Director of Christian Education and Youth Programs -- Amy Grella
New Children’s Worship Programming Kicks Off Sunday, September 13
Our Children’s Programs for the new school year, beginning September 13, will be offered in a virtual format for the fall, and are slightly different for each age group. New curriculum has been chosen to ease our transition to the on-line format. See the links in the descriptions below for more information about each class.
Children’s Worship (Preschool through Second Grade)
Weekly children’s worship stories using the Godly Play format will be
pre-recorded and posted on the church website. For this age group, the CE committee felt it was important to focus on providing content that helps parents to engage in Children’s Worship with their child. Materials are being prepared for each family that contain everything needed for families to complete the crafts and activities together for each week. These bags will be delivered the first week of September, so that all families have the supplies needed for Children’s Worship prior to Kickoff Sunday.
Tweens (Third and Fourth Graders)
We will host weekly 30-minute live Zoom meetings for our tweens at a mutually agreeable time for the group. This year, we will continue to use the Sparkhouse Holy Moly curriculum. Click here to learn more about Holy Moly. We will also be preparing material packets to send to each tween, so they have everything they need to complete the hands-on activity with the group when we are together.
YOUTH MEETUP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Pre-teens (Fifth through Eighth Graders)
New weekly live Zoom meetings will be held for pre-teens entering grades 5 - 8 at a mutually agreeable time for the group. We have procured the Sparkhouse Connect curriculum. Click here to learn more about Connect. Pre-teens will receive material packets in order to complete the weekly Connect lessons with their peers. Packets will be delivered before Kickoff Sunday, September 13.
Confirmation Class Update
Pastor Brian will resume last year’s confirmation class on Sunday, September 13. The class will meet in person on the church grounds in the shade of a tree immediately following worship. Students are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Worship services are only permitted to last 30 minutes under Covid-19 best practice guidelines, so it makes sense that classes, too, should be no more than 30 minutes. We will decide on the best time to meet weekly at that first meeting. We can finish the remaining material and schedule a Confirmation Sunday before the weather gets too cold to meet outside.
Senior High Weekly Meet-up
We have procured new curriculum for a weekly senior high meetup. This weekly meetup will begin once Confirmation is over and will use a biblical narrative journey designed for youth using a collection of learning styles. Click here to learn more about Echo the Story.
Senior High Youth Group Kickoff in September
Youth grades 9-12 will meet together this year. Led by Miss Amy, this group will plan short, in-person meetings in outdoor locations as the weather permits.