The holiday season is around the corner, and we're looking forward to sharing it with you all! So, check out the following important news to learn about upcoming family-friendly events and programs:

• Sherwood Kids! Sunday Morning Gatherings include a large-group time and a small-group time during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. Kids can participate in their small group in person or virtually. To join a small group virtually, register for the "Hangout" at socc.org/kids.
• Power Up with Prayer. Each week this ministry year, your kids can participate in Sherwood Oak's "Year of Prayer." Simply pick up a "Power Up with Prayer" poster for each of your kids. (They are available for pick-up at the East campus on Sunday mornings and throughout the week.) Then, follow the weekly prayer prompts at socc.org/kids and on social media.  
• Sherwood Kids! Christmas Family Sunday is in the gym on December 6 during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. Family Sunday is a bi-annual opportunity for families to learn about and worship God together through interactive Bible teaching and high-energy praise music. So, bring some friends, invite your neighbors, and join us this Family Sunday as we celebrate Jesus' birth! Please note that all preschoolers through 5^th graders will attend the Family Sunday service in the gym. (There will be regular programming for kids ages birth through three years old only.) Also, as always, please print security tags for your family so that we can ensure kids leave with the right people. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at
• Instead of a Parents Night Out, we're having a Family Night In on Friday, December 11. Arrive any time from 6:00pm-7:00pm to play a round of putt-putt in the church and receive a Family Night In kit to have a movie night at home. Visit www.socc.org/kids for more information and to register.
• The 5th and 6th graders from the Sherwood Kids Choir will perform a musical in the Worship Center on December 13 during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. (There will be regular programming for kids ages birth through three years old only.)
• Check out SK! Online Resources at socc.org/kids! Show-N-Tell videos, Ask & Seek videos, Story Time videos, Conversations along the Road videos, and Faith Tools are all resources designed to help families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and stay connected with our faith community.
• WANTED! Every SK! area is in great need of more volunteers who will spend one hour every week or every other week for the fall semester (August-December) building relationships with a small group of kids and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please contact Stephen Figert ( ) to learn more about joining the SK! volunteer team.

If you would like more information about the goings-on in Sherwood Kids!, please feel free to visit out webpage (socc.org/kids), follow us on Instagram (@sherwoodkids_east), and join our Facebook page (Sherwood Kids!). As always, please don't hesitate to contact us at if you have any questions or concerns.

Check out the following important news to learn how to stay connected:

• Sherwood Kids! Sunday Morning Gatherings include a large-group time and a small-group time during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. Kids can participate in their small group in person or virtually. To join a small group virtually, register for the "Hangout" at socc.org/kids.
• Power Up with Prayer. Each week this ministry year, your kids can participate in Sherwood Oak's "Year of Prayer." Simply pick up a "Power Up with Prayer" poster for each of your kids. (They are available for pick-up at the East campus on Sunday mornings and throughout the week.) Then, follow the weekly prayer prompts at socc.org/kids and on social media.  
• Family Commitment Sunday at Bloomington East has been cancelled this year. If you have any questions or would like for us contact you about the next Family Commitment Sunday, email us at
• The Upward Basketball and Cheerleading 2021 season has been cancelled. We're definitely going to miss you and hope to open registration for Upward Soccer in the summer of 2021.
• The Trunk or Treat Drive Through will be throughout the parking lot at Bloomington East on Friday, October 30, from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Trunk set-up will begin at 5:45pm. For more information and to register, visit www.socc.org/kids.
• Pajama Day will be on Sunday, November 1. To participate, set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night and let your kids wear their favorite pajamas to church the next morning.
• Register for a SK! Core Group. These groups are designed to provide a safe space for kids to connect with other kids and study God's Word. Register at socc.org/kids.
• Conversations along the Road videos are posted at socc.org/kids and on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east) and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!) every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Join Adrienne Garrison--a parent in our church family--on her journey to learn more about having challenging conversations with kids. The next video will be posted this Friday, October 2.
• Participate in SK! Online Resources at socc.org/kids! Show-N-Tell videos, Ask & Seek videos, Story Time videos, and Faith Tools are all resources designed to help families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and stay connected with our faith community.
• SK! Porch Visits. The SK! staff and volunteers have missed seeing your kiddos and would love to schedule a time to stop by your home to say Hi and deliver a little goodie bag. (We would stay outside and follow the health department's guidelines for masks and social distancing.) If you would like to schedule a porch visit, please fill out the form at socc.org/kids.
• Join a Life Group. This is a great way for your family to continue to participate in our faith community through small-group gatherings. For more information, email Allen Burris ( ) or Nancy Barrow ( ).
• The Sherwood Kids! staff has a new member! Anna Dunn has accepted the position as the Sherwood Kids Nursery Coordinator. We are thrilled to have such an organized, intentional, and caring leader in this role. When you see her in the halls, give her a big welcome.
• WANTED! Every SK! area is in great need of more volunteers who will spend one hour every week or every other week for the fall semester (August-December) building relationships with a small group of kids and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please contact Stephen Figert ( ) to learn more about joining the SK! volunteer team.

