First 5 – Week of January 12, 2026

First 5 / By

1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights

  • Tis’ the season of sickness. For your sake and for those around you, please wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when you can, and if you are sick, please take a sick day and stay home.
  • The Salvation Army of Kent County has shared that they have about 100 Grand Rapids Griffins flex tickets available for $15 each (usable for any remaining home game this season). To purchase, please reach out to Beth at Beth.Pynnonen@usc.salvationarmy.org

2️⃣ Program Updates

  • Winter 1 Session: Week 2
  • Winter 2 registration opens Monday, January 19
  • Friday: TKD Instructor Training (Fireside C) 5:00–8:00 PM

3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️

Facility Updates/Closures

  • No facility closures reported this week.

Rentals

  • Friday: AAAWM WPAC 8:45 AM–12:15 PM

4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉

Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts

  • Shoutout to the Program Managers for ensuring a smooth first week of programs.
  • Shoutout to Margarita for working on her Kroc leadership certification.
  • Shoutout to all staff for continuing to welcome and include the Reeds in the Kroc ministry.
  • Shoutout to Jess and Mckenna for prioritizing the safety of our guests and visitors.
  • Shoutout to the entire Kroc Krew for doing a great job during the busy season.
  • Shoutout to Mike for handling snow needs and pool lift issues.
  • Green Dot to Sammie for engaging with an unhappy pickleball player and helping create a more positive experience.
  • Shoutout to Eddie for helping Jim with picking up UPS equipment.
  • Shoutout to Lily, who continues to go above and beyond to support the Welcome Desk.
  • Shoutout to Jim for fixing the copying machine.

🎂 Birthdays This Week

  • Cannon B — January 13

👋 Welcome New Staff

  • No new hires this week.

📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center

  • Lifeguard
  • Fitness Attendant
  • Fitness Lead
  • Swim Instructor
  • Fitness Instructor
  • UPREP Instructor
  • Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers

5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌

  • Jim is switching out the old uninterrupted power supply for the servers but does not know when. The transition will cause things to go offline. An email will be sent out before he does anything and he will choose a time that is convenient for everyone. This will be done sooner than later.
  • Please check your emergency contact and add one in ADP if you have yet to do so.
  • The Paid in Full Membership promotion is being extended and is now available through the end of the month.
  • Sunday: Lifeguard Inservice 12:00–5:00 PM
  • $0 registration fee continues for new month-to-month memberships.
  • Monday, January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is an admin holiday and the Kroc will remain open for regular hours and programming.

🙌 Missional Moment
In the early days of The Salvation Army, officers often spent long hours simply sitting and listening—in homes, shelters, and street corners—before offering advice or preaching. William Booth urged his workers to understand people’s stories first, believing that compassion begins with attention. Many hearts opened not because they were corrected, but because someone finally slowed down long enough to hear them.

That’s Salvation Army wisdom lived out: listening creates the space where the Spirit can work.

Practice for the week: Choose one conversation each day where you slow down, listen fully, and ask one thoughtful follow-up question before offering a solution.

✝️ Note from the Pastor
Greetings Kroc Family,

Have you been so busy in life lately that you miss the greatest moments that are right in front of you? Are you so caught up taking care of everyone else that you look past the one thing that needs your attention the most?

This was the case for Mary and Martha in John 12. Martha was so busy taking care of the guests that she missed the fact that Jesus was in the room with her and ignored Him. Her sister Mary, however, took the time to notice Jesus and worship Him.

I encourage you today: do not overlook Jesus, who is present with you, because you are so caught up in the busyness of life. Stop, look around, and recognize Jesus in your presence. Take time to worship the one who laid His life down for you, spend some time with Him, and allow His love to fill your heart.

🙏 Prayer Requests

  • Pray for those affected by the illness going around.
  • Pray for those who are new to the Kroc Center, that they may see the love of Jesus.
  • Pray for Major Heidi’s sister, Mary, who was attacked by a dog last week.