Kids Connect Year 2
On Thursday mornings at Starbucks in winter of 2022-23, a few Open Life moms connected over coffee and conversation about a broad range of topics from parenting and marriage to sabbath and prayer. It was one moment during a hectic week where they could relax with a cup of coffee and a few friends and be reminded of how it feels to be one’s self before resuming the demanding rhythm of life as a mom of young children. For one mom in
particular, God used those Thursday morning respites to stir the desire in her heart to bring
similar moments to other moms.
Fast forward to June 2024 and the wrap up of our first year of Kids Connect: We saw familiar faces week after week as well as occasional drop-ins. New relationships formed while others were deepened. The space created by the team was engaging for the children and provided a nice break in routine for moms.
The heart of Kids Connect is to love families through loving their children by providing a
consistent space that fosters a sense of belonging. We want children and parents to be
seen, heard and valued. I have been told many times that when I have shown love to the
children of my friends, my friends feel loved more deeply as well. One mom said, “when my
children find joy and belonging it's like discovering another sense of home.”
We are excited to build on the foundation that was laid as we head into a new school year
of Kids Connect. “An hour and a half every week might seem little in comparison to the rest
of these kid's lives but history and personal experience has shown me God's power in the
small. Our loving God just needs a little bit of us to carry out his extraordinary plan to bring
all his children home.” (Fran)
Each week during the school year, we invite preschool age children and their caregivers to
engage natural curiosity and imagination in activities that promote creativity, problem
solving, and collaboration. To see Kids Connect realize its vision, we need to build a team
of individuals who offer their talents and time to things like providing fresh baked goods and prepping materials, previewing books and helping with setup and of course we would
welcome friendly and smiling faces on site each Friday in support roles as well as song and
circle time leaders.
particular, God used those Thursday morning respites to stir the desire in her heart to bring
similar moments to other moms.
Fast forward to June 2024 and the wrap up of our first year of Kids Connect: We saw familiar faces week after week as well as occasional drop-ins. New relationships formed while others were deepened. The space created by the team was engaging for the children and provided a nice break in routine for moms.
The heart of Kids Connect is to love families through loving their children by providing a
consistent space that fosters a sense of belonging. We want children and parents to be
seen, heard and valued. I have been told many times that when I have shown love to the
children of my friends, my friends feel loved more deeply as well. One mom said, “when my
children find joy and belonging it's like discovering another sense of home.”
We are excited to build on the foundation that was laid as we head into a new school year
of Kids Connect. “An hour and a half every week might seem little in comparison to the rest
of these kid's lives but history and personal experience has shown me God's power in the
small. Our loving God just needs a little bit of us to carry out his extraordinary plan to bring
all his children home.” (Fran)
Each week during the school year, we invite preschool age children and their caregivers to
engage natural curiosity and imagination in activities that promote creativity, problem
solving, and collaboration. To see Kids Connect realize its vision, we need to build a team
of individuals who offer their talents and time to things like providing fresh baked goods and prepping materials, previewing books and helping with setup and of course we would
welcome friendly and smiling faces on site each Friday in support roles as well as song and
circle time leaders.
Kids Connect Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in joining the Kids Connect team, please click below on the desired role and sign up or email stephanief@openlife.church.
Recent
Archive
2024
No Comments