A Rock and a Bridge,

RBCC Monthly Newsletter
Vol. 23 No. 8 - September 4, 2005

CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNS

Congratulations to first-time grandmother Sandi Gerhart on the birth of granddaughter Bailey Michael in Cameron, MO on Aug. 23 . . . Please continue to hold Barbara Allen in your prayers as she undergoes chemotherapy treatments . . . The Friesens report they are settling in well in Austin, but still miss their church family here . . . Congrats to Diane Suhler who has been selected to teach in London next summer. The whole family will be spending July there . . . Steve Miller enjoyed a family reunion in Oregon in July . . . We pray traveling mercies for Mandy Manderino and Virginia Bzdek as they take the train to Washington DC for the anti-war rally Sept. 24th . . . Diane Haas reports that they received an offer on their house this week . . . Please keep her and her family in your prayers as they continue to experience transition and the stress that accompanies it.

Sunday Explorations Begins with Trip to I-HOP on Sept. 11th

Calling All Kids! RBCC youth are warmly invited to the Third Annual I-HOP Breakfast (51 Conley Road, just off Hwy 63, near Staples and Chili’s). We will meet promptly at 8:30 a.m. in the RBCC parking lot – or if you live closer to I-HOP, join us there by 8:50. If your children can attend, please email Ann Robinson so that we will be sure to have adequate transportation. Note: A special surprise guest is expected! Children should be able to eat for $5-10 (please send an appropriate sum if you can, but if needed, RBCC will cover the cost).

The trip to I-HOP marks the launch of the 2005-2006 Sunday school season, which has been renamed Sunday Explorations, to emphasize fun and adventure. Explorations will meet from 9:45 to 10:30 each Sunday morning, though families who participate in adult Sunday school can bring kids anytime after 9:30. This year, we will have two groups. Cindy Heinz will serve as lead teacher for infants through 4th graders, and Ann Robinson will be the leader for 5th - 12th graders. A separate high school group will be held, if there is enough interest.

Adults – It’s the Amos and Larry Show!

The adult Sunday School class will kick off the fall season with a study of the prophet Amos. Larry Brown with be the main facilitator. Bring your Bible and join us at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 11th for this study and hear the message Amos has for us today.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – THE RBCC FLOAT TRIP!

On Sat., Sept. 24th, we will leave the church parking lot (caravan style) promptly at 8 am to begin our adventure to float the Meramec River. (Directions will be provided for anyone who wants to go on their own, or who wants to camp Friday or Saturday nights. We will be floating on six or eight-person rafts with Green’s Canoe Rental east of St. James, MO. Our put-in time at the river is 11 am. The float is about 7 miles long and will probably take 5-6 hours (we don’t speed down the river). We’ll eat lunch on the river (bring your own) and we’ll make a short breakfast stop on the way down. If you want to know more about the river and Green’s, check out their website at www.greenscanoerental.com. The cost is $19 (this includes money to cover a put in charge for each raft) for anyone over 10 and free for people 10 and under. Please confirm with Kathy Brown if you are planning to go.

CHILD CARE PROVIDED

During worship service, child care is provided for children through the age of 5, thanks to our youth who have accepted this responsibility (assisted by adult supervisors). Guidelines have been worked out to assure order and safety. These are listed with the volunteer schedule in the education building hallway, and parents are encouraged to review them with all youth involved. Comments or suggestions can be shared with Diane Haas, Ann Robinson or Pastor Maureen. Policies for childcare include:

• An older youth childcare volunteer will serve as leader, with a younger helper - all must be at least age 10. Since we only have a few older youth, they have more turns than the younger ones.
• ONLY those who are assigned to do childcare OR their substitutes (two people) should be in the education building during childcare time.
• Childcare volunteers should introduce themselves to parents that they see before the service and offer to take the children to the childcare room to play if they want to go after the children’s sermon. It is fine if a child would rather stay with their parents, or the parents want to come to the childcare room.
• Cleaning up at the end is an important part of this responsibility.
• Siblings should not do childcare together.
• Youth not assigned should NOT be in the child-care area, even if they have to use the bathroom during the service (which should be RARE).
• During church children should be kept inside even if the weather is nice.

Childcare volunteers scheduled for the next month:
September 4 - Gaye and Eric.
September 11 - Jordan and Dahnya.
September 18 - Michelle and Estelli.
September 25 - Gaye and Julia.
October 2 - Alexandra and Debo.

NEW YOUTH GROUP

RBCC’s once-active Youth Group is being revived to meet the special needs of older youth. This group of 6th -12th graders will meet at least once a month, for activities, such as movies, games, outings and service projects. Our first movie-pizza-popcorn get-together will be September 18th at RBCC, from 12:30 – 2:30 pm. Most of the time, youth group activities will be scheduled the first Sunday of each month immediately after church, however times and places will vary somewhat depending on the event. A full schedule for 2005 will be provided soon. Donations to help defray expenses are welcomed. For questions or comments, contact Ann Robinson or Letitia Denhartog.