7lbs 9oz  19inchs

His Sisters love him!

We all just love him and praise sweet Jesus for the blessing!

This post is a little harder for me to write, as it will be one of my last…

My New Adventure:

After calling The Chapel “home” for nearly 15 years and working in TGA for 6, God has clearly showed me He has different plans for my family and me going forward.  The timing of the elimination of my position at the chapel couldn’t have been more God ordained!  As you know I am due to have our third child any day now, and as much as I love my job and the people I serve with dearly, I am more than ready to stay home and have a single focus, being a wife and mother.  God has been so very faithful with using this job to provide for the Venuti family while my husband was in school, but Nick is now on the very last leg of his pursuit of his doctorate.  He graduates in April and is looking to purchase an existing Chiropractic practice, this could take us anywhere in the county.  As sad and hard as it is for me to leave home, and all of you who have filled my heart with deep friendship and joy, I am so convinced that God is in control and in this, that I find myself very excited to see what’s next.  I have great peace about this transition.

 My time at the Chapel will conclude whenever this baby decides to make his debut into the world, I am thinking three weeks at the most.  Please know going forward that I will be praying for all of you!  I appreciate all of you! You will never know what an impact and blessing you have all been in my life.  I will post one more newsletter on our website (www.heathervenuti.wordpress.com) after the baby is born, just to share the news and pictures with all of you.  After that if you want to contact me or keep in touch you can send a friend request on Facebook (Heather Carter Venuti) or email me at heather.venuti@gmail.com

God bless and keep you all, thanks for all the great memories!

All my Love,

 Heather

I have posted the schedules and rosters for the spring session on this site, please note that they will NOT be updated after I leave.

This week’s schedules:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

A Junior Helper is any volunteer that is in 1^st – 4^th Grade and Ages 7-10.  These Children MUST serve with a parent and only in the Age 3-5, Age 2, Age 1, Infants.

When serving with a parent, it is expected that the parents is coaching the junior helper and guiding them in how to safely and appropriately care for and interact with the children.  These junior helpers are under no circumstances to walk around holding the babies.  Regardless of any outside certification or how responsible the young volunteer, this is a blanket policy that now holds true for All junior helpers with no exceptions.  The safety of the babies and children in our care is our number one priority, and the sense of security that parents feel in leaving their children with us, is extremely important.

A Student Volunteer is any volunteer that is 5^th-12^th Grade and Ages 11-17.  These children may serve without a parent but within these specific guidelines.

5^th – 6^th Grade        (11-13)           Grade K/1, Ages 3-5, Age 2, Age 1, NO INFANTS

7^th – 8^th Grade        (13-14)      Grade 2-5 (as Assistant Small Group leader*),Grade K/1, Age 3-5, Age 2, Age 1, Infants (hold & carry)

 9^th – 10^th Grade      (14-15) Grade 2-5 (as Assistant Small Group leader*),Grade K/1, Age 3-5, Age 2, Age 1, Infants (hold & carry)

These policies have not been stringently enforced by me or our Experience Leaders in the classroom in recent years, but I now feel very strongly about these policies being enforced and ask that all adults in the nurseries partner with me in enforcing them.  We owe it the babies in our care, their families and the junior and student volunteers we serve with to not put more responsibility on our young volunteers than they are ready for. If you have any questions about this please feel free to speak with me or Vance Martin, our children’s director.

This weeks Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

There are only 3 weekends left in the Fall/Winter Serving season and the Spring Season begins, running through the weekend of June 4^th & 5^th

If you haven’t let me know if you intend on continuing to serve through the spring season or not, please email and let me know.   

This weeks Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

1. Classifieds:

ROOMATE NEEDED

Brenda Johnson, Age 1 Classroom Experience Leader writes; 

   I am looking for female, non- smoker or if they do I would request they smoke outside, I do not allow any alcohol in my house at all.  I have a 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 car garage and one of bedrooms has been converted to an office.  Central heat and air paved drive.  They could access internet service and I have satellite for TV and internet.  I am asking 450.00 a month utilities included.  Rent would be due first of each month.  I live 5001 Prairie Ave McHenry, IL 60050 right off of 120

RENT MY ONE BEDROOM IN_LAW APARTMENT

Connie Davis, Special Friends Experience Leader writes;

I’m looking for a single, couple, or single with child.  $700 is what I have been getting, however, I am willing to work on rent, —all utilities are included (kind of house sharing), with completely separate space and entrance (bedroom, bath, living room and kitchen) nothing fancy. 

