Welcome to January at AWANA
After two weeks off for Christmas celebrations, we’re looking forward to getting back together on Sunday evenings for AWANA beginning January 5. We will begin taking orders for AWANA Grand Prix car kits on January 5 as well.
On January 12 we’ll host a “Night in the Tropics”, with a summer - tropical island - beach twist to game time. Children can earn participation points for their team that night by wearing a “Hawaiian” or big flower shirt (as well as their uniform).
We’ll begin the second half of our AWANA year on January 19 and finish up the month with our annual "Super Ice Cream Night" on the 26th. Ice Cream Night is a fun way to incentivize children to focus on their memory verse work since the number of toppings is determined by the number of verse sections completed that evening. Parents, can contact Norah to discuss alternatives to meet dietary needs.
January 2020 at AWANA
January 5 — AWANA Night
January 12 — AWANA Night / “Night in the Tropics”
January 19 — AWANA Night
January 26 — AWANA Night / “Super Ice Cream Night”
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We Want You for the AWANA Communications Team
Please help us spread the word that our AWANA Club Communication Team is looking for additional volunteers.
Working with our communications team is an excellent way to enhance your personal and professional growth, broaden your networking opportunities, or maximize your community involvement. These fun and enriching opportunities vary by area, time commitment and duration and we will make it easy for you to find an opportunity that matches your interests and availability.
Each of the following volunteer opportunities will assist the AWANA Club’s Communications Manager with promoting and reporting on our club’s activities, and designing content:
- Newsletter Editor (10 hours per quarter) — Assist with the publication of the parent’s newsletter by editing the draft newsletter. The Capital Baptist AWANA Club produces an electronic newsletter bi-weekly. The Newsletter Editor is responsible to work in collaboration with AWANA Club Commander and Communications Manager to ensure timely delivery of newsletters and that content accurately reflects the vision, mission, beliefs, and activities of our AWANA Club. The Editor will also communicate directly with our AWANA Club volunteers on content of articles about club activities. A strong knowledge of AWANA Clubs or a desire to learn is a must.
- Newsletter Content Writer (2-4 hours per month) — We are looking for skilled writers, with strong writing, proofreading and formatting skills, to help provide content, write engaging copy, and help format our parent’s newsletter. These writers should be interested in creating and writing articles about our club’s activities and/or its impact on the community.
- Assistant Website Manager (2-4 hours per month) — We are currently seeking a web designer to assist in managing our website. Working under the Communications Manager, the Assistant Website Manager will assist in managing all aspects of the club’s website, including keeping the website is up to date , posting new content (events and news), and optimizing images for the website.
- Social Media Content Manager (time commitment varies) — The goal of our social media program is to positively shape public thinking about our club, make the public aware of our mission, and communicate with parents, volunteers, and potential donors. Under the direction of the AWANA Club Commander and our Communications Manager we are looking for volunteers to contribute ideas for social media postings across all social media channels (including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and to curate and manage all published content (images, video and written).
If you want to get involved with our club by contributing your skills (or learn new ones), please contact our AWANA Club Commander (Norah Harmon) or our Communications Manager (Absolon Kent).
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God, Help Me to be a Better Parent!
by Pastor Ryan A. Sturgis from CapitalBaptist.org
As a parent, at times, I struggle. Knowing what “battles to fight” and what things to allow my children to “grow out of” can be difficult to discern. I find comfort in the fact that this is a “tightrope,” most godly parents attempt to walk. I’m not alone in my journey to be a parent who helps my children develop godly character while not “provoking them to wrath” (Colossians 3:21) by being overbearing. That being said, I wanted to share two things that help me find better balance when things tip too far in one direction.
"Keeping my heart stayed on God and the reality that He is in control gives me the courage to let go of control."
With my children, I am a parent more inclined to be overbearing than I am to let things slide, so to speak. As a trained counselor, I try to catch behaviors early before they are repeated enough to be labeled as traits. That’s counselor speak for, “I’m controlling.” For some reason, I never assume the Legos or cereal will end up on the floor (Foolish, I know). When frustrated by situations or behaviors, that are not inherently sinful, but are typical for my child’s age, I step back and check my own heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Keeping my heart stayed on God, and the reality that He is in control gives me the courage to let go of control. I review my heart and ensure I am being faithful to train up my children (Proverbs 22:6) while, at the same time, truly trusting God to order their steps.
Secondly, when every battle seems worth fighting, I ask God to be present. It has been my experience that perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors tend to shift when our home is filled with worship and thankfulness. When my wife and I are intentional about inviting and hosting the presence of God, our parenting is impacted. “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). I ask God to be present because His presence changes the way that I respond to disappointment and frustrations.
As parents, it takes wisdom to know what battles are worth fighting and which ones we need to leave alone. Thankfully, God has promised us wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Reviewing my heart and ensuring that I am personally submitted to God’s control helps me to avoid the need to be overly controlling in my parenting. Inviting God’s presence helps me to be more grace-filled when dealing with my children.
How are you doing in this battle from balance? What has helped you in your journey in being a godly parent? I would love to hear from you.
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 Winter Cancellation Notification Procedures
If bad weather occurs on a Sunday, the Capital Baptist staff will decide by 3 pm if AWANA and other activities on the church’s campus will be cancelled. All cancellations will be sent by email and/or text message to parents so please check for a message after 3 pm for cancellation notices to find out if we will still have AWANA and Bible study. You can also call the church office at 703-560-3109 for information.
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AWANA is a ministry of Capital Baptist Church (3504 Gallows Rd, Annandale, VA 22003). Call (703) 560-3109 or email visit awanacapitalbaptist.org for additional information.
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