Joann Edwards

Network Volunteer Thursdays

This Thursday marks a turning point for Network Volunteer Thursdays. We invite parents with children at home to volunteer their time in the offices (working on a variety of ministry projects) while we provide supervised care and fun for the kids.

This week we're adding a twist! We're going to run through the Big Idea Team tool from the weekend together (9-9:30am). We're excited to bring in this time of sharing and reflection into our time together.

Everyone's welcome! Join us.

Do This TODAY

Think back through the events and circumstances of this day. Where was God trying to start a conversation with you?

What do you need in order to keep your heart intimate and in tune with God? (Spiritual disciplines). What obstacles seem to be in your way?

How can you build things that "fill your tank" into your schedule this next week? Start with some reflection and quiet time (check out the Leaders Journey questions below to get started).

A Leaders Journey #2

Set aside some time for reflection and use one of these questions as a guide in helping you discern a next step in your journey as a Christ-follower.

What step has God challenged you to take that you haven't yet (ie. reconcile a relationship, steps to share Christ with a friend, steps to get out of debt, etc.). Talk to God about that step and your reluctance to taking it. What could you begin doing right away to move towards obedience in this situation?

What would you like to see happen in your relationship with Jesus over the next year? What steps do you need to take towards that future?

What would you like to see happen in your family over the next year? What steps do you need to take towards that future?

What would you like to see happen in your career or in the ministry area that you serve over the next year? What steps do you need to take towards that future?

A Leaders Journey

Set aside some time for reflection and use one of these questions as a guide in helping you discern a next step in your journey as a Christ-follower.

What decisions (big or small) are you facing right now? Read James 1:5. Ask God to guide you with His wisdom in those decisions. As you quiet in your heart and listen, what steps do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to take?

Who are the people that have been on your mind the most lately? Ask God to show you if He is putting these people on your mind for a specific reason. Is there something He is prompting you to do for these people?

What have you heard recently (at a service, in your own studies, through the Big Idea or in conversation that has really stuck out in your mind? Why do you think the Holy Spirit wanted that thing to stick out to you? What step is God prompting you to take in response?

Read 1 John 1:9-10. Spend some time searching your heart. Ask God to show you any unconfessed sin in your life. Confess that sin to God and think about the steps you need to take to be released from the bondage of that sin.

Ask God to bring to your mind a command from Scripture that He wants you to pay attention to (look through Matthew 5-7 for inspiration). What steps do you need to take to live in obedience to this command?

Volunteer Thursdays Expanding!

Over the past 2-3 summers, we've invited Keystone parents with kids to volunteer around the offices Thursday mornings during the summer. Childcare, fun and games are available for the kids, and parents help our Network Services staff with a variety of tasks to get ready for the weekend.

Its so much fun, and become so popular that we've decided to offer the childcare option year around! And we're expanding to offer the service to any/all Keystone leader or volunteer in any ministry area.

• Do you volunteer in the children's ministry and wish you had a chance to get in and re-stock or clean and organize your area?
• Looking for a chance to get online and research music, pull together chord sheets, or find mp3s?
• Are you a stay-at-home parent with some skills repairing or painting? We've got maintenance projects waiting for you!
• Do you schedule tech team and need time and access to a computer to get next months schedule or meeting lined up?

Everyone's welcome! Thursdays 9-noon.

And that's not all! New this fall, we're adding the Big Idea to the morning. We'll take a 1/2 hour (9-9:30) and take a run through the Big Idea team tool from the previous weekends talk. Another great way to learn and grow together. Take a step with us! Questions? Email Joann Edwards joanne@keystonecc.org.

New Website Coming Along

Jordan, our web intern, has made considerable progress on our new website. We have a goal of mid-August to complete the re-design and launch it. Joomla has been a BIG learning curve, but and the Rockettheme templates are REALLY cool. Interested in helping work on the site or checking it out? Contact me...

New Web Intern at Keystone

We're got a new summer intern at Keystone, Jordan Wierenga, who will be working with us designing a new version of our public website. We're planning to use Joomla content managment system and a rockettheme template. Anyone in Keystone land interested in helping guide us? Familiar with Joomla? Alternatives? Let us know!

Loving my new MacBook Pro

Just upgraded yesterday to a new MacBook, it's been a long 4 years since I've seen a new laptop and my first MAC. So far so good. It was a little disconcerting however to wake up this morning and not be able to access some of my favorite websites. Yahoo (and our yahoo mail server) were no where to be found when I looked this morning. I confess I had to check on the old PC to confirm it wasn't a MAC issue. Looks like some connection or another is down due to the crazy storms last night. So, I'll just plug along without email until its up again... and continue to explore the rest of the web with my mac buddy.

Operations Focus - Communication Part 2

Revisions to our existing communication policies are underway. The church communication group I've been meeting with is interested in reviewing a draft which will be ready by the end of next week. Wiki Girl, Melissa Shelley has agreed to join the Keystone group review process. YEAH! We've narrowed our focus to

1. Communication standards for use by volunteers and staff in the creation of print and web based materials
2. Communication process (how and to whom) information is communicated between
   1. Leaders, sites and staff and Network Services
   2. Network Services and the community/visitors
   3. Network Services and invested/core attendees

The technology/web review has taken on a slightly different look. We've been looking into replacement computers and through discussions with vendors, we have concluded that a systems review by an outside consultant may be warranted. We are doing an initial meet/review with him next week.

So things are moving along, please consider joining us! Just email.

Bring the Kids Along Thursdays

Thursday mornings in the summer at Keystone ROCK. We're in our third summer of "'Bring the Kids to Keystone" Thursdays and it's a blast.

• We have great sitters who keep the kids jumping with crafts, movies, adventures outside & more
• Parents are free to use their talents helping in and around the offices in support of all kinds of ministries/events and activities at Keystone

Yesterday we had 5 volunteers, and they busted through a TON of work! Everything from:

• Unpacking supplies
• Printing/creating and sorting children's materials for lessons coming up in July
• Updating the database
• Doing background checks
• Folding/assembling Big Idea materials for this series
• Pricing books and arranging the book table at Spaulding
• And setting up supplies/materials for shipping to Eastside

Join us! It's not only a riot, its a great way to serve God! Thursdays (except July 3) 9am-noon. Questions? Email us...