If you would like more information about the goings-on in Sherwood Kids!, feel free to visit our webpage (socc.org/kids), follow us on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and join our Facebook page (Sherwood Kids!). As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Fall programming is in full swing! Check out the following news to learn what's going on and how to stay connected:

• The Joining God's Family class begins this Sunday, September 6, during the 11:00 service. This four-week class will take place in room 204 and via Zoom. To register, visit www.socc.org/kids.
• Sherwood Kids! In-Person Sunday Morning Gatherings will include a large-group time and a small-group time beginning on September 6. For more information about our COVID-19 mitigation plan for in-person gatherings, contact Stephen Figert at .
• Beginning this Sunday, September 6, your kids can participate in their Sunday-morning elementary or early-childhood small group in person or virtually. To join a small group virtually, register for the "Hangout" at socc.org/kids.
• Power Up with Prayer. Each week from September through June, your kids can participate in Sherwood Oak's "Year of Prayer." Simply pick up a "Power Up with Prayer" poster for each of your kids. (They'll be available for pick-up at the East campus on Sunday mornings and throughout the week beginning on September 6.) Then, follow the weekly prayer prompts at socc.org/kids and on social media.  
• Register for a SK! Core Group. These groups are designed to provide a safe space for kids to connect with other kids. Register at socc.org/kids, and we'll place your child in a group that suits his/her interests and availability.
• Conversations along the Road videos are posted at socc.org/kids and on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east) and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!) every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Join Adrienne Garrison--a parent in our church family--on her journey to learn more about having challenging conversations with kids. The next video will be posted this Friday, September 4.
• SK! Show-N-Tell videos. Kids have so much to teach each other (how to make a craft, how to mix colors to make a new color, how to play an instrument, how to catch a bug, how to make food,..., the possibilities are endless!). The SK! Show-N-Tell videos provide an opportunity for your kids to do just that--teach their peers. So, if your child would like to record and share a 5 minute instructional video, let us know by signing him/her up at socc.org/kids.
• SK! Ask & Seek videos. Kids have so many questions about God, the Bible, the church: who wrote the Bible, why do we sing at church, is God a person, what are angel wings made out of, did Jesus eat pork, etc. etc., etc. In the spirit of what Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, the Ask & Seek videos create a space for your kids to ask questions and find answers. So, ask your child if he/she has any questions, then use the form at socc.org/kids to submit the questions to us. We'll make and post a SK! Ask & Seek video that answers your child's question.
• Check out other SK! Online Resources at socc.org/kids! Teachable Moments, Faith Tools, and Story Time are all resources designed to help families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and stay connected with our faith community.
• SK! Porch Visits. The SK! staff and volunteers have missed seeing your kiddos and would love to schedule a time to stop by your home to say Hi and deliver a little goodie bag. (We would stay outside and follow the health department's guidelines for masks and social distancing.) If you would like to schedule a porch visit, please fill out the form at socc.org/kids.
• Join a Life Group. This is a great way for your family to continue to participate in our faith community through small-group gatherings. For more information, email Allen Burris ( ) or Nancy Barrow ( ).
• WANTED! Every SK! area is in great need of more volunteers who will spend one hour every week or every other week for the fall semester (August-December) building relationships with a small group of kids and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please contact Stephen Figert ( ) to learn more about joining the SK! volunteer team.
• Desiree Chenault is resigning as the Sherwood Kids Nursery Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. While the Sherwood Kids staff is very sad to lose such a caring leader and talented teammate, we are extremely thankful that Desiree has spent the past 4 years sharing her organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and her how-can-I-help-you attitude with the children's ministry. What a gift! We are also excited to see God's plans for Desiree to continue to unfold for her and her family. Please keep Desiree and Sherwood Kids in your prayers as we go through this season of change.
• Sherwood Kids is currently looking for a part-time Nursery Coordinator who would oversee the Nursery program. If you know someone who would like to apply, please tell them to send a cover letter and resume to Stephen Figert at by Friday, September 11.

