Location:
Memorial Church of Christ
35475 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154

Monday, 8/24: High School Essay Intensive
Monday Evening, 8/24: Nurturing Excellent Communicators - NO COST!
Thursday, 8/27: Introductory Student Workshops

To register, go to: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/events or call (800) 856-5815

High School Essay Intensive

A One-Day Seminar for High School age students and teachers
Monday August 24, 2009 8:30 - 3:30 pm
Cost: $50.00/participant (parents $25 if attending with student)*

The High School Essay Prep class is an excellent way to get immediate experience and inside tips on how to do your best on the timed, 25 minute response to a prompt required on the new SAT test. Participants will actually write two full essays, carefully study and then apply the College Board evaluation criteria to sample essays, while receiving a detailed booklet of resources and lesson plans for continued practice.

Additionally, students will learn special structure and style tools for use in composing the college application “personal essay”–an entirely different type of writing task. The complete process will be presented: choosing the question, creating the outline, and polishing a final version. Participants will leave with a clear concept of the task, their own outline for an actual personal essay, and several new tricks and techniques to add to their repertoire.

Although this seminar is specifically designed for those who will be taking the SAT or submitting college applications within the next 1-2 years (and especially those teaching such students), it is also useful for general writing practice, tools and tips. It is open to all students, regardless of their experience with IEW courses or materials. A lot of actual writing is done during this six-hour class.

*Parents who wish only to observe are welcome to do so, space available. Paying participants will receive a space at a table and a handout.

Comments from past attendees:

“I really didn’t want to come, but my mom made me, and I am soooo glad I did. It’s really going to help me, and I’m not so worried about the SAT essay any more.”

“I took the SAT last spring and did okay, but I’m going to do it again and go for a better score. With this new information, I’m very sure I’ll do better on the essay portion.”

“Mr. Pudewa’s seminar is like the rock concert of writing classes.”

“This workshop just de-mystified the whole thing for me. Thanks!”

“Although I’ve been in many of your classes before, this was awesome. I especially loved the strategies for quickly planning and outlining a short essay, and the advice about how to formulate an opinion and just go for it, even if you’re a little undecided about the question. Also the TRIAC paragraph model is awesome–it makes it so easy to organize a good paragraph.”

“Really glad I came. I learned a lot. (And I got out of school, too!)”
“I came to be with my son, but I actually had a lot of fun myself. I sure wish I knew some of this when I was going into college!”

Nurturing Excellent Communicators - The Two Most Critical Components

An Evening Presentation for Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, Families with children of all ages.

Monday, August 24, 2009 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Cost: None! Open to the Public! Entertaining & Inspiring! Bring Friends!

Many parents and teachers assume that good readers will naturally or automatically become good writers. Others think that writing talent is just a natural ability–some have it others don’t. Both are myths. History and observation show very clearly how good writers have developed, and what are the two most critical things parents and teachers can do to nurture a high level of aptitude–from a young age through high school. With humor and insight, Andrew will share the two easy but unbelievably powerful things that must be done at home and in the classroom to create confident communicators.

Introductory Student Workshops

A day of workshops for students Grade 2-10, new to the IEW writing program
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Cost: $15.00/participant (Teachers & Parents may observe at no cost)
These one-day classes for students Grades 2-10 will present the Structure & Style Unit I/II idea of key word outlining, along with selected stylistic techniques. (Grade levels are approximate; no previous experience necessary.) Class size is limited to 25 participants.
Grade 2-3: 8:30am-10:15am
Grade 4-5: 10:30am-12:15pm
Grade 6-7: 12:30pm-2:30pm
Grade 8-10: 2:45pm-4:45pm
Note: These classes are very similar to those published as part of IEW’s DVD series.

Andrew Pudewa is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a homeschooling father of seven. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity and insight, practical experience and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife Robin currently teach their three youngest children at home in Atascadero, California.

For questions about seminar content or for information about other Excellence in Writing seminars and events, contact IEW at 800-856-5815 or email: info@excellenceinwriting.com

Thank you to everyone that is serving in Children’s Ministry! Thank you for using your gifts and talents to plant seeds in our children. Know that you are so appreciated and doing a great job!

It is crazy to me that June is already half over! As we have been planning Studio Go it has always seemed so far away - but it is rapidly approaching. Because our VBS is so different this year, here are 2 more questions for you this week that you might have:

What is the schedule going to be each week and how does that affect the adult programs?
The schedule is going to be on rotations. Each week the age groups will rotate to each of the activities: craft, games, Bible Story, small group time and missions. The morning will begin and close with a time of worship with all of the children together in the multi-purpose room. Adults will be able to leave their 11am class or service and join their children in the closing worship if they desire.

The adult worship and classes will be on the north side of the building the entire morning. Our contemporary and traditional service will be held in the sanctuary during this time.

