“Creating Faith-filled Disciples, Centered in God’s Love”

A Message from the Chair of the Christian Education Committee

All of us on the Christian Education (CE) Committee, as well as our teachers and assistants, are excited about our Sunday School program! We have great kids who love to learn and wonderful teachers who love kids and love to teach them!

Below you’ll find lots of information on our Christian Education program. We hope you find it helpful!

As always we maintain an “open door” policy both literally and figuratively. If you have ideas, comments, concerns or want to volunteer, please feel free to get in touch with any member of the Christian Education Committee.

God’s Joy to you all!

Samantha Shields
Christian Education Committee Chair

“From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 4:16

Christian Education Committee

Chair: Samantha Shields

Committee Members:  Samantha Shields, chair, Lindsay Moore, April McCarthy, Kristin Strobel, Meghan Naish, Elmer Lyons, Shaleena Pulliam, Becky Acheson, Pastor Rich Knight

Registration

Each family must register their child. Special attention is given to your responses in these areas: special concerns or needs, allergies, and photos. 

Special Concern or Needs – any information you can share with us that will aid us in providing the best possible experience for your child. This should include but is not limited to any specific educational or behavioral needs your child might have. If your child has an IEP in school, it is helpful for you to share some of that with us.

Allergies – On occasion, an activity may include food. If your child has food allergies, teachers will discuss the plan with you so your child can be included or another option available.

Photos – All photos used in class or on printed material will be void of names. If you do not want your child’s photo used, you may simply check the box on the form. You may change your choice at any time.

Nametags – Nametags are more than simply a hospitality practice. In a large group where many adults do not know all the children, it is helpful for adults to be able to address children by name. Please be sure to make it a family practice to head for the Nametag board in Fellowship Hall before going to worship or class.

Worship, Nursery Care, and Sunday School

Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Nursery (ages newborn up to age 3) – Infant and Toddler Care provided in the Loving Arms Nursery in Room 207 on the second floor from 9:45 a.m. to the end of worship. Pagers are available for parents.

Sunday School for Preschool – Grade 12

Typical Sundays – Children and Youth attend worship with their parents and then head off to Sunday School following the Children’s Message. Sunday School teachers will be in the front of the sanctuary to guide the children to their classes. Classes end at 11:15 a.m.

Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of every month) – Younger Children (Pre-K through 3rd Grade) begin the morning in worship. Those in grades 4-8 start in their classes at 10:00 am. They will then be escorted to the sanctuary partway through the service to participate in communion with their families.

• On Communion Sundays, there will be no Youth classes for grades 9-12 unless you hear from your teachers. Youth are encouraged to worship with their families or to speak to Jennifer Hart about assisting in a classroom.

Holiday Sundays – Most holiday Sundays we do not hold Sunday School classes.  Pre-School children up through 3rd graders may gather in the church nursery. Older children may serve as helpers. Of course children are also invited to stay in worship with their families. We encourage your children to pick up an “Busy Bag” in the Narthex/lobby or bring drawing material.  Many children listen best while their hands are busy!

We are all pencils in the hand of God. ~ Mother Teresa

~Mother Teresa

Curriculum

All of our classes use creative, engaging, age-appropriate curriculum. We use materials that come from a progressive, Protestant perspective. They focus on God’s unconditional love for all people – learning about God’s love, and learning to live, walk, pray, and serve in God’s love.

• The Pre-K / K class and Grades 1-4 classes often study the same Bible story, adapted for their age group.

• Our Middle School class (grades 5-8), The Holy Cows, has had a great time interacting with the stories and spiritual truths of the Bible. Bonnie McGrath and Elmer Lyons are the teachers for this class. If you are interested in mission and fun and want to help them provide activities outside of class, please speak to Elmer Lyons or Pastor Rich.

• The God Squad is our group for High School age teens who are firm in their faith, as well as those who have questions and doubts. We address the obstacles that pull teens away from God as we explore God at work in the world and in their lives. We help youth understand that being a Christ-follower requires a conscious decision on their part to turn away from the negative influences in their lives. It’s never easy, but always worth it! The Sunday morning classes are led by Steve Hartigan and Will Hargett.

Please feel welcome to ask the teachers or a member of the Christian Education Committee if any questions you may have about our curriculum. Feel welcome to contact Steve Hartigan or Will Hargett for questions about The God Squad.

Holy Communion

Pastor Rich offers a class for the fourth graders (as well as older youth who have not been in this class before) designed to provide an understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This class enables our young people to approach the Lord’s Table with reverence and understanding. The class will be held on Sat. Nov. 4, time to be determined.  Our young people will be receiving Communion the following Sun. Nov. 5. Please sign up by contacting the church office.

Although our Communion class is for fourth graders, any child, regardless of age, may receive Communion, whether they have taken the class or not. This is a decision that the child’s parents may make. Just as we would not turn three-year-old “Anna” away from the dinner table because she doesn’t understand the nutritional qualities of the food, we do not turn away three-year-old “Sam” from the Communion table just because he doesn’t understand the theological basis for Communion. If your child happens to be in worship when Communion is served, you could explain to him or her that this food and drink helps us remember and be closer to Jesus and also brings us closer to others who seek to know and follow him. Deeper understanding will come later.

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