Family Ministries
Wanted: New Committee Members
The Family Life Committee is seeking new members. Our target audience is families with very young children; the committee aims to foster spiritual foundations in the family. We provide fun family/preschool activities and we hope to present bigger, new events this year. Please contact Liz at ext. 18, liz@westside.org, or Dawn at ext. 20, dawn@westside.org, to join the group.
Mom's Morning Out
Every Monday from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. that the nursery school is in session, mothers have the chance to drop off their young children for a minimal charge and have two hours to themselves. The program is for early walkers to preK-age children; pre-registration is required. The kids have an educational and fun program in the church's nursery room. This is a fantastic program to help kids gain confidence before preschool. Contact Kristina Vitollo at belleyankee@verizon.net.
The Family Life Committee is charged with nurturing the spiritual life of young children and families. Here are some of the programs run by Family Life:
Cradle Cross Program: Each newborn child in the congregation is visited by Rev. Kent Smith, the minister of Christian education and youth, who brings a packet of materials including an oak cradle cross, baby calendar, book on communion and baptism, and information about West Side's programs. Celebrating the birth of our children is a joyous occasion for all of us.
Childcare:
Childcare for infants and toddlers is available from 8:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
each Sunday morning. We are excited to welcome Anne Mathews, a certified teacher, long-time member of West Side and mother of two, who has been hired to oversee the nursery on Sunday.
The "Crib 'n Crawler" room is on the second floor of the Christian Education building. Childcare is provided for free on Sundays and during events marked with an asterisk in the calendar in the bulletin. If you need childcare for a particular event, please contact Dawn Heerema to make arrangements.
Date Night and Kids' Club: There is a lot of work involved in maintaining a strong and health marriage in today's hectic world. To try to combat the rapid rise in divorce rates, West Side offers a night out (without kids) for couples to meet other young married Christians or simply to go on a date to re-connect with each other. While on your date, your children enjoy a fun evening at the Kids' Club.
The first Saturday of each month is Date Night/Kids' Club. E-vites have gone out for the next event at Lisa and Tom Kopff's home. Childcare is provided beginning at 6 p.m.; adults begin gathering at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5/child for 3 1/2 hours of sitting, $10 maximum for three or more. Occasionally, we will ask for a $2/child donation for pizza. We will sometimes provide a free meal as noted in the E-vite. Activities will be supervised by Carol Walton, our Kids' Club director, and other adults and teens, depending on the number of reservations. Parents may contact Dawn Heerema to be added to the E-vite list for each event, for details, and registration. (We need an organizer to take over a lot of the phone duty to free Dawn up for the church school. If you're willing to help, please get in touch with her at ext. 20, or dawn@westside.org.)
Halloween Party: The middle school students sponsor this party at the Barn for West Side kids, grades K-5, and their friends.
Advent Dinner: The celebration of the Advent season includes a brief program for preschoolers on the meaning of Christmas. Older children, ages 6 and up, will work on crafts projects. Then after the meal, a special family service is held.
Valentine's Day Party: Children make Valentine's Day cards to take home and to send to shut-in church friends. There are also singing and special treats for children up to kindergarten age, plus parents and siblings.
Ash Wednesday Meatless Dinner: There will be a vegetarian diner for all ages to enjoy in the dining room. Enjoy child-friendly foods to help encourage your child's understanding of the evening.
Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, March 28, 2 p.m.: The 15th annual Easter Egg Hunt for children age 2 through kindergarten age (and parents and siblings) is an exciting event. Bring your Easter basket!
Maundy Thursday Family Dinner (Agape Feast), Thursday, April 1, 6 p.m.; service, 8 p.m.: During Holy Week, this is a time of being together that's especially appropriate for families. A light supper in the dining room is provided. Join us for a pre-communion experience.
Teddy Bear Picnic, date TBA: Food, fun, and entertainment are provided for ages 0-4 and their siblings and dads.
Babysitting Service
The church maintains a list of middle school and high school young people who are interested in doing babysitting for hire. The list includes their town, grade, and qualifications. This is for West Side and West Side Nursery School families only. Contact Dawn Heerema at 201-652-1966, ext. 20, dawn@westside.org, for more information.
20-30 Somethings Book Club and Social Group
If you would like to start this group, please contact Dawn Heerema, dawn@westside.org, for information.
The ABC's of West Side
West Side member Susan Gardner has produced an ABC book about the church, entitled "W Is for West Side." Although it's targeted towards younger members of the congregation, it's entertaining and informative for adults as well. For each letter of the alphabet, there are photos of locations and items around West Side, plus a Bible verse. The book costs $45 and makes a wonderful gift for family members, and friends (remember that Easter, confirmation, and graduation are all coming up!). There are at least 26 good reasons to own a copy of "W Is for West Side." The 27th? All proceeds benefit the church. See Susan or Jack in the narthex between services to purchase a copy.