 Nanny Services

Jenn Castleman, Infant Experience Leader writes;

I have immediate openings to care for Children on Nights and weekends.  References available upon request.

Please respond to Heather if you are interested or want more information regarding any of the above.

2. Spring Serving Season

There are only 4 weekends left in the Fall/Winter Serving season and the Spring Season begins, running through the weekend of June 4^th & 5^th

If you haven’t let me know if you intend on continuing to serve through the spring season or not, please email and let me know.   

3. Grayslake Campus Vision and Volunteer Appreciation

Host Brent Davis

Phone 847-281-3312

When Sunday, January 9 at 6:00 PM

Where The Chapel Grayslake Campus

25270 W IL Rt 60

Grayslake, IL 60030

 Message From Host

Please join us on Sunday, January 9 from 6 – 8 PM for an evening of vision, dessert and fun. We’re having Greenroom Productions out to provide some great laughs, and we’ve got childcare arranged for the little one up to 5 years and older kids can stay with parents, so bring the whole family.

Our format will be similar to what we’ve done the past couple of years, but with an added element.  This year, I want to take just a few minutes to share some of what God has been doing in my heart in regard to where he’s leading our campus in 2011. I greatly value your presence as you are significantly investing in what God is doing in our church.

 Thanks, and I’m looking forward to the time together. 

Please RSVP to Heather with number attending and how many of those are under 5 yrs of  age.

This week’s Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends-  http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

Don’t forget to join us in the theater 30 mins before all services for All TGA Huddletime.  Children can come with you!

This week’s Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

this Christmas?

You know, it really should be. Yes, Jesus came to this earth as a precious little baby - but, we can’t leave

Him there in the manger. The world wants to leave Him there, for a baby is pretty harmless, powerless,

and doesn’t appear to be the actual Creator of the Universe.

But, this baby was! And, He grew up to be our perfect sacrifice.

For believers, the manger is crucial, the cross is essential – but, both are empty now. Jesus lives today

and forever and that is the real message of Christmas.

When we look over into the empty manger, we see the shadow of the cross. Both are evidence of the

risen Jesus – the Messiah - our hope of eternal life!

My simple prayer is that the manger is empty for you this Christmas and that you have trusted Him as

 your Savior and made Him Lord of your life.

Have a Blessed Christmas!

This week’s Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

Christmas Eve Schedules:

Many of you have been asking me about my volunteer needs for Christmas Eve Services, and I have been telling you that I don’t know.  Well now I have a pretty good idea.  If anyone wants to help out at the 3 or the 5pm on Friday the 24^th I could use help in all the Early Childhood Classrooms. Both the Thursday at 5pm and Friday at 1pm, have more than enough help.  I may have even told you that I don’t need you, and if this is the case please do not feel offended.  I am merely try to give those that don’t normally serve a chance to step up and experience serving in TGA.

December 26^th

Please remember that on the 26^th TGA will only go through Age 2.  If anyone tries to drop off an older sibling off with a two year old please kindly point them to the theater, which will be used as a “family” room.  We most defiantly will not have enough volunteers, snack or craft to accommodate older children in our two year old room. 

I also will not be in TGA on the 26^th, the Children’s director Vance will be filling in for me.  If you know you will not be able to serve that morning please let me know ASAP and also if you know you will be around and would like to fill in, you could let me know that as well.

P.S.

I am moving this week and will not be answering many calls or emails; I will try to return calls and emails with in a day or two, but wanted to give you all a heads up.  I will be at services this weekend.

If I don’t see you or talk to you before then have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

This week’s Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

Some of my wonderful teammates have gotten together and planned out a fun family friendly movies night that you are invited to!  I unfortunately won’t be able to make it we are moving on the 16^th and have a little packing to do J PLEASE RSVP to Lori at lsmith@chapel.org if you WILL be attending.

