  “…
Our first point was, to answer the design of Christian education, by forming
their minds, through the help of God, to wisdom and holiness, by instilling the
principles of true religion, speculative and practical, and training them
up in the ancient way, that they might be rational, scriptural Christians.”
~John WesleyOur Christian Education Ministry Team has grown in size and
diversity. It is that richness of enthusiasm and experience that has moved the
program to the next level. As children of God, we are all Christian Educators.
He calls us to lead programs that not only engage the children, but also allow
them the ability to immerse into the teachings of Jesus Christ.
This year Christian Education brought forth CrossRoads, Sunday
School programming that not only embraced the unique character of First UMC, but
embodied one of the very tenants at the core of our family, Forgiveness:
Laying down the burden of
our own annoyances, hurt, and hatred of others and accepting the love of God for
all. In the coming years we will address:
Spiritual Growth, Family, and Helping.
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult commands to follow, even for adults.
Learning how to forgive and sometimes more
difficult, how to ask for forgiveness, can be very challenging for children.
Using the Multiple Intelligences Theory, CrossRoads creatively
presented the many sides of forgiveness in memorable ways, which children
incorporate in their own lives. Through Bible stories of Joseph, Moses in the
Wilderness, the Prodigal Son, and Doubting Thomas, the students not only saw
how God taught the people in the Bible how to ask and offer forgiveness, but
through a series of activities the children were able to explore forgiveness
themselves.
Our Lord referred to Himself as, “Teacher” and He was given that title by
other people more than any other designation. This is no doubt due to the fact
that while He was here bodily on earth, Jesus spent more of His time teaching
than He did in any other activity. He was fulfilling one of the main purposes of
His life. Jesus didn’t just come to die for us. He came to teach US how to
LIVE.
Jesus’ teaching ministry is central to what He came to do. It was central
then and it is central now. And that means that when we teach the Bible in
CrossRoads we are following in our Master’s footsteps. We are
ministering in the way that He ministered
most while He was on this earth. We are doing what Jesus would do.
“Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Then, Jesus went on to say what? “And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age.”
And this final phrase should remind us that, when someone accepts the call to
teach, Jesus is literally with them - that when a teacher asks Jesus to guide
and empower him or her to obey His command and teach His word - He does! And
when that happens in essence Jesus continues to teach, as He indwells that
person through His Holy Spirit.
As you read over the list of names, offer your thanks and support to them for
all they do for CrossRoads, I want us all to consider,
prayerfully, our roles in the future of the Christian Education program.
We, the family of First UMC, are all vital links to this chain of spiritual
growth and development. We are in divine service to our creator to encourage and
foster his children on their faith journey. It takes a congregation to
raise a child of God. I thank you all
- the over-extended adults, the underappreciated student volunteers; and you,
the congregation of First UMC. We are making a bigger difference in the
generations that follow us than we will probably ever know.
Diane Anderson
Marian Baars
Tena Callahan
Sharon Carani
Michelle Crites
Ken Edminster
Claire Entas
Christine Flanigan
Jerry Goodrich |
Loren Goodrich
Ben Heinsohn
Gene Heinsohn
Kathy Heinsohn
Tug Hildreth
Cindy Hodgen
Hailey Holt
Justin Klecka |
Carol Lindeberg
Maddy Marchini
Peggy Marchini
Jan Marquardt
Mike Marquardt
Nancy Melms
Kody Montavon
Luke Montavon |
Mary Pat Montavon
Laura Olsen
Adam Pope
Carol Pope
Stacy Rotramel
Peggy Sauser
Andy Small
Lisa Small |
Shelby Small
Emily Stratton
Paige Stratton
Tom West
Crystal Wilkerson
Tammy Wilkerson
Cory Wilson
Rhonda Wybourn |
Service is an important part of who we are as United Methodists, and our
CrossRoads volunteers find that it feels good when they help others. If you are
new to the Christian Education program, or to the church, volunteering is a
great way to become acquainted.
Some volunteer opportunities are for short term needs, while others are longer
term. Please contact Julie Diaz, or any one of our volunteers listed above for
more information:
-
Early Education Sunday School Teacher or
Assistant: Sunday school teachers for our youngest students:
toddler/twos, preschool and kindergarten.
-
Substitute Sunday School Teacher:
Provides duties of Sunday school teacher in event of their absence.
-
Shepherd: An adult or older youth who
travels with a group of children to their workshop each Sunday and arranges
additional
activities for group bonding.
-
Substitute Shepherd: Provides duties of
the shepherd in the event of their absence.
-
Workshop Leader: Provide weekly lesson
for the duration of the unit, approximately four to six weeks. Each week’s
lesson is the same, making age-appropriate adjustments.
-
Workshop Assistant: Various duties
depending on the workshop, may include acting, reading, or assisting with
projects.
-
Curriculum Team: The workgroup
responsible for the development of curriculum, as well as a multi-year scope
and sequence.
-
Materials, Props, Teaching Tools and Setup
Team: The workgroup and individuals responsible for gathering,
purchasing, assembling or making the items needed for each workshop.
- Prayer Circle: Team responsible for praying for individual
teachers, shepherds, workshop leaders and the children in the program.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.” ~Proverbs 22:6 |
