Treetop Ministries

ABOUT/CONTACT

Cass Brannan, Minister to Preschool
Email: cass@calvarytuscaloosa.org
Phone: 205.657.4891

For more information about the Treetop Ministries check out:

• Blog: www.treetopministries.blogspot.com
• Facebook: join our Facebook group

Cass Brannan, the Minister to Preschool, was born in Virginia and is now living in his seventeenth different place.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation from Georgia Southern University and his Master’s of Arts Degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Christian Education. 

Cass is married to his lovely wife, Mary Beth, and has two wonderful boys, Caden (4) and Calder (2) and is expecting boy number 3 (Bates) in December 2010. 

He loves to spend time outdoors whether it is hiking, swimming, bike riding, kayaking or just walking around the block with his family.  He loves to hang out with his family and explore new places with them.  Cass enjoys cooking with his wife (who is the best cook in the world) and playing in the backyard with his boys. 

Cass came to Calvary in August 2008 and has a passion for preschoolers and their families.  He feels that the ministry to the parents is just as important as the ministry to the children.  He also has a passion to see married couples grow closer and stronger together.

Favorites:

• Food: Steak or chocolate ice cream
• Book: Bible (of course), but anything by Andy Stanley, Visionary Parenting, Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, and many others.
• Music: Hillsong United, Yancy Not Nancy, Charlie Hall, Miss Gail and the Jumpin Jam Band, and many others.
• Hobbies: hiking, biking, going on walks, going to the beach, cooking, and really anything that he can do with his family.

WHAT TO EXPECT

When you arrive in the Treetop Ministries, the bottom floor at Calvary, you will be greeted by one of our friendly welcome team volunteers.  

• If you are a first time guest, please stop at the Welcome Desk to get checked in.  One of the welcome team volunteers will assist you in answering your questions and helping you find your preschoolers proper classroom.  You will also receive a Guest bag with some goodies and some information about the Treetop. 
• If you are a returning guest or member, you will simply take your preschooler(s) to their appropriate class and check them in there. Please check out the Policies and Guidelines tab for Security and Policy on our check in/out procedure.

Preschool Ministry Schedule:

WorshipCare: This ministry is offered during the 8:25 and 11:05 worship services, for preschoolers who are 6 weeks to Kindergarten.

• During the 8:25 hour, preschoolers will be able to play and learn more about Jesus in an environment that is fun and appropriate for all who attend. 
• During the 11:05 WorshipCare hour, preschoolers are split into age appropriate classrooms where they will have activities, music, crafts, small and large group learning, and snack, where they will get a closer look at Jesus, using First Look.    

Sunday School: This ministry is offered during the 9:45 worship service, for preschoolers who are 6 weeks to Kindergarten.  Here they will experience getting a closer look at Jesus through activities, crafts, small and large groups, music, and other methods.  (please check out the First Look tab for a closer look at the curriculum that we use)

ChildCare is provided during Bible studies, Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, and other programs/events for preschoolers, birth through 2 years, who are not old enough to participate with the older preschoolers.  ChildCare is a safe and loving environment by paid, trained, and loving workers, who will help give preschoolers a closer look at Jesus! 

THE NEST:

The Nest is a place where preschoolers birth through the age of 2 will be able to be loved on, cared for, and get a closer look at Jesus through age appropriate toys, playtime, activities and music.  In the Nest we use the Bible verse, “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet for the nations – that’s what I had in mind for you.” – Jeremiah 1:5. 

THE TREEHOUSE:

The Treehouse is a space for older preschoolers, 2 years old through Kindergarten.  In the Treehouse we offer age appropriate activities, small groups, and large group music and teaching.  In the Treehouse we use the verse, “Rename them ‘Oaks of Righteousness’ planted by God to display his glory.” - Isaiah 61:3.

FIRST LOOK

What Is It?

You’re a preschooler, and the world is bursting with newness. Each day is filled with one new discovery after another. Where did that bird come from? Look, the moon is shaped funny tonight! Who thought to color the butterfly like that?

First Look is a web-based curriculum that uses engaging activities to introduce pre-school children (birth through Kindergarten) to God. First Look gives children a first impression of their heavenly Father and the wonder of His love for each one of them. 

