SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN

Church School began on Sunday, September 9, 2007. Children gather in the church and then proceed to their classes after the children's message.  We are very excited about our new curriculum, Living the Good News. Like our past curriculum, Seasons of the Spirit, it follows the common lectionary cycle. One special feature is that our children will be given take home papers each week. Each paper reinforces the lesson and encourages discussion between parents and children. Children will also receive their own church school folder, designed for communication between church and home, which contains a calendar, updates on events, and an overview of lessons. Our new curriculum will also feature lesson plans for toddlers as well as a post-confirmand class (grades 9-12).

If you haven't done so already, please send in your registration form. We are grateful to have an amazing group of dedicated teachers. Over forty men and women will dedicate their time and energy to this important task. Some are veterans, others are brand new, and all are committed to nourishing the spiritual life of children. However, we are still in need of teachers for a few grades. Please consider teaching as a way of contributing to the life of our church. Our Teacher Training Seminar is on Saturday, September 8, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00. Please call Susie McNiff if you have any questions or are interested in teaching.

Our goal is to provide our young people with a warm, welcoming environment where their spirituality is taken seriously. Children are encouraged to explore their faith and deepen their understanding of the scriptures and God’s presence in the world.

A Typical Sunday

On most Sundays, children stay in the 10:00 service through the children’s message and then are invited to their classrooms. Children ages threes through eighth grade meet for approximately forty minutes. At this time, teachers and children meet to explore the daily lesson through discussion, art and activities. The curriculum we use is called Living the Good News. This interactive program uses vibrant art, music and drama to help children understand the meaning of the lesson in their daily life. We have over fifty volunteer teachers who teach on a rotating basis. If teaching is an area of church life to which you feel called, we would love you to join us – now or in the coming year.

 Children’s Chapel

Once a month, children in grades kindergarten through sixth are invited to a Children’s Chapel service. We celebrate special days in the church school year such as All Saint’s Day, a visit from St. Nicholas and more. The service features songs and music as well as prayers and birthday blessings.

 Enrichment Sundays

Four times a year, we gather for Enrichment Sundays. These days typically fall on holiday weekends when attendance is often lighter. The focus of these Sundays is on community service and world mission awareness. In the past, we have written letters and collected books for hurricane victims, made snack packs for after school programs and craft kits for hospitalized children. Other special events include our spectacular Christmas Pageant and fall and spring picnics.

Childcare

For infants and toddlers, we offer professionally staffed childcare. Young children play in a well-supervised, spacious room filled with toys and age-appropriate activities.

For more information:

If you have any questions about our church school or would like to know more, please call our Christian Education office at 967-0842 x17 or email us at ce@ryepc.com . Many thanks and welcome! Susie McNiff and Yvonne Zuk.

RPC Church School Schedule

2007-2008

September                              Activity for Morning  

 Sunday, 9/9                             Welcome Back Sunday

                                                Children's Choir sings

Church School Classes Begin

 Sunday, 9/16                           Children's Message in the church

                                                Church School Classes

 Sunday, 9/23                           Children's Message/Children's Choir

                                                Church School classes

 Sunday, 9/30                           Children's Message

                                                Church School Classes

 October

 Sunday, 10/7                           Children's Chapel/Children's Choir

                                                Enrichment Sunday

Sunday, 10/14                         Children's Message/Children's Choir

                                                Church School Classes

Saturday, 10/20                       Darkness to Light Program for teachers

                                                9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, 10/21                         Children's Message

                                                Church School Classes

 Sunday, 10/28                         Children's Message

                                                Church School Classes

November

Sunday, 11/4                           Children's Chapel/Children's Choir /All Saint's Sunday

                                                Church School Classes

Sunday, 11/11                         Children's Message

                                                Church School Classes

Sunday 11/18                          Children's Message/Children's Choir

                                                Church School Classes

                                                Teacher's Meeting 11:30-1:00

Sunday, 11/25                         Family Worship/Thanksgiving Weekend

                                                No Church School

 December

Sunday, 12/2                           Children's Message/Advent I

                                                Church School Classes

                                                RPC tree lighting 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, 12/9                           Children's Message/Children's Choir

                                                Church School Classes                   

Sunday, 12/16                         Cantata Sunday

                                                Movies for Church School program

                                                Open House at the Manse 3:00-5:00

Sunday, 12/23                         Children's Message

                                                Church School Classes

                                                RPC Christmas Pageant  3:00 p.m.

Monday, 12/24                        Christmas Eve

                                                Services: Family service 4:00 p.m.

                                                Lessons and Carols 7:00 p.m.

                                                Festival Service 11:00 p.m.

