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Table of Contents
Our 2006 Annual Report (large download ~1.6 MB PDF)
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Christian Education for Children & Youth CHURCH SCHOOL At the heart of our Christian Education program is a commitment to teach Bible stories to our young people. We have just implemented the exciting Godly Play program for our youngest church school class, children from 4 to 7 years old. The children experience their own worship time and place, with special storytelling, songs, Scripture reading, art response time and a “feast”. The children hear the traditional Bible stories told in a unique style, learn how to worship, and have the opportunity to respond to the stories through creative play and individual art creation time. Current teachers in this program include Cindy Dwyer, Mary Green, Martha Reisner and Sue Schell. The Older Elementary class uses the “We Believe” curriculum published by the Presbyterian Church (USA). The theme of the fall class is “Faith”, and is taught by Kris Wilhelm. This class is for 3rd – 6th graders. CHILDREN IN WORSHIP Part of Christian Education is learning how to participate in the weekly worship service in the sanctuary. All children are welcome in the sanctuary! To keep restless hands busy, we provide a weekly children’s bulletin plus crayons and other quiet activities that children can enjoy in the pews. We also want to involve children and youth in the worship service. We actively recruit our young people to be junior ushers, acolytes, ringers of the steeple bell, and occasionally lay readers! YOUTH GROUP We encourage all 7th through 12th graders to join us after church each Sunday for programs and fellowship, led by Susan Fedak and Peter Leue. In addition, “Sunday First” is our youth group meeting on the first Sunday of every month. We plan a variety of activities incorporating mission and fun! Upcoming activities include cooking a meal for a homeless shelter and shopping for an AIDS family. We take part in a mission trip each June, with past trips to Mississippi (national), Ghana (international) and parts of Albany (local)! CONFIRMATION CLASS Pastor Reisner is teaching a Confirmation Class for youth in 7th grade and older during the Sunday Education hour. The class commences this Fall and will conclude in the late Spring. The class will read together the Gospel of Mark, and learn about what it means to become a disciple of Jesus and a responsible adult member of the church. NURSERY CARE Shirley Diven staffs our nursery with the help of Westminster volunteers. Crib room care is available form 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. each Sunday, and for most program events during the week, including special services in Advent or Lent. The Crib Room welcomes infants through 4-year-olds. |