If you would like more information about the goings-on in Sherwood Kids!, feel free to visit our webpage (socc.org/kids), follow us on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and join our Facebook page (Sherwood Kids!). You can also let your child see SK! posts by giving him/her access to our webpage and/or showing him/her the posts through your social media accounts. As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Work and school and church...Oh my! Most of us families in Monroe County are overwhelmed. We're all doing our best to keep up with our ever-changing world and make plans that will meet the needs of our kids and our families as a whole. God is good, though, and He is in control! As you make plans for the fall, please remember to leave some space in your schedule to help your child grow in his/her relationship with Jesus. If you would like some help in this area, check out some of the following opportunities Sherwood Kids! has to offer:

Special Events in August

• Sherwood Kids! In-Person Sunday Morning Gatherings begin on August 9. Feel free to 1) let your kiddos join their age-appropriate program in person during the 9:30 or 11:00 service,  2) attend one of the in-person worship gatherings together as a family, or 3) continue to participate in one of the online worship gatherings as a family. For more information about our COVID-19 mitigation plan for in-person gatherings, go to socc.org/kids. If you have any questions, contact Stephen Figert at
• Prayer Week begins on Sunday, August 9. Prayer is one of the most important things we can do as followers of Jesus. We want to talk with Jesus first in every situation, good or bad. So, during the 9:30 and 11:00 services in every SK! area on August 9, the kids and volunteers will spend the entire service hour learning about and practicing the spiritual discipline of prayer. Then, throughout the week, we will provide activities to encourage and equip families to pray together at home. You will be able to access these activities via our webpage (socc.org/kids), Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!). If you have any questions, please email us at .
• Sherwood Kids! Family Week begins on Sunday, August 16. We believe that the family unit is the primary influence in a child's life and that God uses the partnership between the church and the family to raise the church of the next generation. So, Family Week is a time when we will provide an array of simple, fun activities that will help your family grow and share together. You will be able to access these activities via our webpage (socc.org/kids), Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!). If you have any questions, please email us at .
• Sherwood Kids! Bible Reading Week begins on Sunday, August 30. Reading the Bible is an important part of growing in our relationship with God. During the 9:30 and 11:00 services in every SK! area on August 30, the kids and volunteers will spend the entire service hour learning about and practicing the spiritual discipline of reading God's Word. Then, throughout the week, we will provide activities to encourage and equip families to read the Bible together at home. You will be able to access these activities via our webpage (socc.org/kids), Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!). If you have any questions, please email us at .

Classes and Groups

• Parenting Workshop on August 26 from 8:00pm-9:30pm on Zoom. The job of a parent is all-encompassing: our kids need us to be their activity coordinators, chefs, educators, spiritual leaders, coaches, nurses, therapists, etc., etc., etc. Most of us, however, cannot fulfill all these responsibilities alone. So, if you have some creative parenting ideas or are looking for some, join us for this workshop where we will identify and address some of the challenges that parents are facing this semester. To register, visit socc.org/kids.
• Join Cub Scout Pack 164 on Tuesday August 18^th at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall at Bloomington East to learn about the fun of Scouting! Open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5^th grade, Cub Scouts learn about the great outdoors, faith and citizenship through activities like camping, hiking, crafts and sports! For more information e-mail
• Registration for SK! Core Groups opens on August 1. These groups are designed to provide a safe space for kids to connect with other kids. Just let us know your child's availability, their interests (games, homework help, Bible study, etc.), their friend requests, their meeting preference (online or in person), and more and we'll place your child in a group that best suits him/her. These groups are not limited to kids who attend Sherwood Oaks, so feel free to invite friends from school, your neighborhood, etc. to participate. To register, visit socc.org/kids.
• The AWANA program for the fall has been cancelled due to the gathering limitations and uncertainty caused by COVID-19. The AWANA handbooks, however, are still available and are a great resource for families who would like to have age-appropriate Bible studies with their kids at home. To request a handbook, contact Stephen Figert at
• The Kids Choir is still exploring options for meeting and performing this fall. We will keep you updated.
• The Joining God's Family class will begin on Sunday, September 6, during the 11:00 service. This four-week class will take place in room 204 and via Zoom. To register, visit www.socc.org/kids.

