We are looking forward to a wonderful romp in the swamp this year with our Bayou themed Crocodile Dock. As always, there are many, many ways you can help, and we need ALL the help we can get! This is a major outreach of Northminster and a MAJOR GROUP EFFORT! Young and not so young are encouraged to get involved!

Here are some ways you can help…and trust me when I say there will be more to come!

First off, we love having all of your wonderful encouraging faces join us during VBS week. Don’t be bashful…if you can spend an hour or the whole week, we would love to have you! You will be amazed at how spending time with this group of children will lift your spirits and renew your faith. Your heart cannot help but be filled to the brim…I PROMISE! Please contact me and I will give you ideas on how you can help.

If you cannot be on site during the week, we will be decorating Congdon Hall, the Sanctuary, Lindig Library, the Fireside Room, and the Sunday School classrooms to provide a Swamp Stomp atmosphere for our week! This will take place the Saturday and Sunday before VBS and we can use everyone…whether you think you are artistic or not! If I can decorate…EVERYONE can!

Elizabeth Zeigler and Bernie Kuchta have generously offered to head up this year’s Decorating Committee. Their minds are already cranking out wonderful ideas! If you have any ideas or would just like to help, please contact them via email at bkuchta1@san.rr.com. There will be much cutting out, gluing, sewing, etc. to do…maybe the Mariners would like to help with this one…hint, hint, hint!

And of course, we need a clean up crew! Something we ALL have LOTS of practice doing after this weekend’s Alley Cleanup…I am so proud of all of us, by the way!

We are mixing things up a little bit this year…seems to go with the theme of the church. Every year we have a lunch and carnival on the last day of VBS. This year we have decided to have the lunch and carnival after church the Sunday after VBS. The church service will start at 10:30 instead of our usual 9:30, and the lunch and carnival will follow directly after. Denise Crow has graciously offered to run the carnival this year, and there are a few things she needs:

• 4 to 6 portable shade canopies.
• Lots of candy for booth prizes…individually wrapped please, probably should stay away from chocolate so we don’t have to worry about them melting.
• Lots of McDonald’s toys any toy prize….
• NEW Face paints – this is the most popular booth and we need a lot. A Michael’s gift certificate would be great!

For lunch items we need people who are willing to take donation letters to local grocery stores asking for hot dogs, watermelon, etc. JoAn Johnson is in charge of lunch and would be happy to fill you in on what is needed.

We have several local businesses that have been kind enough to offer us fundraising opportunities:

• Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 7 — Applebee’s on Balboa ALL DAY—Dine in and Carry out—15% of purchases donated back to VBS
• Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17 — Coldstone in Clairemont Square ALL DAY—25% of purchases donated back to VBS
• Tuesday, July 21 — Mountain Mike’s, ALL DAY—Dine in, Delivery and Carry-Out—UP to 30% of purchases donated back to VBS

In order for us to get credit for your purchases, you MUST present a flyer. The flyers are downloadable below or available in the church office. I will, of course, be reminding you all relentlessly. Also, you are encouraged to send fliers to anyone and everyone you know!

• Applebee’s Flyer
• Coldstone Flyer
• Mountain Mike’s Pizza Flyer

We also have ways you can sponsor a child’s VBS experience. Our goal is to have 140 children registered. Here are a few ideas:

• $1 covers the cost of a preschool child’s bible point sticker sheet
• $1 covers the cost of a child’s God Sight Light
• $2 covers the cost of a child’s mission project
• $4 covers the cost of a child’s workbook for the week
• $5 covers the cost of a child’s VBS t-shirt
• $15 (approximately) covers the cost of 1 child’s snacks for the week

Thank you all very much for your support! I can’t wait to get started!

Korin McCoy
VBS Director 2009
northminstervbs@northminstersandiego.com

Please join us on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 9 am for an “All Ladies Day” at Northminster.  The day will start off with coffee, juice and greeting.  Alice Niederost will lead us in the first activity entitled GUIDED IMAGERY.

Peggy Brown will be our our music facilitator, keeping us in the spirit of the activities and devotions.

Rev. Sonja Wieland, Hospice Chaplin, will deliver a presentation called “Women Taking Care of Themselves”, which she will illustrate using scripture.

Reservations for participation and childcare can be made by calling the church office by June 10th at (858) 490-3995.

We look forward to growing and fellowshipping with you on this lovely day!

The Northminster Women’s association would like to invite “everyone and their mothers” to join us in Celebration at their Annual Mothers Day Luncheon on May 9th at 12:00 pm.  It is their desire to make this a most important affair for all who come.  This year they have invited the “Heritage Dancers” to perform at this event.  This is a dance team that is very entertaining and is based on historic American dancing!  Tickets are on sale now through the Northminster Church Office (858) 490-3995.  Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 12.  Please call and make your reservations early!

This summer Northminster is planning a romp through the swamp with our Bayou themed Crocodile Dock, and you’re invited!  We hope you’ll join us for this year’s Vacation Bible School.

Each day children will take part in a fun, Bible learning experience that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste!   Bible point crafts, team-building games, lively Bible songs, video visits from Chadder Chipmunk, and Bible drama adventures are just a few of the fun activities that children will enjoy.