How will it be consistent from week to week?
Each week the parents will be given a family newsletter that will explain in more detail what their children learned that morning. It will also have some activities that they can do that week as well as their service project opportunities to do for the week. When they come back the next Sunday, they will get to sign their families name on a “serving foot” if they have done one of their service projects. Each week we will take these feet and put them up in our children’s area for all to view. The goal is to add to our numbers each week so that they can see all of the families that have gone out and served in their community.

Through the family newsletter and the service project opportunities, parents will be helping us throughout the week (when we are not with their kids). This is an opportunity for us to partner with the parents and give them the tools to keep the conversation going at home about what they have learned on Sunday.

It is vital that we have people to teach and help out for Studio Go, please check out the Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board to see where you can serve. I am excited to see how God is going to continue to use us to reach our community. Thank you for being a part of the Children’s Ministry at Memorial!

Have a great week!
Dates to Mark on your Calendar:

1) 5th-6th grade camp - Sunday, June 21st - Friday, June 26th
2) 1st - 2nd grade camp - Sunday, June 28th - Tuesday, June 30th
3) 3rd - 4th grade camp - Sunday, July 5th - Wednesday, July 8th
4) Studio Go VBS - Every Sunday in August - check out Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board for more details

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

Angie

www.memorialkidzone.tumblr.com

As summer approaches, I have clear memories of drinking my grandmother’s iced tea on hot afternoons. It really wasn’t all that special; it was Nestea instant iced tea, but it was just the way she made it that was truly refreshing. I could drink a whole pitcher at one sitting after mowing the lawn or just playing in the yard. If you remember the Nestea commercials, I could relate to the “Nestea Plunge,” when people would fall backwards into a pool of water after drinking just a sip of tea.

That’s the image I get from this Psalm of David. That’s the image I get when I think of the unity of the church. As we plunge into June and the sermon series and service projects of One Prayer, I have the feeling of being refreshed as the church comes together to learn more about God and his love and as we serve together showing God’s love to our neighbors.

We might miss the imagery of David’s picture of oil being poured over Aaron. This is the special anointing of the priesthood, setting Aaron apart to serve God and to serve God’s people. First Peter 2:9 tells us that we are the “royal priesthood.” So we should feel the same kind of refreshment that David describes as the anointing of God not only touches our heads but runs down our faces and onto our clothes, covering all of us. It is meant to set us apart for God’s work, and it is meant to refresh us.

Connecting people to God and to other people and helping them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ can be hard work. As we work together, let us be refreshed by God.

Like I mentioned in a previous email, because VBS is so different this year I want to try and answer as many questions for you as I can. Here are the 2 questions of the week:

If I volunteer do I have to volunteer for the entire 2 ½ hours?
This depends on where you decide to serve. Some of the volunteer positions require you to be there for the entire morning, while others do not.

Required for the Entire Morning:

• Small Group Leaders & Co-Leaders
• Nursery and Preschool Leaders & Co-Leaders
• Crafts
• Games
• Bible Story Leaders & Co-Leaders
• Registration Leader & Co-Leaders

Not Required for the Entire Morning:

• “Green Room” Helpers
• Greeters
• Opening & Closing Worship Leaders
• Drama Cast

If I volunteer am I expected to be there all 5 weeks?
This also depends on where you decide to serve. Committing to serving for the entire 5 weeks helps with consistency of adults with the kids, and it also helps build relationships with the families that are coming. If you want to serve and you are not able to be there all 5 weeks that is okay, please talk to Angie Schultz about where you would best be able to serve.

I am looking forward to this summer and the time that we can spend as a church serving our community! Check out the Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board to see where you can sign up! Thank you for being a part of the Children’s Ministry at Memorial!

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. Have a great week!

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar:
1) 5th-6th grade camp - Sunday, June 21st - Friday, June 26th
2) 1st - 2nd grade camp - Sunday, June 28th - Tuesday, June 30th
3) 3rd - 4th grade camp - Sunday, July 5th - Wednesday, July 8th
4) Studio Go VBS - Every Sunday in August - check out Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board for more details

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

Angie

www.memorialkidzone.tumblr.com

Verse 12 continues, telling us that these people are gifted to lead in order “to prepare God’s people for works of service.” It’s actually pretty simple; we’re all called to serve. Everyone within the body of Christ has work to do. While some are called to prepare the rest of us to do works of service, all of us are called to do the work.

While some might bristle at the thought of some being called to lead while others are called to work, verses 12 and 13 complete the thought; some are called to prepare others, but all of us are called to work “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” The fact of the matter is that we are all called to the same work: to build up the body of Christ. There are no substantial differences between those who are called to set up the chairs before the service and those who lead the singing or who preach in the service. There is no difference between those who teach the lessons and those who clean the classrooms or who open their home to host the small group where the lesson is taught.

As we look forward to the month of June, when we will be working together every Saturday, let’s put aside thoughts of who has the better job and focus on building up this body. Then we will experience “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Here are the verses I would like to share with you this week:

“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:3-5).

