First Presbyterian Church
Las Cruces, NM
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First Presbyterian Church |
Session Committee: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us.” John 1:3
Members serving as the year ended are Judith Ames, Elder and Co-Chairperson; Lon Anderson, Deacon: Ray Carter, Elder and Co-Chairperson; Nancy French, Elder; Carol Goss, Congregation Member; David Sallee, Campus Ministry; Linda Seaton, Congregation Memger; Marsha Topley, (part of the year as Congregation Member, then as CE/Youth Director); and Nora Yaryan, Congregation Member Joyce Gemoets, Margie Rankin, and Dan Yetter (ex-offocio as Youth Director) also served earlier in the year.
Sunday School
On Sunday mornings, Bible-based classes are offered for all ages at 9:00 A.M. Church School classes did not meet on the Sunday between Christmas and New Years, and the members of the two adult classes decided upon a 10-week hiatus during the summer. In addition to a Bible study class for adults led by Dick Dale, a video class using various series that covers both Bible and contemporary topics led by Blaine Goss is also conducted at this time. Various dedicated teachers and co-ordinators, too many to name, plan and conduct the classes for children and teens.
This fall, a separate Nursery for babies and toddlers ages birth to two years was added under the leadership and direction of Janet Loman. It is staffed by our professional childcare worker, Judi Ferguson, during the 9:00 AM hour, and by Judi and volunteers during Worship. The Worship Service is transmitted to the Nursery, so that the workers can hear the service. The Worship Committee make sure that those adults who care for our Nursery and Preschool children receive Communion on the Sundays when it is served.
Disciples’ Avenue Library
An addition to our program for elementary students and for preschool children is a fine lending library of Christian and other wholesome books. Children and those who love them are welcome to check books out from the library in Branigan Hall.
A very successful one-week program was conducted in June for children age three through fifth grade. The theme of the excellent curriculum from Gospel Light Publishers was “Son Canyon”. (See separate report.)
Our church has a Wednesday after-school program for first grade through high school called The Salt and Light Company. (See separate report.)
The volunteers and supporters who love the Lord and give their time to teach, plan, and pray for the Christian Education programs of our church make it possible for First Presbyterian to carry out its mission to provide nurture in our faith to both members and others who come.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Ames, Co-Chairperson
Ray Carter, Co-Chairperson
for Elementary, Jan 02 – 03
January – Temple and Tabernacle
February – The Good Shepherd (children learned to sign Psalm 23, and they did it for the Congregation.
March – One Great Hour of Sharing
April – Armor of God
May – Pentecost
Summer – Videos of PRAIRIE DOG TOWN which helped the children to learn how we must not let pride, prejudice and holding grudges be a part of our life.
September – Abraham & Sarah, “Learning to trust in God”.
October – Stewardship of our time, talents and money.
November – thanksgiving to God for all he gave us.
December – Preparing for Christmas, “God is Faithful” Christmas Around the World,
Los Posados
January 2003 - Epiphany
Gospel Lights Son Canyon River Adventure VBS was held mornings June 10 –14 and 52 children registered. The more than 30 helpers included Mid-School youth through Senior Adults. Betsy Holt and Nora Yaryan headed the project. Our mutigenerational staff and partnering directorship worked very well. Having all ages as workers not only sets a good example for the children but also for the helpers. This is the second year that we have made an exerted effort to have our staff multigenerational and I would recommend staffing any future VBS program the same way. We ran four days of rotating centers for ages 1st grade through 5th. Storytelling, Music and Crafts. PreK and Kindergarten are not assimilated into the rotating centers but are in classroom settings and run the same VBS theme at their age level. We always opened and closed VBS with prayer, announcements, music, offering and the daily Bible verse. Notices, i.e. the special Friday program and the daily Bible verse along with copies of pertinent Bible stories, were sent home at the end of each day. The Friday program consisted of the whole VBS reviewing the daily Bible verses and music, dedication of the mission offering, and a special visitor for the Bible story. The PreK and Kindergarten were only present for the music and offering portion after which they retreated to their classrooms until the picnic and Water Madness started about 10:30.
This is the second year we have held a Water Madness Adventure and picnic. This year was more successful than last because it was more organized and better staffed. It is essential that anytime we have water activities that it be well staffed. The children love Water Madness and it is a relatively easy program to conduct.
We do not have an end of VBS special program for parents, but do invite them to attend any or all of the Friday morning session. Perhaps if we ever go to evening VBS, and we hold a two week VBS, then we would have “real” time to develop a quality “show” for parents. As it presently is, five days are not enough time and most parents work during the day.
The mission project, CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN: FULL SPEED AHEAD was a huge success. The best way to teach children to bring offering for service besides teaching them the principals is to give them a receptacle that they take home every day and return the next with their offering. Everyday we added up and posted the daily offering and grad total so that the children could see their progress.
The date for VBS needs to be calendared by early January and staffed with a director(s) by the end of February. It is important to plan early so that curriculum can be ordered and staffing can begin. Even through our VBS is known to occur within the first two weeks of June, it still needs to be announced as people plan vacations early in the year.
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Last update
2003-02-02 07:37:26