Details:

Monday, December 13th @ 6:00 pm you are cordially invited to deck yourselves in red & green and come RELAX! Please plan to have an early dinner so you can gather in TGA at the Grayslake campus by 6 pm….because we will be showing TWO G-Rated movies:

1. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale A drama based on the true story of a college professor’s bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home. Starring Richard Gere! Watch the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2296906777/

2. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium Molly Mahoney is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. Starring Dustin Hoffman & Natalie Portman. Watch the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2846949657/

Both movies are approximately 1.5 hours in length. We will start the movies promptly at 6:15…since it IS a school night. In the hallway, between the two “theaters” (2nd-5th room & K-1st room), we will have a:

• popcorn machine,
• lemonade on tap, &
• various holiday treats.

I have the rooms reserved from 5 to 9 pm…in case anyone wants to add to their FUN by arriving early to SET UP or STAYING LATE to clean up. Some have already asked if they can bring anything….YES, any holiday treats! I will supply the popcorn & lemonade/cups. I HOPE YOU ALL WILL BE ABLE TO COME! Hey…it’s not easy to find two G-rated movies that will draw a crowd of volunteers who have little kids all the way up to those who are enjoying grandchildren. BUT…I think you will enjoy at least ONE of these movies.

GRAYSLAKE CAMPUS – Weekday serving with Central Children’s Ministry Team!

Our Children’s Ministry Central Support team that produces and packages materials for The Great Adventure for all Chapel campuses is looking for weekday volunteers to serve at the Grayslake campus starting in January.  Serve flexible hours Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in a super fun environment!  They have a bunch of serving opportunities available for general office, database and prep/packaging support. Take home projects are also available – great for you, your small group or family!  Contact Nancy Guhl, nguhl@chapel.org for more information.

Christmas Eve serving:  I am still looking for someone to dress up as an angel and act out a tiny script at the Thursday at 5pm service and Friday at 5pm.  Please respond to this email if you are interested.

This week’s schedule:

 Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/

So many things clutter my head and my heart when I say that.

• Multiple extra services to work, schedule, plan, and prep.
• Shopping to do.
•  Snow to drive in.
• Family to see.
• Presents to wrap.
• Parties to attend…and the list could go on. 

None of these are bad things in and of themselves, but I feel weighed down when I think of all that I need to do to get ready for Christmas…and then I stop right there, oh yeah this is all for Christmas!  If you’re anything like me, you have to stop a couple times a day to be still and remember the reason for the season.  All of the planning, preparations, and parties are all for the purpose of celebrating the birth of our Savior, for whom without, we wouldn’t have a hope that guides our everyday lives and guarantees our eternity.  I know this is no brilliant epiphany, but it is a small reminder that keeps my heart joyful in the midst of an overwhelmingly busy season.  It is my sincere prayer that every time your heart and mind get cluttered with the busyness of this time of year, that you too would be able to stop and re-center your heart on the baby that was born and that HE the reason for the season.

With that said, I must address some business regarding serving the week of Christmas…

Christmas Eve Service times:

December 23^rd 5pm* and 7pm (No TGA at 7pm)

December 24^th 1pm*, 3pm, and 5pm

* denote Special Friends is open at those services

• You will have more than enough opportunity to sign up to serve at one of these services, but there are a few special serving opportunities that I would like to highlight and invite you to consider.  If you are available for either of the services that have Special Friends, and either currently serve in that area, or would like to try it out, please email me and let me know.  Also, I am looking for Age 2 teachers for both the 23^rd and 24^th at 5pm.  The teacher will be dressing up as the angel Gabriel and acting out a short script.  Again, if you have any interest in this please let me know via email.
• There are no services on Christmas Day, Saturday December 25^th, but there are normally scheduled weekend services on Sunday, December 26^th at 9am & 11am.  If you were and are currently on the schedule for these services I am counting on and assuming you will be there unless you tell me otherwise.  As always you can find the most updated serving schedule by clicking one of the links below.

That’s it for now, hope and pray that you all have a blessed week!

This week’s Schedule:

Early Childhood- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/early-childhood-schedule/

Special Friends- http://heathervenuti.wordpress.com/special-friends/