Present: Lissy Hallum, Cindy Wilson, Caroline Close, Anne Scott, Barbara Dethlefson,
Stella Rous, Jean Ann Lansche, Pastor Kimberly Willis
Absent: Hank Webb, Nick Strobel
Barbara is deciding between 3 choices for a Lenten study. They are "Living
Lent with Mary: Blessed is She", a book by James Moore and a study following
our Lectionary. When Barbara has made her choice she will post a sign
up sheet in the Narthex to find out if there are people interested in a Thursday
morning class, a Sunday School class or an evening class for Lent.
The Wednesday Evening Class is well led, very interesting and well organized
according to Caroline.
Nick is still teaching an Adult Sunday School class that can continue as long
as desired. It is currently the only adult class.
Anne has Heifer Banks that she will distribute to the Sunday School as an Easter
Mission project. The children can invite an adult to fill banks also.
Confirmation Class will take place for Jr. and Sr. High kids once Pastor Kimberly
returns from her surgery which should be the last week of February or the first
week of March. Anne's topic for the jr. high Sunday School class will
be "What Christians Believe" which will make a good lead in for the
confirmation class.
Stella will be teaching the Sr. High again for the next segment.
Anne has the Bibles to present to the 3rd and 4th graders so we need to schedule
that for this spring.
Vacation Church School will be Missions and Mission Outreach and will take
place August 13th - 17th. It will focus on the New Testament and stories
of Jesus' good works. Anne has asked for our suggestions of favorites. There
will be at least 3 field trips for the older kids.
Youth Group was discussed at great length. The committee
feels that consistent leadership is a necessity for many reasons for both the
youth and for the volunteers
that help. Parents also need to play a more supportive role. Hank
is very good at working with the youth but he just doesn't have the time
to be there every week. Parents/Kids/Church need to have a contract or
agree to a covenant that will ensure that all who are there are respectful
and understand that this is a privilege. An emergency card needs to be
filled out for each youth and it might be helpful if they signed in each time. The
congregation has stepped up with providing a place, funds, meals, etc. and
the youth need to accept responsibility for some of the activities themselves. It
might be time now for them to elect officers to start becoming more self sufficient.
Pastor Kimberly arrived late for the meeting and we recapped the Youth portion of the meeting. Pastor Kimberly has become by default the youth group leader. She has discovered a passion for it and is ministering to the youth that are in need. Pastor Kimberly has asked that we not look for a Youth Group Leader as she continues to pray about if this is her calling. The committee is concerned that with the budget about to be finalized that we need to let it be known that we may need to cover the expense of hiring a Leader if Pastor Kimberly is not called to lead this group. Pastor Kimberly said that would not be a concern as the money could be found if needed. Pastor Kimberly said that she is working on the schedule for the Youth and is contacting the other pastors (Maddy, Gabby and Susan) and they will help fill in while she is absent (January 28th - March 6th?) as she does feel that a pastor needs to be there. Pastor Kimberly will be in charge of the Youth until her surgery and she will have it covered during her absence.
Anne will be
helping with a mission project at the January meeting she signed up for. It
was wondered if we could talk with First Methodist Church and find out how
their program is run since it is so successful and some of
our neighborhood youth attend there instead of at Wesley. Pastor Kimberly
said that our Youth will be joining that church for a joint evening in the
spring.
It was brought to our attention that a couple of the Youth were smoking after
caroling while at Jerry Ludeke's home. It was also noted that a couple
of the Youth try to hang around outside during the Youth Group or the Greening
and that Volunteers can not be expected to deal with this behavior or be responsible
for them. Pastor Kimberly said she has spoken with them that this behavior
will not be tolerated. The committee agreed that the Youth
Group should be seen as a blessing but the Youth need to see it in that light
also.
Anne will be gone from January 23rd to February 12th. She will have a
substitute for the Jr. High class. Since Jean Ann, Anne and Pastor Kimberly
will be gone February 7th, the next Education Meeting will be March
7th at 3:30 p.m. unless there becomes an issue that needs to be addressed.