Jacob Wolen To Report on ICYF Trip

Aug. 25--At 10:15 am on Sunday, August 31, Jacob Wolen will present a report on his experiences at the International Christian Youth Fellowship held last month at Chapman University. Jacob has over 200 photos (he will not show ALL of them). He has something very important to share with us. As a member of the General Youth Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Jacob is helping to plan the youth activities for the General Assembly in 2009 in Indianapolis.

Men's Retreat is September 19-21 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center

August 19--Registration materials for the West Virginia Disciples Men retreat at Cedar Lakes are available in the church office or at www.wvdisciples.org . (You will also find additional information about the retreat.) If cost is a barrier to your attendance, please see Rev. Sebastian. No one who wants to go should stay home because of cost.

Board Commits to Protecting Children and Youth

August 19--The Board approved the Child Maltreatment Policy at the August board meeting. This policy was brought to the Board by the Education Committee/Safe Kids Task Force.

The four main components of the policy are:

--All of those who work directly with children or youth must be trained in Safeguarding God’s Children no later than January 15.

--All groups of youth and children will be supervised by two adults except in an emergency.

--All staff and all volunteers who work with children and youth are required to have background checks which include fingerprinting.

--A specific process for reporting and handling concerns and/or suspicions of child or youth maltreatment.

The policy also includes a list of guidelines for appropriate behavior around children and youth at the church and at any event sponsored by the church. These behaviors are behaviors that child and youth predators are known to use to ingratiate themselves with children, youth, and their families. Some of the inappropriate behaviors are behaviors that well-meaning adults have at times used and are not in and of themselves proof of child abuse or neglect.

Copies of the full policy are available online at http://www.bigroundwindow.com/education-maltreatmentpolicy.html or call the church office for a paper copy.

Additional policies that address other child protection issues will be brought to the board in the coming months.

If you have questions about the policy, please call Tim Graves at 304-559-7636 or Joni Blum at 304-905-0658 or send an email to education@bigroundwindow.com

Youth of First Christian Church Raise $1240 for Cancer Society at Wheeling Area Relay for Life

August 13--First Christian’s Youth Group, which led First Christian Church's support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Wheeling Park last weekend raised well-over one-thousand dollars for cancer research.

Next Safeguarding God's Children Training Scheduled for Saturday, August 30

August 13--The next Safeguarding God's Children child sexual abuse prevention training will be offered on Saturday, August 30 from 8 a.m. until noon. Please e-mail education@bigroundwindow.com or contact Joni Blum or Tim Graves to register for this free training. Click here to learn more about how First Christian Church strives to keep children safe.

Education Committee Chairs Excited About Implementing Children Worship & Wonder at First Christian

August 13--Education Committee Co-Chairs Laikyne Marling and Tim Graves attended the Children Worship & Wonder Training at Washington Avenue Christian Church in Elyria, Ohio last weekend.

"As she told the story and moved the props developed for this children's story, tears took advantage of gravity and fell from my eyes. I felt the Holy Spirit in that time and place. And, that, my friends is the essence of this model: the stories of our faith are told to the children in a way that young children are given the space to experience God while learning about God." Click here to read this full blog entry from the Children Worship & Wonder event last weekend.

Church to Observe 40 Days of Prayer Leading Up To the Children's Sabbath

August 4--Observance of 40 Days of Prayer for Children leading up to the Children’s Sabbath will begin Sunday, September 7. This year’s theme will concentrate on what we can do in Wheeling to improve the lives of all children.

Watch for more details of our observance as the month progresses.

Vacation Bible School Comes to a Close

July 26--Vacation Bible School, a collaborative effort between First Christian, Christ United Methodist, and Edgwood Evangelical Lutheran Churches, came to a close last evening with a special presentation followed by a family barbecue.

left--Rev. Sebastian and Emily Salvatore work on tie-dying shirts in their Vacation Bible School group this week.

Men Cut Down Trees; Make Plans

July 23--The Men of the Big Round Window removed a number of dead trees and bushes around the church building Tuesday evening. Following the outdoor work the group met to plan for the coming months. In the works are another baseball game, a mission trip, and a spaghetti supper. More details will be forthcoming. For more information contact Roger Cole.

The West Virginia Disciples Men's Retreat will be September 19-21 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Please see Roger Cole or Tim Graves for more information. Information about the Men's Retreat--including registration forms--is also available at the Regional website.

Judy Bennett Keynotes West Virginia Women's Retreat in September

July 26--Pastor Judy Bennett of the Island Christian Church in Wheeling is the keynote speaker at the annual Women's Retreat. The retreat will be held at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley the weekend of September 5-7. All participants to collect money for those in need of heating fuel around the world. Each group is asked to bring along one piece of split firewood for use at the dedication of the service project. Please see Rev. Sebastian for a registration form or more information. You may also find more information at the website of the Christian Church in West Virginia.

Wheeling Relay for Life August 8-9; Youth Lead First Christian Efforts

The Youth Group is again spear-heading First Christian’s participation in the the Relay for Life, August 8-9. Just as they did last year, the youth will have a presence overnight at the Relay. Currently the youth are collecting the names of all members of First Christian who have survived cancer, are currently being treated for cancer or who died because of cancer. If you know of names, please call Julie Hauch at 233-1246 or Joyce Wolen at 253-1178.

There will be other ways to participate including (but not limited to): buying luminaries in memory or honor of someone, walking the relay yourself, or sponsoring the registration fee for one of our youth for $10. Watch the narthex for information!

Our youth hold this project very dear to their hearts. Cancer has touched too many of us. Let us continue to walk and support efforts to kick cancer.

First Christian Sends Leaders to the Children Worship & Wonder Training in Elyria August 8-10

July 26--Laikyne Marling and Tim Graves, the Education Committee Co-Chairs will be attending the Children Worship & Wonder event August 8, 9, & 10 in Elyria, Ohio. This particular model for meeting the spiritual needs of children is well-respected and developmentally and academically sound. Our children deserve the very best education we can give them. Our God deserves a faithful people who mentor the spiritual education of our young. The Education committee is seeking at least two additional individuals to attend this event. The training is also offered August 29-31 in Fairfax, Virginia. Please contact Tim Graves at timgraves@trainingwheels4ece.com or at 304-559-7636 if you're interested in attending. Additional information about the Children Worship & Wonder model can be found at the Disciples Home Missions website.