Parents’ Blog
St John’s Kids Term 1 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to 2024 for St John’s Kids! Coming up in Term 1 2024 This term we will be looking at a few different character studies (including Ruth and Nehemiah) from different books of the Old Testament. We will also spend four weeks in the book of James before preparing for Easter together which falls early this year on March 31st. Our aim at St John’s is to help our kids engage with the Word in welcoming, gospel-centred, age-directed, and missionally…
Thanksgiving Resources 2023
This year in the lead up to Thanksgiving Sunday on 12th November, we have put together a few Thanksgiving Resources that families and households can use in times of fellowship and play to practice thankfulness! Check out these ideas or create your own to foster attitudes of gratitude at home! Bring along to our service on the 12th anything you’ve collected or any stories you’d like to share of how God has used these ideas or your own to help…
St John’s Youth and Kids update – King’s Birthday Long Weekend
Hello Parents! The newly renamed long weekend is coming up this weekend, and with it, some changes to our regularly scheduled Youth and Kids programs. With 18 young people from St John’s joining the Nillumbik United team for the State Youth Games, there’ll be no Youth Life Groups happening this Sunday afternoon. Keep the team in your prayers as they head off to Warragul over the weekend. Youth Life Groups will be back on the following week (June 18) before…
St John’s Kids & Families, 7 October 2022
Welcome to Term 4! I hope everyone enjoyed some quality downtime over the semester break. St John’s Kids resumes at the 10am service this week … Our curriculum this term will cover the book of 1 Samuel, which will link with, but not strictly follow, the preaching series. Our 3yo-Kinder program will remain in the rooms off the Hall. Any child who has turned 3 is welcome to join this group. Please note: We need a few more assistants…
Discord and Online Ministry
How we connect online during the week The internet has come and revolutionised so many aspects of our world. As a millennial, I’m one of the first people to have grown up with the internet. I can remember dialing-up for the first time and setting up my Facebook account in 2007. Where would we be today, without the ease of connection that the internet has given us through 2020 and 2021? Whether that’s Facebook, YouTube, or apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime…
Youth Unite Spring 22′
Hey Parents, Youth Unite SPRING is coming to St John’s! This is a chance for our youth to join youth from churches in our area for a time of worship, games, hanging out and learning more about God. This is also a great opportunity to invite friends, everyone is welcome! Details: Friday 2nd September St John’s 7-9.30 pm $5 entry RSVP here.
Youth Bonfire Night!
Hey Parents, We are very excited to announce that Friday the 19th of August we will be having a Bonfire Night! Invite along friends for a night of playing fun games, hanging out, and eating good food around the fire. Details: Friday 19th August Time: 7 pm – 9.30 pm Location: a youth’s house in Research (Address will be texted to those who have RSVP’d) Cost: $10 Pizza dinner included! Please RSVP here.
St John’s Kids & Families, 22 July 2022
Winter has set in & Term 3 is underway! I hope everyone enjoyed some quality downtime over the semester break. Coming up … Parenting Toolbox – Primary Years This is a six-week course designed to inspire and equip parents and carers of children aged approx. 5-12yrs, led by a trained facilitator, in a relaxed small group setting. Light supper included! When: Monday evenings, starting 1 August, 7:30-9:30pm Where: St John’s, 61 Main St. Diamond Creek Cost: $90 to…
YLGs to Join the Gawa Wurundjeri Resource Trail Walk
Hi everyone, This coming Sunday will be our last catch up for the term and we’ll be running our Sunday Youth Lifegroups in a different time slot and location. Instead of meeting at church, we’ll be participating in the Gawa Wurundjeri Resource Trail Walk. It will be a great opportunity for us as a group to connect and learn from the traditional custodians of the land as we’re lead by Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Dave Wandin. This is a meaningful step…
St John’s Kids & Families, 27 May 2022
Going Bananas: Anchors Aweigh! – Wed 29 June – Fri 1 July Registrations for our Holiday Program for Primary School kids opens this coming Monday – 30 May. We have been known to book out very quickly, so get in quickly to avoid disappointment and encourage family and friends to do the same. If you would like to join our team and serve the families of our community through this fun outreach event, it’s not too late. Register your interest…
St John’s Kids & Families, 13 May 2022
Don’t forget, the Church Picnic is this week – Sunday 15 May, from 11:30am. This is a chance for people across all our in-person and digital services to connect with each other socially. ALL WELCOME! Anthony Beale Reserve Playground, 277 St Helena Rd. BYO lunch (there are BBQ facilities available). There are also great facilities for kids, so bring your cricket bats, basketballs, scooters etc. Hope to see you there. Dinner & Games Event for St John’s Kids in…
Youth Excursion To Bounce!
