THE SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Everyone should have received a newsletter in the mail to introduce the "All You Need Is Love: The Two Great Commandments" UNIT. If you did not, please let me know so that I may get you this important information.
There are two unique features to this UNIT. The first is that parents/grandparents/guardians are invited to attend the Worship Workshop with their children. Please note dates below. Adults with children 3rd grade and up please bring an empty shoe box.
Our second unique feature is that we are kicking off an Angel Mission Project. Your children will receive a packet on the day they have the Mission Workshop. Please note dates below and check that this packet makes its way home. On Sunday, June 8, we will hand out the pins during Children's Sunday Worship service. We would like to thank Missions for sponsoring this project and for purchasing the angel pins!
|
TWO GREAT
COMMANDMENTS
|
April 6
Communion |
April 13
VBS Rally |
April 20
|
| MISSION |
3rd -5th |
K - 2nd |
6 - 8th |
| WORSHIP |
6 - 8th |
3rd -5th |
K - 2nd |
| COMPUTER |
K - 2nd |
6 - 8th |
3rd -5th |
|
TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS |
April 27
CROP Walk |
May 4
Communion &
Papa Gino's Fundraiser |
May 11
Pentecost & Confirmation |
| DANCE |
K - 2nd |
3rd -5th |
6 - 8th |
| ART |
3rd -5th |
6 - 8th |
K - 2nd |
| PRAYER |
6 - 8th |
K - 2nd |
3rd -5th |
Teachers & Workshop Locations
MISSION: Chard Poole in the upper front classroom
WORSHIP: Jeff & Pat Illsley upper back classroom
COMPUTER ADAPTION: Judy Copley Confirmation classroom
DANCE: Moriah and Pat Illsley upper front classroom
ART: Jean Boutwell Confirmation Room
PRAYER: Ruth Poole upper back classroom
Shepherds: Kirsten MacDonald and Allison Cockshaw for K-2nd, Mary Poole for 3rd - 5th, and Katie Bennett for the first 3 weeks with 6th - 8th grade. We still need one more person or couple to Shepherd the 6th - 8th grades for the final 3 weeks. Is it YOU?
Our Pre-K will continue with the Whole People of God in the lower level of the Education Wing. The Pre-K class and the little ones in the Nursery will also be participating in the Children's Sunday program on Sunday, June 8, 2008.
Other dates to remember:
Sunday, May 18, 2008 Children's Chapel
Sunday, May 25. 2008 Children's Sunday Preparation
Sunday, June 1, 2008 All Angel point slips are due! Children's
Sunday Rehearsal
Sunday, June 8, 2008 Children's Sunday and picnic!
Don't forget Summer Sunday School with Kirsten MacDonald and Lisa Sparling on June 22 - July 27 for ages 7-14. Pre-registration is welcomed and encouraged. Childcare will be available all summer for children birth to age 6.
On Sunday, August 10, we will be having a VBS decorating party. Do you have any beach items you could donate for the week? It would be great if we could have a surf board!!! If you can help please let me know.
Vacation Bible School Beach Party: Surfin' Through the Scriptures is August 11-15, 2008 for ages 5-14! We hope to see you there!
Peace,
Cheryl Rieder
Cheryl Rieder
Director of Christian Education
508) 586-3022
mdivcheryl@aol.com
| What is the Workshop Rotation Model? |
|
The Workshop Rotation Model (WRM) is a creative and effective way to approach Sunday School. The model is based on children rotating to different workshops each Sunday. Each workshop utilizes a particular learning style for its approach to the lesson. A Bible story or concept is taught through the workshops over the course of several weeks. Children come to know the Bible and God through a variety of different ways- puppets, drama, art, storytelling, games, and cooking to name a few. Workshops are flexible. |
| What is the basis for this model? |
|
Studies show that we learn in a variety of ways? Educational theorist Howard Gardner has identified 7 intelligences that he contends we all possess in different degrees. We do our best learning through our dominant intelligence. But we can strengthen our less dominant intelligences by practicing them. Knowing this, how do we then teach God's children?
Traditional education generally focuses on a verbal approach with passive listening. Some children (and adults) learn this way. Many do not. The WRM emphasis a 'learning by doing' style and because each workshop focuses on a particular learning style, children come to know and understand God's word in ways that they can understand.
|
| What are the seven intelligences? |
|
To recognize our intellectual gifts in ourselves and others is to recognize God's awesome creation. To recognize them in Christian education opens up new doors of opportunities for children to know God. Outlined below are descriptions of the 7 intelligences. Do you recognize your intelligences and how you learn best? |
VERBAL/LINGUISTIC- Your ability to use language adeptly. You are a communicator. You learn best by verbalizing and hearing.
