HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

On Thursday, 1st November 2007 we celebrated a member's 1st birthday at Bright Sparks, mum brought in a cake, a single candle was added and big sister blew it out !

We love members to attend Bright Sparks on their brithdays so we celebrate together.

Congratulations !

Congratulations to Aly, Dieter, Richard, Tara, Iona and Isabella on the birth of baby Logan born on Wednesday 31st October 2007. Aly, Iona and Isabella are regular members of Bright Sparks and we look forward to Logan joining us.

Summer Family Picnic 2007

The Salvation Army in Ashford is engaging in a week of prayer and worship from the 13th August 2007. Our theme and focus will be Overwhelmed, and we will be looking at the amazing God we love and serve. If you a prayer request please write to us or visit our web site:> www.ashfordsalvationarmy.org.uk and leave requests there.

For those that are unable to attend the tuesday session a family picnic is being held near our South Willesborough Hall.

Any further information required please feel free to contact me.

Caroline Marshall

Family Support Officer

End Of Year Party

On Tuesday 17th July we had our end of year party, which included lots of games, food, scrap booking for parents (led by Adult Ministries Officer Sara aka the gardener) and also the graduation of Bright Sparks moving onto Kingdom Kids next term. The pictures show just some of the fun that was enjoyed. Thank you to the Bright Sparks team for a wonderful year !

Dedication of Hope

On Sunday we celebrated the dedication to God of Hope Sara Jewesson Woodgate, the daughter and sister of Captain Sue, Captain Ian, Grace and Adam Woodgate.

The dedication was conducted by Captain Catherine Cotterill from the William Booth College.

Prizegiving 2007

On sunday we had our annual prizegiving, Bright Sparks were asked to contribute something and they beautifully sang "My God is so big".

Prizes were given to those members of Bright Sparks and Bubbles (sunday bright sparks) who attended the day.

Following the service a number of Bright Sparks and their parents stayed for lunch. We have a family lunch every 1st sunday, all are welcome.

The day ended with our Children's Ministry Officer and Family Support Officer playing various games with both Bright Sparks and Kingdom Kids (children aged 4-11).

Thank you to our Senior Leaders Ian and Sue Woodgate, Children's Ministries Officer Clare Hayward and the Bright Sparks team for an enjoyable day.

Fathers' Day

Happy Fathers' Day to all dads reading this BLOG

Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honour your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Picture courtesy of Max Lucado newsletter http://www.maxlucado.com/fathers/

Prizegiving

On Sunday, 1st July Ashford Salvation Army will hold their annual Celebration and Prizegiving, to be held at the East Stour Primary School. This will include prizes for the bright sparks aswell as kingdom kids and flame youth cell. Starting at 10.30am, the event will then flow into a celebration meal. I hope that all members will keep this day free, and look forward to sharing it with them.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

AND AGAIN!

For the second week running we have a large number of mums and tots attend our thursday session.

It was great to see one mum and her son return for their second session.

Bright Sparks provides an opportunity for parents to relax and chat with other parents. It also give them a chance to offload or seek advice.

Matthew 19:14 NIV • Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

CAR SEAT WARNING

http://www.epolitix.com/EN/Forums/Which/PressReleases/200706/bfb5dc3e-9382-43b2-a788-e6b40a7004c4.htm

HOORAY

Bright Sparks has always been more quiet on a thursday but today we had a full house ! Mums and children who usually attend only on a tuesday came for their first thursday and a few familiar faces returned after a few weeks break !

We started the morning by eating breakfast together, this included bacon rolls, toast, cereal and drinks. The children then played while the mums chatted and relaxed.

Bright Sparks Parent & Toddler Group runs tuesday 1pm-3pm and thursday 9.30-11.30am (during term time only) at the Salvation Army Ashford Christian Centre.

HOPE

Today we welcomed our newest and youngest member Hope Sara Jewesson Woodgate and her proud brother Adam showed her off !

Congratulations Sue, Ian, Grace and Adam.

PS Hope is not the only baby in the Woodgate household they have had two litters of bunnies and a litter of Guinea Pigs on the way ! So if you want to adopt a lickle bunny or GP let us know.

Family Outing

Occasionally the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre arrange family outings at reasonable costs, to allow opportunity for families and individuals to get away from it all at a price most people can afford. Our Easter outing is on Wednesday 11th April and we will be going to Greenwich in London. There is loads to do in that area, and much of it is free as well! A few members of Bright Sparks will be going and we cannot wait !

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is always a special event for South Willesborough and Newtown, and advance information is now available, so keep this day free. This year the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Community Day will be held at the East Stour School, and indeed the usual fun, plus car boot sale and side stalls. If you would like a stall, then please contact us. These are available for only £5.

Welcome !

Welcome to The Bright Sparks Blog!

The reason for this blog is to tell all the exciting things that are happening in the toddler ministries of the Salvation Army Ashford Christian Centre - as well as communicating with those who are already members, and the wider audience. We would love to hear your comments too.