User Posts : The Southwest Voice

Start Making Your Summer Plans With Christ's Church of the Valley

Yes, seriously, that time of year is already upon us again. The kids have that summer itch and can't wait to get out of school. You are entertaining your annual thoughts of petitioning the school district to change to a year-round schedule, and the summer calendar starts to take shape.

As you juggle the scouting trips, the sports camps, the family vacations and visits from out-of-town relatives, you might want to consider a week of taking it easy. Stay local for a few days. Christ's Church of the Valley invites your children, going into kindergarten through 5th grade, to the "Avalanche Ranch" week of vacation Bible school June 2-6.

Ranchers will be treated to great games, crafts, snacks and friendships, all while discovering God's love on a wild ride through His word. Children will also have the opportunity to support AMOR ministries and feed hungry children in Mexico. Registration begins Sunday, May 4th and will continue through the week of "Avalanche Ranch," as space permits. Spots are limited so don't wait! Contact the church office to register or for more information, if your questions are not answered here:

When: June 2-6 9am - Noon

Where: Christ's Church of the Valley, 13701 Stockdale Hwy, 661-588-2268

Cost: $15 per child/$40 immediate family maximum (Includes, T-shirt, crafts, snacks and fun)

Who: All kids ENTERING kindergarten through 5th grade in Fall 2008

Athlete of the Month: Layton Morrison

I would like to nominate my son, Layton Morrison, for the SWVoice Athlete of the Month. Layton is currently starring for the T-Ball Padres, where he enjoys and excells at playing pitcher and first base. He is also an avid ice hockey player and swimmer; more than enough to keep his parents on our toes! He's a competitive child, but understands the importance of teamwork and encouragement for others. Way to go, Layton!

Native American Day at Castle Elementary

Kindergarteners at Castle Elementary experienced life as Native Americans for a day on Nov. 7. Thanks to teachers, dozens of parent volunteers and some special guests, the kids were able to participate in many activities from the daily lives of Native Americans.

Children were able to fish, hunt for bison, and grind corn and berries, They danced, wove baskets, made totem poles and had their faces painted, all while dressed up in their unique Native American head dresses and vests.

Betsy Johnson of the Tubatulabal tribe and Ramon of the Yaki tribe visited and shared with the children, explaining specifically what life was like for Native Americans in California. She described what they ate and how they lived in different ways from other tribes. They shared some of their sticks and drums, allowing the children to play some Native American music.

Laura Ziemer, kindergarten teacher and avid artifact collector, dressed in Native American clothing and shared a small part of her collection of arrowheads, rain sticks and Kachina Dolls. At every turn, children with smiling faces learned something new and had a wonderful time as Native Americans!

New Beginning for Christ's Church of the Valley

On Oct. 28, the Christ’s Church of the Valley congregation put an end to a two-year search for their new senior pastor. By an overwhelmingly decisive vote Michael Foutz of Newbern, Va. was accepted by the congregation, which erupted in applause and cheers upon the announcement.

Michael and his wife Jennifer, both 35, are excited to be a part of something special at CCV and all of Bakersfield. On fire for God, they followed His call to CCV where the search committee, elders and deacons were thrilled at the prospect of a new era under Michael’s leadership.

Some might scratch their heads at the idea of searching an entire two years to fill the position, but the church was intent on following the plan of God and not simply finding a quick fix. Resumes piled up. Interviews continued and many wonderful candidates were considered and prayed over. There are many good men of God out there and many of them would do a wonderful job, but the congregation wanted to put in place the one candidate who could step into the plan for CCV as God has it laid out.

God opened the door for Michael and Jennifer as well as the hearts of CCV with a place for them.

“We have been blown away by how friendly everyone has been and how much we have been welcomed already,” Foutz said. “We haven’t experienced anything like this!”

Michael is a dynamic and energizing speaker who has experienced the highs and lows of life like all of us. He wants to share with everyone the immeasurable joy of having a relationship with God. The excitement in his messages is highly contagious. Jennifer, his high school sweetheart, is a wonderful teammate in his ministry and is as excited as Michael is to begin.

Scott Neese, worship director and home groups pastor, filled in exceedingly well for the two year transition and will now continue to use his amazing talents for worship and discipleship at CCV.

