Christian Education Minutes from February 5, 2008

Present: Anne Scott, Barbara Dethlefson, Stella Rous, Jean Ann Lansche, Pastor Pam Fine
Absent: Cindy Wilson, Nick Strobel, Sarah Balzar, Caroline Close

Adult Classes are all running well. The Thursday Morning class led by Barbara Dethlefson is a small group with members that come when able. The Sunday Morning class led by Nick has around 10 members. The book's terminology can be confusing at times but as with the other groups seems to be enjoyed as it makes the readers more aware of our church and we are learning new ways of looking at our church. The Wednesday Evening class is also doing well.
The Book Classes will end March 15th.

Discussion took place on what the groups might like to study when the Book Groups are completed. The Evening Class may do a Discipleship study of Romans as it is a short term class of 8 weeks. It was suggested that the Sunday Morning class also do a Bible study as it would reach a wider range of participants. Thursday morning would also consider doing a Discipleship lesson. These classes would go until June.

There were about 25-30 people that attended the Clergy Consultation.
We discussed the possiblilty of new T-shirts being made for our church to wear when they are working in the community as a form of advertisement. They would also make nice gifts for new members and the confirmation class.

Pastor Pam met with potential Confimation Class students and their parents. The Maxwell's and Hanel's were the only parents there as Carolyn Ashlock was called to work. So far Dan, Greg, and Allison Hanel and Walker Maxwell have agreed to be a part of the class. Allison is already confirmed but wants to go through the class again. Pamela Mears, Jeannette Wilson, and Gia Murillo will be contacted again. John will and Melinda might be part of the class.
Jerilyn does not wish to be part of the class. The gap of ages for confirmation has come from not having a class for a few years. It will start on February 17th. Some youth are upset that this will take place of the Youth Group for a while as they want their social time together. We feel that Pastor Pam's time should be directed at the Confirmation Class as all youth are welcome.

Sunday School visited the Habitat House by Trinity Church and took a plant as a welcome gift. Anne has distributed Habitat Bank Boxes to the Sunday School kids so they can collect their change and will return them Palm Sunday.
Anne has already ordered and distributed the Spring Materials for the classes. Stella brought a card for the committee to sign for Sherry Setser who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.

Children's Activity during Church has been drawing 10 to 12 children. Anne is giving the leaders 3 stories, coloring pictures and an activity to do and people have signed up to be leaders through Easter. Anne will post a new sign up sheet to go thru the end of the school year. The Children's Activity does not draw children away from Sunday School and is seen as a need for restless children.

Vacation Church School's Theme this year will be Around the World Missions. Monday will start in England since that is where the Methodist Church began. Tuesday will be Mexico with tortillas followed by Angola with Pastor Pam's experiences. Thursday to Cambodia where our missionary is stationed. Our home of Bakersfield will complete the week.
Margaret Grant has been finding African music and the offering will go for our missionary. VCS will take place the first week of August so hopefully more school teachers will be able to be involved.

Godly Play has tentatively been rescheduled for May.

Palm Sunday will continue with the tradition of the children carrying in the palms. The confirmation class might make the palm crosses. The youth group did not complete it last year and Pastor Kimberly and Jerry Ludeke ended up having to do all most all of them.

An etiquette class was briefly talked about for our children and will be thought about and discussed more later.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 4th at 4:00 pm.

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