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Smiley Kids of the Kingdom History The Kids of the Kingdom afterschool program here at Smiley United Methodist Church was started in 1995 by a group of dedicated people led by Pastor Ron Shott and his wife, Kathleen, with the specific intention to provide an enriching time for our area children each Wednesday during the school year. Under Pastor Teresa Welborn, and continuing under Pastor Joe McManus, this program has succeeded beyond our dreams to touch the lives of our community. Without the wonderful gifts of Betty Sample, Margie Culpepper, Shelley Janicek and others this effort would never have continued. Betty is so very able a leader, and really enjoys leading the children in play time both indoors and out. And, the rest of us are constantly amazed at the creativity that Margie expresses through the craft projects that she prepares for the children. Never too simple, never too difficult, the crafts she develops are adaptable to this entire range of ages and abilities. And we can never say too much about the musical talents that Shelley brings to our program. The children are always excited, eager to learn the new songs she has for them, and always calling out for their "old standby's"--like their theme song - "Kids of the Kingdom, That's Who We are." And our pastors have all brought their own unique gifts to our days together. Each of them have been very gifted in developing story times that allow the Bible to come alive for our children. Finally, we come to that nebulous group "others"--there have just been too many over the years to try to single out a few. Each year, we are joined in this ministry by adults and teenagers from our church and community who just want to help out wherever they can, and enrich the lives of these youg people. Our congregation provides wonderful snacks for the participants,and is often rewarded by a "concert" provided by the children. These children know that God loves them, and they share this love in our church community, and--more importantly--in their school and daily life communities. |
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Copyright (C) 2002 Smiley UMC |