This past week while Adam and I drove down to Tennessee we experienced the most beautiful scenery! Driving through the hills and the mountains was breathtaking. As I was looking out at them I thought to myself “God, how can people look at this and not see that You are real?!” Also, while we were in TN we toured the Ruby Falls. It is a waterfall that is in the middle of a mountain. You take an elevator down inside the mountain and then walk about a 1/2 mile into a cave until you reach the Ruby Falls. It is beautiful.

While I was reading this verse this week it made me think of the breathtaking pieces of creation that Adam and I were able to experience while we were down in TN. God’s hands created it all. He formed the land Himself - how awesome is that?! God is so good. We drove home in awe of God’s beauty and goodness.

This week, take some time to praise God for His beauty and His goodness. In the midst of your busy schedule, take a moment to thank God for all He has done, is doing, and will do in your life.

Have a great week!

Dates to Mark on your Calendar:

1) Care Ministries Event - Sunday, June 7th (Sign up in Welcome Center)

2) 1st - 2nd grade camp - Sunday, June 28th - Tuesday, June 30th

3) 3rd - 4th grade camp - Sunday, July 5th - Wednesday, July 8th

4) Studio Go VBS - Every Sunday in August - check out Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board for more details

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

It’s the same with the church. In Hebrews 11, the writer goes through a list of the people of God throughout history who, despite their sins, lived by faith. The writer’s purpose is to encourage the church to remain faithful despite the troubles of life, their sin, and the persecution they were facing. In Hebrews 12:1 we read: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Even though each of us must “run the race” as an individual, we are running it together. Even though each of us has our individual sins with which we struggle, the writer of Hebrews wants us to be encouraged by the cloud of witnesses so that we can lose the weight of our sin.

Sometimes it’s discouraging that, while we are forgiven in Christ, we continue to struggle with sin. Just as when we make the conscious decision to eat better and to exercise more, we don’t automatically drop the weight we want to get rid of. It takes time and effort, and with the right encouragement, we continue in our health regimen, practically throwing the weight aside. As we all head toward the goal of life with God forever in heaven, we must encourage each other and find encouragement from the Scriptures as we study together. Then we can help each other to throw off the sin that trips us up, and we will run together toward the prize.

In Philippians 2:6-8, Paul uses the words servant and obedient. To Jesus, humility is a matter of obedience. Although Jesus is God, he took himself out of his role as the supreme authority over all of creation and became a servant. This is a largely foreign concept to many of us, but servants take orders. Good servants obey orders. Someone once said, “The true test of a servant is how you react when someone treats you like one.” How do you respond to the appeals to help around the church? Are there needs you’d rather not meet? Do you step up to help out even when you really don’t want to? That kind of submission is true humility.

We are called to be servants. The Great Commission explains that part of the process of making disciples is to teach people to obey everything that Jesus commanded. Jesus himself said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Jesus ties our love for God, our love for other people, and our purpose as his disciples to simple obedience.

As we work together as the body of Christ, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we must not forget that we are all servants of Christ. While our attitudes ought to be reflect “it was no big deal” whenever we serve, that attitude must come from a submissive, obedient spirit.

Here is the verse that I wanted to share with you this week:

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

~ Acts 4:20

At this point in Acts Peter and John are going out and preaching about Jesus Christ. Peter has just healed the crippled beggar and they are now being questioned before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin just told Peter and John that they can not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus and this verse is there reply. What courage and boldness! To know that they could be killed for standing up to the Sanhedrin - but they didn’t care. They knew what they believed and they stood by it. Praise God!

The Truths of God’s Word should be pouring out of our mouths daily because we want others to know about it and we can not help it. God has His handprints all over our lives and we should be out there speaking about His grace, His love & His forgiveness to everyone we come into contact with - because we can not help it. My challenge for you this week is to read through the first 4 chapters of Acts and meditate on their passion for who Jesus was and is. Look at your daily walk with Christ and challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and tell people about who Jesus is and the mark He has made on your heart and your life.

Have a great week!

Dates to Mark on your Calendar:

1) April 26th - Praisemakers Program

2) May 3rd - Jesus Jammers Program

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

Angie

Here are the verses I would like to share with you this week:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just was we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

~ Hebrews 4:15-16

When I read this verse I was in awe of its Truth. That Jesus was tempted in every way and was without sin - He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Praise God. When we are in need, when we are tempted, we can approach Him with confidence because He knows exactly what we are going through - and He is here for us in our time of need. He may answer with yes, no, or wait - but He will answer us in our time of need. This week I challenge you to go to Him with your needs, your challenges, your hard situations, whatever it is - approach Him with confidence and know that He will help you in your time of need. God is good.

Have a great week!

Dates to Mark on your Calendar:

1) April 5th - Victory Voices Program

2) April 17-18 - 5th-6th grade Encounter Retreat (Sign up at Children’s Ministry Bulletin Board)

3) April 26th - Praisemakers Program

4) May 3rd - Jesus Jammers Program

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

Angie