iLead: Renew your strength, refocus your vision

2 to 3 times a year we’ll be pulling our small group leaders together (leaders, co-leaders, hosts, facilitators, etc.) for encouragement, a look ahead at what’s coming in the next 6 to 12 months, and some important skill training.

Our first chance to get together this year will be Sunday, May 2nd, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

• Pastor Tim will be sharing some exciting news about what’s coming this fall.
• You’ll be able to preview the new and improved small group finder that will launch in mid May.
• You’ll be able to connect with other small group leaders and hear what’s working.
• You’ll learn how to use the Purpose Driven Life Health Assessment and Plan to encourage and challenge your group members.

I hope you’ll make this hour-and-a-half meeting a priority. I know the weather’s getting better, there’s a lot going on, and the Sox will be playing the Yankees…but I really want to encourage you to join us. What you’re doing is very important. We all want to make sure we’re leading in a way that will hear “well done.”

Late breaking news…the Spring Cleanup operation is RAIN or shine!

Every year Parkview’s summer picnic is at Camp Manitoqua. If you’ve been, you know it’s a great time. If you haven’t…this year’s picnic is September 12th and you won’t want to miss it.

One of the best ways to help your group really connect is to find a way to serve together. Your group can make a difference by helping get Camp Manitoqua ready for action:

When: Saturday, April 24, 2010 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

What: Camp Manitoqua is looking for about 200-300 people to help start the year with Spring clean up. The following projects will be needed:

• Painting – various buildings, touch ups
• Inside Office Repair – light sanding and painting around windows, staining trim work
• Planting Trees
• Reset Bridge
• Decoration Creation Project for Summer Camp
• Build 2 initiatives
• Repair bench boards (around pool & chapel & ARC) & repaint
• Fence Repair & possible paint
• Cleaning & resetting picnic shelters
• Gardening & Mulching
• Collecting Leaves
• Cleaning windows, etc.

Need more info? You can email Leah Meskis or give her a call at 815-469-2319.

Ready to sign up? Email Lisa LeRose-Hoerler.

Just wanted to thank many of you who have asked how the Connections went.  It says a lot about Parkview to know that you see the value of GroupLife and want others to have what you have!

As you know, we had 3 connections (2 at Orland Park and 1 at Lockport).  I was really pleased with the turnout and the result.  We started 10 new groups at Orland Park and 2 new groups at Lockport!  That really is a good thing.  The most exciting part about the connection process is that it identifies new leaders very effectively.  In a fast growing church that is huge!

Many of you have also been asking ‘what’s next for the existing groups?’  All I can tell you today is to stay tuned!  We’re about to add a great new web-based group finder that will make it much easier for unconnected people to find a group.  We’re also in the early planning stages of a really good church-wide study that will happen in October.  I’ll have more on both of these next steps next week!