One of our Kids Connect Small Group Leaders on Wednesday night is Mr. Jeremy, who also happens to be married to Ms. Michelle. Mr. Jeremy has been attending FUMC since 2007. He’s served in Children’s Ministry for 11 years.

While this is his first year as a SGL on Wednesday nights with our elementary kids, Mr. Jeremy has been a helper to our preschool SGL, Ms. Shirley, for the past 11 years. The weeones just love Mr. Jeremy who connects with them in a way only a ‘dad’ can!

Mr. Jeremy is also a dedicated servant in our Hungry Hearts ministry. He comes in on Thursday evening once a month to wash the dishes and on Wednesdays once a month he picks up food donations from Panera Bread.

When he’s not busy influencing the faith of the next generation, he’s busy educating them. He is a sixth grade teacher at CAMS South.
 
I’m putting this out there (again): Mr. Jeremy deserves major kudos for investing in kids like he does. On Wednesdays he spends the day with middle-schoolers and his evenings with K-5th graders! What a trooper, yeah? We are praying for his sanity too!

When he’s not serving at church or teaching at school, Mr. Jeremy likes to golf. If you want to say ‘thanks’ to Mr. Jeremy, golf balls are a good idea 🙂

The best part of having Mr. Jeremy as a SGL is his booming voice and ability to lead games on Wednesday nights and have fun with them too. He also doesn’t mind when weeones climb on him like he’s a jungle gym.

Mr. Jeremy makes Wednesdays fun for kids and for other small group leaders. And we appreciate it so much!

Our Preschool Small Group Leader is Ms. Shirley. Ms. Shirley has been attending FUMC for 51 years. She was 18 when she received Confirmation and became a member. Of those 51 years, she’s spent 30 years serving in Children’s Ministry.

When Ms. Shirley is not busy influencing the faith of the next generation at FUMC, she works in the CASHS cafeteria serving and preparing lunch for the students. She also works at Dollar General.

In addition to Children’s Ministry, Ms. Shirley serves with Hungry Hearts as a cook for our community meal on Thursday nights. Throughout her years at our church she has helped in many different ways. She currently leads a woman’s Bible study on Wednesday nights. She drives the church van for different groups. She’s gone to adult and youth workcamps. She’s been to Impact with the youth. She helps with Joyful Jingle. And I share all of this with you, just from I know because she was too modest to list all she has done and does for the church.

Many families tell me how much Ms. Shirley means to them and their children. Putting our 2 year-olds in Sunday School is not easy, especially when they cry and scream for us. Ms. Shirley remains calm and patient (with the kids and parents), and assures us that the kids will be fine so we can go to worship without worry. When we return the kids are smiling, playing, laughing and happy. What a blessing!

Ms. Shirley says the most rewarding part of being a Small Group Leader is the smiles of the children and hearing their answers when she asks them about the Bible story.

The most fun part of being a SGL for Ms. Shirley is “spending time with kids at our [super terrific awesome] First Lights events!”

Ms. Shirley definitely recommends being a SGL because she believes our members have a lot of wisdom to share with the next generation.

Her favorite Bible Verse is –
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Ms. Bobbi is the SGL on 3rd and 4th Sundays. Ms. Bobbi has been attending FUMC for 32 years and has served in Children’s Ministry for 28 years.

When Ms. Bobbi is not influencing the faith of the next generation at church, she’s educating them as a substitute teacher for the Chambersburg Area School District. She also volunteers at the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and the Tuscarora Wildlife Education Project.

For Ms. Bobbi the most rewarding part of being a Small Group Leader is “watching the kiddos learn and grow in their faith, even at their young age. Sometimes, they surprise me with their knowledge”.

Ms. Bobbi is so creative and enjoys doing craft projects with the kids, even the messier ones. As a parent, I appreciate the patience she has with all the kids as they make ‘masterpieces’, or in my case, take all the supplies and stuff them into a bag he wears around his neck!

For Ms. Bobbi, though, the most fun part of being a Small Group Leader is seeing the kids’ enthusiasm and excitement. “It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, they are always excited about learning!”

I asked Ms. Bobbi if she would recommend being a Small Group Leader to other members of FUMC. She replied, “YES! It’s very rewarding. Sometimes I think I learn as much from them as they learn from me!”

Her favorite Bible verses are –
I can do all things through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Ms. Joan is the K/1 SGL on 1st and 2nd Sundays. Ms. Joan has been attending FUMC for 38 years. She came because a friend invited her and she liked it here immediately.

She has been serving in Children’s Ministry for 36 years. Ms. Joan believes that belonging to a church means serving in the church. God made us in His image and that means we should love and serve others, especially the future of the church: our children.

In addition to Children’s Ministry, Ms. Joan helps Stacey print the bulletins. Over the many years here at FUMC, Ms. Joan has worn many hats; including, hospitality, membership, prayer, VBS, front desk, Hungry Hearts, as well as the summer program we used to do.

When she’s not busy influencing the faith of the next generation, she is enjoying her retirement, going to lunch with friends, spending time with her husband and family and attending Bible studies.

The most rewarding part of being a Small Group Leader for Ms. Joan is seeing the excitement in the kids as they learn about God and the love they have for Him. She listens to them and is amazed about how much they know and how willing they are to learn and grow in their faith.

Ms. Joan was Makayla’s first leader at FUMC, before I became Children’s Minister. Even before we knew ‘Orange’, Ms. Joan was following the strategy. Every time she saw my daughter, she called her by name. She knew her birthday and sent cards. What really touched our entire family was when Ron passed away, Ms. Joan reached out to Makayla and comforted her with thoughtful gifts that made a dark situation, a small bit brighter. She has been and continues to be a strong small group leader in First Lights and I thank God every day that she is healthy and serving on our team again!

Her favorite Bible verse is –
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13