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Welcome!
Where Does Baby Jesus Go?
 Last week at club, my Challengers and I got out the nativity figures and started to place them in the stable. Not a hard task, right? Mary and Joseph go toward the middle. The shepherds go to one side. Add a few sheep. Place a few wise men in the background. And of course, put Jesus in the manger front and center. Simple-unless you've never put together a nativity scene before.
A new member in my club had not, which I realized while watching her try to figure out how the pieces went together and what they meant. In the course of that evening, she did learn where each piece traditionally goes. This month in club, she'll be learning even more about the marvelous gift of the baby Jesus and what it means to her personally.
Does someone in your club have a similar story? I would guess "yes" because our research shows that nearly 46 percent of the children who attend Pioneer Clubs come from unchurched backgrounds. Today's celebration of Christmas is increasingly secular and Pioneer Clubs may be the only place a child learns the true meaning of the holiday. For the first time, a child will hear that December 25 isn't about Santa Claus, the Grinch, or a wish list of gifts but instead is about a Savior being born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, I encourage you to stop for a moment and reflect on the honor it is to serve God by teaching children about him. What better gift can we give than to take part in a child's spiritual journey?
May you have a merry Christmas! Blessings to you as you help children learn to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life.
Blessings!
Judy Bryson
President, Pioneer Clubs ®
P.S. Make sure every coordinator, leader and volunteer who helps with Pioneer Clubs at your church subscribes to this eNewsletter. Forward it to all of them so they can sign up. |
Leadership Essentials
Eight Ways to Get Parents Involved
Strengthening your club program and building relationships are only a few of the benefits when parents get involved.
Check out Pioneer Clubs' fun and creative award display options. One is just right for your club members!
Read the insightful George Barna article "Many Churches Neglect to Screen Those Working with Children and Youth"
Get set for the new year with this helpful checklist. |
News Your Can Use
Support Pioneer Clubs with a Click
Find out how searching the Internet can support Pioneer Clubs.
Sign up now for January teleconferences on Basic Training or Group Discipline.
New website feature makes supporting Pioneer Clubs' ministry even easier. |
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What's Up at Pioneer Clubs?
 It's candle-making time at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church in Tampa, FL. As part of an activity award, the Trailblazers created colorful candles by dripping wax over white taper candles. The Trailblazer Club is new this year at Seminole Heights. Last year when the club members finished Pathfinders and would have advanced to the church's youth group, they instead chose to continue with Pioneer Clubs. Two dedicated leaders (one who is 84 years old) play a large role in making club special for these Trailblazers.
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| Special Event Idea:
New Year's Party
Build the "world's longest banana split" at your New Year's party.
Hang balloons and streamers around the room. Place a bulletin board in a prominent place, and ask club members to bring one of their baby pictures for it.
Activities
Devotion
As club members arrive, give each a small slip of paper on which to write one thing God did for them this past year. Put each slip into a balloon. Blow up the balloons and tie them...
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| Downloadable Clip Art
 Find loads of new, free clip art, sorted by categories, at www.pioneerclubs.org. To access it, go to the Leader Resource Center (password: kids) and select the Clip Art icon.
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| Free Downloadable Tool:
Club Member Christmas Card
This month, you'll find a Christmas Card you can send to club members. This card is a peek at what you'll see in the newly updated Promoting Your Pioneer Clubs Program, a Pioneer Clubs resource coming out in early 2008. For additional downloadable tools, visit the Leader Resource Center (password: kids) and click on the enewsletter icon. |
Games: Christmas is in the Air
Stable Yard
Choose two or three animals that might have been near the stable where Jesus was born (sheep, cow, donkey, rooster, pigeon, etc.). Whisper the name of one of these animals to each player, making sure you name each animal used at least twice. Have players spread out around the room. Tell players to start making...
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