LOGICAL/MATHMATICAL-You are a problem solver, critical and abstract thinker. You learn best through measuring, categorizing, analyzing, or quantifying in some way.
VISUAL/SPATIAL- You have the capacity to think in visual images. You learn best through seeing and observing. You are creative.
BODILY/KINESTHETIC-You have an acute sense of body position in space and timing. You learn best by acting things out or with hands on experience.
MUSICAL/RHYTHMIC- You have a capacity to use rhythm tone, and pitch. You learn best when things are put to music. You probably express your feelings through music.
INTRAPERSONAL- You have the capacity to be reflective. You know yourself and your inner feelings. You have the ability to be intuitive. You learn best by working alone.
INTERPERSONAL- You possess the ability to interact with others. You are a team player, good at mediating conflicts, and a socializer. You learn best through group activities" (Potters Workshop Resource).
|
Our Mission Statement: The purpose of Christ Congregational Church, UCC as the body of Christ, is to praise and glorify God by proclaiming and living out the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing for public worship, celebrating the sacraments, teaching the Word, growing as a family of faith, and serving the needs of all God's children as best we are able, through the healing and renewing power of the Holy Spirit. |
Our Sunday School schedule is far from filled and we would prayerfully ask you to consider if God is calling you to come and teach or shepherd the children. Teachers and Shepherds need only commit to as little as three weeks at a time. Although, we would hope Shepherds consider signing up for a UNIT. Here's why:
Teacher's are given the workshop curriculum with each UNIT. For example, Joseph is the UNIT for six weeks and Drama is one of the workshops. The teacher then reviews and offers the same workshop for three weeks, adjusting the workshop for the various age groups each week.
Currently we have Kindergaten-2nd grade, 3rd -5th grade, and 6th - 8th grade groups. These groups are subject to change according to the number of children and their ages that enroll and attend Sunday School. We hope and pray for growth and with growth we will have more groups. With more groups we have more workshops running each week and lasting the length of each UNIT.
Shepherds stay with and guide a particular group (you choose). A shepherd does just that, shepherds the children to class each week. Shepherds will greet the children at Welcoming Time in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs) each Sunday, where we will have prayer, collection, and attendance each week. Shepherds are a second adult and a second set of hands in the classroom. It would be helpful for children to have the same Shepherd to guide them over the course of a UNIT. For the first UNIT the Shepherds, like the teachers, will change after three weeks for all three groups.
One might even consider shepherding a group for the entire school year. If you are interested or have any questions about teachers or shepherds please contact me. (Contact information at end of newsletter.)
PRE-SCHOOL will continue to use the Whole People of God Curriculum which is an on-line resource used by all grades last year. Cara DeVito and Neil Karlson will be teaching the Pre-K class.
Please note that the Pre-K classroom and the Nursery will have flipped sides this year. Both can be found in the Lower Level of the Education Wing.
NURSERY will be offered at 9:55 am with Mickey Carey, Steph Sommer, and Patti Bendell, each Sunday morning. We still need some people to help with the Nursery. Is it you?
COMMUNION EDUCATION will be offered again this year during the Lenten season. First Communion will be received on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008 . If your child or grandchild is in first grade or older and you would like them to be enrolled in this program please speak with Jeff and Patricia Illsley or Cheryl Rieder.
CONFIRMATION will once again be taught this year by The Rev. Patricia Hayes and Mr. Wayne Hulbert. The Confirmation Class is for high school students generally in the 9th and 10th grade but older students are certainly welcomed. For more information about confirmation classes please contact Rev. Patricia at (508)586-3022.
Shall we pray: Gracious God, we thank you for calling us into a delightful ministry of teaching and learning together. Help us to recognize and celebrate the gifts that each one brings to this community of faith. Help us to treasure and strengthen the strands that connect us to one another and to you. Guide us and empower us to live what we learn, to serve your world following Christ's example, Amen (The Whole People of God curriculum).
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to be part of the Educational ministries here at Christ Congregational Church please contact any member of the Board of Christian Education, Cheryl Rieder, or Rev. Patricia Hayes.
We would love to hear from you!
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