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Queensland Lutheran Early Childhood Services eNews

Spiritual Reflection

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:12-14

Like everybody else, I have to get up each day and get dressed. Often I stand in front of my wardrobe and wonder what I’ll wear or think I’ve got nothing to wear. Seasons come and go, fashions change and clothes wear out or change their appeal. But luckily I have a second wardrobe. We all have another wardrobe; one that will always fit, never wear out, never is out of fashion. It’s our spiritual wardrobe. Paul’s list above details the outfits we can all wear; outfits perfectly designed by the master designer.

First on Paul’s list is compassion – this we put on and wear close to the skin; it is the foundation for everything that then goes on the outside. Next on the list is kindness. Everyone can use a warm-hearted act as simple as a smile. But kindness is more than that. It is an attitude that becomes part of our lifestyle. It involves treating others with honour and significance. The attitude of kindness is everyday stuff. Humility is next on the list. No matter how much we win or lose in life, God wraps us in a beautiful cloak of grace. When we’re humiliated, He loves us exactly as we are. When we’re in the limelight, we need to understand the big part He played in our success.

Gentleness is next. Some people think gentleness is ordinary and allows others to take advantage of us, but I disagree. I think gentleness makes it possible to endure difficult circumstances and poor treatment at the hands of others. It is a durable garment with interesting textures that looks different on everyone.

And patience? Not always glamorous and colourful but always durable and when worn properly, never wears out. God has fashioned this piece of clothing to enhance our lives. There are times when patience is the only appropriate thing to wear for a particular occasion. Bearing with others and forgiveness are the outer garments of God’s designs. They are the last things we pull on over everything else before we go out into the world to face our day. It would get terribly cold without them! They protect us from the elements. As we go in and out of various experiences, we hold them close and keep on going. Above all else, Paul says to put on love. Without this we’re never fully dressed. It is the one essential accessory we should never leave behind.
 

God has given us a beautiful spiritual wardrobe. Every morning, as we dress for the day ahead, we can dress like the people God made us to be.

FROM THE CEO, QLECS

This Children’s Chatter finds us heading into the second half of the year. I know many of us are wondering what happened to the first half! I recently enjoyed some long-service leave, travelling to Italy with my husband and friends. Their comment was – “we have to leave the country to catch-up and see each other!” Sad but true! Life can get so busy. But it was a great time to relax and experience new things.

In this Newsletter you will find stories from our services, service information and date claimers for future events. We are always looking for stories and would be really interested to have your contributions for our Newsletters.  Please share the wonderful things that you do! Thank you to those who have sent through items for this newsletter.


With every blessing
Lyndal
Lyndal Mayer
CEO

Free Early Childhood On-Line Training - "I'm Alert"

Take a look at these free Online and Interactive Training Programs - Food Safety and Fire Safety.  Links below:

http://www.imalert.com.au/foodsafety/index.php

http://www.imalert.com.au/firesafety/

Refurbishment Opening - St Johns Lutheran Kindergarten, Kingaroy

On 8 March 2014, St John's Lutheran Kindergarten held a Refurbishment Opening held in conjunction with the celebrations for the school’s 25th year.  The celebrations were presided over by Carolynne Noonan, & attended by Bishop Noack, Deb Frecklington, (local member of Parliament), Sue Kloeden (LEQ) & Helen Folkers (St. John’s Principal). 

10 Wobbling Wombats by Bronwyn Hales

I'm a school mum, living in rural Qld, and have just had my first children's book published. It is a lift-the-flap counting book called 10 Wobbling Wombats. My book is aimed at 2-5year olds, with the emphasis on rhyme, Australian animals and counting backwards from ten.

I have trialled my book with my own children and at a local kindergarten. The kids all responded well to the rhymes and patterns of the text and the illustrations.

The book is available from the publishers at www.pascalpress.com.au with ISBN - 9781922123855, online at QBD.com.au (free delivery) or at all major bookstores throughout Australia.

Thank-you for your support
 

Bronwyn Hales

Two new girls at St John's Lutheran Kindergarten at Eight Mile Plains

Our two beautiful girls, a couple of months old - Norma with white face and Belinda with big brown eyes. The Parents love feeding them with the children.

