CABLE
fall 2016
the Counselors’ Newsletter
Director’s letter Greetings from the GEMS Executive Board. What a blessing it is to be able to thank all of you for the work you are doing through GEMS Girls’ Clubs. A few weeks back I heard a phrase that caught my attention: What we are devoted to determines our priorities. I put that phrase into a GEMS context and asked: What are we devoted to in the ministry of GEMS? As counselors and leaders what are our priorities? The word devoted means very loving or loyal. It means faithful, true, staunch, steadfast, and committed.
Inside: get connected! camp | 3 leadership training | 4 sponsor a student | 6
I thought back to our GEMS Leadership Conferences and to Local Workshops and was aware of the commitment women make to learn how to mentor girls. I also thought about the women I have served with through the years that devoted their time to club—making club nights a priority in their lives and the lives of their families. I thought about the girls who attended club and their faithfulness in coming
and the joy they have in learning more about God, His Word, and His world. After thinking about all this I knew without a doubt why God continues to bless this ministry and why He has entrusted us with mentoring girls here and around the world. It became clear why God put in this ministry the capabilities of building The Esther School and now allows it to stand on its own. It is because God has put in us the desire to be devoted to Him and His work, and, together, we have made His ministry a priority. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). In His Service,
Debra S. Liccar GEMS Executive Board President
GEMS Executive Board Shirley Batts – Portage, Michigan Cheryl Boer – Sun Lakes, Arizona Amy Brooks – North Haledon, New Jersey Linda Hermen – Beecher, Illinois Judy Kapteyn – Sarnia, Ontario Mary Klingenberg – Hagersville, Ontario Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Grace Moes – Mississauga, Ontario Andrea Mulder – Norwich, Ontario Tina Rooks – Grand Rapids, Michigan Lorelle Rozendal– Grand Rapids, Michigan Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS Staff Training Manager - Lenae Bulthuis Operations Director - Michele DeHaan Managing Editor - Kelli Gilmore Graphic & Web Designer - Lisa Hunter Customer Relations - Hannah Noorman International Ministries Director - Jill Postma 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.
Canada Post Publication Sales Agreement #41124116, return undeliverable copies to Cable c/o GEMS Girls’ Clubs, PO Box 39, Norwich, ON N0J 1P0
Love Overflows May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you (1 Thessalonians 3:12). The word love can lose its impact when it’s overused. Maybe you claim you love your favorite phone apps, the fries you had at lunch, or your new shoes. But don’t forget the true force of love. It’s a power-packed word brimming with meaning. The Bible tells us over and over (and over) that God loves us. Love comes from Him. It’s who He is and what He does. His love fills the earth! Which means we can’t escape it. His love is neverending, powerful, and sufficient. Which is something to celebrate! And that’s what we will be doing all season long at GEMS. We’ll have a splashing time as we look at what it means that God’s Love Overflows! Because when we accept God’s love, we can’t help but share it with others. When we let God’s love overflow through us, the whole world will know He loves them, too! Your Guide to The Annual Theme If you had the opportunity to attend the 2016 GEMS Leadership Conference (see page 4) you experienced the theme in full. Either way, there are lots of great resources available to help you teach the theme effectively in your club! Your greatest asset will be the Theme Resource Book. This is available through the GEMS Service Center. You can order it online or by calling (616) 241-5616 ext. 2.
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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.
The Theme Resource Book has everything you need for hosting a theme night. It will walk you through step-by-step on throwing a Splash Party (it’s not too late if you haven’t done this yet!) for your girls. Plus, you will get the music for the theme
song, find theme-related icebreakers and games, and discover helpful tips, ideas, and crafts for you to use as you help your girls understand what it means that Love Overflows! You also won’t want to miss the Theme Devotional and Object Lesson Book, which is full of great ideas for opening your club meetings throughout the year. And Connections, which has the teaching aids for the theme-related Bible lessons in both SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazines. In addition to these three theme publications, don’t forget to check out the GEMS website for lots of free theme resources! You can download the theme logo, PowerPoints, signs, customizable parent newsletters, and more! You can also view the Splash Party Pinterest page for even more great ideas to use all season long.
