CCC Gainesville | Blog
Today we are introducing you to Penny Lewis. Penny is teaching the 2nd-5th graders during the 10:30am Explore hour. This Summer Harmony and I got to see her teaching all the grades at VBS and were touched by her gift to talk about big concepts in very understandable ways to so many different ages. In the weeks following VBS we both were praying about who we could ask to take the 2nd – 5th grade Explore class. After seeing her in action at VBS we both wanted Penny, but were unsure with her other commitments at CCC if that would be a possibility for her. Penny is an answer to prayers and we are so excited to add her to the Core Teachers this year. Please take some time to get to know her and her family this year as she spends time with your second, third, fourth or fifth grader.
Here is some further information about the Penny and her family:
I have been a member at CCC since shortly after my family moved to Gainesville in March 2011, and have been teaching the Bible to kids–infants through high school–for seven years.
I love teaching because it’s exciting to hear God speak through His word today and to help children learn that it is for them! It’s a privilege to help other people know God more through what He says about Himself, and it’s amazing to see children grow in their relationship with Jesus.
I’m a science nerd and I love to read…a little too much. I am pretty clumsy on land but I love to be in the water, especially to swim and water ski. I’m not afraid of heights or spiders (any more. Ask me why!) I love to eat veggies (especially on pizza) and if it weren’t for my husband, I’d still eat cookie dough for dinner. But only once or twice a week.
Today I would like to introduce you to Christy Johns. Christy teaches in the Preschool room during the 10:30 hour. Here is a little information about her
“Teaching the three, four and five year old class at Christ Community has been apart of my life for three years now. I have been attending CCC for four years and recently joined the church this summer.”
“I love getting to watch these kids grow throughout the years and see them come to understand the gospel more. I have watched them grow in kindness for one another as well as excitement for their God. I also love the great stories that I always get out of spending time with them. Just last week, one of my kids in class told me that they were an expert color-er. I especially love teaching this age group as the kids I teach always show me things about my own heart and my need for the gospel. I love building the kingdom with them.”
Christy graduated in May with a degree in Horticulture and is currently working as a lab technician on campus. “In my spare time I love to eat well, try new things, hear funny stories, and spend time with people that I love.”
Christy and her sister Jenny
Meet the Teachers – Ashley and Adam Means
Check back to see each teacher
Welcome back to another Fall! We want to introduce you to each of the teachers that will be teaching your children this year.
Ashley and Adam Means
Ashley is the lead teacher in the Preschool class room. Adam is her primary assistant and they are going into their third year of teaching the 3 to 5 year olds at Christ Community Church.
Ashley and Adam have four children, Avery, Ally Claire, Alan and Ace.
Ashley has been teaching children for 15 years.
The Means’ have been a member at CCC for 7 years,
A few little details about Ashley when asked about herself:
I love to eat baked goods and drink iced coffee, spend time with my family, read, organize, play with our dog, and enjoy nature.
When asked why she teaches, and what she enjoys about teaching the Preschoolers at CCC:
I love to teach and communicate truths from the Bible. I love to see a child’s face as they begin to understand new concepts. And I like to develop meaningful relationships with the students.
***If your child is moving up from the Toddler room or enjoying another year in the Preschool room Ashley and Adam will be teaching during the 9am service. We are looking forward to another wonderful year in the Preschool room!
Its been so long since we have seen many of our families that I feel we need to say, “Welcome Back!”. I pray all of you had wonderful Summers, full of rest and family and friend time.
School for many of us starts on Monday the 20th. The beginning of school can be a hectic time for many, a time of first’s (our family will experience our first kindergartener), a time of approaching lasts, new things and a returning routine of old things. We hope in this time of flux that you may be experiencing that you find peace and joy among your fellow believers at CCC this Autumn.
We have a lot of changes going on so we hope this post will be helpful.
This coming Sunday, the 19th of August, will be our Back to School Kick-Off! This is the Sunday your children will move up into their next class level. This Fall we will offer:
Infants Class: 0-2 years
Toddlers Class: 2-rising three year olds
Preschool: Three-rising 5 year olds
Kindergarten-1st grade
2nd – 3rd grade
4th – 5th grade
These classes will be offered during both the 9am and the 10:30am hours.
All children are encouraged to bring their BACKPACKS to church on Sunday. During the 9am service the teachers will be welcoming the children to their new classes, this is a great time to meet your teachers and show your child around their new class rooms. During this hour the teachers will also spend a period of time talking about going back to school, praying for the children and encouraging them for the new school year. During the 10:30 am service the teachers will also be welcoming the children to their new classes, and during the morning prayer time, taking a special moment to pray a blessing on each child (while wearing their backpack–to acknowledge the child wearing his/her pack goes places we cannot be).
Finally this Sunday at the welcome station will be these wonderful little devotional boxes. They can go along with the curriculum being used during the first hour, or independently. This family devotional uses several methods that we are using more and more over time. They include; reading from the REAL bible, not a kids story bible (not that there is anything wrong with the kids bibles, we love our Jesus Storybook Bible) but this allows children to learn how listen to actual scriptures, prayer writing, wondering about the passage (“How do you think Mary and Martha felt when Jesus didn’t come in time to heal Lazarus?”), prayer and narration. If your family would like to use one of these devotionals this year please stop by the Welcome Station and ask to check them out.
***Please try to check the church blog regularly as this is our main source of information and communication.
We are so excited for the good things God has in store for this year!
Growing in Grace
Holli and Harmony
Just a reminder of our Summer Photo Project! Pictures are due in the next week. We would love to see your kids be a part of our Fall Art Gallery!
Calling children of all ages!
This Summer our children are studying two different topics, Creation Celebration and God’s Family in ACTion. Right now we are two weeks into learning about God’s wonderful creation during the second service hour. We are using a delightful and imaginative curriculum that really helps open our eyes to how big God’s world is, how complex and beautiful he made it. For the second part of the Summer we are walking through the book of Acts learning how the body of Christ works together to show God’s redemptive story to their community and the world.
Your kids have two memory verses this Summer
Preschoolers and Kindergarten are learning Psalm 148:1 Praise the Lord! Praise him from the heavens, praise him from the heights!
First-4th are learning Psalm 148:1-4 Praise the Lord! Praise him from the heavens, praise him from the heights above! Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his heavenly hosts! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
The second set of verses are:
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another with all wisdom; and with all gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.
The Summer Photo Project
Going with our two themes, creation and the church family, we are hosting a Summer photography project for your kids to participate in. We want your kids to submit pictures in the context of where they see God in: creation, their family and their church/community.
These must be submitted by August 5th for display in the art gallery.
They may be submitted by email to hollibest@gmail.com
Children may submit more than one photo. They may submit a collection of photos from each category (I see God in: Creation, My Family, My Church or Community).
This is open to children of all ages.
Drop us an email if you have any questions.
