach event four times a year for the purpose of giving RBC men an easily-leveraged opportunity to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We choose speakers who have a strong relationship with Christ and have demonstrated living it out through all areas of their lives. We select speakers who can speak on a topic that is culturally relevant to what men might most connect with at each quarterly event.
Won’t you consider praying about how God might be leading you to reach one man with the gospel he has placed in your life? Invite him to join you this Monday evening for a BBQ dinner, then to hear about what’s really going on in Washington. There will even be an open Q & A time. Pray for the Lord’s leading, be bold, invite that man, pay for his dinner, register him, come together.
Go and make disciples, make Christ known. Click HERE to register now.
-Alex Marcus for the Men’s Ministry Leadership Team
Event update: Due to a last-minute conflict, our original speaker for tonight’s SUMMIT, congressman Daniel Webster, cannot make the event. Instead, we will be hosting the deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, David Shedd. Click HERE to register now.
Entropy & Other Laws of Marriage
en•tro•py ( n tr -p )
n. pl. en•tro•pies
1. A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.
2. A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.
3. Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.
en•tro pic ( n-tr p k, -tr p k) adj. en•tro pi•cal•ly adv.
There are natural laws that constantly govern our physical universe — invisible laws that govern movement, mechanics, motion, balance. These laws are in place and at work regardless of our belief in them or acceptance of them – they are part of the created order of our world. Is it possible that our marriages work in much the same way? Could there be invisible “laws” that govern the relational aspects of life with our spouse? What happens if we ignore those laws, or pretend they don’t exist?
Join us on Friday, October 18 for our next Marriage Booster, entitled Entropy & Other Laws of Marriage. You’ll enjoy an evening of looking at the laws of marriage that are impacting your relationship, or could impact them in the future. Pastor Paul Goodnight will lead our time…so you know it won’t be normal.
Sign up and get schedule information at www.restonbible.org/marriagebooster.
Gettin’ Schooled at Senior High
On September 29, GAP, our Senior High Youth Ministry, sponsored an event called Gettin’ Schooled. Gettin’ Schooled turned out to be a big success and a blessing to our students. It was an “in-reach” event designed around the thought of the students going back to school and how to spiritually equip them in this. We did this in three ways: food, fun competition, and electives.
The night started off with some dinner and hangout time, where we ate what you would get a school football game: hot dogs with chili, cheese and jalapenos, hamburgers, and nachos. We then had a competition between 10 teams of students and leaders, each team having 4-5 people. The first to finish all of the stations won; the stations were a hotdog eating contest, having to get 25 Skittles out of a bread loaf pan filled with whipped cream, smash a pumpkin off a rope while blindfolded, a teamwork game where you had to rearrange yourself on cinderblocks, and an alphabet soup game where the team had to make out the phrase “Gettin Schooled at the GAP.”
After the competition students then got to go “get their schedule” for the electives they had chosen. The electives they chose from were Quiet Time 101, How to Start a God-Movement at Your School, Standing up Without Standing Out, Study Skills 201, Stress Strategies and Prioritizing, How to Not Be a Follower, Dealing with Temptations, and Developing Friendships with Non-Believers. The students were really excited to get their schedules and the feedback from the teachers was that students were very involved. Our prayer was the students and staff alike were blessed and encouraged in their faith by attending the event and above all that God received all of the glory.
Please be in prayer for our students as they continue to grow in their faith and be a light for Christ in their schools.