Christian Education Committee (2006): Martha Beato, Chairperson, Sara Bush, Randy Kennard, Lynn Malboeuf, Alice Marks, Sue Moak, Patty Nash, Paul Powell, Vickie Powell, Cim McFarlane (Sunday School Coordinator)

PreK & K - Doris Coffman, Liz Pinkney
1 & 2 – Kathy Pleninger, Kelly Babcock
3, 4, & 5 –Emily Dlugosh, Ami Notareschi
6, 7, & 8 – Paul Powell
Lunch Bunch- Paul Powell
Adult Class – Rev. Stuart Wattles

PreK- K: 11 PreK – K : 7
1^st & 2^nd Grade: 7 1^st & 2^nd : 3
3^rd, 4^th & 5^th Grade: 12 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th : 9
6^th, 7^th & 8^th Grade: 14 6^th, 7^th & 8^th : 7
Confirmation Class: 11 Confirmation Class : 11
9-12 (Lunch Bunch): 2 Lunch Bunch : 2
Adult Class: 7 Adult Class: 7

Sunday School Highlights: The first group event was held in January. Centerpieces were made for the CTNS Pasta Dinner. On Palm Sunday we held another Marketplace event and the children performed “Sing Unto the Lord a New Song” during worship. All enjoyed the annual Easter Egg Hunt during Coffee Hour on Easter Sunday. In May six 2^nd graders were presented with Bibles, 4 students were confirmed and there was a special Coffee Hour to honor our Sunday School Teachers. June’s group event focused on Pentecost with the theme “Holy Spirit, Descend Upon My Heart”. The children created doves to hand out to the congregation and made windsocks to take home. They answered questions about the Holy Spirit in preparation for a special worship experience. On Pentecost Sunday the children sat in the balcony and dropped balloons to the congregation below. Attached to each balloon was a question concerning the Holy Spirit for the congregation to ponder. The 2006-07 Sunday School Year began with a Back To School Breakfast. The whole church was invited to come and share a meal and hear about our plans for the coming year. Our breakfast was a potluck with a twist… the meal was provided, but items were brought for the Sunday School supply closet and the Food Pantry.

Vacation Bible School: For 5 Wednesday evenings in July and August we held a multi-generational VBS. Families took a walk on the wild side at Kingdom of the Son, A Prayer Safari. We journeyed into the Serengeti and discovered exotic animals, created safari crafts, played exciting games, sang upbeat songs and enjoyed delicious safari snacks. While the families were having safari fun they also learned to talk to God as they explored the Lord’s Prayer and went on an expedition into the pages of God’s word.

Christmas Program: What do a lampshade, a Frisbee, a dishtowel, a broom and a wooden spoon have to do with the Christmas Story? All these things helped the children share the story with the congregation in a special way. The lampshade became a wastebasket for Joseph’s papers, a spotlight for the angels on a dark night and a basketball hoop for the wise men as they took a break from their search to find the Savior. The Christmas in a Box props helped the Children share the good news of Christmas in a wonderful new way.

Confirmation Class: Eleven 9^th grade students and their mentors are sharing a journey of discovery. The group meets once a month with Pastor Stuart and once a month with Jean Dyer Yost, the group’s Service Coordinator. Each confirmand and mentor also meet individually as they explore how to continue to grow in faith.

Youth Fellowship Groups: Junior High Fellowship - Diane Hixson and a wonderful group of Junior High students are having a busy year. A highlight of the year was a trip to the Circle C Camp. The group has chosen a new name for themselves; they are the FROGS (Fully Reliant On God’s Supper).

Library: Lynn Malboeuf continues as our librarian.

Child Care: Our committee organizes volunteers to staff our Nursery and Toddler Room during worship.

New Programs: Secret Prayer Partners pairs an adult member of the congregation with a Sunday School child. The adult (whose identity remains secret from September to May) promises to remember their partner regularly in prayer. It is a wonderful way to make a connection between the Sunday School students and the congregation at large and highlights the importance of prayer.

SPLASH is a new Birth-3 ministry currently in the planning stages. It involves a toddler group during the Sunday School hour and will provide support in faith formation to families of toddlers .

As we continue on our interim journey and search for a new pastor, we continue to discover who we are and who God is calling us to be. Our Mission Design Team has challenged us to look to the future and set new goals for growth. The Christian Education Committee is working hard to achieve those goals.

Respectfully submitted,
Martha Beato, Christian Education Chair