SNK Volunteer Email 4.8.26
Hello SNK Team!
What a joy it was to celebrate our risen Savior and King, Jesus, together as a big family this Easter Sunday! It was a morning of singing praise to God together, praying together, learning together, playing together (JTAG egg hunt!), encouraging one another, celebrating baptisms, and serving together – All in worship of our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, joined together in the power of the Holy Spirit. My heart is so full of gratitude to God for His goodness, grace, and mercy. My heart is also filled with gratitude for all of you! Let us continue living in Christ’s resurrection hope and love!
Here are some events and Sunday morning lesson topics coming up in Kidz Ministry! Please take note that 5th grade graduation, Move-up Sunday, and Back-to-School Sunday & Kindergarten Event will all be on the same day! 😊
Please be sure to read to the end. 😊💛
Mark Your Calendars! SNK Special Events:
VBS Training Dates – 5/17 (9:00AM & 12:00PM) and 6/9 (6:00PM)
Family Service - 5/31
Family Discipleship Training for SNK Team Members – 6/13
VBS! - 6/15 to 6/18
Kid & Preteen Camp - 7/20 to 7/24
5th Grade Graduation - 8/9
Move Up Sunday - 8/9
Back to School Sunday and K Event - 8/9
April - Sunday Morning Lesson Topics:
Preschool:
Memory Verse - "I am alive forever and ever!" Revelation 1:18 NIV
Key Question - Who is Alive?
Bottom Line - Jesus is alive!
Elementary:
Memory Verse – “Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!” (Philippians 4:4 NIrV)
Bottom Line –
Week 1 (April 5th) – This was our family Easter Service! 😊
Week 2 (April 12th)
Conversation Starter - How do you celebrate Easter?
Bottom Line - You can have joy because Jesus is alive.
Week 3 (April 19th):
Conversation Starter - How does knowing that Jesus is alive bring you joy?
Bottom Line - You can have joy because there’s a bigger story
Week 4 (April 26th):
Conversation Starter - When have you experienced joy in your life?
Bottom Line - The Holy Spirit gives you joy.
Important Reminders
Punctuality –
Please remember to be in your locations at least 20 minutes before service begins. This allows us to meet for team huddle, make sure everyone is on the same page, and pray for the children before they arrive. It also helps us be ready to welcome families, since they can start dropping off about 15 minutes early. Thank you for helping create a smooth and welcoming start for everyone!💛
Scheduling –
Please remember to click “accept” or “decline” on your Planning Center invites!
If something comes up after you’ve signed up to serve and you’re no longer able to make it, please reach out to one of our SNK directors as soon as possible — Kayla Meyers (elementary director) or Trudy Gunnet (preschool director). This includes unexpected situations like illness.
Having the right number of volunteers is very important for both the safety and care of our children, so we truly appreciate you letting Kayla or Trudy know as soon as you’re aware of a scheduling conflict. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep everything running smoothly!
Elementary Reminders –
Please kindly redirect the children from running and playing on the risers, stage, and stairs for their safety.
Please do not hinder our larger children from sitting on the chairs, if they are choosing the chairs over the risers. Remember: what matters is that they are part of the group. 😊
Hosts, please remember to cue our tech person for the “many ways to worship slide” to provide a visual to help our children understand that there are lots of ways to praise God in worship. The kids may also need the reminder that they are to remain up with the group, and not running around the back of the room or at the walls during worship time.
Baby & Preschool Reminders –
Baby room/nursery volunteers: please remember to both check and cross off name tags. We have received some concerns from families that this is not consistently happening.
Baby room/nursery: please remember to turn off the battery-powered toys to help save the batteries. They seem to be running out quickly.
And for one more very important reminder today: Please remember that you are perfectly loved by our perfect Father and a cherished member of His family!
It is such a blessing to get to serve and grow in faith alongside you. Thank you for the joy and love you pour into Jesus’ youngest disciples each week. They are getting to see who Jesus is through you! What a gift! Please feel welcome to join me in prayer for the children and families we serve and support each week and for each other.
