The purpose of Children’s Ministry is...

• to share the stories of our faith with our children.
• to give children the tools and language for exploring ideas about God and God’s world.
• to develop loving relationships between children and adults in the church.
• to teach children about Scripture, what it says, how and when it was written, what it means today.
• to help children understand the Church and its mission in the world.

Sunday Morning Educational Program

9:00-11:30 a.m.	Red Cross-certified childcare for infants through age 4
9:00-9:50 a.m.	Church School classes for elementary through high school
10:20-11:15 a.m.	Church School classes for preschool and elementary - following the Children's Moment in worship, children are invited to attend church school classes or remain in worship with their family. The Gospel is shared with elementary-age children through a rotation workshop-type curriculum - children learn the great stories of our faith using all of their multiple intelligences. Preschoolers will use the Exploring Faith curriculum.

Music Program for Children and Youth

Wednesdays 5:00-5:45 p.m.	Cherub Choir:  Kindergarten through 2nd grade Children’s Choir:  3rd through 5th grade
Sundays 5:00-8:00 p.m.	Mid High Youth Choir:  6th through 8th grades Senior High Youth Choir: 9th through 12th grades

Special Activities

• Wednesday Feast (after choir rehearsal)
  Dinner 5:45-6:30 p.m., program 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  A weekly intergenerational program running mid-September through mid-April
• Mardi Gras Dinner: Youth fundraiser for summer mission trips
• Vacation Bible School:  Mid-June
• Menucha Mini-Camp (3rd through 5th grade)
  Three- or five-day camp experiences at Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett
• Harvest Festival:  For all ages
• Advent Play: Intergenerational
• Christmas Eve Service:  Designed especially for families with young children (5:00 p.m.)

Child Care Givers and Teachers

A team of trained and dedicated adults serve as teachers in Sunday morning classes throughout the school year. Parents and other volunteers are needed to assist in classrooms once a month. Assisting in a child’s class gives parents information about the lessons being studied and encourages their children to participate fully. It also shows the child their parents’ commitment to them and to God and church. Please contact Anne Stewart Miller if you want to teach or assist.

Summer Church School Program

Classes for all ages continue throughout the year, including the summer months; but because of vacation schedules, the classes are more broadly graded. Summer Sundays are used as a special time to study different materials, such as biblical parables, mission work, or important people in the Bible.

Summer Camps

In mid-July, a camp for children who have completed grades 3 through 6 is held at Menucha Retreat and Conference Center near Corbett in the Columbia River Gorge. Third and 4th graders spend two nights at camp and the older children stay for a total of four nights.

Four to six campers of similar age bunk together with their counselors in dorm-style rooms. Campers share meals in the dining hall, swim in the pool, hike, play games, enjoy craft projects, and learn more about God's creation and how God wants us to live together.

Other week-long camping experiences are available for 3rd grade through high school through the Presbytery of the Cascades at camps near Sisters in the Cascade Mountains and Rockaway on the coast.

Accomplishing our Purpose

Our educational leadership is shared between many committees, which report monthly to the Christian Education Commission. The commission reports directly to Session.

Christian Education Commission is divided into:

• Children’s Ministry Committee
• Youth Ministry Committee
  • College Scholarship Sub-committee
• Adult Education Committee
• Library Committee
• Menucha Labor Day Camp Planning Task Force

For more Information

These leaders may be contacted through the church office:

• Rev. Anne Stewart Miller, Associate Pastor for Christian Education
• Jason Mitchell, Director of Youth Ministries
• Ben Kinkley, Cherub Choir Director
• Kristen Buhler, Children’s Choir Director
• Daniel Burnett, Youth Choir Director