Connecting at camp I’ll be honest: At first I wasn’t excited to go to Get Connected! Camp, a weeklong summer camp for girls who have completed grades 6, 7, or 8. I wasn’t excited to drive from Michigan to Rockwood, Ontario, and I wasn’t thrilled about sleeping in bunk beds. And camp food? Recognizing I needed a change of heart, I prayed and asked God to intercede. He showed up in beautiful ways and made camp a week to remember—for me, of course—but also for the girls. I was so encouraged by how quickly the campers attached to each other and formed relationships with their Truth and Life Connectors (counselors). New friendships were everywhere! I saw homesick girls embraced by the girls in their cabin. Friendship bracelets were made and swapped between campers. By the end of the week, the girls were hugging and giving high-fives with grins on their faces. These friendships were formed because of intimacy—intimacy with God and intimacy with each other.
One night, girls were given the opportunity to share their testimonies with their cabins. It was an emotional time with lots of tears, and God was glorified through it all. Brittney and Bella, two girls from the Crete GEMS Club in Illinois, attended camp for the first time. Debbie Liccar, their Club Coordinator said, “[Camp] is truly the first time these girls felt that their relationship with God was their own and not their parents’ or even GEMS counselors’.” When asked, these girls said sharing their
testimonies and hearing the testimonies of others was the best part of camp. Despite starting the week off with a less-than-stellar attitude, God used the campers, TLCs, Counselors-in-Training, and directors to show me what camp is really about. It is more than bunk beds and early mornings. It is about laughter and late nights. It is about campfires and silly stories. It is about singing songs and rolling down hills. More than that, it is about making friends, learning about yourself, and connecting with God. It is a little bit of heaven on earth. Hannah Noorman is the Customer Relations Specialist for GEMS.
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The girls learned about the power of words and truth, how to identify lies,
and how to see themselves as God sees them—uniquely made and beautiful inside and out.
GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONFERENCE
GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Train for success GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING SPRING SEMINAR
Maybe your church has had GEMS for over 50 years. Or, maybe this is your very first season. Either way, your ability to impact the girls in your club is directly related to a few simple things: your love for God, your love for girls, and your desire to show up week after week and share those things with your club. Whether your counselor team has an established rhythm that’s working or you’re still trying to figure out which curriculum to choose—GEMS Leadership Training is an invaluable part of your success.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE At GEMS Annual Leadership Conference you will receive inspiration, motivation, and tons of practical tips for taking your club to the next level. You’ll also have time to step away, unplug, and spend time in the presence of the One who loves you with an unfailing affection. If you haven’t experienced it yet, just try it. Take a step of faith and join us. From
unmatched worship experiences to first-class workshops and speakers: GEMS Leadership Conference is a premiere women’s event for anyone who has a desire to pour into the next generation of girls. COMING SOON This past July women gathered in Bozeman, Montana to learn about the new theme while enjoying fellowship and encouragement with a beautiful, mountainous backdrop. Next summer we invite you to Sioux Center, Iowa July 27-31 at Dordt College. You will receive registration materials in the mail soon. Visit the GEMS website to register starting in January. We can’t wait to see you there! Accentuate the Positive If you have a girl in your club who is consistently negative or disruptive, try to accentuate the positive. To start, say positive statements to the group that
are directed toward her but not at her. Never call her out negatively before the group. She could disrupt the entire club atmosphere by defending her code of coolness. Plus she will attack back. She has issues that have resulted in displaced hurt and she craves attention. But, she must learn to earn attention the right way. Always look for opportunities to reward positive behavior. Addressing behavior properly and publicly will help her improve and adjust to the atmosphere you have or are seeking to have in your club. It may take time, but be patient. If she becomes offensive and disruptive, address it privately and lovingly when the time is appropriate. Move over to her area, being mindful of her personal space, and proceed with whatever you were doing as if the negative behavior didn’t happen (unless it is severe). And highlight positive behavior. Doing so will shift the atmosphere and help every girl in your small group succeed.
Group game fun The beginning of a GEMS season is a great time to play group games! This helps girls open up and feel welcomed and included. Try some of these fun ideas with your club:
1. Switch Sides If . . . All you need for this game is a piece of tape or string to divide your room or meeting space into two sections. Invite girls to stand on either side of the line. Then, when you read one of the following statements, ask girls to switch sides if that statement applies to them. For example, if you were standing on the right side of the line and the statement was, “You are right-handed,” and that statement is true for you, you’d go to the left side of the line. Here are a few to get you started: •
You like cats more than dogs.
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You like to bake.
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You like to read.
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You have more than three siblings.
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You prefer summer over winter.
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You are homeschooled.
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Your favorite color is green.
