Children & Youth Christian Education

Sunday school classes for children at St. Francis are designed with the recognition that the parent is the child's primary teacher. Learning and discussing the Bible with other children or youth, discussing how to live in our society as child and servant of God, as well as learning to obey God can only solidify the religious foundation formed at home. All the youth are welcome to attend Sunday school classes.

Those who attended Sunday school in 2010 were divided into two classes grouped by age: grades 6 and up and grades 5 and below. The youngest children (aged 3-4 and below) play in the nursery. Volunteer adults prepare and teach one of these classes. Classes were held at 9:30 – 10:30 am each Sunday from the Sunday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Memorial Day with a two-week break at Christmas

2010 Highlights

Elementary Class

• From January through May, the elementary class completed the 2nd Year Curriculum published by the American Church Union Church School Series. Each Sunday included songs, a dramatic telling the story using simple props, a questioning time, an art activity, prayer time, and the shared feast snack. Ideas for activities were drawn from supplemental material and the web.
  
• After the summer break, the One Room Sunday School materials were purchased from Abingdon Press and used with the elementary students. Old Testament stories were studied during the Fall semester. Activity ideas were considered fun by the children and relevant by the teacher. Not having to research and plan activities from scratch is helpful. The format of the lesson remained the same as the first part of the year.
  
• Fr. Len continued to offer his insights on each of the stories studied, which provided the talking points for the lesson.
  
• After noticing that none of the elementary-aged children attended 11:00 worship service, class activities now include attending the first part of the 9:30 service. Those who can read are encourage to follow along in the prayer book and to participate in the liturgy with the rest of the congregation.
  

Youth Class

• The youth class started the year with a study of Romans, which lasted until the summer break
  
• From September until November, this class discussed modern day heresies.


• During November and December, the class was led a study of Colossians and Philemon.

Baraka Congregation

• Beginning in the Fall of 2010, a Sunday school class was offered to the children who attended the afternoon Baraka service. The same lesson presented in the morning was repeated for these students.

• A nursery was staffed during Sunday school to accommodate the younger siblings and allow the parents to attend church. Thanks to Rebecca Hoard for organizing the volunteers.


• Shortly before Thanksgiving, the both classes assembled 29 shoeboxes with donations from the parish for Operation Christmas Child. This was 8 fewer boxes than in 2009.


• The elementary aged class presented the 2010 Christmas Pageant on the fourth Sunday of Advent, with help from one member of the youth class.



2011 Plans


• Classes will continue with the same format January through May.
  
• The age range in the elementary class will be expanded and a divided class is looking more like a good idea beginning in the fall of 2011.
  
• Include more actual Bible use with the children who can read.
  
• Continue to meet with Fr. Len to gain his insight on the lessons each the younger children should be learning during each lesson.
  
• Offer a youth confirmation class for youth preparing for eventual confirmation.



Needs for 2010

We would welcome additional participation from adults interested in working with the youth or the younger classes. Both short-term and longer-term assignments can be arranged.

I would like to split the elementary class to be students into older elementary and younger elementary students, or readers and non-readers. Another teacher would be needed to do this.

Teachers

• Amy Crandell, Mike Ready, Ed Sandlin
  

Amy Crandell, Director