November kicks off Feed Miami month! UBC has established an on-going food pantry which had provided emergency food to many UBC families and individuals around the community. As we distribute food though, there is the need to collect more and for volunteers to sort and maintain the food in the pantry. So, we’re on it again this November!

We have a couple different opportunities for you to participate:
1. Bring non-perishables to UBC over the next few weeks and drop them off at the collection bins you’ll find by the check-in kiosks.

2. Come out to the Feed Miami Benefit Concert on November 4th!

For more information on our food pantry, visit feedmiami.com

It’s hard for kids (and adults) to consistently slow down long enough to express gratitude. So, the theme for this November is taking a “Pitstop” so we can remember that because of what God has done, we always have a reason to be grateful.

It’s interesting to realize that God doesn’t actually express gratitude—because God doesn’t need anything. He is the only One who is truly self-reliant. But God made us so that we are not self-reliant. We need God, and we need other people. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and God met that need when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Because of God’s sacrifice, we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. So that means we can be grateful to God for saving us and preparing a place for us in eternity.

And that’s not all—there are other things to be grateful for as well. Do you have shelter? Food? Clean Water? Clothes? Work? What about friends and family? These things can be easily taken for granted. But imagine what our lives would be like without them. God wants us to remember that every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and that we should be grateful to Him for what He has given.

In week one, we will look for the silver lining in every situation. Bottom Line: You always have something to be grateful for. To do this, we will unpack our monthly memory verse: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

The second week we will focus on a group of vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1-15) who agreed to do a job but were disappointed by the way things turned out. Bottom Line: Take time to adjust your attitude.

And in the final week, we’ll study Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and think about why only one came back. Bottom Line: Take time to say thank you.

We all need a gratitude adjustment from time to time. This month, we’re gonna pause and remember to thank those who have helped us. We will also pause and remember those we need to help.

Til next time!

Cara Martens. ©2011 Orange. All rights reserved. www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Hey Big Kids!  Block Party is still on and remember there is no FamJamz this weekend, October 29th & 30th.  See you on November 5th & 6th.  Join us as we launch the virtue of Gratitude for the month of November.

Looking for a FREE & FUN & FAMILY orientated event this Halloween? Then join us 3-6p on Sunday, October 30, for our annual BLOCK PARTY @ UBC. Carnival games, trunk or treat, costume contests, candy and much more will be set-up in the UBC parking lot. Want a free raffle ticket? Donate a bag with non-perishable food to Block Party and drop in the Feed Miami Van. This is a great opportunity to bring your family and friends to UBC.

NEW VIRTUE! Creativity!  We are created by a creative God in His image, but unfortunately the older we get, the less we seem to believe that we are creative and the more narrow our view of creativity becomes. So this month, we’re discovering where true creativity comes from and a variety of ways to be creative.

The first week, we’re going back to the beginning to explore the original Creator, a very imaginative God (Genesis 1:1-2:1). Bottom Line: you were created so you can be creative.

The second week, we’ll expand our definition of creativity to include the idea of how God empowers us to solve problems and lead in out-of-the-box ways. Bottom Line: use your imagination to think BIG.” We’ll take a look at the story of Miriam and her mother as they work together to save baby Moses (Exodus 1:22-2:10).

In week three, we’ll learn about how we can creatively express ourselves through our words, music, art and more to point people to God. We’ll study the life of David (2 Samuel 23:1-2). Bottom Line: use your imagination to make your mark.

Finally, there’s more to creativity than just problem solving and expressing ourselves. God created us to reflect Him and be the type of light that helps others see Him more clearly. We can do that when we learn more about what jests shared in His Sermon on the Mount about Salt and Light (matthew 5:14-16). Bottom Line: use your imagination to do more good.

We can’t wait to see what God will show us about creativity this month. Hope to see you in FamJamz!

‘Till next time!

God is the ultimate source of knowledge — and that’s the characteristic of God we’re learning about this month as we kick off a new school year. It’s in the story of God that we find the character of God, so we’re headed to the Gospel of Luke to learn from His Son, Jesus, as He grew up.

We’ll start the first week learning with the 12-year-old Jesus as He listens and asks questions in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52).
Bottom Line: Since God knows everything, I should discover what God says.

Next, we’ll see how Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 3:21-23).
Bottom Line: When I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.

Then comes a low point in the story — Jesus being tempted in the desert by the devil (Luke 4:1-13). He was able to use what He knew, and He was filled with God’s power to choose what was best, not easiest or quickest.
Bottom Line: When I discover what God says, I can make wiser choices.

Finally, we’ll come full circle with Jesus as an adult teaching in the Synagogue of His hometown (Luke 4:14-30).
Bottom Line: When I discover what God says, I know how I should treat others.

This month, as we talk about knowledge, we aren’t just talking about learning more. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see three main things we need to know. Your kids have learned these well in Highway 252. They are:
- I can trust God no matter what.
- I need to make the wise choice.
- I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

We never really stop learning and growing. We can’t wait to see how God will be at work as we grow up and discover more together this September!

‘Til next time!

Starting the first weekend in September, FamJamz times will be changing AND it will be coming to Saturday Night! The new times will be:
Saturday | 7:15p
Sunday | 10:45a & 12:15p

Make sure to mark your calendars and join us as we kick off another season!

www.ubcmiami.org | www.famjamz.com

FJ Crew Camp is a week-long, half-day, fun dance camp for kids and teens (grades 3+) who want to join the FJ Crew for the 2011-2012 season. Parents, if your kids want to participate in FamJamz as part of the FJ Crew, we strongly encourage that they attend FJ Crew Camp this Summer. The dates are August 15-19th, 9a-Noon. Cost is $20. Kids will get to review FamJamz tunes as well as the opportunity to learn new material for the coming year. Students also interested in singing, acting or production (sound, audio, lighting) will have the opportunity to interview and/or audition during this week.

Click here to register today for FJ Crew Camp!