Christian Education Minutes from March 7, 2007

Present:  Hank Webb, Barbara Dethlefson, Caroline Close, Anne Scott, Stella Rous, Jean Ann Lansche
Absent: Cindy Wilson, Nick Strobel, Lizbeth Hallam

Minutes were reviewed and the following change was made to the January Minutes:
The paragraph reading, "Pastor Kimberly arrived late for the meeting and we recapped the Youth portion of the meeting." should read, " Pastor Kimberly arrived late for the meeting due to a miscommuniction of time."  The minutes were approved  with this change.

Anne Scott did update the minutes by informing us that since the Youth is doing a Penny Drive for the Rescue Mission.   The Sunday School will join the Youth's efforts instead of the Heifer Project at this time.  The Sunday School students had not known of the plans for the Heifer Project so the change was easily made.
One of the Rescue Mission's pastors will be coming to a Youth meeting to explain the Rescue Mission.  The Mission does not make their clients attend classes or listen to sermons as they feel they first must meet their clients needs.  If possible a representative from the Youth group will explain what they have learned at church. 

Other Old Business included an update on the Lenten Studies.  There is a class on Thursday and Sunday mornings with both using the same booklet.  Barbara Dethlefson is leading the Thursday Morning Class.  The Sunday morning class is alternating Nick's class and the Lenten class with people taking turns leading the group discussion.

In preparation for Easter Sunday the Youth Group will fill plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt.  The Jr. and Sr. High Sunday School classes will hide the eggs.  The schedule is as follows:
9:00 Hide Eggs
10:00 Egg Hunt
10:30 Worship Service

Hank reported on the Youth Group.   The Youth has written a list of "We believes".  Pastor Kimberly challenged them to be aware of the less popular students on campus and to share some time with them.   
The Youth will not do a Good Friday service this year.
We again revisited the topic of whether or not the church needs to hire a Youth Leader in order to have the consistency of leadership.  It was decided that we should wait and see if our new minister will want  to the lead this group.  If not then someone will most likely need to be hired.  Hank Webb has announced that he will be gone for a whole month during the summer so we will need to find someone to fill in during that time. 
* New guidelines regarding behavior have been put in place for the youth.  
* A Parent Call Sheet has been implemented.  Each week the youth must sign in  with their name,  the name of the adult responsible for them that evening, and state that adult's relationship to the youth.
It was discussed whether or not the Youth Group should always meet on Sunday evenings during the summer.    It may be more convenient for a special activity such as a Swim Party, Movies or Bowling  to meet on a weekday night.  It was thought that a combination would work.  This will need to be discussed at greater length before the summer and if Trinity is joining the group.  Different Trinity kids do join our  Youth Group.

It was recommended that the Taize Service be promoted more to our Youth and Sunday Classes  and especially during Lent as a Lenten Commitment.

Wednesday Evening class is finishing their current study on the New Testament and will begin  Genesis March 21st and will last for 10 weeks and ending in June.  It was also mentioned that this group does take an offering and has donated to the Heifer Project in the past.

Pastor Kimberly has cancelled the Confirmation Class that she scheduled for the spring as her time has been filled.  Anne has already prepared  the jr. high so they would be ready and has all of the materials available.  The committee expressed disappointment as this class  has been put off for the past few years and we feel that this need should be met as soon as possible. It was decided that Pastor Kimberly should send a letter to the families  explaining her reasons for the cancellation.  Since Jr. and Sr. Highs will now not be doing confirmation classes during the Sunday School hour, new materials  will need to be chosen.  Once the subjects are chosen then Anne will try to match up a teacher to the subject matter.

Bible Presentation will be held April 29th if the date works for the students.  Anne will check with the older students to make sure they all have a Bible.  Jean Ann will contact the Hanel family to make sure that date will work for them and that Laura is the only child in that family who does not have a Bible.  Students in grades 2 through 5 will receive Bibles.

On June 3rd we will honor the graduating Seniors and recognize the Sunday School Teachers at the Worship Service.

One Room School House will again be used for summer Sunday School for the children.  Two teachers will be needed each Sunday and Anne will put the packets together as in the past. 

Vacation Church School will be held August 13th-17th.  Anne has prepared an overview of the week's lessons, stories, goals and projects.  The theme this year is "Caring for God's People."  Diane O'Dell, Sherry Atkins and Darlene Phillips have already committed to teaching and Anne  will put the word out for others and those who can help in other positions.  Caroline volunteered her services.

Next Education Meeting will be held April 25th at 3:30 p.m.

Return to Education Committee Archive