CABLE
Fall 2017
the Counselors’ Newsletter
Director’s Letter “Sorry. There’s no room for you here today.”
No one wants to hear that, but these words are especially painful if you’re a 14-year-old girl navigating the lunchroom on your first day at a brand new school. Yet these are the very words my daughter shared when I asked her about her least favorite part of her day.
Inside: listen up! | 2 getting the most out of shine | 3 from a to z | 4
Rather than sitting with her normal group of friends while enjoying her turkey and cheddar sandwich, my daughter sat at a table filled with fresh faces. And while I wish the new table welcomed my girl into the conversation, that didn’t happen.
her a firm foundation to stand on, so when bad days come (and they will!) she has a way through. For a long time, part of my daughter’s foundation was reinforced through the truth-filled pages of SHINE brightly Magazine. I’m thankful she had the opportunity to learn and grow by reading it. And I’m thankful for you! You make GEMS a reality. Thank you for your commitment to God’s girls. We also want you to know we are here for you, so let us know how we can serve you throughout the season. We love partnering with you as you mentor the girls in your club. Thank you so much for all you do!
It’s no fun to feel left out and lonely. Whether we’re six, sixteen, or sixty, we have a desire to be known. As a mom, I know I can’t protect my daughter from every bully or bad day, but I can remind her over and over again of her true worth. I can give
From the editor This is a special edition of Cable—the GEMS counselor newsletter. It’s totally focused on SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines, so, to start, we thought we would send you a complimentary issue! Page through it and let us know what you think. We value your feedback and would love to begin
a conversation about how you use the magazines in club, how your girls react to them, and what you’d love to see in an upcoming issue. But, even if you’re not currently using SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines in club, please read on.
In Him,
Cindy Bultema GEMS Executive Director
We believe the content in both these publications matters. We make it a point to fill each issue with the truth of God’s Word in a way that speaks to girls today. It’s our hearts’ desire that girls everywhere would know they are valued and loved by Him. And we want to equip you as a mentor so you can help them know and understand that.
GEMS Executive Board Amy Brooks – North Haledon, New Jersey Linda Hermen – Beecher, Illinois Mary Klingenberg – Hagersville, Ontario Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Grace Moes – Mississauga, Ontario Andrea Mulder – Norwich, Ontario Melissa Reitsma – Middleville, Michigan Tina Rooks – Conklin, Michigan Lorelle Rozendal– Grand Rapids, Michigan Jody VanKoevering – Zeeland, Michigan Tracey Venema – Holland, Michigan Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS Staff Executive Director - Cindy Bultema Training Manager - Lenae Bulthuis Office Manager - Michele DeHaan Managing Editor - Kelli Gilmore Graphic & Web Designer - Lisa Hunter Customer Relations - Hannah Noorman Conference Coordinator - Alecia VanHulzen Publications Director/Senior Editor - Amy White To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, Cable is printed on post-consumer recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks.
2 | Cable
Canada Post Publication Sales Agreement #41124116, return undeliverable copies to Cable c/o GEMS Girls’ Clubs, PO Box 1100, Norwich, ON N0J 1P0
If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of Cable, send a note to cable@gemsgc.org to be added to our email list.
Listen Up!
Engaging girls with God’s truth is one of the goals of every GEMS curriculum. We try to diversify stories and activities to reach a wide range of learning styles. And this year we are excited to introduce something new: podcasts! This season you can find the story portions from the SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazine Bible lessons in podcast form. You can appeal to the auditory learners in your small group by playing the podcasts during club. Or, simply use them if you need to give your voice a break from reading aloud! You can also encourage girls to listen to the podcasts during the week as a refresher of what you learned together.
Look for this image for SHINE podcasts
Look for this image for Sparkle podcasts
Each month the stories corresponding to that publication will be available on the GEMS website (gemsgc.org/podcast) or on iTunes (just search GEMS Girls’ Clubs). They are free to download from either place, so be sure to subscribe today!
a place to belong SHINE and Sparkle readers are difference makers. We receive letters from girls all over North America who are acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly in their communities and beyond. And for several seasons readers have helped us support The Esther School—a school for orphaned and underresourced kids in Zambia. Together, we helped build a library, start a music program,
and fill classrooms with supplies. And today the school is thriving. So we’ve invited our SHINE and Sparkle readers into a new challenge—and you’re included in that, too! In the September/ October issue of SHINE and the October issue of Sparkle we encouraged our readers to join us in our mission to make sure girls everywhere know they are valued and loved by God. We’re doing that by starting and supporting clubs around the globe. And we need your help! We are asking girls to consider saving their spare change or giving part of their allowance money to help us show girls around the world they have a place to belong. Will you help us? Visit gemsgc.org to learn more about the global ministry and another opportunity for your club to partner with GEMS.
Getting the most out of SHINE SHINE brightly is filled with activities, stories, articles, and—of course—the Bible lessons for the Discovery Level (grades 4-6) of GEMS. But how do you make the most of all that great content and make sure your girls know what’s available to them throughout this resource? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Each month we produce a guide that helps you best utilize the content in SHINE. We focus on three articles or stories from that issue and give you tips on how to use them in club or encourage girls to engage with the content at home. You can find this content posted on the GEMS Leaders’ Blog (gemsgc.org/leaders-blog) each month, or you can request to receive the SHINING Beyond the Pages email newsletter.
encouraged someone else recently. After each girl has had a chance to share, talk about how that experience made her feel. Then read through this article to remind girls that no matter what kind of day we have, being positive can help change our mood and the moods of our friends. Walk through the steps on this page and ask girls if they have any other tips they think might help spread positivity. Then, if there is time, create the DIY speaker craft together.
