Children & Family Ministries

Children's and Family Ministries

St. John's Church 2002-2003

The Children's Charter for the Church reminds us that the Church is called

· to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God;

· to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God's love;

· to nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in their children's best interest, and recognizing and fostering their children's spirituality and unique gifts;

· to foster community beyond the family unit, in which children, youth and adults know each other by name, minister to each other and are partners together in serving Christ in the world.

Our 6^th graders engage in a variety of activities, outreach projects, discussions and Bible exploration related to their development as Christian pre-teens.

Our 7^th and 8^th graders use parts of the Journey to Adulthood Program as they begin their passage into adolescence. In this process adult leaders help them acknowledge their creative power and potential and offer a safe haven to explore new ideas, new interests and new abilities.

YOUTH GROUPS

Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8)

Middle Schoolers meet 8-10 times per year to combine fun and fellowship with service to our community. For more information, contact Brad Dyche (834-2981).

High School Youth Group (grades 9-12)

Our high school youth group meets 6-8 times per year, continuing their interest in outreach to the homeless and to the poor in our community. For more information, contact Brad Dyche (834-2981).

SUNDAYS

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Our Sunday School program is organized in a cooperative system. Each class has a Coach who is responsible to schedule teachers and provide back-up and support. Parents sign up to teach a few Sundays each year. Teachers workshops are held in September and January to distribute curriculum and materials and to provide special training.

For 3's, 4's and 5's, we are using a story-based curriculum. Each Sunday is built around a story found in The Young Readers Bible. The children hear the story read by their teacher, then they see the story told with wooden or felt materials, then they tell the story together using the materials. Storytime is followed by an activity that relates to the story, and there is time each week for prayers, songs, and play.

1^st through 5^th grade children are using the Episcopal Children's Curriculum for their primary materials. Built on scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal, Church traditions, liturgy and history, the curriculum helps children explore what it means to be Christians in the Episcopal tradition.

WORSHIP

On the first Sunday of the Month, in lieu of Sunday School, children are invited to participate in the full liturgy with the rest of the faith community. Children serve as ushers, oblation bearers and lectors; there is a children's homily, and the service as a whole is very child friendly.

On most Sundays children begin their Sunday School classes at 10AM, then join their families for the service of Holy Communion.

On three special Sundays (Oct 27, Jan 26, Apr 27), while adults offer Morning Prayer, the children will gather in the undercroft for worship with instructed Eucharist and special activities.

SUNDAYS




			OUTREACH Weekly Sunday School offerings are donated to Heifer International, which supports a host of self-sustaining development projects throughout the world. Offerings of canned foods, peanut butter and powdered milk are brought by children each week to stock the shelves of Hope Food Pantry of New Rochelle. Children collect school supplies each October for needy children in the South Bronx. During the month of November families donate toys and used clothing to the work of the Tardieu family with Hatian orphans. Families donate toys each Christmas for the Three Kings Celebration of Iglesia Santa Rosa of White Plains. Several times each year, all parishioners are invited to participate in the ministry of Midnight Run. There are plenty of jobs for all ages: packing bag lunches, making soup, sorting clothing and toiletries, loading up the vans, and (for teens and night-people) making the midnight delivery to homeless people in New York city. Every Sunday, parishioners can contribute to a closet for school children in the South Bronx by donating alarm clocks, books and supplies, white shirts, and navy skirts or trousers.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES Playgroup for 2'sSt John's Cooperative Playgroup meets twice a week, 9:15-11:15am. Contact Katie Sawyer (833-3326) for information. St. Cecilia's SingersUnder the direction of DCE Jmel Wilson, this is a choir for children ages 5-8. For more information call Jmel Wilson (834-2981). St. John's Junior ChoirUnder the direction of music director Dr. Paul Martin Maki, this choir is for children beginning in second grade. They rehearse on Wednesday afternoons and sing during Family Liturgy on first Sundays. For more information contact Jane Trenholm (834-0889). Liturgical DramaEvery month at the Family Liturgy, some portion of the liturgy is presented in dramatic form, using children and adults as readers, actors, dancers and musicians. Contact Jmel Wilson (834-2981) if you are interested in participating. Mothers of Young ChildrenA group is forming to provide support, fellowship and an opportunity to discuss issues of parenting and faith. If you are interested, please contact Dayna Reist (834-8505) . St. Teresa's GuildThis group meets monthly to support each other in balancing the demands of career and parenting with a life of faith. For more information contact Tori Pough (833-3035).


	All Saints Festival October 27, 11:15-12:30 · Advent Dinner and Crafts Workshop December 1, 5:30-8:00 pm · Christmas Pageant (children & adults) December 24, 3:00 pm · Lessons and Carols Service (youth & adults) December 24, 5:00 pm	PARISH EVENTS Epiphany Celebration January 5, 11:15-12:30 · Shrove Tuesday Pancakes & More March 4, 6:00-8:00 pm · Lenten Event for Children March 9, 11:15-12:30 ·	Holy Saturday Prayer Walk (4 yrs. & up) April 19, 10:30-12:00 · Easter Egg Hunt (pre-schoolers) April 20, 10:30-10:45 · Parish Picnic & Games June 22, 11:15-1:00



	Children's and Family Ministries St. John's Church 2002-2003 The Children's Charter for the Church reminds us that the Church is called · to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God; · to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God's love; · to nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in their children's best interest, and recognizing and fostering their children's spirituality and unique gifts; · to foster community beyond the family unit, in which children, youth and adults know each other by name, minister to each other and are partners together in serving Christ in the world.



			Our 6^th graders engage in a variety of activities, outreach projects, discussions and Bible exploration related to their development as Christian pre-teens. Our 7^th and 8^th graders use parts of the Journey to Adulthood Program as they begin their passage into adolescence. In this process adult leaders help them acknowledge their creative power and potential and offer a safe haven to explore new ideas, new interests and new abilities. YOUTH GROUPS Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8) Middle Schoolers meet 8-10 times per year to combine fun and fellowship with service to our community. For more information, contact Brad Dyche (834-2981). High School Youth Group (grades 9-12) Our high school youth group meets 6-8 times per year, continuing their interest in outreach to the homeless and to the poor in our community. For more information, contact Brad Dyche (834-2981).
SUNDAYS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Our Sunday School program is organized in a cooperative system. Each class has a Coach who is responsible to schedule teachers and provide back-up and support. Parents sign up to teach a few Sundays each year. Teachers workshops are held in September and January to distribute curriculum and materials and to provide special training. For 3's, 4's and 5's, we are using a story-based curriculum. Each Sunday is built around a story found in The Young Readers Bible. The children hear the story read by their teacher, then they see the story told with wooden or felt materials, then they tell the story together using the materials. Storytime is followed by an activity that relates to the story, and there is time each week for prayers, songs, and play. 1^st through 5^th grade children are using the Episcopal Children's Curriculum for their primary materials. Built on scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal, Church traditions, liturgy and history, the curriculum helps children explore what it means to be Christians in the Episcopal tradition.		WORSHIP On the first Sunday of the Month, in lieu of Sunday School, children are invited to participate in the full liturgy with the rest of the faith community. Children serve as ushers, oblation bearers and lectors; there is a children's homily, and the service as a whole is very child friendly. On most Sundays children begin their Sunday School classes at 10AM, then join their families for the service of Holy Communion. On three special Sundays (Oct 27, Jan 26, Apr 27), while adults offer Morning Prayer, the children will gather in the undercroft for worship with instructed Eucharist and special activities.
		SUNDAYS