Dear Awana Commander,

We are hoping that you are excited for this new Awana year. We are praying that you and your church will be able to reach boys, girls, and youth with the gospel of Christ this year, and then train them to serve Him.

As you start this year, please remember that we are only a phone call or an email away. We are here to help you and provide support for your church. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.

We are currently working on locations and dates for events. Please pray that it will all come together as planned so that we can have the locations and dates to you in the next month.

We encourage you and your leaders to take advantage of the training opportunities at the Awana Ministry Conference this year. We are excited about many new workshops this year. We have posted the descriptions for both the conferences on our website. (www.awana4kids.org) If you have any questions, please contact us. We look forward to seeing you there.

Awana at Home	Quizzing Update We were just made aware of some changes to quizzing in the past few days. As a result, we will be changing the format of Bible Quizzing for all groups (T&T, Trek, & Journey) We wanted to give you as much time as possible to know about these changes. We are having a workshop at both Ministry Conferences to explain the changes to you. These meetings will be on Saturday at both conferences. If you are not able to make these meetings, please rest assured that we will be putting an email out to all commanders in mid to late September. This will allow us to digest the feedback from the workshops. Please realize that we only will explain these changes at conference for the time being. This way we can be consistent in what we say and avoid any confusion the day of quiz. The final information and procedures for quizzing will be in your hands by mid to late Sept. Ministry Support As you know, we are fully faith supported. We trust to God for the provision of our financial other needs. Prayer is the most important way you can support the Awana ministry here in Eastern Colorado. Please make the Awana ministry, Chad & Karen Smith, the Awana churches, and all the Awana leaders a priority on your prayer list. Currently the ministry in Eastern Colorado is not receiving enough monthly support to cover it's expenses. The ministry needs approximately $1200 more a month. If your church has not yet added the Eastern Colorado Awana Ministry to their mission budget, would you please ask them to consider the ministry's needs? In addition, would you or leaders from your church help us with this need? Awana Ministry Conference Awana Ministry Conferences help you to grow as an Awana volunteer every year. Learn effective, innovative ideas for evangelism and discipleship through an inspiring message and a variety of practical workshops. Leaders can choose the sessions that benefit their unique ministry - from Puggles® to Journey™. Even if you have been to conference before, unique workshops are offered each year. Attendees leave excited to serve and armed with ideas and skills to immediately apply to their ministries. If you have been to conference once or many different times, there is always something new to learn. We look forward to seeing you and your leaders in August. Commander College 101 Commander College is all about you. More than anyone, commanders hold the key to a successful Awana ministry. You want your program to reach and disciple kids and their families for Christ in your church and your community. We want to help you get there by providing you with: Practical tools, tips, and new ideas from Awana Headquarters personnel, local experts, and other commanders in the area. Training to move beyond survival mode to excellence Personalized assistance with the challenges and frustrations you face! Join us on Oct. 16 & 17, 2009 at Trinity Church in Wheatridge, CO. This years cost is $235 per person, however $100 scholarships are available if your church brings 70% of it's leaders to the conference this August. Click here for more information.

Awana has developed a new program that each church can begin using this year. Awana at Home is designed to emphasize and maximize parental involvement in your Awana club. This new program will show you how to help partner with parents to make a lasting effect on their children as the church and parent work together to disciple the child. The goal of Awana at Home is to help parents conduct a once a week family devotional experience based on the three aspects of Awana Clubs (Game Time, Handbook Time, Bible Time). Check out the new Ministry Guide for the new directors kit. In addition, a workshop will be offered at conference to help explain this exciting new ministry.
Upcoming Dates
Colorado Springs Awana Conference Aug. 21-22 Denver Awana Conference Aug. 28-29

Eastern Colorado Awana News
Quizzing Changes, Conference, Ministry Support, Commander College	August 7, 2009