Blast
Positivity! are riding in ! So when you to pump make it louder y sound—they would you choose off a big kind of music Speakers amplif friends, what if you were coming The the car with your rs? What would you pick basketball game? speake for your next through the or getting ready set the mood. win al help band section to amplify will music you choose can amplify more you day, of the tone for your e thoughts instead about setting e your positiv words increas When you think aging to can choose fy your encour than music. You to yourself. You can magni and loved. vely talking negati they are valued always know so other people we feel The days where have bad days. it’s important to blast truth is, we all That’s why . Because the matter like we don’t forgotten or ver we can. positivity whene just that: tips for doing Here are a few
Check out this sample of what you might find for the November issue of SHINE.
the to help. Hold ne in need, offer help can play a you see someo Your help out. When up your classmate’s pencil. pick day! door open or ning someone’s part in brighte or imenting his someone or complyourself a pep . Saying hi to impact! Giving use your words big a too! make can feel better, her singing skills can help you big presentation talk before a te the big and around you celebrafavorite cupcake people the her Celebrate! Help Bring your friend movie night in the in their lives. t or throw a small things s her 4H projec g ballet recital. had an amazin when she finishe care! your sister who you notice and living room for people know ity by letting Spread positiv
Blast Positivity! Page 6. Start by asking girls to share a way someone has encouraged them or they have
turn it uP!
Create this some good music! so you can celebration like Nothing says around the house things you have celebration! speaker with for your next amplify the tunes What you need: or iPod Smartphone Pencil
Paper towel tube scissors Sharp knife or Two paper cups Paint
ELEMENTS MUSIC STUDIO you do: Paintbrush
MUSIC STUDIO 1.
ELEMENTS
Request the newsletter for these tips!
hone or iPod of your smartp Trace the bottom paper towel tube. Use a your ly cut out the on the top of scissors to careful sharp knife or . traced portion paper towel tube ends of your Cut the circle Trace the circle cups. paper of your onto the side s or a sharp knife. out using scissor dry. and let them tubes and cups and 3. Paint the end of the tube, cups onto either or iPod into the slit 4. Push the hone smartp then slip your playing music! towel tube. Start in the paper
What
2.
November
2017 • 7
6 • SHINE brightly
beyond theme night GEMS has lots of great curriculum choices for each program level. We want to give you a variety of options so you can best meet the needs of your unique group. But when it comes to the theme-focused Bible lessons for the season, you won’t want to miss SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines! Each month, the Bible lessons in SHINE brightly and Sparkle will focus on part of the beatitudes. These lessons will help girls understand what it looks like to follow Jesus and live like Him. The themes and ideas from the Bible lessons will be woven into the rest of the magazine, as well.
It’s hard to find a safe space for girls to hang out online. With click bait and unpredictable links, inviting girls into any kind of virtual community is tricky.
Connections
Counselor Helps for SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines
2017-18
A division of Dynamic Youth Ministries Printed in the USA
gemsgc.org
Through activities, stories, and questions girls will be further engaged with the idea of living like Jesus in their everyday lives.
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).
you additional ideas for successfully navigating each lesson during your small group time. If you have any questions about this curriculum or how to utilize it in club, please email servicecenter@gemsgc.org or call 616-241-5616 ext 2. We’re always happy to help!
That’s why we’re here to help. The GEMS website has a whole page dedicated to quality content just for girls. There are crafts, recipes, and additional content from SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines. Girls can also have lots of fun on the RE>imagine blog. Managing editor, Kelli Gilmore, posts video blogs each month that tie into SHINE brightly content in addition to other inspirational reads. From here girls are linked to additional Dear Ivy letters and past Micah Road Mysteries stories on the GEMS podcast. What are you waiting for? Utilize these resources in club or direct girls to use them at home!
Summer 2017 | 3
For Awareness and Discovery Level counselors, you will want to purchase a copy of Connections. This publication contains all of the Counselor Helps for the Bible lessons in the magazines. It will guide you through the opening activities, offer you answers to questions, and give
just for girls
Dynamic Youth Ministries P.O. Box 39 Norwich, ON N0J 1P0
easy access to gems news Stay up-to-date with ministry news by following GEMS on social media! You’ll find pictures from clubs, inspirational posts, blog links, and live videos from the GEMS staff! Connect with us today!
facebook.com/gemsgirlsclubs twitter.com/gemsgirlsclubs instagram.com/gemsgirlsclubs pinterest.com/gemsgc vimeo.com/gemsgc gemsgc.org
From A to Z
We all need to be reminded of who we are: valued, loved, and accepted. And we all need to be reminded of who God is: wonderful, mighty, and our Prince of Peace. Clubs will be doing that throughout the season with the theme, In His Steps, and you are invited to join us in reinforcing these truths with one or both of the news sets of A to Z cards. One deck will remind you and your girls of your identities in Christ, and the other will remind you of the loving nature of the God we serve. Visit gemsgc.org to order a set (or two!) today!
Who is Jesu
Jesus is the Mighty One! He is strong and able!
s?
Remember
who Jesus is—His love, words, and ways!
from
to
re
he derful! T n o w is Jesus ! like Him e n o o n is
ives g r o sf Jesu sets e H you. ree! f u yo
You are enough! You have everything you need in Jesus!
Jesus de you. H lights in e rejo ices over you!