Christian Education Ministry Team Minutes

March 13, 2012             6:30 PM – Jones Hall

 

Members Present

Corina Armendariz                        Kristine Lambert                     Anna Suggs

Martha Mitchell                        Brian Griffith-absent                Mark Hellman

David Medina

 

Guests: Judith Ames and Carol Goss

 

Opening devotion – Martha read excerpts from “Journey to the Cross” at 6:35 p.m.

 

 

Review and approval of last meeting minutes: February 7, 2012 minutes approved as read

 

Christian Education needs in Branigan Hall:

Carol Goss and Judith Ames talked about the great opportunity we have to use Branigan for the childrens’ ministries at FPC with the departure of the Childrens’ Garden.

 

Our number of families with children is growing. We do not have enough room in the Craft and Temple Rooms for the elementary children on Sunday mornings, for Salt & Light or Vacation Bible School.

 

For the pre-K children in Salt and Light and Vacation Bible School, Carol and Judith have to set up each day in the Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Hall is not an ideal space for 4 and 5 year olds.

 

Childcare for Salt and Light is currently in the Parlor in Jones Hall, which is not a good space for nursery care.

 

The facilities in Branigan Hall would allow the nursery, pre-K and elementary students to have space purposed for them that can provide them high quality Christian Education.

 

Our team agreed that the we, and the rest of the church, need to prayerfully consider the path God wants us to take after the Childrens’ Garden leaves.

 

           

Written Reports 

           

Salt and Light:           further discussion of Salt and Light and VBS space needs

Team agreed to not hold Salt and Light Wed. Oct. 31, 2012 because Trunk and Treat will be the same night.

VBS

Youth:                        Successful joint retreat to with Santa Fe Presbytery (7 youth, Mark Hellman and Anna Suggs) to Ghost Ranch. FPC was one of the four major churches that attended. Made good connections with the youth from Northern New Mexico. Considering ways to get together in the future, perhaps in Southern New Mexico (White Sands, Capitan).

 

                                    Youth from University Methodist have asked if they can go on the FPC mid-school and high school mission trips (approx. 3-4 in each category). Committee approved their participation.

 

Verbal Reports

Sunday School and Church School Classes:

           

Feedback on signin sheets: based on feedback from elementary teachers and video supervisors, decided to discontinue elementary signin sheets (retaining those for 4’s and 5’s and nursery). Will ask teachers to visually confirm that children have found their families in the sanctuary (after Sunday School) or in the fellowship hall (after the video).

 

Video during service feedback-discussed need to have video supervisors talk about the message in the video.

 

 Adults: Ann Velia’s class and Blaine Goss’s class are going well.

           

Old Business 

Budget review. Everyone received the CE general and designated reports. Will need to get Salt and Light report each month as well. Reminded everyone to put the line item number on the request for reimbursement so that charges are correctly attributed.

 

New Business–

Policy on Child and Youth Safety. Reviewed policy and synopsis sent March 11, 2012. Made changes to several items

 

The Policy on Child and Youth Safety was approved as amended as of March 11, 2012.  This final version will be sent to the session for final review before the April session meeting

 

Closing (5 minutes)- Kristine closed us with prayer.

 

Dates to Remember:           

March 20, 2012 youth eating contest

March 21, youth dodge ball tournament

March 22, 2012 youth city scavenger hunt

March 23, 2012 youth Olympic night

April 7-8, 2012 youth lock-in

April 8, 2012 Sunrise Service youth led

April 15, 2012 Spring luncheon for Salt & Light

 

Items for Session:

1. Approval for April 15, Spring luncheon fundraiser for Salt and Light.
2. Approval for mid-high and high school, April 7-8, lockin before Sunrise Service.

 

Next meeting: April 10, 2012 at 6:30 PM