Children's Ministries 2002
"Kid Connection"
A new approach to Sunday School
With a lot of prayer, help, and support
Bethel embarked on a new approach to Sunday School, "Kid
Connection." "Kid
Connection" is the new Sunday morning ministry program designed for
children from Preschool-Jr.High. Each
Sunday, the children gather at the 9:45am worship service to worship, sing and
praise God with their friends and family members. A "Family Focus" is
presented during that time which helps to introduce the theme that both the
Pastors will be preaching on as well as the focus for the children's
activities.
In the Kindergarten - 6th grade area, we use
this "One-point Bible lesson" to teach and guide the children through
three different fun, faith building stations. The various learning stations
include Arts/Crafts, Cooking/Snacks, Bible Games, Music/Group Building, and a
Mentoring area with small group discussion and prayer time. On the 4th Sunday of each month we gather together
as a large group and work on a focused Mission Project which corresponds with
the Church’s monthly focus, found in the Bethel Beat. During this time, the
children then break into small groups to complete the mission project, as well
as touch base with their adult mentors.
More adult participation:
Getting people to make long-term commitments
can often be difficult. By having a
variety of time commitments and levels of involvement throughout the program,
we have increased our volunteer numbers quite rapidly. We began with 8 adult mentors and we now
have 18. In September we started with 15 volunteers and now we have close to
40.
Kids like being on the move:
In this approach, children move from one
learning station to another. Boredom is
lessened and anticipation of what's ahead improves attitude and
attendance. Also, students learn
differently. Some are visual learners,
some learn by hearing, some learn by doing.
This approach offers students ways to learn that match their learning
style.
Team Leaders and Mentors:
Besides each learning station having a Team
Leader who explains the activity to the various groups in that area, the
children have mentors. A mentor is an
adult who helps guide the children through the various activities for the day,
as well as develops a relationship with the children. Some of the responsibilities to being a mentor include making
calls to the children who might be absent a week, sending a birthday card to
each child and most importantly praying for each child.
It's mission and outreach:
This is an important evangelism tool for
Bethel. On average we have 60-70
students attending and bringing friends.
20% of those children are un-churched.
As parents come to know the church through "Kid Connection,"
they often become involved themselves.
It's Fun!:
The "Family Focus" is different
each week. The learning stations are
fun, especially the Art/Crafts, and Bible Games areas. The children don't want to miss out, so they
attend regularly and are eager to learn.
Children's ministry has always been an
important part of the life of Bethel.
We are richly blessed with many caring adults, young and old. The following people have made the program the
success that it is today.
Mentors:
Minnie & Sam Sudarsanam, Cassandra &
Eric Messner, Patrice Sera, Anil Das, Ruth Seyer, Ginger Yanak, Christine
Lutke, Audrey Ostrowski-Gallagher, Lorraine Mencimer, Kryssie Mingst, Lori
Sellers, Robert Long, Andy Weberg, Marianne Nadell, Adriene Needham, Laurie
Bryson, and Deirdre Lum.
Team Leaders, Subs and Learning Station
Teams:
Natalie Rogerson, Carol Wheaton, Doreen
Baldwin, Laura BeBeau, Pearl Wong, Molly & Charlie Schrey, Nancy Lowe-Mais,
Jim Rehbein, The Christensen Family, The Miller Family, Rhonda Nyberg, Janice
Martinson, Katlynn Hoegel, Barbara Larsen, Shawne Leimer, Corrine Devine, Marty
& Suzanne Wolf, Alice Issacson, Carol Mahoney, Kaye Kuhlmann, Jeanine
Woodell, Mark Weberg, David Sandwisch, Kathy Deason, Wendy Barnett, Rosemarie
Reichard, Tom Barbaro, Mary & Davis Fields, Dorothy Meyer, Alex Milutin,
Jean Vaughn, Vicki Bohan, Karen Polyak, and Andrea Reak. Susan Leavitt and Robyn Winegardner led the
Junior High, and Marion Abney worked with Preschool.
As the year continues, I have no doubt
"Kid Connection" will continue to touch the lives of the children in
our congregation and those who come to visit in amazing ways! Continue to pray for our ministry and those
who have given of themselves to make our church a loving and caring community
of Christ.
-Laura M. Leonard
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Vacation Bible School 2002
BUG SAFARI, we caught the BUZZ about God's love!
Over 120 children age 4 years old through 6th grade had a fun-filled week in July experiencing God through crafts, games, a Bible expedition, and video! The entire Sanctuary, Music & Ed room and Fireside room were transformed to a land far away.
Over 50 volunteers helped shape each area (a BIG thank you to the adults who took time off work to volunteer and the middle school and high school youth). We're also thankful for the AM/PM staff and students who were a part of the program each day. The Sunday following VBS we participated in the 10:30 worship and shared with the congregation much of what we learned. We followed up with the students and staff by inviting them to the Labor Day Retreat and Kid Connection.
Tracey Johnson, Molly Schrey, Adriene Needham and Susan Leavitt