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You like getting up early.
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You like staying up late.
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You like mountains more than the beach.
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You play a sport.
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You play an instrument.
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You know how to sew.
2. Sticky Note Facts. Give every girl a sticky note. Have her write three things about herself without sharing her name. When they are finished, stick the notes to the front of the room. Invite someone to read each note aloud while girls guess who the note is describing. 3. B alloon Pop. Tie a balloon to each player’s right leg with a three-foot length of string. The goal is to pop the other players’ balloons. When a balloon pops, both girls must freeze and share something about themselves with the other person. 4. Stand Together. Have two girls sit on the floor with their backs together. Ask them to link their arms at the elbows. They have to work together to get to a standing position. See how long it takes them to get off the ground!
resources at gemsgc.org Whether you are a tech expert or have absolutely no clue what it means to microblog, the GEMS website is an amazing (and free!) resource you won’t want to miss as you plan your season. You can also let parents know about these resources that they can help their daughter utilize and explore. PODCASTS If your girls love the Dear Annie advice column in SHINE brightly Magazine, they will enjoy her podcast, too. Each month they can listen in as Annie expands on a topic in more detail. Girls can also hear podcasts of Bible stories with a twist and catch up on The Micah Road Mysteries if they missed an installment in their last issue.
LEADERS’ BLOG We have resources for you, too! Each month there are devotionals posted on the GEMS Leaders’ blog. There are also posts that help you take the content of the magazines to the next level at club by offering tips, suggestions, and additional activities. SOCIAL MEDIA Connect with GEMS on social media to get updates, inspiration, and ideas throughout the year. This is also a great place to see what other clubs are up to and talk with each other. Find the links to our social media accounts on our website. CRAFTS AND RECIPES Point your girls to this section of the website or use it as a resource for your time at club. You will find tons of step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of crafts and recipes to use throughout the year.
New Merchandise
From shirts to mugs and pens—we’ve got lots of great new merchandise for you to purchase! Visit the GEMS store and check it out! You definitely won’t want to miss the new coloring book from GEMS! It’s cute and affordable!
Room to Grow Total
SHINE brightly and Sparkle readers were challenged to help us raise money to fill the fourth grade classroom at The Esther School (see page 7) this past year. And thanks to your dedication and encouragement they have blown us away! Girls from around North America joined together to raise over $20,000! A big thank you from the GEMS and Esther School staffs for sharing this opportunity with your clubs!
Club Dues
Please send the Service Center your club dues ($3 USD/CAD per girl) on or before November 15. Club Coordinators received a dues form in August. If you need a new one please contact the GEMS Service Center at servicecenter@gemsgc.org.
Lists and Subscription Updates
With a new GEMS season comes updates! If you haven’t already, please revise your Counselor List and SHINE brightly and Sparkle Magazine subscription, numbers online by email at servicecenter@gemsgc.org or by mailing them to the Service Center.
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VIDEO BLOGS Each month the Managing Editor of GEMS posts short, inspirational video blogs that expand on a concept presented in the magazines. These are great for you to use in club to get discussions going or to point your girls to if they are looking for a safe, online community to interact with
at home. Girls can comment on the blog, start discussions with each other, and chat with the editor.
Club News
sister clubs and a world tour More than 20 churches and schools in the Nairobi area have started GEMS Clubs in 2016. Munyiva Kitavi, GEMS Regional Manager for the area, trained leaders earlier in the year and equipped them with the resources they needed to start mentoring girls. We were blessed to have Munyiva speak at GEMS Leadership Conference in Bozeman, Montana about her passion to assist the women of Kenya as they begin GEMS Clubs. Her dream is that girls will find Jesus as their personal savior, which will help shape the future of Kenya. For centuries, Kenyan society has faced the brutal realities of young women enduring abuse and disease—often in an environment of secrecy. Girls have married at 13 or 14 and been forced to drop out of school because of work commitments or early pregnancies. Munyiva sees a future where girls will be free from shame and mutilation. This outreach effort is supported by the GEMS Sister Club program. As a Sister Club, GEMS in North America commit to giving $250 a year to support club growth around
Munyiva Kitavi speaks at the GEMS Conference in July. the world. Sister Clubs receive two GEMS World Tour packets each year that spotlight clubs outside of the U.S. and Canada. An informational section in the World Tour includes a bit about the club and its leaders, while a readers’ theater brings out a biblical truth in a practical way using a reference to the highlighted country or area. A girls' activity sheet is provided for copying and using as a fun tool in club.
