Awana
The AWANA program is over 50 years old and it is a children's program that is as relevant as the day it was developed. The heart of AWANA is the gospel message. Everyone is a sinner and deserves eternal punishment. But Jesus Christ, our Savior has provided the door to heaven through His death and resurrection. AWANA strongly emphasizes memorizing and understanding Scripture.
The Club Members are divided into three groups:
Cubbies:
3 & 4 year-old boys and girls (Leaders: Mrs. Weller, Mr. Welker, Mr. Postema, and J. Dietrich.)
Sparks:
K to 2nd grade boys and girls (Leaders: Miss Barber, Mr. Clark, Mrs. Dresbach, Mr. & Mrs. Erbland, Mr. B. Erbland, Mr. N. Erbland, Mr. Fantigrossi, and Mr. & Mrs. Fee)
Truth and Training Clubbers:
3rd to 5th Grade boys and girls (Leaders: Mrs. Yacono, Mr. and Mrs. Strauss, Mr. Knarr and Mrs. Chamberlain)
Each club meeting starts with a Flag Ceremony and is comprised of three segments: Game Time, Handbook Time, and Council Time.
Game Time features unique games on the AWANA game circle. You will not find these games anywhere else. The game director, Mr. Cherne, leads the Game time between four teams: red, blue, green and yellow. We provide fun as we encourage co-operation, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and positive character qualities.
Handbook Time features achievements in AWANA entrance booklets, handbooks, and handbook reviews. This informal, small-group time provides an opportunity to challenge kids to grow in His Word. Its emphasis is on scripture memory and the careful study of God's Word. All reciting is to be done to Leaders in AWANA but parents are encouraged to join the group for the reciting sessions.
Council Time features singing, a lesson time (led by Mr. Cherne, or Mr. Welker), and an award presentation. We reinforce the service message of the program. We also make the effort to recognize each clubber's achievement that night in club. We work hard to tally the results. Finally, one team wins the night's competition.
NOTE: The children earn points for attendance (2 points), AM worship attendance (2 points), dues (2 points), wearing their uniform or vest (Sparks 5 points and T&T 10 points), bringing a visitor (10 points), bringing their Bible (10 points), each recited section (5 points), adopt a club dues (20 points), completed Sparks jewel (10 points), completed T&T Discovery (10 points), completed handbook (25 points). The teams also earn points during game time but the handbook points out score the game time points.
Mrs. Cherne works to have age appropriate and motivating team prizes every club night. We compute the points so that we can make awards at the end of each club night. We give prizes to motivate verse memory and faithfulness to workbook activity. There is a component from the game time, but those teams with faithful workbook activity are more likely to be rewarded.
WBC AWANA asks all clubbers to bring 50 cents per night for dues. We use this money to partially fund prizes and events at club. We also ask each clubber to purchase his or her uniform.
The uniform cost is as follows:
Cubbies vest: $8.00
Sparks vest: $10.00
T and T Clubbers: $12.00
All other materials are funded by Webster Bible Church.
We will have special nights and contests. This year we will have "Bring a Friend", "Section", and "Penny" contests. The "Bring a Friend contest begins on Sept. 21 and runs until Nov. 2. The goal is to reward the clubber that brings the most friends. The "Section" contest will run after the New Year and rewards the clubbers who complete sections in his or her handbook. The "Penny" contest is a collection for the AWANA club oversees and will reward the team that brings the most pennies. Please look at the attached calendar to see the list of special nights and contests.
We will again be supporting an AWANA Club in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. We will be asking the children to support the ministry by collecting quarters in a special envelope. We need to raise $180 this year to bring materials to the club. They cannot have materials until we send in the money. It is important to get a quick start to this.
Yours in Christ,
Mr. and Mrs. Cherne