Hey Parents, Firstly, I just want to thank you for the warm welcome so far. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better over time. It’s been somewhat of a rocky beginning, not even making it through my first week before I was thrown into isolation! The good news is I’ll be out shortly and in plenty of time for our first event for the term on Friday May 20th! We’ll be adventuring out to the aptly named…
St John’s Kids & Families, 29 April 2022
Welcome to Term 2! The St John’s Kids in-person program resumes this week at our 10am service. Life Groups are an important part of the life of our church. They are small groups that meet during the week to delve into God’s word, pray together, build relationships, and support each other pastorally. It can be difficult for parents of young children to regularly attend an evening group together. One of the options available is an alternating men/women’s group, so…
St John’s Kids & Families – Easter
More information about our in-person and livestreamed Easter Services can be found here. St John’s Kids in-person program is in recess during the holidays. We hope our leaders enjoy a much-deserved break! At our in-person services over Easter, we will have some activities available, to keep young hands busy while engaging with the service. If you’re unable to join us in person, or prefer to connect online, you might like to use some of the same activities at home … Craft Eggs are…
New Youth Minister! Welcome to Cam Berndt
Hi Parents, This is the last parents’ blog update you will receive from me (Andi)! Very shortly I will be stepping down from my role as Youth Minister, handing over to the wonderful Cam Berndt. I will still be around St John’s, volunteer youth leading and occasionally preaching on a Sunday. This email is mainly to say a huge thank YOU for your support of my role in the last 3+ years. I have loved the opportunity to hangout with…
St John’s Kids & Families, 1 April 2022
St John’s Kids Last weekend, we were blessed with amazing weather for a special event for our Grade 4/5/6s, who enjoyed a bush scavenger hunt, a discussion about trust, good food and friendships. Cooking damper and marshmallows was an absolute hit! This Sunday is the last week of the St John’s Kids program, at our in-person 10am service, for Term 1. We hope our leaders enjoy a much-deserved break over the holidays. Family Discipleship The following Sunday marks…
YOUTH UNITE AUTUMN
Hey Parents, Youth Unite AUTUMN is NEXT Friday! This is a chance for our youth to join youth from churches in our area for a time of worship, games, hanging out and learning more about God. This is an especially exciting YU as we will likely bump into friends made on camp at NCYC last weekend! Invite a friend, everyone is welcome! Details: Friday 25th March Diamond Valley Baptist Church 7-9.30 pm Let us know when you RSVP if you would like to…
St John’s Kids & Families, 13 March 2022
Lent The season of Lent began on Wednesday 2 March. This is a time of reflection and preparation in the lead up to Easter. If you missed them, refer to the last two posts for ways your family might engage with each other and draw closer to Jesus during this period: 25 Feb / 6 Mar. We can all benefit from each other’s experiences. If you have a particular way that you like to prepare for Easter, share with others…
St John’s Kids & Families, 6 March 2022
Lent The season of Lent began on Wednesday. This is a time of reflection and preparation in the lead up to Easter. From the perspective of anyone who does not know the whole story of Jesus, particularly children, it may seem like we have only just celebrated the birth of the baby Jesus, and next thing you know, the baby is grown into an adult and is being killed! So, this period is a special opportunity to spend time together…
Registrations for NCYC close tomorrow 9am! + Covid Safe Plan
Hello Parents, Safety of campers and leaders is very important to us. If you would like to take a look at our Covid Safe Plan you can do so here: NCYC Covid Safe Plan 2022 Registrations for the Northern Churches Youth Camp close tomorrow at 9 am (1st March). The NCYC is for students in years 7-12 (or equivalent) over the Labour Day long weekend, March 11-14th. Join us for a great few days of activities, teaching, and relationship building. Click here to register…
St John’s Kids & Families, 25 February 2022
St John’s Kids Registration Forms If you haven’t already done so this year, please complete our St John’s Kids Registration form for your child/ren. Keeping details up to date, helps our team communicate well and keep kids safe. If your child/ren don’t attend our in-person program at the 10am service, please still fill out the form so that we have your details for special events that we run through the year. Bibles for Bubs If you had a baby…
Last chance to invite your mates to NCYC!
Hey Parents, This week is your youth’s last chance to invite their friends to the Northern Churches Youth Camp. Give friends give the discount code ‘FriendCode’to save $15 off their Camp Registration! Registrations close at 9 am on 1st March. Who should I invite? You can pretty much invite anyone you like as long as they are high school-aged. Here are three types of people we’d recommend inviting along: Friends who are not part of a church but who have shown…
St John’s Kids & Families, 18 February 2022
St John’s Kids Registration Forms If you haven’t already done so this year, please complete our St John’s Kids Registration form for your child/ren. Keeping details up to date, helps our team communicate well and keep kids safe. If your child/ren don’t attend our in-person program at the 10am service, please still fill out the form so that we have your details for special events that we run through the year. Bibles for Bubs If you had a baby…
NCYC is just weeks away!
Hi Parents, The Northern Churches Youth Camp is just weeks away, register now make sure your youth doesn’t miss out! The NCYC is for students in years 7-12 (or equivalent) over the Labour Day long weekend, March 11-14th. Join us for a great few days of activities, teaching, and relationship building. Click here to register and find everything you need to know. Have a great week, Andi Fidock Youth Minister e. andi@stjohnsdc.org.au
St John’s Kids & Families, 11 February 2022
St John’s Kids Registration Forms If you haven’t already done so this year, please complete our St John’s Kids Registration form for your child/ren. Keeping details up to date, helps our team communicate well and keep kids safe. If your child/ren don’t attend our in-person program at the 10am service, please still fill out the form so that we have your details for special events that we run through the year. Family Discipleship Sit down as a family and…