Do your kids know this chicken?

If you are a mom or dad of a toddler than you may know Chica the Chicken from The Sunny Side Up Show on Sprout, the 24 hour television network for preschoolers. If you and your family would love to meet Chica and are looking for a weekend adventure, here are two options. Sprout is offering eight lucky viewers a special opportunity to meet Chica live and in person with the Mr. Mailman Summer Adventures Contest. Eight families will also win as part of their prize an expense paid trip to visit Philadelphia's smart and cool summer attractions including the Please Touch Museum and Sesame Place. Of course not everyone who enters will win. But, don't fret ...there is a consolation.

If you plan to be in the Philadelphia area this weekend, your kids can meet Chica the Chicken for free at the Kids In Center City Playdate. Fun crafts, games, and information for parents will be available from representatives of The Franklin Institute, The National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts, and The Philadelphia Museum Of Art.

Event: KidsInCenterCity.com Saturday Playdate
Date: April 17, 10:30am-1pm
Location: Comcast Center, 17th Street and JFK Boulevard


This is guaranteed to be a fun time for the whole family. For more information, visit www.kidsincentercity.com.


Subscribe and stay connected!

Do flash mobbing Philly teens have talent?

By Shalita Hale

Empowering through Action (EAC)and The Agogo Cultural Center are willing to wager that Philly kids do indeed have talent. In fact, they are challenging children ages 13-18, in Philadelphia public and parochial schools to 'Get Off the Street & Onto The Stage'. Tyema Sanchez of EAC and Sean Coleman of the Agogo Center have joined forces to put on a talent showcase unlike any other this city has seen. Deadline for entry forms is April 30th, 2010. Auditions will be held on Saturday May 8th and Sunday May 9th, 2010 at the Walter D. Palmer Leadership Charter School located at 910 N. 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Auditions are by advanced registration only. Thousands of dollars worth of prestigious prizes will be awarded including studio time, training, media kits, CD releases, and performance tours. All participants will receive an all expense paid day trip to Washington, D.C.

Sponsorship and vendor packages are also available, but will sell out fast. If you are a parent, educator, business, or volunteer and you would like more information on how you can participate, please call 866-382-0191 or visit www.phillykidsots.com for entry forms and more information.

Philadelphia children have gathered and cried out for our help. It is our turn now to answer their call! Challenge every child you know to Get Off the Street and Onto the Stage!

Subscribe and stay connected!

A New Neighborhood (Keys For Kids)

I found this message on CBH ministry's Keys for Kids website It's also available there in audio form. Family and friends, please keep the Sydnor family in prayer, especially Ashley, a Bethel ABC reader


Tears spilled down Sophia's cheeks. "I want Grandpa back," she cried. Sophia knew her grandpa was with Jesus, but she missed him so much. She remembered the times he had spent with her-reading stories, going for walks, or playing her favorite games.

Mom put her arm around Sophia. "It's hard to lose someone we love, and it's okay to cry," Mom said softly, "but let's think about Grandpa in his new home in heaven and how much he's enjoying it. And just think how wonderful it will be when we all join him there someday-more wonderful than we can even imagine."

Sophia nodded. "Yes, I know . . . but he always liked to be with us," she said. "I bet he misses us, too."

Mom was quiet for a moment. "Do you remember the neighborhood where we used to live?" she asked.

"In Indiana?" asked Sophia. "Sure."

"You liked your friends there," said Mom, "but do you wish we could move back?"

"Not really," said Sophia, shaking her head. "I like my new friends here, too. And our house is bigger-I even have a room all to myself. And the weather here is so warm that we can play outside all year. We're not moving back, are we?"

"No, Sophia, we're not moving back, just like Grandpa isn't moving back to earth after experiencing heaven. He has a new body and no sadness or pain."

"So . . . he wouldn't really want to move back, right?" asked Sophia.

Mom shook her head. "Grandpa is in heaven with Jesus.
And because you and I have Jesus as our Savior, we'll go there someday, too.
Then we'll live with Jesus and Grandpa in our heavenly
neighborhood."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone you love died? The Bible says that God is preparing a place for all those who love Jesus-a place that is far better than anything we can imagine. It's okay to miss loved ones and even to cry at times, but isn't it wonderful to know that someday all sorrow and pain will be ended and all who know Jesus will spend eternity with Him?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:2)

Keep striving

I heard Stephanie Renee aka the Vibe Mistress, sing at an event in support of cancer awareness called Soul Survivors in January. Her voice was soothing, like a lullaby, but not the kind before bed time. This was more like a tune you might hear while busting suds (washing dishes) with grand-mom, or while piling sweet potatoes on plates at the family reunion. It was such a moving and meaningful experience to listen to those melodic words in the company of family. Literally speaking, we weren't related by blood or marriage or even close friends. In fact, many of us were strangers to each other. Yet, in that moment where we all joined in to sing together, we were family. We were a family united in the action of loving each other for love's sake. It was clear that the only agenda outside of raising money for the cause was to uplift and inspire one another. It felt so good to be there...to hear and feel that spirit, that I brought the song home with me. My tween daughters and I committed it to memory and now it's sort of like our theme song. I have a feeling it may come in handy for them one day. It has for me. Maybe you could use it, too. Take a listen.

Gotta Be by Des'ree on Itunes for $1.29