We ask that participating clubs consider writing letters or drawing pictures to a club outside of North America. These letters are compiled and distributed to clubs globally. This is a good way to show our care and concern for clubs far away! To sign up to be a Sister Club, contact info@gemsinternational.org for a membership application.
friendships through generations Good friends make a world of difference. And as you brave the mystery of growing up, it’s nice to have friends around who are going through it with you.
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But it’s also nice to have friends around who have experienced it, survived it, and have the wisdom to help guide you through it. Amanda Wildman, the Club Coordinator from Ada Christian Reformed Church in Ada, Michigan, recognizes the importance of intergenerational relationships and saw an opportunity to create them between her church’s older congregants and their GEMS Club. “Each girl in our club gets assigned a GEMS friend who is an established member of our church,” Amanda said. “The GEMS friend is asked to pray for the GEM and write her notes of encouragement or wisdom throughout the year. We also ask GEMS friends to get to know the girls and look for them and their families when they visit the church.”
“Oftentimes counselors are working with GEMS as a group and we might not have the opportunity to spend as much one-on-one time with the girls as we would like to, but their GEMS friends are able to get to know them through letters and notes back and forth on a deeper level. ” - Amanda Wildman Club Coordinator from Ada Christian Reformed Church
Amanda believes it takes a community to train a child in the way she should go, and her church’s GEMS friends program creates space for that to happen. “Oftentimes counselors are working with GEMS as a group and we might not have the opportunity to spend as much oneon-one time with the girls as we would like to, but their GEMS friends are able to get to know them through letters and notes back and forth on a deeper level,” Amanda said.
At the end of the year, the GEMS attend a tea where they can spend a night with their GEMS friend. Amanda describes this night as a great time of sharing. It’s amazing to see the benefits both sides of the relationship receive from staying in contact throughout the year. Do you have a program that connects your GEMS to other avenues of your church? Share them with us by emailing kelli@gemsgc.org.
Student Sponsorhips The Esther School students have returned for another school year! Many counselors and clubs have asked how they can help this year. One of the best and easiest ways to help is to sponsor a child! Each year 24 new students begin at The Esther School. That means we need at least 24 new sponsors every year to come alongside as students start their educational journey.
education filled with the love and hope of Jesus. By sponsoring a student with your club, you are not only giving an education to a child, but also helping your girls attain a broader worldview. Through updates on your student and the school, your club will get a chance to see through the eyes of
a student in Zambia. In addition, you will have a specific name and face to pray for and encourage. No one is too young or too old to make a difference. Join us in making a difference through sponsorship today! Go to estherschool.org to learn more.
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Sponsors provide the resources children need to succeed at school. Students receive uniforms, school meals, and classroom supplies through the sponsorship program. In addition, sponsorship covers the cost of tuition, allowing students to go to school without the burden of school fees. Sponsors make it possible for students to receive an
THE ESTHER SCHOOL The Esther School, an outreach of GEMS Girls’ Clubs, is a Christian day school in Nyangwena, Zambia. Opened in the fall of 2012, the school equips orphaned and under-resourced children to serve God, their families, and their communities to their fullest potential. As the school expands, the goal is to become an independent ministry with GEMS Clubs continuing to support its growth and development.
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When Chloe and Tasha, the main characters of The Micah Road Mysteries series, started their detective agency it was because they couldn’t sit back and watch bad things happen. They had to take action. And that’s how their casesolving began.
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SHINE brightly readers can follow Chloe and Tasha on their adventures in SHINE brightly Magazine and in their two chapter books—Shadows in Tenebray Forest and The Secret Order. But this year we are inviting readers to become part of the story process. This season we are challenging SHINE brightly readers to help us write a
mystery for Chloe and Tasha to solve. Here’s how it works: girls write a one or two sentence idea for Chloe and Tasha’s next case. Then, they draw a picture of them from a scene in their story. When they are done, girls send their idea and picture, along with a photo of themselves (sorry, we won’t be able to return it) and where they are from, to shinebrightly@gemsgc.org or mail to: SHINE MRM Entry 1333 Alger St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 We will select a winner to have her idea developed into a full story for SHINE and her picture created into a professional illustration. Both will be featured in the summer issue of the magazine. All submissions must be received by December 10 to qualify. For more information, check out the September issue of SHINE brightly Magazine.
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