Children's Ministry
Downtown Vacation Bible School will be hosted again by First Presbyterian Church. The dates are June 8-11, 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. On Wednesday and Thursday, 3rd through 6th graders will be working on a mission project, from noon until 3:00 p.m. Our theme for the week is "Egypt--Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace." VBS is for children 4 years of age through those finishing 6th grade. Come join the fun as we learn and grow in our faith!
We have another school year on the horizon which means that another program year is beginning at First Presbyterian Church. Some of you have children who have participated in children’s programming for a number of years and some of you are bringing your oldest child for the first time. This note contains “start up” dates and times as well as some details of programming for the newcomers.
Second and third graders will receive their Bibles at 10:00 in worship August 23. We will also have a Blessing of the Backpacks and Bookbags during the children’s message at the 10:00 service that day. Please remind your children to bring along their school backpacks and bookbags.
All Sunday school classes begin September 13th. All children’s classes meet on the upper floor of the church and run from 9:15- 10:30. We offer Sunday school beginning at age three and through adulthood. Before age three, children are cared for in the nursery on the first floor.
Our preschoolers learn using an approach called Godly Play which allows the children to experience the stories through the use of wooden manipulatives and to respond to the story with a variety of art materials. The plan for the day resembles but does not copy a Montessori classroom. Jerome Berryman, a student of Maria Montessori, developed this learning plan.
Kindergarteners through sixth graders learn through a variety of approaches. Information is best retained when we experience what it is that we are learning. To that end, nine years ago, we implemented an approach to Sunday school for kindergarteners through sixth graders which allows them to physically participate in the lesson. A particular scripture remains the focus for two to four weeks. During that time, children might participate in drama, art, storytelling, woodworking, cooking, puppetry, music or games as their means of digging in to the information. Children respond to the learning through the use of a journal which is kept at church until the child graduates to the junior high level.
For most effective learning, children are usually divided by class level into three groups but occasionally, children remain in a large group or are divided randomly. Each group is assigned a shepherd. Three workshops run weekly with a different leader for each. If a child cooks this week, she/he may participate in drama next week.
When school is in session, beginning September 15th, Christ’s Kids’ Club runs on Tuesday afternoons from the end of the school day until 5:15 for kindergarteners through sixth graders. Registration forms are included in this letter and are available on the counter in the gathering area.
The programming for Christ’s Kids’ Club includes a variety of fellowship and music activities. Out of this programming comes the children’s choir who sing in church about once a month.
I hope that you will feel comfortable enough to participate in all programming for which your child is of the age. I also hope that you will contact me to let me know of any questions or concerns that you might have regarding programming for children or your particular child’s faith development.
Bless you as we begin another program year together!