First Look concentrates on three basic truths that God Made Me, God Loves Me, and that Jesus Wants To Be My Friend Forever.  These, as well as the other truths that are being taught, will help in shaping and laying the foundation of Christ in preschoolers lives. 

The Curriculum is set-up into three different sections:

MAKE IT FUN
Little ones are made to feel welcome by their leaders and friends and pulled into the teaching environment with a fun opening activity.  This activity introduces the "Bottom Line" for the morning's lesson which is the same "Bottom Line" for the whole month. 

MAKE IT TRUE
After the fun opening activity, the kids are taken to a Large Group environment at the Treehouse Stage where they are taught God's Word in an exciting, relevant way that they can understand.  God's Word IS EXCITING! After the Bible Story, the kids learn to worship their Heavenly Father.  Each month the kids and their leaders learn new songs, hand motions, and sometimes "dance moves" that teach them how to express themselves in worship to their AWESOME GOD!  The music is also designed to help reinforce the "Bottom Line" for the month.

MAKE IT STICK
After Large Group, kids come back to their small group environment where they engage in creative, fun games, crafts and snacks with their friends that reinforce the "Bottom Line" for the month.

THE BACKYARD

This event will be a time filled with music, fun, Bible teaching, and other activities that help give preschoolers a closer look at Jesus.  The music portion of The Backyard will provide opportunities for preschoolers to learn about God and to glorify Him through music and the arts through singing, moving to music and using rhythm instruments. The Backyard will also consist of activities and teaching that line up with the biblical truths being taught in our Sunday morning program. The Backyard will be a place where preschoolers will learn about music, worship, and Jesus in fun, creative, and exciting ways! Located in the Treehouse on the 1st floor, The Backyard is 6:00-7:30 pm on Wednesdays, for ages 2K through kindergarten.

ChildCare will is provided for those preschoolers under the age of 2 during The Backyard.

PARENT AND CHILD DEDICATION

Parent and Child Dedication is such a special and important time of
both yours and the church’s life. The church wants to partner with you as you raise your child to one day have a relationship with Jesus Christ! 

We offer Parent and Child Dedication three times a year.  Our October and May dedications take place during the 11:05 worship services, and our January dedication takes place during the 9:45 worship service. 

The Sunday before each of these dedications we will be hosting a Parent Dinner for those who are dedicating their children.  This is a REQUIRED dinner to participate in Parent and Child Dedication.  Calvary takes this dedication seriously and we want you to as well.  We do not want this to be a checkmark on things to do, but rather a life change for you and your family. 

We are so glad that you are interested in participating with us in Parent and Child Dedication.  You have been entrusted with the precious gift of new life, and we look forward to partnering with you as you embark on this parenting journey.  We hope that Parent and Child Dedication will be a memorable occasion for you and your family.

Please contact Cass Brannan for more information and details regarding Parent and Child Dedication.

Next Parent and Child Dedication dates:

• October 10, 2010 – 11:05 worship service
• January 23, 2011 – 9:45 worship service
• May 8, 2011 – 9:45 worship service

PARENTS NIGHT OUT

Parents Night Out is a great time for parents to go on a date while your children have a great time at church learning about Jesus!  Preschoolers will join Safari Sam as we take a Tour Around The World, and learn about other countries and cultures, and also the need to tell them about Jesus!  We will play, sing, do activities and crafts, have snacks and eat pizza! 

Each month, in the Fall and Spring, we have a night for parents to get a night away and have fun as a couple.  You MUST sign up by the Sunday before at the main Welcome desk, outside your child’s classroom, or by emailing Cass.

If your child DOES NOT eat pizza, please feed them BEFORE they arrive!  This will help with all food allergies.  We hope that you take advantage of this great opportunity!

The cost is $5 per child with a $15 max per family.

Fall Parents Night Out dates:

• September 10
• October 1
• November 5
• December 3

PARENTS

“There are two powerful influences on the planet – the church and the home.  They both exist because God initiated them.  They both exist because God desires to use them to demonstrate His plan of redemption and restoration.  If they work together they can potentially make a greater impact than if they work alone.  They need each other.  Too much is at stake for either one to fail.  Their primary task is to build God’s kingdom in the hearts of men and women, sons and daughters.” – excerpt from Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof

We, Calvary Baptist and the Preschool Ministry, have learned that we can’t do ministry alone and you can’t do parenting alone.  There has to be a partnership of the two.  The church, on average, gets to invest about 40-45 hours a year into the life of your child, but you as a parent get over 1500 hours a year to invest in your child.  So, we want to be able to give you the resources and tools to take the truths that we are teaching your child into your home and into your lives.  We are going to do our best to invest in you and we will do that through several different avenues.  Check out the tabs on this page for more details and resources. 

