Children and Family Ministry
Children and Family Ministries (CFM) - The primary responsibility
of this team is to evaluate, plan and implement a ministry that supports
the faith development of families and children between baptism and confirmation,
including but not limited to: weekly Sunday school, vacation bible school,
confirmation program, Stepping Stones, etc. This ministry team should
also see the Little Bear Child Development program as a ministry partner.
Emphasis should be given to discipleship development
Communicator. Debbie Shaffer
Old Children's Corner items moved to Children's
Archive
Annual Report of Children and Family
Thus far our team has primarily focused on Sunday School activities for children ages 3 to 12. Our calendar overlaps just as a regular school calendar does. This report is for year end of the 2005-2006 school year and the first half of the 2006-2007 school yea
Classes for the 2005 – 2006 year ended on Memorial Day weekend. We averaged 12 children on any given Sunday, often more. Debbie Shaffer and Liga Minejevs were and still remain the only staff members. The Sunday School hour is from 10:45 a.m. (or when worship ends) until 11:45 a.m. and generally followed by Praise Dance rehearsals as led by Desiree Cole. Due to scheduling conflicts, Vacation Bible School was postponed to coincide with Rally Day.
The current year began during the weekend of September 8, 9. & 10, 2006. This weekend encompassed several church events – Vacation Bible School, Rally Day, a combined church service with Trinity United and Sagrado Corazon, and a combined church picnic. Vacation Bible School kicked off on Friday evening and lasted all day Saturday and into Sunday afternoon. Pastors Kelly and Prudencio were our train conductors for the Gospel Express. A moonwalk was rented for use on Sunday afternoon, however the weather was less than cooperative, as it rained all day long! Despite the rain several of our children jumped in the wet, but bouncy moonwalk. The weekend was very busy and thanks to all the volunteers, a huge success! Special thanks to Judy and Adam Salyer, and Bob Johnson for their gifts of creative art work which greatly enhanced our railway.
We have had a drastic decline in attendance this year only 2 to 3 children come each week. At the close of the previous Sunday School year, I was anxiously planning two separate classes for each Sunday. Several children have moved out of the area. The diversity in ages runs the entire gambit of 4 -11. Our curriculum is eclectic to say the least, but the Good News gets through regardless! We act, read, paint, draw, cut and glue, sing, dance, and, of course eat! We continue to use our children’s Bible to compliment our weekly lessons.
Our Trinity Kids Club continues to meet, but less often than originally intended. We went to Kroll’s Pumpkin farm in October and managed to lose our way in a corn maze! Fortunately, we retraced our steps and found the way out! We then petted and fed farm animals and played with the farm’s orange Tabby cat (who was the hit of the day). Each child was able to pick out a good-sized pumpkin to take home. We ended the trip by having lunch at the Pizza Hut. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Donna Hansen for her generous donation toward the pizza.
Both Trinity United and Sagrado Corazon hosted a Children’s Christmas Fiesta on the evening of Saturday, December 16. 2006. We joined in acting out the Posada (the journey of Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem), ate delicious food as prepared by Sagrado Corazon, and tried to break a very stubborn piñata. Each child received a balloon and a treat bag to take home.
The children participated in Josh’s delightful Christmas program, singing in front of church, and, praise dancing. Desiree Cole just began rehearsing a new praise dance for presentation on January 28, 2006. This dance will be presented in honor of Pastor Kelly’s 16 years of dedicated service with Trinity.
Though finances are always an uncomfortable topic, they are an important element for the success of any program. An anonymous donor funded much of the cost for the VBS activities. Approximately $1,200.00 was donated, which also included food items for the Sunday Picnic. The current budget items for these events need to be scrutinized more closely as items purchased with funds designated for Sunday School belong to other teams and groups. This is no fault of anyone, but needs to be mentioned for future planning purposes.