Jo Gosney, Service Leader at St John's Lutheran Kindergarten

                                                                        

QLECS Early Childhood Conference 2014

A reminder to keep an eye out for a program and registration for this years Early Childhood Conference which will be on Saturday 30  August 2014 and being hosted at the Bethania Lutheran Worship Centre.  The program will include sessions and workshops for ALL sectors - 0-3 year olds, kindergarten, OSHC and Family Day Care.  So there will be something for everyone!  Please encourage all of your staff to attend as well family day care educators as there will be something for everyone to take home with them.  And it is also a great way to network with staff from other services and exchange ideas and even problem solving amongst yourselves!  The program and registration forms will be out in the next couple of weeks.

Grace Outside School Hours Care Turns 20!

In June 2014, Grace Outside School Hours Care turned 20! The service celebrated with several parties which QLECS representatives were honoured to attend.

On Thursday 5th June, our Senior Manager, Peter Soper, stepped up to the plate, cutting the cake and helping along the formal celebrations with the Grace OSHC committee and Pamela, the service leader. Pamela has also been with the service for 20 years so it is as much a time to honour her commitment as it is to celebrate the service itself.

 

The second celebration was on Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 with the current children of Grace OSHC. The Children's Services Manager Shelley Lee attended along with QLECS CEO Lyndal Mayer and her son Josh (and his family) who was in the first year intake of students at the Grace OSHC 20 years ago. Both Lyndal and Josh cut the cake and a lovely party ensued with more than enough treats for all.

We want to extend our congratulations to Pamela, the GOSHC committee and the Grace Community. This is a major achievement and it is wonderful to see the intergenerational impact that Grace OSHC has had on children and their families at Grace Lutheran Primary School.

Baala Baaja African Drumming - Peace Outside School Hours Care Vacation Program, Cairns

Miss Heather from Peace Lutheran Outside School Hours Care in Cairns sent photos from the Vacation Care program on 1 July 2014!  As you can see the children had a fantastic time!

QLECS OSHC Vacation Care Picnic Day

Anita Noiesen, the Service Leader from Redeemer Outside School Hours care, had a dream...let’s get QLECS OSHC services together and celebrate the 4th of July. Her dream became a reality last Friday when Redeemer OSHC hosted the first ever QLECS OSHC Vacation Care Picnic Day.

OSHC Services from Bethania, St Peters Springfield and Good News OSHC arrived at Redeemer to share a day of fun.

Pastor Matt opened the event with an animated devotion and prayer. The children then watched a cheer leading demonstration before being able to spend time participating in activities like a jumping castle, decorating cupcakes, face painting, making dream catchers, playing some sideshow alley games or learning and performing a cheer leading routine.

Just before lunch, Hot Shots Skipping Team performed for our enjoyment. During lunch the Mascot from the Bandits baseball team arrived and mingled with the children.  Players from the Pirates Basketball Club performed a shootout challenge and the children got to scrimmage with some of the Wildcats Gridiron Team.

The day ended with sack races and each service performing a war cry. Each service received a plaque to congratulate them in attending and a cup was presented to St Peters Springfield who we congratulate on a well-deserved win.

Big, big thanks to Anita and her team for the organising the day.  Children's Services Manager Ann-Marie Davis and myself thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we encourage QLECS OSHC services to put some time and thought into next years Picnic Day.

Maryann Sword, Children's Services Manager

Peace Outside School Hours Care Vacation Care, Cairns - 2 July 2014

Another fun filled day at Vacation Care for the children of Peace OSHC Cairns.  They spent the day cooking, growing herbs and quad biking!

Got something to share with us?

Newsletter article submissions are most definitely welcome!  If you and your service have something to share, please forward your contributions to Fiona at admin@qlecs.org.au by the 1st of every month.  We will be endeavouring to get a "Children's Chatter" out monthly to keep everyone up to date with what's happening at services.  If you want to advertise an event at your service let us know so we can put it out there as quickly as possible.  Please remember that any photographs of children at your service must have the relevant permissions. 

If you know of anyone who would like to receive regular newsletter updates then you can subscribe them on the link at the end of this document.


Queensland Lutheran
Early Childhood Services

PO Box 1535
Milton Qld 4064
P: +61 (0)7 3511 4050
E: admin@qlecs.org.au
W: www.qlecs.org.au

Visit the Lutheran Church of Australia website

197 Archer Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

P: +61 (0)8 8267 7300
E: admin@lca.org.au
W: www.lca.org.au

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