With Joy & Appreciation,
Tara Strauser
Children’s Ministry Director
SUN Ministry Director
SNK Volunteer Email 4.8.26
Hello SNK Team!
What a joy it was to celebrate our risen Savior and King, Jesus, together as a big family this Easter Sunday! It was a morning of singing praise to God together, praying together, learning together, playing together (JTAG egg hunt!), encouraging one another, celebrating baptisms, and serving together – All in worship of our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, joined together in the power of the Holy Spirit. My heart is so full of gratitude to God for His goodness, grace, and mercy. My heart is also filled with gratitude for all of you! Let us continue living in Christ’s resurrection hope and love!
Here are some events and Sunday morning lesson topics coming up in Kidz Ministry! Please take note that 5th grade graduation, Move-up Sunday, and Back-to-School Sunday & Kindergarten Event will all be on the same day! 😊
Please be sure to read to the end. 😊💛
Mark Your Calendars! SNK Special Events:
VBS Training Dates – 5/17 (9:00AM & 12:00PM) and 6/9 (6:00PM)
Family Service - 5/31
Family Discipleship Training for SNK Team Members – 6/13
VBS! - 6/15 to 6/18
Kid & Preteen Camp - 7/20 to 7/24
5th Grade Graduation - 8/9
Move Up Sunday - 8/9
Back to School Sunday and K Event - 8/9
April - Sunday Morning Lesson Topics:
Preschool:
Memory Verse - "I am alive forever and ever!" Revelation 1:18 NIV
Key Question - Who is Alive?
Bottom Line - Jesus is alive!
Elementary:
Memory Verse – “Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!” (Philippians 4:4 NIrV)
Bottom Line –
Week 1 (April 5th) – This was our family Easter Service! 😊
Week 2 (April 12th)
Conversation Starter - How do you celebrate Easter?
Bottom Line - You can have joy because Jesus is alive.
Week 3 (April 19th):
Conversation Starter - How does knowing that Jesus is alive bring you joy?
Bottom Line - You can have joy because there’s a bigger story
Week 4 (April 26th):
Conversation Starter - When have you experienced joy in your life?
Bottom Line - The Holy Spirit gives you joy.
Important Reminders
Punctuality –
Please remember to be in your locations at least 20 minutes before service begins. This allows us to meet for team huddle, make sure everyone is on the same page, and pray for the children before they arrive. It also helps us be ready to welcome families, since they can start dropping off about 15 minutes early. Thank you for helping create a smooth and welcoming start for everyone!💛
Scheduling –
Please remember to click “accept” or “decline” on your Planning Center invites!
If something comes up after you’ve signed up to serve and you’re no longer able to make it, please reach out to one of our SNK directors as soon as possible — Kayla Meyers (elementary director) or Trudy Gunnet (preschool director). This includes unexpected situations like illness.
Having the right number of volunteers is very important for both the safety and care of our children, so we truly appreciate you letting Kayla or Trudy know as soon as you’re aware of a scheduling conflict. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep everything running smoothly!
Elementary Reminders –
Please kindly redirect the children from running and playing on the risers, stage, and stairs for their safety.
Please do not hinder our larger children from sitting on the chairs, if they are choosing the chairs over the risers. Remember: what matters is that they are part of the group. 😊
Hosts, please remember to cue our tech person for the “many ways to worship slide” to provide a visual to help our children understand that there are lots of ways to praise God in worship. The kids may also need the reminder that they are to remain up with the group, and not running around the back of the room or at the walls during worship time.
Baby & Preschool Reminders –
Baby room/nursery volunteers: please remember to both check and cross off name tags. We have received some concerns from families that this is not consistently happening.
Baby room/nursery: please remember to turn off the battery-powered toys to help save the batteries. They seem to be running out quickly.
And for one more very important reminder today: Please remember that you are perfectly loved by our perfect Father and a cherished member of His family!
It is such a blessing to get to serve and grow in faith alongside you. Thank you for the joy and love you pour into Jesus’ youngest disciples each week. They are getting to see who Jesus is through you! What a gift! Please feel welcome to join me in prayer for the children and families we serve and support each week and for each other.