July 27th to July 31st 9 AM to noon

Pre-registration- starts on Sunday April 26th AFTER the worship service.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED…..AND IT FILLS UP FAST!!!!

• $40 for first child in family, $30 for each additional child
• Potty trained 3 year olds to 5th graders are welcome

Enrollment is limited to 140 children (34 total Preschool age), so please register early to avoid being placed on the wait-list or missing out.  Every child must have a completed registration form and release form turned into the church office.  Scholarships are available; please let us know if there is a need.

Older students (entering 6th grade and above) are invited to apply to be VBS volunteer helpers.  Limited volunteer spaces are available.  Not all applications will be approved. 

Registration and release forms will be posted to this site following pre-registration on the 26th.  Please print out the forms you need, fill out, and return to the church office.

If you would like to see what happened last year, go to our Photo Gallery.

We look forward to seeing you at Crocodile Dock!

Northminster would like to invite you to  join us as we journey with Jesus through his final week before Easter.

Thursday Communion Service, 7:00 p.m.:  This is traditionally known as Maundy Thursday—the night Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples.  In this service, we will experience the passion of Jesus through the use of our senses:  taste, touch, seeing, hearing, and smelling.

Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m.:  In this service, we will journey through the suffering of Jesus toward the cross.  It will be a service of darkness, as we begin the service in full brightness and leave the service in total darkness, representing the darkness of the death of the Son of God.

Please don’t miss these opportunities to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus this week.  Make it a priority—as a follower of Jesus—to walk with Jesus through his suffering and crucifixion.

And then on Easter morning let’s celebrate the resurrection with passion, with eagerness, and with deep love for our wonderful Savior!!

April 1st at Northminster! 7-9pm in the Sanctuary.

Mark Wade, Brendan McCarthy, and Rachael Lampa!

Feel free to contact me with any questions- (619) 322-7586

God Bless,

Chelsea

The Northminster Women’s Association welcomes all Northminster women to come and join any of our activities!  Information about our various projects, mission goals, etc. are posted on the bulletin board in Congdon Hall.   Come be a part of our group!

The most important item on our agenda right now is to make our May 9th Mothers Day Luncheon a most important affair for all who come.  This year we will welcome the “Heritage Dancers” to bring us entertainment.  This is a dance team that is very entertaining and is based on historic American dancing.  Tickets will go on sale shortly after program details have been firmed up.   Look for0 details in upcoming posts.

On April 24 there will be a Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery Meeting at the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church.  The program will be entitled “Reality Changers” and will be presented by Chris Yanov.  We will car pool from Northminster leaving at 9:00 am.  This not a luncheon meeting so there is no charge.

Watch for details about our End-of-the-Year Retreat!  Date, time and program will be announced as soon as the plans are completed.

Denise & her team are stirring up some more fabulous family friendly food for us at Northminster!  If you’ve never attend, you’re missing some great food, fellowship and fun!  This dinner will be held on March 28th and will be served between 6:15 and 6:45 pm.  This month they will be serving

Baked Spaghetti Casserole This spin on spaghetti and meatballs is sure to please the whole family.  It’s a savory blend of organic tomato based sauce with fresh herbs and ground beef.  Tossed with spaghetti noodles, cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.  Baked until golden.  Think of it as a spaghetti lasagna.

Mixed Garden Fresh Salad Crisp greens with lots of veggies and croutons.  Tossed in a light Balsamic dressing.

Apple Crisps and Vanilla ice cream

Beverage Chilled bottled water

A Hot dog, veggies & ranch are also served for all ages upon request.

$5.00 per adult and $4.00 per child.

RSVP’s are MANDITORY and must be received NO LATER THAN MARCH 22! Please make your reservation by calling 858-490-3995.
No reservations will be accepted after the 22nd of March.

The Mariners are welcoming visitors to their next Mariner’s potluck meeting on Friday, March 20th.  This meeting will begin at 6:15 pm with a time of Fellowship and a Pot Luck dinner and will be followed by a slide show presentation celebrating the life and history of Northminster Church throughout the past fifty years!  People are invited to bring Northminster memorabilia and share their personal stories of the church.  If you are new to our congregation, please join us to get a feel of the history of our church.

Come join us for an enjoyable evening of memories, as we celebrate the past, the present and future of our church home!

It’s Time to Dine at  Northminster on Saturday, March 7th.   We will be serving dinner from 6:15pm-6:45pm. Once again, Denise and her team are stirring up some fabulous family food for us!  If you’ve never attended, you’re missing great food, fellowship and fun!

The menu for the evening will be:

Mildly spicy Southwest Stuffed Peppers, Santa Fe Caesar Salad, desert and drink all for only $5 per person and $4 for children.  A hot dog children’s menu is also available upon request.  Reservations are mandatory and must be made by March 1st.  Reserve your spot by sending an email to mychef@san.rr.com.  See you there!

Our next Time to Dine event will be held on Saturday, March 28th.

Denise Crow-A Personal Chef Service “Helping to bring families back to the dinner table”