I do love the world of computer technology but I have avoided "blogging" in the same manner in which I avoid liver and onions or chicken gizzards. I just do not like the term "blog" because it just sounds so unattractive. However, with everything currently going on at Covenant, I have resolved myself to the fact that it is finally time to give in and begin a blog.

For those who do not know what a "blog" is, it is simply a term representing a web based log. Blogging is big! There are so many sites dedicated to this form on online journaling. Although I've held out for so long, I will now begin my journey of blogging in an effort to keep our Covenant Kids and their parents up to date on all the changes going on due to construction, fire restoration, and the upcoming schedule of activities.

I'll begin today by just saying thank you to our wonderful Lord whose spirit filled the auditorium at Randolph school yesterday morning for our combined worship service. I didn't see very many empty seats but I did see many, many filled hearts. Thank you to all of our families who have been so understanding with our limited resources at the moment. We were able to offer childcare for children 3 and under and will continue to do that while holding services at Randolph. We are unable to have Sunday School, Extended Care, or Children's Church while at Randolph due to limited space available and limited caregivers but children are welcome in the service and fidgeting and the crinkling of candy wrappers is more than acceptable. I plan to have some children's bulletins or worksheets along with pencils and crayons available at the September 28th service. Also, if you have a special need for your child due to your participation in the service, please don't hesitate to ask me for help. We can always work something out for special circumstances.

If the fire restoration goes as scheduled, we should be able to resume Sunday School for kids, Extended Care, and Children's Church on October 12th. That is the target date to return to services in the Covenant Fellowship Hall and that is a Children's Church Sunday. Wednesday Night Alive may be the last program we are able to resume. Our preschool wing will be available beginning next week but we cannot resume the chidlren's portion of WNA until we have accomodations for the adults as well. The adult wing is not scheduled to reopen until October 19th. I am hoping that we can resume WNA on October 22nd with the start of our second rotation group. During this rotation, the children will be preparing for the season of Advent by learning about the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Isaiah. We will explore all the names of Jesus and will do activities and projects that will introduce Advent to the children. We will also be continuing this learning of the names of Jesus throughout the Advent season with the children.

Please do not hesitate to email me or call me with any questions you have, any concerns you have, or to volunteer to help out with the upcoming Advent season for our kids. If there was ever a time we could use your help, it is now.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as well as your faith in our restoration. God is with us and he will give us strength. We all pray for strength but we can't see that God has granted that strength until he gives us a reason to be strong. Let's be strong together and lean on each other in our steadfast love for our Lord.

Blessing and Peace to you,

Cyndy Sarkisian

Director of Children's Ministry