Liz Wollaeger, Children
Children’s Ministries
In looking back this past year, I feel that our children and youth Christian Education programs have continued to thrive and are purposeful in their content. Our curriculum fits our needs, but it is the teachers, leaders, shepherds, and helpers that really make these programs flourish. The gifts that the teachers share with our children are uncountable. I am so joyful in their enthusiasm and commitment so that our children can know God and His everlasting love for us.
I’d like to share the mission statement that was first written for our Pathways to the Promise Land program that now is used throughout our Children’s Ministries. All of our children programs have lived into this statement in so many ways.
With the Spirit’s guidance, we aim to provide experiences of grace, love, imagination and joy, thereby nurturing:
∙faith in Christ,
∙wonder in God,
∙hunger for the bible,
∙heart for mission and service, and
∙discovery of our God given gifts.
In planting the seeds of faith and wonder, we pray that children will integrate faith throughout their growing lives, so that they can be mature, committed and joyful disciples.
During the summer months in our nursery/crib rooms our littlest members were watched over by Julie Waring when Marge Kaercher retired after nurturing our youngest members for seven years. Throughout the summer months and early fall the nursery/crib room team searched for a permanent child care provider. We welcomed veteran nanny Tracy Long in November. Our nursery continues to be a place where parents can leave their children in confidence while they attend adult education, worship, and other programs. The church school programs for our three year olds through kindergarten have age appropriate Bible stories in an environment where they can encounter God in their initial stirring toward faith. Through songs, prayer, time of wondering and participating in the stories, we hope the children can truly sense the presence of God.
Our pre-school children have an opportunity to be part of the Cherub Choir. This choir is under the direction of Lisa Koops. They meet once a month for movement, singing and fun and perhaps a song in worship!
Pathways to the Promise Land is a workshop rotation model of church school. It is designed as a child-friendly, teacher-friendly, facility-transforming way to teach Bible stories and truths. There is a story or focus for 3-4 weeks and the children visit a different workshop each week learning about that particular story. Our workshops include storytelling, computers, art, cooking, drama/puppetry, movement, mission and service project options and games. The theme for this program year is A Witness to God’s Presence. To know, feel, sense and experience God in our own personal and mutual lives is a continuing witness to God’s presence.
Our mid-high students participate in our Trailblazers program. The youth explore faith and relationship with God in a safe, supportive and open environment. We hope this program will continue the youth’s faith journey into disciples who can connect their faith into their daily lives. This year the focus is the Word of God. Beginning the year the youth learned how the Bible was put together then throughout the year the group will focus on God’s Words in the Psalms, Gospel Comparisons, the Beatitudes, the Great Commandment, and Acts of the Apostles.
The Senior High Church School focuses on topics that are relevant in our teenagers’ lives. The combination of active learning, meaningful discussions and biblical truths help keep our youth exploring their faith journey.
Confirmation After a 16-hour study of Confirmation over a five-month period, eight youth explored and discovered what a journey of faith is about and sharwed expectations and hopes about their faith. In the classes the youth, with their Covenant Partners, explored the Old and New Testaments, the sacraments, Reformed Theology, being Presbyterian, creeds, and spiritual gifts. They met with the pastors and with the Session. They attended Bible Study, did service projects, attended a differenr faith’s worship service, and planned their own Confirmation service.
I’ve so enjoyed this past year! Thank you to all who have made 2009 a successful and exciting year. I look forward eagerly to 2010 and its many opportunities to continue this ministry here at Forest Hill Church.
Faithfully,
Liz Wollaeger
Director of Christian Education