Michael and Jennifer plan to begin their transition to Bakersfield in November and are excited to begin. There is a buzz in the air at Christ’s Church of the Valley — the whole community is invited to come experience the excitement. Visit www.ccvbak.org for more information on CCV and its ministries.

— Originally published in The Northwest Voice.

Fine Arts Camp at Christ's Church of the Valley

Christ's Church of the Valley brought children's theater to Bakersfield with their third annual "FX" Fine Arts camp in June. Nearly thirty kids, third grade to 7th grade, participated in several elective classes, including Drama, Voice, Art, Costume and Set Design, Creative Writing, Photography, and Culinary Arts for one week.

The collaborative efforts of these classes culminated in a full production musical at the end of the week, enjoyed by parents and friends in the CCV worship center. This year's production was titled Inheritance, and told the amazing story of the inheritance that waits in Heaven for us, the children of God. Using a medieval theme, and a bit of a twist on The Princess Bride, writer Kevin Morrison and Director Scott Neese put together an enchanting tale about people from all walks of life discovering what God has in store. With contemporary Christian songs you love, sung by smiling happy children, it is an evening you won't want to miss in years to come.

The Fine Arts camp is open to all kids, third through seventh grade, but class space is limited! Be sure to check the website www.ccvbak.org for next summer's schedule and sign your child up for a creative experience they will never forget.

Tutoring Bakersfield One Child at a Time

Jill Morrison, an experienced in-home tutor, has announced additional availability of tutoring sessions for students in kindergarten through fifth grade needing help in Language Arts or Math.

Jill will assess your studen't standing based on the grade-level standards set by the California Department of Education and then propose a plan to bring your student to grade level or beyond.

With eight years experience, covering several grade levels, and a Masters in Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, Jill is well equiped to help your child in a caring purposeful way. Your child will discover that learning can be fun and rewarding.

Jill says, "A student's confidence is the first step toward success. When they learn 'I can do it,' they become empowered to take control and ownership of their own learning experience."

For more information or to contact Jill, go to her website at tutorbakersfield.com, where you will find personalized professional tutoring for a fraction of the cost demanded by other services

F/X Camp!

Put an end to the summer boredom. Turn off the TV and give the swimsuit a break. This is your backstage pass to how things are done on the live stage. Learn how to sing, dance, act, create costumes, design and build sets or write scripts.

This is theater in the extreme!

At the end of the week, the entire cast and crew (that's you!) will present an incredible medieval themed musical comlete with an audience of family and friends.

If you're age eight through thirteen, put down the ice cream cones and video games, and sign up to do something extraordinary. No previous experience required. This experience will be enough.

Classes offered include (your choice of two): Creative Writing, Vocal Performance, Dance, Set Building, Photography, Art, Props and Costume Design, Culinary Arts and Drama.

Students meet Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11:50am and the closing program is Saturday evening from 6 to 8 pm. For more information, contact the church office at (661)588-2268 or check the website at ccvbak.org.

All FX events take place at Christ's Church of the Valley at 13701 Stockdale Highway.

Playing at Castle Park

'Family Matters'

As we approach the fall season and all of the fun family holidays, Christ’s Church of the Valley would like to invite you to join our family for “Family Matters,” a six-week conference designed for the whole family and every family beginning Oct. 15.

This six-Sunday event offers teaching and tools for the entire family, including fun and interactive programs for teens and children.

Join us each week for a wonderful time of worship and over 25 elective workshops exploring current, relevant family topics.

Discussions, lead by people who have had the experiences, will range from blended families to divorce, and how to find success as a family in those and other situations.

Topics will also include subjects like grandparents raising children and protecting our kids from the onslaught of today’s media.

When asked how strong families are important not only in the home but to the community, Senior Pastor Scott Neese said, “When we study and start living God’s pattern for family relationships, discipline and faith, we realize that we have the potential to make a difference in the lives of another family. I think we hesitate to reach out to others because we feel that we have nothing to offer. When we get connected to God and to others, we overcome those obstacles and true neighbors are born.I hope that every family learns how to bring God into their everyday activities, more tomorrow than today, even if it is just a little bit. When they start doing that, there is no telling what positive changes will come about.”