Parent Ministry

We offer several venues for mom’s and dad’s to get together. 

• MomTime meets on the first and third Wednesday mornings of the month from 9:30-11:30.  ChildCare is provided!  The first Wednesday of the month we drop the kids off and go somewhere to fellowship.  The third Wednesday we have a speaker and fellowship. If you work and can even join us for one hour on a break, please come! 
• Mom’s Night Out – each month the mom’s will have a chance to get out and fellowship with each other.  Please take a peak at your email and the Blog for more details on these events. 
• DadTime will meet once a month and be a time for Dad’s to hang out with each other.  There will be a different DadTime event each month, whether it is at a restaurant to eat or at someone’s house to watch a football game.  Check your email or the Blog for more details on these events.

Parent Involvement

We believe that parents are the primary spiritual leader and teacher for their child.  You will spend more hours with your child than anyone else will in any given year.  We want to give you the opportunity to carry out what your child is learning on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays nights and take it home.  Please take a look at the First Look tab for more resources that will allow you to spiritually lead your child as the Bible has commanded. 

We ask that ALL preschool parents be involved and serve on our WorshipCare Rotation.  We ask that parents serve on a every-other-month rotation, where you serve six times a year for a total of six hours a year.  This helps you see firsthand what your child is learning and gives you another chance to teach your child about serving.  If you would like to influence and benefit the next generation by volunteering one Sunday, every-other-month, please contact Cass Brannan for more details. 

Tips for Parents

• Consistent church participation helps children develop a sense of trust and security within their overall church experience.
• Talk to you child about coming to church and create the excitement for them.
• Communicate with leaders any allergies that your child might have.
• If you child becomes upset, remind them in a kind, firm voice that you are going to church and will be back soon.  If you child remains inconsolable after 15 minutes, we will come and get you.
• Help your child develop ‘church security’ by picking them up promptly after each session.  A child may become anxious when other children have departed. 

Resources

Please check out the following resources that will help you in your journey of parenting:

Websites:

• www.orangeparents.org
• www.visionaryparenting.com
• www.rethinkgroup.org
• www.whatisorange.org

Music:

• www.yancynotnancy.com
• www.amberskyrecords.com
• www.missgailmusic.com

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

Security:

Treetop Ministries seeks to give all preschoolers and their families the safest environment to learn about Jesus Christ.  In order to keep the ministry safe there are a few procedures that we ask all parents to follow. THESE ARE NOT OPTIONAL.

• All preschoolers need to be checked in at their age-appropriate classroom. 
• Outside each classroom you will find a basket of numbers.  There are two of each number (they are stuck together with Velcro): one is to be clipped to your preschooler and they other is yours.  This is your Security Tag to pick up your child. 
• You will also sign them in on the sign-in sheet and place a nametag on your child.
• ALL parents must use the tag to pick up their preschooler.  There are NO excuses. 
• NO child will be released without the matching of the parent tag with the child’s. 
• No child should be allowed to pick up another child (the person picking up the child must be over 18 AND have the security tag).
• No parent may leave the campus while their child is in Calvary’s care, unless it is Parents Night Out, or if you have been given approval by the Preschool Minister.  The children are too young to not have a parent close by.  THIS IS NOT A BABYSITTING SERVICE – IT IS A MINISTRY.
• We ask that ALL parents stay out of the classrooms for the safety and security of ALL of the children. 
• Kindly knock on your child’s door and a leader will assist you in picking up or dropping off your child. 

Sick Policy:

We LOVE having your child/family at church but it is not fair to other families if you bring your child sick and a lot of other families are affected.  A warm welcome awaits your child in our preschool programs if he or she has been free from any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours. 

