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Dear Parents,
We have never been this excited for a school year to begin! The new curriculum that we have chosen holds all kinds of promises for kids and families to grow their faith in fun and meaningful ways. To instill within our children that their identity is in Christ is the most foundational work that we should be about. But how do we do that? We are going to spend our year finding out!
Our curriculum was created to help “put children in the path of the Divine” that they might encounter God and grow in their understanding of how they are part of His story. There are ten different “environments” that the children will learn about. We believe that this is so important for kids to be learning the same thing at home and with us here at church that we are having an ESSENTIAL PARENT MEETING on Sunday, September 19, from 4:30-5:30 so you can have all the information you need to lead your child this year. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE & TIME CHANGE FOR THIS MEETING!(In the meantime if you have become TOO curious to sit still, go to the following link to find out more about it: http://tru.davidccook.com/Pages/home.aspx or call us and we’ll be happy to visit with you!
The children will be entertained in the Family Life Center while you, and all the other parents gather in the sanctuary. There are many other wonderful opportunities planned for your kids this year. Please take time to read through things. We also need help! We would encourage each parent to find ways to serve in Children’s Ministry at Central. In fact, we even STAPLED the Registration form to the Volunteer and Leadership form so that you will be sure to hand them BOTH in by September 1.
We are looking forward to partnering with you this year!
Blessings ~ Jill Pouliot & Kirsten Gill
Tru
This new curriculum involves the whole family! Parents will be inspired, equipped and supported in the most important parenting job they have – putting their child in the path of the Divine with a simple-to-follow at-home-story-time. Kids will experience the story again in different ways on both Sunday morning during Children’s Chapel and on Tuesday nights following up on the story that the parents have read to them ahead of time.
Children’s Chapel
Held Sunday mornings during all worship services We believe that it is important for families to worship together. During our worship services, children are dismissed during the message for a learning time planned for their age level to reflect on the same lesson their parents are hearing about.
Each week, questions are listed in the announcements for parents to use in leading their children in further discussions/activities around the day’s lesson. We ask that you register your child for Children’s Chapel so we can get a general idea of how many kids to plan for. We realize that this might change from time to time but we like to have staff in place to care for the kids.
Dinner 5:45-6:30 pm
We will be serving dinner every Tuesday night as a way to help busy families and help people connect with other families.
Children’s Choirs 6:00-6:30 pm
Music is one of the most awesome things that God thought up. It is a unique and powerful way to experience and respond to God. Three different age groups will learn songs and moves to share once a month during one of the morning worship services.
Tuesday School 6:30-7:30 pm
Large group time, small group discussions and time to respond.
Adults 6:30-7:30 PM
Alpha Express will be offered again as well as other opportunities for those who have already participated in Alpha. Watch for more info coming soon!
Two Year Olds—Jesus’ Birthday Party Thursday, December 2 6:00 pm Children receive a homemade “Baby Jesus”, sing songs, learn finger plays and take home ideas to make Jesus the center of your family this season. And of course, we’ll have birthday cake!
Three Year Olds—Church Orientation Monday, August 30 6:00-6:30 pm Children participate in activities to help them feel welcomed into the ministries of Children’s Chapel and Tuesday School.
Four Year Olds—Everyday Prayer Saturday, November 13, 9:30-10:30 am
Play stations are set up to represent different areas of their lives to help kids “play at prayer”.
Kindergarteners—Off to Kindergarten Monday, August 30, 7-7:30 pm Children preparing for their big step into Kindergarten discover how God is a part of their school day.
First Graders—The Lord’s Prayer Saturday, November 20, 9:30-11:00 am
Explore the meaning and make a special Lord’s Prayer interactive devotional to take home to continue their learning, and they will lead the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer the following Sunday.
Second Graders—Ten Commandments Saturday, March 19, 9:00-11:00 am The activities of this class lead kids and parents to explore the 10 Commandments and the Armor of God.
Third Graders—New Bibles Tuesdays, January 4,11, 18 & 25, 6:30-7:30 pm Bible Presentation: Sunday, February 13
This class is an overview of the ENTIRE Bible. Following the class, children receive their Bibles from their parents at a special presentation during Worship service followed by a great family meal and celebration.
Fourth Graders—Stewardship Tuesdays, February 1, 8, 15 & 22, 6:30-7:30 pm
Let’s take this opportunity to help them understand how God has asked us to be a good caretaker of all that He has given us including our emotions, relationships, bodies, time, material stuff and the world.
Fifth Graders—First Communion Tuesdays, March 15, 22, 29 & April 5, 6:30-7:30 pm ~ Celebration: Sun., April 17 or Thurs., April 21
A new format this year allows children and parents to attend four classes together to learn about this important sacrament. The children will also be asked to write a response to what they learned. The celebration of their first communion is either on Palm Sunday or Maundy Thursday of Holy week. A special Seder meal is served to the children and their guests to help them understand the Jewish Passover meal that Jesus was celebrating the night of His last supper when He instituted communion.
“The Night that Changed the World” December 12
An interactive evening where families can travel through out the world, and through out time, to participate in Christmas celebrations. There will be different living rooms, kitchens and churches and a barn set up through out Central that will help children and adults experience how the birth of One Baby has changed the world!! If you want to get involved in planning this community outreach event, talk to Kirsten or Jill! |
