ENCOURAGEMENT

Areas of Ministry

Dad's Breakfast
The CHESS monthly dad's breakfast is for homeschooling dads who want to meet with other men who are also looking to be more involved in the lives of their wives and children through homeschooling. It is a place to be encouraged and challenged in our role as fathers and husbands. For the 2007/08 school year we will basing our discussions on the book Father Power by Todd Wilson. We meet on the second Saturday of each month at the Korner Kitchen in Lansing-- Meeting dates will be Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, & May 10.

Heart of Homeschooling Conference
We hope this conference, held every fall, will be our opportunity to assist home educators in kicking off the new school year on the right foot. We bring in talented speakers who can offer practical words of encouragement, advice and challenge to parents just beginning their homeschooling journey, as well as those veterans who've been around for a while. 2007 dates are Sept. 7 & 8, with speakers Skeet Savage and Israel Wayne from Wisdom's Gate ministry.  In 2008, the conference will be moved to mid-August.

Ladies Retreat: A Time Apart
This retreat is a special time for every homeschooling mom to get away and be refreshed and encouraged. It will be the perfect chance to fellowship with other homeschool moms, as well as receive wonderful teaching from our gifted speakers.  Our dates for 2008 are Feb. 29 - March 2, at Youth Haven Ranch in Rives Junction.

Mom's Night Out
Mom's Night Out is designed to be a monthly "night out" where ideas can be shared and we can encourage and support each other while having fun and fellowship. It will be held on the last Tuesday of every month, September - April and this year our discussions will be based on the book, Lies Homeschool Moms Believe, by Todd Wilson.

MOTLEY Moms (Moms Of Teens Loving and Encouraging our Youth)
Monthly meeting for moms who have high school students (or soon to be), to share resources, knowledge and experiences.  We hope to create a network of families that have similar needs that can share information, opportunities and materials with each other.  We aim to encourage and support one another as we homeschool our teens.

New Member Desserts
New Member Desserts are for new CHESS members (both husbands and wives!) or any members in CHESS who want to know more about how to plug in to the services and benefits we offer.  The first one of this year will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007!

Summer Study Series
See page 10 of the May/June 2009 Newsletter.