Cranium Craziness

Now that summer has come and gone our Sunday night services here at Cross and Crown are back in session. In years past we have had a meal at 6:00 and worship to follow, usually around 6:30-6:45. Having a "church" service was never anything that Paul, the director of Cross and Crown, or anyone else that works here intended to have but rather it evolved because the people of the neighborhood, the people that come for the food, the clothes, the doctor voiced their desire to have a service Sunday nights. People would ask Paul and others at C&C, "Where do you go to church?", "What church do you go to?". " I want to go to church where you go to church". The people were asking these questions and making these statements not because they wanted to go to a church they might think is better or might have more to offer, but because they wanted to go to a church with someone they are in relationship with. Think about it, why do you think pastors, preachers, youth ministers, ect are always preaching and encouraging their members to invite a friend, invite your neighbor, invite your co-worker? We all know why, it's because all people are the same in that they desire relationship. There is a certain level of comfort when you go to a place, in this case church, and you know someone. The people wanted to go to a church where they were with someone they were comfortable enough with and because C&C is located in a building that used to be a church, why not use the building we are in? (Because relationship was the foundation on which the people were asking and inquiring about church, these questions and suggestions of church in our building didn't start coming until 2-2.5 years into C&C's existence. Over these 2-2.5 years is when the relationships were developed.)

This year on Sunday evenings Rock Island will also be beginning some activities. From 4:15-5:30 our junior high and high school aged kids are encouraged to take advantage of our fitness room located downstairs of C&C. During this time Ron, myself and a few occasional volunteers will take the youth through a series of workouts (let me know if your interested in helping with this). Then, following the meal and worship time, the youth meet at Rock Island for a time that we break into small groups and discuss, read scripture and talk about just about anything, and I mean anything. We have a couple volunteers that have also committed to help during this time and be small group leaders. We are excited about the potential that these groups have and look forward to what may come from them.

This past Sunday was our first trial run with the new Sunday night schedule. During the workout we had 8 or 9 kids and these same kids were the ones that stayed for the meal, worship and Rock Island events afterwards. Just like anytime we introduce something new to the Rock Island schedule it usually takes a few weeks for the kids to catch on and start attending. Generally the schedule travels by word of mouth and so we're anticipating a few more students to attend this Sunday. During our time Sunday at Rock Island we decided to use the time to let some of our volunteers get comfortable with the kids and vice-versa. So, we had 4X4 Halo, 4 computers blasting, some snacks and one very intense game of Cranium. After several clay creations, some blind-folded drawings of rocking chairs, pancakes, half-pipes and Elvis Presley we finished up what was a very competitive Cranium experience. We'll see what this Sunday has in store. Anyone interested in partaking in a workout, meal, worship time or Rock Island small group, feel free to attend this Sunday night.

elementary dayz

Here's is one of our latest videos from an elementary day the last few days. For anyone interested, this video gives you a look into some of the younger kids perspectives about school, teachers names, grade ect. Also, in this video the kid I am checking in on had some homework to do that one of our high school kids was helping him do. Whenever the two of them got to a particular portion of the homework they ran into a small problem or issue. Once they got to this particular portion and the high school student realized there might be some explaining or help needed he came over to me, told me the situation and asked if I would finish the homework out with the younger kid. Because our high school friend wasn't exactly sure what to say, I decided to try to jump in and help, but, as you can see for yourself, I was also struggling with what I should say or ask.

It is kinda hard to hear alot of what is being said, but we arrive at a part of the homework that says, "When I grow up I want to be a __________ because_____________________________." So, the kids have to say what job or profession they want to have or be in when they grow up and tell why. Anyway, here's how it panned out, which I think was alright, it was just an interesting interaction and somewhat humorous situation because you never know what the kids (this one especially) are going to say. Take a look...