2007 Day Care Update

          The Ministry of Temple Baptist Church reaches into the greater Portland area through Sonbeam Day Care Center.  Approximately 40 families have daily contact with the staff of Sonbeam.  These staff members are your ambassadors and represent you and Christ Jesus to these families.  The demographics of these families reflect Portland:  We have upwardly mobile two-parent families, single-parents struggling to keep it all together by themselves and we have another group  worthy of mentioning, the single person or couple who have chosen to expand their family through international adoption.  This year we have assisted one family with orienting their second daughter from China and another single woman who made a decision to adopt three children orphaned by Aids from Ethiopia.  These families recognize their vulnerability with the new demands on their time and priorities.

          We are honored to be able to offer a word of encouragement or advice to these families in Jesus name while we care for and love their children.  It is a privilege to help them set the priorities and values for their young families.  One goal is that these families will be lead into a relationship with God through knowing Jesus and then into a relationship with believers.

          The Board at Sonbeam is a group of very committed workers on your behalf for these families.  Peggy Bates has been the President of the Board for the many years since she left our employment.  Her expertise with preschool children has been invaluable as a support to our staff and families.  Don and Dorothy Strandberg have served for almost as long on the Board and have a long history with Sonbeam.  Dale and June Peretti have served faithfully for many years and we appreciate the wisdom of their years in education that they bring to the Board.  Sue Johnson has brought much in the way of practical advice to our monthly meetings.  And our newest member, Marilyn Reynolds reminds us of how long the partnership between Sonbeam and Temple has been working when we are reminded that her son was one of the first enrolled students at Sonbeam in 1985.  Larry Johnson is a strong advocate for our program and keeps the daily operation going smoothly.  His many hours of volunteer assistance is appreciated more than he realizes.  He is constantly being contacted about leaking faucets or computers crashing and is always available to lend a hand.  Larry has chaperoned many field trips to be a driver across the street for a performance at the Lloyd Center Mall.  The Deaconesses have assisted with serving dessert at our Mother and Father's Day programs.  Lori Moody attended kindergarten one day and read a few books to the children.  June Peretti and Abby Fessenden have contributed their musical talents to add polish to our performances.  Karla and Viola Christiansen have been in the daycare on Wednesday evenings inviting families to stay for dinner and join in the Wednesday evening programs at Temple.  The Outreach Committee has planned several events with inclusion of the daycare families as a priority.

          It is my prayer and challenge to you that as we study God's Word through the voice of Jerry Sheveland encouraging us to think BIG in our vision for Temple that we might find ways to make the partnership with Temple and Sonbeam even more production for His Kingdom.  That we would plan ways to Bring the daycare families in, strategically include them in our activities and programs and then help them grow in the knowledge of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Karen Moreschi, Day Care Director

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