Children's Ministries
Christian Education News
Sunday School Teacher Roster

NURSERY  (Birth to 3 yrs. old)

Nursery care is available for children up to 3 years old and is staffed by our nursery caregiver, Suzanne Bonelli.  Parents and volunteers from the congregation take turns assisting in the nursery each week, as well.  Suzanne, along with our many volunteers, do their very best to ensure a loving environment for our youngest members.  Our volunteer nursery coordinators recruit parents and other members of the congregation to staff the nursery each week.  In addition to registering their child for the nursery, parents are encouraged to complete an information sheet yearly so that our staff and volunteers will know how to best care for their little one.

1. Nursery – Preschool aged children are expected to arrive and depart the classroom attended by a parent or responsible adult or sibling.
2. The child’s name, parents’ name, and the location where they usually sit in the sanctuary are written in the “Sign-in Book.” 

3. A beeper system is available in the nursery for parents who are concerned about their child’s separation anxiety, health issues or other worries.

4. Children must be picked up immediately after worship.  When picking up a child, the responsible person initials their name in the “Sign-In Book.”

PRESCHOOL –  GRADE 6

Rock Solid: Building a Heart of Faith.  The curriculum covers the major Bible stories over a three year period so children experience the stories and messages in ways appropriate to their increasing maturity.  Multiple learning styles and hands-on activities are employed, making connections to life issues and incorporating worship experiences into each lesson.  Church/Home connections and Bible memory verses are also provided and encouraged.  We hope all our parents will share in their child’s religious education by helping in the classrooms, reading the take-home leaflets, and discussing what was learned.  At the beginning of each season, parents will receive information about the themes and stories covered in Sunday School along with ideas for faith nurturing in the home. 

This fall children will hear the classic stories from Genesis and Exodus of Joseph, Moses and Joshua as they explore what it means to be in relationship with God and one another.  They will begin to see that the heroes and heroines we encounter in the bible are often just like us.  They make good and bad decisions as they strive to live their life together in peace as God’s people.

Special topics, projects and celebrations take place, as well. A celebration party is held at the beginning of the school year for all our Preschool/Pre-K children.  Those new to the church or graduating from the nursery, will be presented with a Beginners’ Bible to be enjoyed and shared at home.

In the fall, Kindergarteners will learn about and participate in Baptism and Communion during worship and in the classroom.  Among other things, they enjoy baptizing their favorite stuffed animal and baking communion bread.

First Graders spend much of the Lenten season learning about prayer and memorizing The Lord’s Prayer.  In celebration of their entrance into the wonderful world of reading, First Graders are each given a Read and Learn Bible at the conclusion of the unit.

Third Graders are presented with “grown-up” NRSV bibles in worship and 5^th/6^th Graders serve as Acolytes (information follows).

 GRADES 7 & 8

Our 7th/8th grade teachers are excited about sharing their faith and passion for teaching with this particular age group.  They consult with the church staff to locate biblically based resources that match the maturity level and interests of their students.  Inspiring curriculum is important, yet not as important as the relationships that are formed in the classroom. Teachers emphasize the Holy Spirit working through people and their lives, not the curriculum. 

HIGH SCHOOL

High school youth can opt to join their own class for thought provoking discussion about their Christian faith and its relationship to their lives.  They are also encouraged to attend worship and take leadership in the service in a variety of ways.  Opportunities include greeting and ushering, liturgical readings, prayers, children’s messages, drama, storytelling, and special musical offerings.  Some join the hand bell and/or Sanctuary Choir, while a few even teach Sunday School!

THE GRAND CONNECTION

Sunday school children and youth will continue the “Grand Connection” for the 10^th year and are blessed by caring relationships with our elderly members who say they are equally blessed through this connection.  Each class has been paired up with one or more of our members, with the “Grands” continuing their relationship one-year-to-the-next with the same group of children as they progress.

THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION

A long-standing tradition at South Church is the presentation to each third grader of a Bible imprinted with her/his name.  This will take place during the November 15th worship service.  To make this gift more meaningful for the children, we ask 3rd graders to bring their Bible to Sunday School each week. Information will be mailed to parents of 3rd graders in September.

CHILDREN’S STEWARDSHIP

One of our objectives in the Christian Education program is to encourage our children to know the blessing of service and giving by introducing stewardship as part of our response to God’s love.  Children can experience this in a variety of ways.  In Sunday School a special time is set aside each week for prayer, thanking God for our many blessings and remembering those in need.  The children are encouraged to contribute an offering that they themselves have earned or collected.  Offerings have enabled us to purchase numerous animals through Heifer Project International and a trained service dog for one of our members through the NEADS program. Other recipients include UNICEF, Neighbors in Need (NIN), local children’s programs and World Vision sponsorship of four children.  This year we will focus on environmental issues and needs.  An All Church Environmental Retreat is planned for Sept. 26-28.

ACOLYTES

All children in the fifth and sixth grades are eligible to serve as church acolytes. The office of the acolytes was established early in Christian history, around 250 AD.  Samuel is considered to have been the first acolyte.  Acolytes in South Church bring Christ’s light in the sanctuary to remind us of God’s presence by lighting the altar candles for worship and extinguishing them to bring the light out in the world.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL

Worship and Sunday School begin an hour earlier at 9:30 am.  A nursery is provided for the youngest children.  Elementary aged children attend the first part of worship, as usual, but instead of moving to separate classes, all meet together in Fellowship Hall or outdoors for a special new program each summer.  This past summer the children enjoyed storytelling that centered on reverence for God’s glorious creation and our responsibility as co-creators in partnership with God.  Outdoor gardening and games were also a real hit!  

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Each summer South Church, in partnership with area churches, provides a week long ecumenical program as an outreach to the community and enrichment for our own children’s faith.  This past summer Christ Church and West Parish joined us for a summer evening faith event for all ages that began with a simple supper and break-out groups for various ages.  Next summer’s fun-filled week takes place July 26^th – 29^th.