We are unable to accept children who exhibit any of the following (even on medication):

• any colored discharge from the nose
• coughing or sneezing
• and discharge from the eyes
• a body rash (excluding diaper rash)
• any childhood diseases, or
• children who, within the past 24 hours have had: Fever, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Medication that could mask cold symptoms, or Antibiotics within the past 48 hours.

Please be respectful and don’t bring your child if ANYONE in your house has had the stomach bug in the past 24-48 hours. When in doubt – use the Golden Rule. 

Allergy Alert

Due to the number of children and child allergies, the Treetop Ministries asks that water be the only drink that is brought with the child (unless the child is under 12 months old, needing breast milk or formula).

Treetop Ministries is a peanut free ministry and will seek to protect the health of every child that is participating in any of our ministry programs.  We do provide snacks for children that may include: goldfish, animal crackers, graham crackers, saltines, apple juice, lemonade, and water.  Snacks will be listed outside each child’s room!  Please inform your child’s teacher if they cannot have any of these items. 

Please notify your child’s teacher or the Preschool Minister of any allergies that your child may have. 

Behavior Guidelines

Please take note of and follow the following guidelines to insure that we keep the Treetop Ministries a place where preschoolers feel loved, have fun, and get a closer look at Jesus in a safe environment.

Guidelines for those in the NEST (birth through 24 months)

• Your child’s name needs to be placed on everything.  We will provide labels if items are not labeled. 
• All children need to be checked in at their classroom in the NEST.
• Please inform the teachers/leaders of any allergies, special needs, etc., for your child.
• Babies should not be left until they have reached 6 weeks old.  (This is to keep them from being exposed to germs, etc., earlier than they need to be).  Please feel free to take your child to Sunday School or Worship before this time.
• Please pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s diaper bag.
• Please bring bottles only.  Baby food will not be given and formula needs to be pre-measured.  Our leaders will not measure out the formula for you. 
• Children are only to bring water to drink, due to allergies found in other children.  If the child requires formula or breast milk, this is allowed.  Please have all bottles ready for use.  We will not mix formula bottles for the child.
• A nursing room is available on the Treetop Ministries main hallway.
• We cannot give your child medication.
• We are not responsible for personal items left in diaper bags, such as billfolds, car keys, cell phones, etc.
• Parents are to remain on the Calvary Baptist Church campus during regularly scheduled events.
• Parents are not allowed in their child’s classroom.  This helps in keeping yours and the other children safe!
• Children at this age often have trouble separating with parents.  We will page you if your child does not adjust.  Our volunteers will do their best to comfort your child.  If they are unable to comfort your child after 15 minutes of persistent crying, they will notify you.
• All Preschool Parents are asked to serve on our WorshipCare rotation schedule.  This ministry provides care for preschoolers during the WorshipCare hour after Sunday School (11:05)
• Parents are asked to follow all Sickness and Allergy Guidelines.

Guidelines for those in the TREEHOUSE (2 years to Kindergarten)

• Your child’s name needs to be placed on everything.  We will provide labels if items are not labeled. 
• All children need to be checked in at their classroom in the TREEHOUSE.
• Please inform the teachers/leaders of any allergies, special needs, etc., for your child.
• Children are only to bring water to drink, due to allergies found in other children. 
• Parents are to remain on the Calvary Baptist Church campus during regularly scheduled events.
• Parents are not allowed in their child’s classroom.  This helps in keeping yours and the other children safe!
• Children at this age often have trouble separating with parents.  We will page you if your child does not adjust.  Our volunteers will do their best to comfort your child.  If they are unable to comfort your child after 15 minutes of persistent crying, they will notify you.
• All Preschool Parents are asked to serve on our WorshipCare rotation schedule.  This ministry provides care for preschoolers during the WorshipCare hour after Sunday School (11:05)
• Parents are asked to follow all Sickness and Allergy Guidelines.
• Please leave all personal toys at home.
• Please pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s bag if they are still in diaper’s or potty training. 

OTHER EVENTS

For information on other events/programs please visit the Treetop Ministry Blog, or join us on Facebook.  If you would like to be added to the Treetop Ministries emailing list, please simply email Cass Brannan your email and you will be added.

Other Events/Programs might include:

• Preschool Family Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt
• Parents Night Out
• Preschool Treetop Camp
• Vacation Bible School
• MarriedLife for Parents
• Breakfast in Bethlehem, and
• Fall Festival