Children's Ministry Day 2018 was a success as children took "missions on the road" last Saturday. The children visited HomeBase on the WCU campus where they learned about this student ministry sponsored by the Baptist Children's Homes, toured the building, and met interns working with the program.
The highlight of the "missions road trip" was packing over 130 gallon-sized ziplock bags with toiletry items or breakfast foods. Those will be available to students who come to HomeBase for help meeting basic needs.
After a pizza lunch provided by WMU, the children and adult helpers boarded the church bus and headed back to Sylva, ready for more mission adventures over the next few months!
Nineteen people participated from Sylva FBC on the trip, with many others providing soap, shampoo, granola bars, etc. A big thank you to all who helped. A special thanks to these children who participated: Lucie Moore, Mattie Moore, Ellen Mathis, Zeb Mathis, Oliver Kindy, Parker Kindy.
We are proud of you!
CALLING ALL CHILDREN GRADES 1-6!
You are invited to participate in Children's Ministry Day sponsored by WMU on Saturday, February 24th. Meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. and travel by van (or carpool with your parents) to visit HomeBase on the campus of Western Carolina University. Learn about this special ministry to college students who have been in foster or children's home care. While there you'll pack some goody bags for the students, tour the building, and have pizza! You'll be back to church around 12:15.
Please register to attend by calling the church office by Thursday, February 22nd. You will need to fill out a permission slip to participate. Also, please bring any of these items that you can to help fill the goody bags: hotel-size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, non-perishable breakfast foods (granola bars, Pop-Tarts, instant oatmeal, etc.)
Don't miss out! Have a part in missions right here in Jackson County!
CALLING ALL ADULTS!
Help our children in grades 1-6 have a meaningful Children's Ministry Day on February 24th (see preceding article). While the children are at HomeBase that day, they will be packing small bags that Director Jim Dean says are needed by the students he works with. Please bring items for Toiletry Bags -- hotel-size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, small tissue packets, hand sanitizer, etc. Also needed are items for Breakfast Bags -- think non-perishable foods that would help start a student's day. Please bring granola or breakfast bars, fruit cups, instant oatmeal packets, Pop Tarts, trail mix, dried fruit, etc. A box will be earmarked in the Loving Kindness Room for this purpose and items should be brought by February 23rd.
Let's help make our children's hometown mission project a success!
Summer Explorers Camp 2018
We're excited to share information about 1st Explorers summer 2018! Tentatively camp will officially begin on June 18th and the end date will be determined once the Jackson County Schools 2018 - 2019 school calendar is released.
New this year we will offer mini-camps the week before Summer Camp begins and the week after Summer Camp ends with limited enrollment, information about those camps are available below.
Our Kindergarten - 4th graders will have grade specific groups. In their groups they will be led by summer counselors in activities that are designed specifically for their age group and are tailored to make their camp experience fun and memorable!
5th and 6th graders will have a newly designed camp experience that will assist them with the transition into their middle school years! They will participate in activities and trips that are tailored to their development level.
7th - 12th grade students will participate in an exciting new leadership and mentoring program. This group will have the opportunity to work with our Youth Minister, Carol Cloer, and learn ways they can serve as peer leaders in our camp groups. Each week they will spend time planning and leading an activity for younger campers and will participate in team and leadership development courses.
We're excited about all of the learning, sharing and growing that will happen this summer through a variety of activities, including faith development through Bible study and chapel, trips to the pool, gardening, cooking, going to the library and various places.
Mini-Camps
Traditionally we are closed the week following the end of school and the week before school begins in August, but this year we will be offering limited enrollment mini camps during those weeks.
Fees are:
$100 for One Child
$150 for Two Children
$225 for Three Children
*$35 per day if you would like to attend select days.
*Campers must bring their own lunch.
Wee Explorers Preschool
(3 and 4 year olds)
Will offer a half-day camp from 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Cost: $250 per month
Summer Explorers Camp (K-8)
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
First Day of Camp is June 18, 2018
One Child $650 ($100 dollars of tuition due by March 5th)
Two Children $1,000 ($200 dollars of tuition due by March 5th)
Three Children $1,400 ($300 dollars of tuition due by March 5th)
Summer Explorers Camp + Passport
his summer, children and youth will be able to attend an overnight Christian camp experience called PASSPORTkids! in Montreat, NC, July 2 - 5 or PASSPORTchoices in Greensboro, NC, July 1-6.
PASSPORTkids! is for campers going into the 4th, 5th or 6th grade at the start of the school in August. While at PASSPORTkids! Camp, campers will participate in Bible study, worship, missions and many other fun activities with campers from all over the Southeast!
A deposit of $50 per camper is due on February 16th.
Total cost per camper is $295.
PASSPORTchoices is for campers going into the 7th - 12th grades. While at PASSPORTchoices Camp, campers will participate in Bible study, worship, missions and many other fun activities with campers from all over the Southeast!
A deposit of $50 per camper is due on February 16th.
Total cost per camper is $225.
Sign up for PASSPORT Camp on our church website here: http://firstbaptistsylva.com/giving/
*Some scholarships are available.
Additional Information
Applications for camp are open until February 2nd. Upon acceptance to Summer Explorers Camp, your family will receive an email confirming your child's acceptance and how to begin paying.
Families with balances from other 1st Explorers programs will need to pay their balances before being accepted to Summer Explorers Camp.
All payments are non-refundable and accounts must be paid in full no later than May 15th.
Paying for Passport Camp is separate from paying for Summer Day Camp.
For more information about PASSPORT, visit them on the web at http://passportcamps.org/kids-camps/
Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided at Summer Day Camp.
RAs and GAs Activity Weekend
May 18th - 19th we will be have a Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors activity weekend.
GAs will be having a sleepover at the church in the Mission and Fellowship Center beginning at 5:30PM and will need to be picked up by 8:30AM on the 19th. Girls of all ages are invited to stay, however we do ask that girls Kindergarten - 2nd grade be accompanied by a parent. Also, we will need some female chaperones.
RAs will be going camping at The Davidson River Campground. We will leave the church parking lot at 5:00PM and will return no later than noon on the 19th. Boys of all ages are invited to go, however we do ask that boys Kindergarten - 2nd grade be accompanied by a parent. Also, we will need some male chaperones.
Please sign-up for both events here: https://goo.gl/forms/lph51eXhs25lDorr1
Christmas Choir and Drama Performances
Join us for worship on Sunday, December 17th at 10:30 AM as our Children’s Choir & Drama Troupe will be sharing the Christmas story!
Our Worship Service will also be featuring our Adult Choir as they share songs of the season.
Children Learn About Baptism
Pastor Jeff has been meeting with our after school children to talk about making a profession of faith and being Baptized. The children have been invited to fill out an activity book on Baptism. These two children completed their book and are receiving a small cross as a reminder of God’s love for them. Please be in prayer for our children and their families as they consider God’s invitation to follow Jesus. And if your child has not received a Baptism book, please see Pastor Jeff as he has many to distribute.
Acteens Help with Veteran's Dinner
Acteens went to the Dept. on Aging to help serve at the Veteran's Dinner. Thank you Pearl, Sandy, Emma, Mattie and Breanna.
Nursery Information Session
Sunday, November 5th at 12:30 in the MFC
We are hosting an information session for all nursery volunteers and workers. A pizza lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP if you can attend the session to Meredith Keskula at m.keskula@yahoo.com or by texting 706-836-6941.
Nursery Volunteers Needed
The nursery is growing, and we need your help! We need two volunteers each Sunday morning in the nursery during the worship hour. Please contact Meredith Keskula at m.keskula@yahoo.com to sign up or ask any questions.