With Joy & Appreciation,
Tara Strauser
Children’s Ministry Director
SUN Ministry Director
SNK Email 3.25.26
Palm Sunday Family Service Details
Hi, SNK Families!
We hope this email finds you all well and that you’re having a great week so far.
This is a quick message to share some information about this Sunday. It’s Palm Sunday, and we are looking forward to the kids joining the adults together for a Family Service! It is going to be so great seeing the preschoolers and elementary children sing Hosanna with the worship team following the Kids’ Message. They have been singing and learning the words each Sunday this month during Preschool and Elementary worship time. What a blessing it will be to all sing and worship God together as a big family!
We will have coloring pages and crayons available for pick-up as you enter the Family Life Center. We know these have been enjoyed by many of the kids while sitting together with their families. There will also be a BINGO page for the children. As they hear the words in the sermon by Pastor Jonathan Phillips, they can circle the word on their card until they get five in a row to shout “GO”! What a great way for the kids to hear the sermon!
The Grace Space will be opened after the worship portion of both the 9:00 and 10:30 services for our young ones and a family member to use. Please be sure an adult remains with your child in the Grace Space.
We have a plan for our littlest ones too! The Early Childhood room will be open during the 9:00am service time only. A 2-year-old only Sunday school class will be opened at 9:00am as well after the worship time of the 9:00am service. The 2-year-old class will be in the Early Childhood room.
Coming to the 10:30am service? The Grace Space will be opened following the worship time, and the baby room is available for any nursing mothers needing some time alone with their precious infants.
We are so looking forward to worshiping together as a family of God and seeing His kids praise and lead the song, Hosanna!
With Joy & Appreciation,
The SNK Team
On Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 10:52 PM Tru
SNK Volunteer Email 3.19.26
VBS 2026 Kingdom Quest
Greetings, Friends!
VBS 2026 Kingdom Quest is fast approaching, and we are so excited! This incredible week is one of the biggest ways we connect with and serve our community—and you can be a part of this epic quest by:
Praying for the kids who will attend and their families
Praying for the volunteers serving throughout the week
Consider serving and joining in on the fun too!
VBS is a 4-night event, and whether you can help one night or all four, your presence truly makes a difference!
VBS is so much more than a fun week—it’s an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with kids and families, helping them discover who He is and how to walk with Him every day. What a joy and a privilege to be a part of this ministry!
This year’s theme: Kingdom Quest!
Dates: June 15–18
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Dinner is provided each night for all volunteers and their families.
We would love for you to join us this Summer and be part of what God is doing!
Volunteer Training:
• Sunday, May 17 at 9:00 AM (MPR) or 12:00 PM (Kids Worship Space)
• Make-up session: June 9 at 6:00 PM (teens included!)
You can sign up using the link or QR code included in this email.
Thank you for prayerfully considering being part of VBS this year—we hope to see you there!
Kingdom Quest Volunteer Link (Click Here!)
Blessings,
Tara Strauser - Children’s Ministry Director
Trudy Gunnett - Preschool Director
SNK Parent email 3.2.26
UPDATE: Family Ministry Training Date!
Hello SNK Ministry Team!
Hi SNK Ministry Team!
Just a quick update to let you all know that our make-up date for the Family Discipleship training that needed to be cancelled is March 8 from 6:00-8:00pm. Childcare will be provided to help make it easier for everyone to attend.
Please look out for a Planning Center invite coming soon from either Trudy Gunnet (Preschool Director) or Kayla Meyers (Elementary Director) to let us know if you can attend. 😊
We are looking forward to being together and are truly grateful for each of you. See you soon!
With Joy & Appreciation,
Tara Strauser
Children’s Ministry Director
SNK Parent email 2.23.26
Hello SNK Families!
Here are some upcoming events and Sunday morning lesson topics coming up in Kidz Ministry!
