Christian Education Committee Marion T.“ Jody” Lanier
The Christian Education Committee is responsible for all the educational and music programs of the church. The work of this committee is delegated to various paid and volunteer individuals( Director of Nursery and Women’ s Program, Director of Children’ s Program, and Director of Music) as determined by the Session. The areas of responsibility include: Nursery, Junior Church, Leadership Training, Sunday School, Training of Church Officers, Women of the Church, Music Program and Choirs.
There were five Adult Sunday School classes led by class presidents and taught by a combination of the church’ s three ministers, pastoral apprentice and lay teachers. Our lay teachers this year were J. Dennis Boatright, David D. Gobel, Edward A. Forester, Rick B. Mullininx, Jr., Tim Shaw, and Jeff H. Sutton.
Average Sunday School attendance was 290( 280 last year). Nurseries: Mrs. J. Dennis Boatright( Jane) serves as Director of Nursery.
Each week members of our church faithfully volunteered to care for the nursery children of the church. We need about 22 volunteers each Sunday in order to staff the 4 different nursery rooms. In addition, we had paid nursery workers that helped with our children on Sunday evenings, Tuesday morning ladies’ Bible studies, the Wednesday mid-day service, and during the special services or programs of the church. Our happy news in 2016 was that we had 11 babies born into the church.
Children’ s Ministries: Mrs. Charlie Martin( Amy), Director of Children’ s Program.
Sunday School teachers who served this year in our elementary classes were: Carol Dusek, Candace Sutlive, Linden Helmly, Sue Hinely, Charlie Martin, Kirstine Flannigan. The teaching of The Shorter Catechism and Catechism for Young Children was a special emphasis in 2016.
Memorization program: A total of 109 children have completed Level I since 1994.( Lord’ s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed, Ten Commandments). In 2016, they were Caroline Nix, Mary Kendrick Oliver, Elliot Oliver, Lucy Kelly. A total of 34 children have completed Level II( The Catechism for Young Children) since 1993. In 2016 they were Lucy Kelly. Thirty-five children have passed Level III( The Shorter Catechism) since 1996. In 2016 they were Caroline and Rollins Nix.
Children’ s Church meets weekly during the morning worship service and was led by a faithful number of church members.
Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast – Friday, March 25, youth prepared for the breakfast and helped host the event with over 250 in attendance on Saturday, March 26.
Fall Family Night was held on Monday, October 31, with approximately 300 in attendance. The youth set up and hosted the event. The highlights were several new games, the bull and the Big Bon Pizza trailer.
Read-A-Louds continued during the dinner hour with a variety of members volunteering to read to the children.
Women of the Church: Mrs. J. Dennis Boatright( Jane) also serves as our Director of Women’ s Program.
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