Christian Education Minutes from November 2, 2005


Present: Caroline Close, Cindy Wilson, Anne Scott, Stella Rous, Jean Ann Lansche, Pastor Kimberly Willis
Absent: Darlene Phillips, Barbara Dethlefson, Nick Strobel, Carol Sayer, Lillie Johnson
 
Anne reported on her visit to Cokesbury Headquarters in Nashville. With Anne's good relationship to the staff at Cokesbury we are continuing to get good deals on our supplies.   Anne brought back booklets on "The United Methodist Church" to be used by teachers as a good reference tool.  She will order the complete set to be kept on hand.  They are:
What Every Teacher Needs to Know About...
*the Bible
*Christian Heritage
*Classroom Environment
*Curriculum
*Faith Language
*Living the Faith
*People
*Teaching
*Theology

 
Anne is looking for Sunday School Teacher substitutes to fill in when the Henderson Family will be absent on November 13th.  Margaret Vera will also be gone so that will leave 2 classrooms without teachers.  Caroline thinks that she will be able to take over for Marion and Anne could possibly fill in for Kathy and Corky.
 
Pastor Kimberly brought up that the jr. high are not particularly comfortable at the Sunday School Opening since it is geared down for the little ones.  It was suggested that they learn how to do devotions in their classrooms and perhaps once a month present it during the Children's Opening.
The subject will be talked over with Anna and Lisa and see what their opinions are and talk with the students again for their input.
 
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" has been chosen as this year's program for the Early Christmas Eve service.   It is not the familiar story by the same title.  There will be some talking, singing, the Holy Family, angels, townspeople, shepherds, Wise Men, 2 narrators, etc.  and will involve all ages and the audience.  It will last about 45 minutes.  The costumes will be kept simple.   Pastor Kimberly also passed along several plays to Anne that  will be held for future possibilities.
 
Adult Education is managing without any problems.  The Wednesday Evening group will continue on through spring.  The Thursday Morning  group has smaller numbers this session but is still going strong.
 
Caroline talked again to Jane Hanley and she is still thinking about leading a family class but not at this time.  Bernadine Noxin has talked to Pastor Kimberly about a 4 week Advent Study that would consist of a contemplative group that would focus on meditative readings of the Scripture.  Pastor Kimberly will do the Advertising in the Outlook.  Meeting day and time for this group has not been set.
 
There are currently about 30 people in Adult Sunday School classes.  Twenty are in Bible 101 and ten in Jerry's class.
 
A Sunday Morning Adult Class for Advent will be "Where Heaven Touches the Earth" if a leader can be found.  It would start on November 27th and run for 4 weeks.  This class would be different from Bernadine's class.  Anne will approach Dwight Reynolds to see if he would be interested in being the leader.    It is suggested that we order 15-20 copies and ask $6.00 for the $5.50 booklet to cover shipping.   Rush shipping cost for extra copies are expensive and a burden on the church budget.  
 
Nick Strobel is still in place for teaching a class on Methodism in January.
 
Senior High has been meeting  in Pastor Kimberly's office during the Sunday School Hour.  They have decided that they are now not comfortable attending the Jr. High class.  Pastor Kimberly has been facilitating through a letter form with them on things that they can do during this time.  When Pastor Kimberly finishes her Bible 101 class they meet and talk for about 20 minutes before church services start.  Pastor Kimberly plans to spend Advent with this group of youth.  There are currently 6 in the group.  They have discussed spending time on "Questions of Faith" and will invite  members of the congregation in to discuss their spiritual journey.   They have also talked of meeting once a month at the parsonage besides the Sunday Morning hot chocolate discussion group.
 
Greening of the Church will be Nov. 27th.  Cindy Wilson has agreed to help the children make ornaments.  Education Committee is cooperating with Worship Committee.
 
The next Education Meeting will take place on December 7th at 5:00 p.m.  A light dinner will be served.  If you have something to add to the agenda or are unable to attend, please notify Stella or Jean Ann. 

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