SNK Special Events:
March 1st – Child Dedication Class
March 21st – Child Dedication Service (Families can register at Stillnaz.com/dedication)
March 29th – Family Services at 9:00 and 10:30 (Grace Space open for both services; nursery and 2-year-old class open only at 9am service time)
April 5th – Easter Family Service at 9:30am, followed by Easter Egg Hunt for all ages
Sunday Morning Lesson Topics:
Preschool:
Memory Verse – “And the power of the Lord was with Jesus.” Luke 5:17, NIV
Key Question – Who can do anything?
Bottom Line – Jesus can do anything.
Elementary:
Memory Verse – “Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 NIRV)
Bottom Line –
Week 1: Jesus must increase. I must decrease.
Week 2: Remember, God is most important.
Week 3: Love like Jesus even when it’s hard.
Week 4: Jesus showed us how to be humble
Week 5: (Family Service)
Conversation Topics & Practice: “How am I loving like Jesus and putting Him first?”
It truly is a gift to get to partner with you in your child’s faith journey each week. We are praying for your family as you grow together in Christ. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
With Joy & Appreciation,
Tara Strauser
Children’s Ministry Director
SNK Volunteer email 2.23.26
Family Ministry Discipleship training Sunday!
Hello SNK Team!
Here are some upcoming events and Sunday morning lesson topics coming up in Kidz Ministry! Please be sure to read to the end. 😊
Upcoming SNK Special Events:
March 1st – Child Dedication Class
March 21st – Child Dedication Service (Families can register at Stillnaz.com/dedication)
March 29th – Family Services (Grace Space open for both services; nursery and 2-year-old class open only at 9am service time)
April 5th – Easter Family Service at 9:30am, followed by Easter Egg Hunt for all ages
Sunday Morning Lesson Topics:
Preschool:
Memory Verse – “And the power of the Lord was with Jesus.” Luke 5:17, NIV
Key Question – Who can do anything?
Bottom Line – Jesus can do anything.
Elementary:
Memory Verse – “Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 NIRV)
Bottom Line –
Week 1: Jesus must increase. I must decrease.
Week 2: Remember, God is most important.
Week 3: Love like Jesus even when it’s hard.
Week 4: Jesus showed us how to be humble
Week 5: (Family Service)
Conversation Topic & Practice: “How am I loving like Jesus and putting Him first?”
Important Reminders:
Please remember to click “accept” or “decline” on your Planning Center invites!
If something comes up after you’ve signed up to serve and you’re no longer able to make it, please reach out to one of our SNK directors as soon as possible — Kayla Meyers (elementary director) or Trudy Gunnet (preschool director). This includes unexpected situations like illness.
Having the right number of volunteers is very important for both the safety and care of our children, so we truly appreciate you letting Kayla or Trudy know as soon as you’re aware of a scheduling conflict. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep everything running smoothly!
It is such a blessing to get to serve alongside you. Thank you for the joy and love you pour into Jesus’ youngest disciples each week. Remember, every smile you bring, every story or small group lesson you teach, every prayer you pray — all point our kids to Jesus. We are so grateful for you and can’t wait to see what God continues to do through this ministry!
With Joy & Appreciation,
Tara Strauser
Children’s Ministry Director
SNK Volunteer email 2.12.26
Family Ministry Discipleship training Sunday!
Hi, everyone!
This is a friendly reminder that our Family Discipleship Training is on February 22 from 6-8pm.
In the past, this was a quarterly training for adult discipleship leaders, but this year we are inviting all of our discipleship leaders who lead with our children and our youth too!
Everyone will meet as a whole group first, then we will split into youth leaders, children’s leaders, and adult leaders.
We are very much looking forward to this time together! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
You are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you!
Tara
SNK Weekly Email 2.9.26
Hello SNK families & volunteers!
We are really excited to announce Tara Strauser as our children's ministry director! Tara will be shepherding and supporting our volunteers, families, and children of all ages, from babies through 5th grade. She is currently pursuing a call to ministry and is in the process of becoming a pastor. Tara has years of experience as a school psychologist. She also has years of experience in children's ministry and is responsible for developing our current SUN (special needs) ministry. We are really excited about the gifts and graces she possesses to lead the children's ministry. She has a deep love for Jesus and His children of all ages.