Teens will also have their choice of electives, covering issues they deal with on a daily basis and how they can truly be a contributing member of a strong, loving family.

Chris Taylor, CCV’s Student Minister, is excited about helping youth discover that they not only matter, but they are also an important part in the dynamics of the family.

“Our goal is to empower students to realize the powerful impact they can have in their family,” Taylor says. “The key is found in 1 Timothy 4:12, which says: ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.’ To instill this attitude we want to help them discover their value as a person.”

Even our youngest children are already learning how to function as a part of the family. They might not always know how to verbalize it, but they understand the concepts of action and reaction, choice and consequence, and most importantly love and family bonds.

Children’s minister Susan Mettetal said, “The kids who attend our Family Matters conference will discover that church is a great place to be with Mom and Dad. Church is a safe haven from the demands of school and soccer and music lessons. They get to learn about what it means to worship as a family. They get to meet new friends, including the best friend of all, Jesus.”

This will be an exciting time for everyone, as we explore the meanings and purposes of family. No two families are alike, but every family shares the desire to be strong in love and unity. Come join us, as we study the time-tested word of God concerning families and how to apply it to our lives in 2006 and beyond. Families of every type and situation can strengthen, rediscover or even experience for the first time the joy that God intended for our family lives. Come join us and share your family with ours.

Christ’s Church of the Valley is on the corner of Stockdale Highway and Jenkins Road (west of Allen Road).

For information on conference registration, contact the church office at 588-2268 or visit the Web page: at www.ccvbak.org. Registration is free. You will receive “Get Connected: Family Matters” notebooks for you and your high school or middle school students when you register, as well as a gift from our family to yours.

Back to School Photo Contest Entry: Funny face

Thank you, Ridgeview Christian Preschool!

Our son, Layton, just finished his first year of preschool at Ridgeview Christian Preschool. He loved every minute of it!

As parents, we are thrilled with our decision to send him there. When we began looking at preschools, we learned there is a wide range of educational possibilities, ranging from simple daycare with little instruction to Harvard for 3-year-olds.

We wanted a happy medium between the two, with plenty of play and social time, but also the right amount of instruction to give our child a head start. Ridgeview fit the desire perfectly!

All of the teachers and staff are wonderful, with huge hearts for the kids. Special thanks to Miss Tracy, Layton's first teacher and friend.

If you're checking out preschools, give Director Nancy a call at 834-9796 or check them out at: www.ridgeviewpreschool.com

Thank you, Ridgeview! We'll see you in the fall!

Graduation!

Congratulations to our wife and mom, Jill Morrison, who graduated with her master's in educational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University on May 13. Jill teaches fifth grade at Planz Elementary, and will be moving up to the position of academic coach at Palla Elementary in the fall. Congratualtions Jill!

Love,

Kevin, Layton and Holly

Thank you, Mercy Southwest

We took a trip to the Mercy Southwest Urgent Care Center yesterday, not our first and surely not our last.

My 16-month-old daughter, Holly, tumbled awkwardly down the slide at church and ended up with a dislocation at her elbow, a somewhat common injury in toddlers called "nursemaid's elbow."

Nothing compares to the helplessness you feel when your toddler looks at you through tears, wanting you to fix her pain, and you can't.

I rushed to Mercy Southwest, obeying ALL traffic laws and speed limits (one of my goals is to invent the punctuation for sarcasm).

The staff at the emergency/urgent care facility was wonderful.

We did have a wait and spent most of the evening there, but they made Holly smile through her tears and filled out all of the paperwork for me so that I could continue comforting her.

Everyone was sympathetic, gentle, efficient and genuinely concerned for her comfort and healing.

Unfortunately, you don't get that everywhere.

Thank you to all the people at Mercy Southwest, from the registration desk to the X-ray technician to the doctors and the woman who put Holly's sling on. I have no immediate plans on coming back, but when the need arises, I know where to go.

Cutest Pets in the Southwest Entry: Salty

Salty is a 5-month-old bichon frise/papillon mix who spends his time chasing my two kids and his tail. In his spare time, he likes to remove trash from the trash can and bring in his latest victim from the back yard (leaves, twigs and rocks).

Cutest Pet in SW Contest - "Salty"