Security

So one of the things that I love about NHC is how important security is. Now you might be thinking "what security?" And if you're thinking about guys walking around in uniforms with sniper rifles you'd be right. But you might be surprised to know that we have a dedicated group of men and women that show up early for every service and stay late to make sure that our kids areas are as secure as they can possibly be.
We also have a check-in ministry that helps families each week get their kids checked in with name tags and their parents pick-up tags to wear so only parent/guardians and volunteers can have access to our children's areas. Why you ask? To keep your kids safe!
Then those same awesome security people I mentioned earlier are at all the doors and hallways only allowing parent's and volunteers with the proper tags through.
It might seem like a pain sometimes to stick a bright orange tag on your sweater, or to even go all the way back inside to your purse to get your tag out - but I'm sure if you are like me, when you think about how safe your kids are and that not just anybody can come back to their environments you've got to agree it's worth it!
And as you've noticed our Uhambo Kids Ministry is constantly growing - which means new hallways and new entrances and exits to monitor for safety. So if you think kids safety is important, and that helping a child and their parents feel safe enough to drop them off is the one of the first steps to that child hearing about Jesus - we'd love to have your join team! Leave your comment here - or you can speak with myself (Kids Pastor Cathy) or any Uhambo team member for more information. (PS....you also get a walkie talkie and one of those cool Secret Service Earpieces - and who doesn't think that's fun???)

Uhambo Kids.....bigger - louder - & messier!

Disneyland and Too Much...all in one weekend!

So this was a great weekend at New Horizon Church. The band was super - Jamie gave us a great message while Dave was away, and we had ton's of new team members start serving in all our environments. Not to mention it was one of the most beautiful days weather wise since we've lived here in North Carolina.
The funny thing about this weekend is how I learned people can see the same thing but see it totally differently. On Saturday night we had a new family come to Uhambo and while they were entering into the environment the family was overcome and audibly said "this is like going to Disneyland" - the child was about 9 years old and had a great time. On Sunday night I had a father come up to me and share that he's got 5 kids in each of our environments. After their first time coming he asked the kids on a scale of 1 to 10 how was it? Two of his kids said a 10, and the other three said a 12! He thanked me for his kids enjoying it so much. Now here's our third story.....on the same weekend we had someone share that they thought the kids inUhambo were having "too much fun", and they were serious.
My take away is that when grown-ups start thinking we're having too much fun - then we're being successful! Uhambo isn't an environment for adults - it's an environment for kids. We want them to want to be there - and we had hundreds of kids wanting to come this weekend - and it was great! They got to have fun learning from the Bible, making friends, and learning how much they mean to Jesus.
Our motto at Uhambo is BIGGER - LOUDER - MESSIER and we intend to live up to it! So bring your kids and your friends kids this weekend because it looks like I can Guarantee they will have FUN!

Weekend Update

Check out some pic's of our awesome weekend at Uhambo! Fun is here? Where are You?

Lessons from Kitty Litter

Ok, so from the title of this BLOG post and the following pictures you have to be asking yourself - what is going on in Uhambo every week? Well let me tell you....the kids are having a great time, and they are learning valuable lessons from the Bible. We've spent the last month learning about friends and how Jesus is a great example of how to be a good friend, and also that Jesus wants to be our BFF (for all you old folks that Best Friend Forever). This week we closed the series looking at the story of the lepers in the Bible. They were "rough" looking and treated very poorly, everyone acted like they were trash. Everyone but Jesus - Jesus loved them and cared for them, and healed them. And just like Jesus sometimes there will be people that for one reason or another the world has decided they aren't worth their time or attention or love - but if we follow Jesus example we'll give of ourselves and be their friends. The "kitty litter" is actually delicious brownies (lovingly shaped by my husband yesterday for about 200 kids) and then put into a tub with grape nuts cereal. It was great to see the reactions of the leaders and kids when they were told that this was their snack! (GROSS!) But when the brave few listened to the lesson and looked past what they saw on the outside for a closer look (and smell)they found a treasure of delicious brownies to enjoy. So here's a glimpse of what your child had for snack this weekend......

and if you missed it, don't be sad- we kick off Friend Wars next weekend - so don't miss it! You'll never know what your going to get!
(PS...don't try this at home if you have a cat!!)

Danglin Donuts

Check out some great pic's from last week in the PlayStation......and don't miss the fun waiting for your kids this weekend!

Last week of BFF

So this weekend is the last one in our BFF series (BFF=Best Friend Forever). We've been talking with the kids this month about friendship - how to be a good friend, how to make new friends, and that Jesus wants to be their BFF. We've had a great time (checkout some photos that we'll be posting tonight of last weekend's "Donut Dangle".

Coming up starting next weekend for the month of February we'll be traveling to a galaxy far, far away for "Friend Wars". Don't miss it - and be sure to remind your kids to BARF (Bring A Real Friend)!

If you'd like more information on Uhambo or how you can get involved please comment here or email our kids pastor, Cathy Heitzenrater at cathy@newhorizonchurch.tv

See you this weekend.

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away.....

The force begins in the Uhambo Galaxy Jan 31st & Feb 1st at 6:30pm, 9:30am & 11:30am

Another Great BFF Weekend

So this weekend in the playstation the kids discussed the time when Jesus called Matthew to become one of His disciples. The focus of the small group time was first impressions - how important it is to make a good one, and how not to judge others on what you see on the outside. Jesus looked to peoples heart and what was inside them and we should follow that example.

We played a really fun game called "Smile if you love me, Baby!" It let the kids experience first hand how hard it is to walk up and introduce yourself to someone new, and how a smile will always make it easier.

Our preschoolers got to experience their large group time in a new space this morning. With a tricked out new sound system, a fun "wild" room, and as always some of the best preschool leaders ever!

Don't miss next week's BFF installment! I heard there's kitty litter involved? Got to be there to find out more!

Party, Party, Party

We had a party this weekend! A surprise party for all our friends in the PlayStation! We celebrated our friends and learned that Jesus wants to be our Best Friend Forever! Our key verse for the week is Romans 8:39 "No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of Jesus that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We spent some time learning about Mary & Martha and how they planned a party for Jesus, but one of them forgot to spend time with him. Kids also went home with a Challenge of "How will you show your friendship with Jesus?"

Some suggestions were

• Spend a few minutes each day talking to Jesus about things that are on your mind.
• Share what I know about Jesus with a friend
• Read or tell a story about Jesus to someone in your family
• Introduce yourself to someone you don't know and find one thing we have in common.

See you next week for My New BFF - we'll spend some of our time letting Jesus show us How to Be a Friend!

My New BFF

Our new series for elementary kids (My New BFF) starts this weekend. Kids will be spending the month learning about friendship - how to be a good friend, who makes a good friend, and how Jesus wants to be our Best Friend Forever!