Sunday, 12/30                         Family Worship/Christmas weekend

                                                No Church School

 January

 Sunday, 1/6                             Children's Chapel/Epiphany

                                                Church School Classes

Sunday, 1/13                           Children's Message/Children's Choir

Sunday, 1/20                           Enrichment Sunday/MLK weekend

Sunday, 1/27                           Children's Message

                                                Church School classes

 February

Sunday, 2/3                             Children's Chapel/Children's Choir

                                                Church School Classes

                                                Teacher's meeting 11:30-1:00

Sunday, 2/10                           Children's Message

                                                Church school classes/Annual Meeting

Sunday, 2/17                           Children's Message

                                                Enrichment Sunday/One Great Our of Sharing/President's Day Weekend

Sunday, 2/24                           Children's Message/children's choir

March

 Sunday 3/2                              Children's Chapel/Children's Choir

Sunday 3/9                              Children's Message/Children's Choir

                                                Church School classes

Sunday 3/16                            Palm Sunday Procession

                                                Church School Classes

Sunday, 3/23                           Easter Sunday

                                                No Church School

Sunday, 3/30                           Children's Message

                                                Church School classes

April

Saturday, 4/5                           Communion Workshop for children

                                                Time: TBA

Sunday, 4/6                             Children's Chapel

                                                Church School classes

Sunday 4/13                            Children's Message

                                                Church School classes

Sunday 4/20                            Children's Message/children's choir

                                                Enrichment Sunday

Sunday 4/27                            Children's Message

                                                Church school classes

May

Sunday 5/4                              Children's chapel/children's choir

                                                Confirmation

Church school classes

Sunday 5/11                            Children's Message/children's choir

                                                Church school classes

Sunday 5/18                            Children's Message/children's choir

                                                First grade bibles given

                                                Teacher's Luncheon 11:30 - 1:00

Sunday  5/25                           Memorial Day weekend

                                                No church school

June

Sunday 6/1                              Children's Message

                                                Church school classes

Sunday 6/8                              Children's Message/teacher recognition

                                                Last day of Church school classes

                                                Final Children's Concert 11:00

                                                Church Picnic                           

ADULT EDUCATION

• The Women's Bible Study meets bi-weekly on Saturday mornings at 9:15 AM in the Library at RPC.   We do not meet during July and August.  Our last meeting was June 16, 2007, and we will resume meeting after Labor Day.  (See the Monthly Calendar for exact days.)

• Come very casual - jogging suits are welcome.

• Strong coffee will be served.

• We will be continuing our study of I Corinthians and following the course of the Wednesday morning Bible Study.

• Nan joins us periodically as we sort through the character and writings of the most influential Christian evangelist of all time, Paul. 

• This will be a terrific way to fellowship with one another -- hearing, analyzing and discussing the Word.

       If you have questions, please contact Cynthia De Santis at desantiscw@aol.com.

* * *

• The Men's Bible Group meets approximately several Sunday evenings each month in the Library, from 8:00 to 9:15 p.m. (See the Monthly Calendar for exact days.)  Men from all points and stages of faith meet to read and discuss the Bible.  We bring a common desire to understand, grow and bring the wisdom of scripture into daily practice in our lives.  It is surprisingly good fun and very informal.  Currently we are working our way through the Gospel according to Mark. Whatever direction we take, any time is a great time to jump in and become a part of these regular times of reading and discussion.  For more information, contact Bob Clyatt at 921-4379 or Rev. Love at 967-0842, x15.

• Men’s Bible Study is currently working through Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church.

* * *

• The Wednesday Morning Bible Study group meets every other Wednesday, at 9:15 a.m. in the Library. (See the Monthly Calendar for exact days.) Anyone interested in exploring the Bible is welcome to join in this ongoing spirited discussion and fellowship.  

CONFIRMATION

The Big Picture

• Confirmation is offered to ninth grade students, annually.
• The group typically meets on selected Sundays throughout the year following morning worship.
• The class is led by Rev. Daniel Love, associate pastor.
• Using a variety of resources, during the year the class explores the core beliefs of the church and how they are the basis for an on-going relationship with God. By the end of the year, each student will articulate his or her beliefs and how they are lived in a written Statement of Faith.
• Upon completion of this course, confirmands join in the full and active adult church membership and participation in the life, worship and mission of the church.
• During the year, the members of the confirmation class will be active in many aspects of the church including traditional duties such as crucifer, reader, liturgist, as well as being involved in the mission of the church within our local community. 
• Each year we have a Fall retreat as well as a venture to Vermont for an early March ski weekend!

CONFIRMATION NEWS & CALENDAR

• Who is God? Who am I? What does God have to do with me? Where does Jesus fit in all this? How does faith and church and prayer make any sense in this world of ours?  The confirmation class of 2008 will begin its exploration of these critical questions with which we all continue to wrestle on our faith journeys.

• The class will meet throughout the year after church, and will be active in many aspects of the church including traditional duties as crucifer, reader, liturgist, as well as in the mission of the church in the local community.

• We'll start this year with a cookout on Sunday, September 30 at the Love's house, and come winter, we will be venturing to Vermont again for a winter ski weekend.

• If you are a ninth grader, and have not received information regarding confirmation, or if you have any questions, please contact Reverend Love.

• Here Dan Love commission the 2008 Confirmation Class at the October 28, 2007 Reformation Sunday Service.  Click here.

Confirmation class 2007

Confirmation class 2006

Confirmation class 2005
 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Christian Education Committee is responsible for the Christian Education of children, youth and adults, including program development, outreach, publicity, identification of leadership and overall administration of the program.  Anyone interested in serving on this committee is welcome, all are encouraged to volunteer as a teacher, and everyone is invited to participate in our programs and events.  Contact:  Kristin Jautz.