Vineyard Kids leaders update Jan 2009

We want to say a huge thank you to Chris & Helen Walker for serving as Vineyard Kids' Leaders for the last two years. Under their stewardship Vineyard Kids has grown and developed. The children have a wonderful time and there have been some great new events and innovations - not least the Praise Party. Chris & Helen's passion for creative ways of giving the children a really fun time whilst learning about Jesus has come through clearly and effectively.

 

This is a major area of responsibility and we are so grateful to Chris & Helen for the time and energy they have sacrificed to it. With effect from 1 January, Vineyard Kids will be led by Hannah Ripping as it increasingly requires the time and back up which is provided most easily from the office. At the same time, the core group leaders will be taking an increasing role in looking after their own age groups. We are always looking for people willing to serve in this area. So thank you to Chris & Helen (whom you will continue to see leading the Praise Party) and welcome to those of you who would like to come alongside Hannah and help serve the children.

 

I am delighted to be more involved in the day to day running of Vineyard Kids, as part of the Families role that I have. I have been working with Chris and Helen for just under a year an have loved working with them, and been really encouraged by their enthusiasm and passion for all the ways they have grown Vineyard Kids, and the way they want to communicate how much Jesus is important with the children

My main role will be supporting the core team who oversee each of the different age groups. We will meet (as they did before) with each other on a regular basis to pray and plan ahead.

I will also be overseeing the Funky Bunch group for a while as Lou Timmins has decided to step down from this role but continues to be involved as part of the Funky Bunch Team.

Here is a rundown of how the groups are shaping up for the season ahead

Roly Polys for children up to 2.5 years, is led by Gilly Meredith with a team that includes, Birgit Peters, Hannah Prentice, Julia Cameron, Deborah Rose, Katie Hamilton, Nik and Maggie Gee, Naomi Nixon, Michelle Harrison, Heather Mason, and Karen Garvican.

Jumping Beans, for those from 2 and a half but not yet in reception at school, is led by Shona Taterek-Gintowt, with a team that includes Vicki King, Adrian Greaves, Rachel Beggs, Jean Carlisle, Debby Whitley, James Garvican and Ellen Thomas.

 Star Jumps, for reception and year 1, is led by Richard and Sally Pollard, with a team that includes Jason and Gwen Procter and Howard and Gunita King. 

Wild Side, for years 3 and 4, is led by Richard and Cathy Burwell, with a team that includes Mark and Jane Burgess, Peridot Hill, Alison Stevens, Elaine Sadler, Mary Gunn and Nomi Sammons.

 

 

Funky Bunch, for years 4 to 6 is led by Hannah Ripping, with a team that includes Rod and Lou Timmins, David and Nicki Cook, Annie Davis, Cat Overend, Janey Webb and David Corry .

 

 

 

The second week of each month will be the Praise Party for the Star Jumps, Wild Side and Funky Bunch groups, led by Chris and Helen Walker with a team that includes, Howard King, Nigel and Claire Tapp, Jason and Gwen Procter, Timm and Marwyn Hield, Pete Chapman, Louise Armstrong, Peter Sammons and Tim Pinnington.

 

The Praise Party is a great time for the children and their friends, who they are encouraged to invite, they have an opportunity to play silly games (mainly causing the leaders to get messy!), have a time of worship, learn about Jesus, and then pray for one another.

 

 

The people that serve on the Vineyard Kids do a wonderful job, the children are learning about Jesus, finding out how Jesus is there for them in their lives, learning to worship and pray to Him, and so many more things. It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to do this.

 

I am very grateful for this team of people who are involved, and look forward to working with you all more.