Online Resources

• Conversations along the Road Videos are posted at socc.org/kids and on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east) and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!) every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Join Adrienne Garrison--a parent in our church family--on her journey to learn more about having challenging conversations with kids. The next video will be posted this Friday, August 7, and the topic is "Love, Not Hate: Teaching Children Love in Action." 
• SK! Show-N-Tell videos will be posted bi-weekly at socc.org/kids and on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east) and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!). Kids have so much to teach each other (how to make a craft, how to mix colors to make a new color, how to play an instrument, how to catch a bug, how to make food,..., the possibilities are endless!). The SK! Show-N-Tell videos provide an opportunity for your kids to do just that--teach their peers. So, if your child would like to record and share a 5 minute instructional video, let us know by signing him/her up at socc.org/kids.
• SK! Ask & Seek videos will be posted bi-weekly at socc.org/kids and on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east) and Facebook (Sherwood Kids!). Kids have so many questions about God, the Bible, the church: who wrote the Bible, why do we sing at church, is God a person, what are angel wings made out of, did Jesus eat pork, etc. etc., etc. In the spirit of what Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, the Ask & Seek videos create a space for your kids to ask questions and find answers. So, ask your child if he/she has any questions, then use the form at socc.org/kids to submit the questions to us. We'll make and post a SK! Ask & Seek video that answers your child's question.
• Check out other SK! Online Resources at socc.org/kids! The Hangout, Teachable Moments, Faith Tools, and Story Time are all resources designed to help families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and stay connected with our faith community.

Other

• SK! Porch Visits. The SK! staff and volunteers have missed seeing your kiddos and would love to schedule a time to stop by your home to say Hi and deliver a little goodie bag. (We would stay outside and follow the health department's guidelines for masks and social distancing.) If you would like to schedule a porch visit, please fill out the form at socc.org/kids.
• Join a Life Group. This is a great way for your family to continue to participate in our faith community through small-group gatherings. For more information, email Allen Burris ( ) or Nancy Barrow ( ).
• WANTED! Every SK! area is in great need of more volunteers who will spend one hour every week or every other week for the fall semester (August-December) building relationships with a small group of kids and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please contact Stephen Figert ( ) to learn more about joining the SK! volunteer team.

If you would like more information about the goings-on in Sherwood Kids!, feel free to visit our webpage (socc.org/kids), follow us on Instagram (sherwoodkids_east), and join our Facebook page (Sherwood Kids!). You can also let your child see SK! posts by giving him/her access to our webpage and/or showing him/her the posts through your social media accounts. As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Hope you all are having a good summer and are looking forward to this 4th of July weekend! Check out the following information to see what's going on in Sherwood Kids:

• Sunday-morning in-person worship gatherings resume on July 12! Feel free to join us in person during the 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 service or continue to join us online during the 8:00 or 9:30 service. In-person children's programming will not be available, so children will need to remain with their families. For more information, visit socc.org/regather.
• Save the Date: SK! Sunday-morning in-person gatherings are currently scheduled to resume on August 9. Our current plan is to responsibly follow guidelines provided by the CDC and local health department. We recognize, however, that there will still be a risk of COVID-19 transmission in our programs and that some of you may not feel comfortable allowing your kiddos to participate in person. So, we are also exploring a hybrid approach to small groups that would give your kids the option of participating in person or online. We will have more information in the next few weeks.
• Volunteers needed for the fall Semester (August-December)! We are searching for volunteers who will love kids and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus, especially during this uniquely challenging season for kids and their families. If you are interested in joining the SK! volunteer team or would like to learn more about our volunteer roles, please email us at or use any of the email addresses listed below.
• Check out the SK! Online Resources at socc.org/kids! The Hangout, Teachable Moments, Faith Tools, and Story Time are all resources designed to help families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and stay connected with our faith community.
• Join a Life Group. This is a great way for your family to continue to participate in our faith community through small-group gatherings. For more information, email Allen Burris ( ) or Nancy Barrow ( ).

If you would like more information about the goings-on in Sherwood Kids!, please feel free to visit our webpage (socc.org/kids), follow us on Instagram (@sherwoodkids_east), and join our Facebook page (Sherwood Kids!). As always, please don't hesitate to contact us at  if you have any questions or concerns.