She has an incredible team working behind her, with Kayla Meyers as the elementary director, Trudy Gunnet as the preschool director, and Elaine Briggs as the Bloom director, assisting Tara with elementary, preschool, and family night scheduling and planning. She will serve on the Family Discipleship team under the guidance of Pastor Tabitha. We would like to thank Trudy Gunnet for her time in directing during our transitions and the amazing work she did! If you have any questions about children's ministry, please reach out to Tara at tstrauser@stillnaz.com!
In hope!
Pastor Tabitha
SNK Weekly Email Blog 1.12.26
Hello SNK families!
Happy New year to everyone! I just wanted to send out an email with what is happening in SNK for the beginning of 2026.
SNK Special Events:
2/1 - Baptisms (register @ stillnaz.com/baptism)
2/10 - Family Night Kick-Off (register for BLOOM @ stillnaz.com/familynight)
3/21 - Child Dedication (register @ stillnaz.com/dedication)
Sunday Lessons:
Elementary:
Bottom Line - Practice Praying to God.
Memory Verse - Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come. (1Timothy 4:8 NIrV)
Practice - Talking about God, Praying to God, Hearing from God, Living for God
Preschool:
Key Question - What does the Bible teach you?
Bottom Line - The Bible teaches me the best things.
Memory Verse - “Your word is truth” (John 17:17 NIrV)
God Bless!
Trudy & Pastor Tabitha
SNK Weekly Email Blog 10.23.25
It all begins with an idea.
Hello SNK Families!
Happy late October!! I feel like this fall is racing by! I hope you are all enjoying your week. As usual, I am sending a summary of what we are learning in Elementary and Preschool this Sunday, and ways to talk about these lessons at home. I also am including information about our Family Fall Fest happening this weekend!
Family Fall Fest—This Saturday (10/25) from 6PM-8PM will be our Family Fall Fest that will be taking place at our York City Campus. Join us for a time of games, indoor trunk or treating, dancing, and so much more! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Sunday—
Elementary:
Story—This week we are going through the kings in 1 & 2 Kings. We will look at the ways that each of these kings made wise choices for God, and ways that they chose the unwise choice. We’ll look back at David and Solomon, and learn about Saul, Rehoboam, Asa, Jehoram, and many more. The takeaway for this story is that we are faced with many different choices each day, and we need to turn to God to make sure we make the wise choice! One way you can discuss this at home is by giving examples of different choices they make each day. Things like, doing their chores on time, completing homework before playing or screen time, showing kindness and love to siblings, or anything else that your child may face each day. Talk about what the wise choice is and what the unwise choice would be. When you run into one of these scenarios in real life, ask them what the wise choice is and help them make that choice.
Bottom Line— Be wise because your choices matter.
Memory Verse—"It is much better to get wisdom than gold. It is much better to choose understanding than silver” (Proverbs 16:16). You can practice this by saying it each morning while getting ready, saying it before bed, or making up motions to practice!
Preschool:
Story—The story this week is about Abigail being brave to help David when Nabal wouldn’t (1 Samuel 25:1-35). In this story, David helps keep Nabal’s sheep and shepherds safe one day, but Nabal doesn’t return that kindness later. David gets angry. Abigail goes and helps him to avoid a bigger conflict, even though her husband had said no. The takeaway for this story is to be brave so you can help others. You can talk about this story by asking about ways that your child helps others. Ask if they have ever been scared to help others OR if they have ever wanted to not help others. Maybe they didn’t want to share a favorite toy or stop doing what they were doing to help a friend or sibling. Start pointing out times that they can practice being brave to help others!
Key Question—Who can help me be brave?
Bottom Line—God can help me be brave!
Memory Verse-- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid ... for the Lord your God goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV). You can practice this by finding the same time to say it each day. Start with the child repeating after you, eventually saying it all together. Try making up motions together to help with memorization!
I am looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday. It is such a blessing to be here with your kids and to help partner with you on their spiritual journey! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or have any questions!
Praying for you all,
Pastor Brooklynn Ballenger
Kid’s Ministry Pastor
Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene
Email: Bballenger@stillnaz.com
Cell: 740-877-9428