About 11 years ago my children were 5 and 7 years old and I was searching for a church that could offer them a good Sunday School program where they would be happy in learning and making friends in a church community. What I found at Nativity was a quality educational program with very friendly, dedicated teachers. I served on the Christian Education committee for 6 years and I am very impressed with the integrity and consistency with which our Sunday School and High School programs run.
From learning about the Bible to helping tell the stories through cantatas; collecting for a mile-of-pennies, making Easter candy to help support missionaries in Honduras, helping out at Friends of the Night People for confirmation, going on work trips, Vacation Bible School and even sleeping out for the homeless. All these activities help our children reach outside of themselves and let them learn the compassion, caring and giving it takes to live a Christian way of living. And the best part is that our teachers are making all this fun enough so the children don’t even realize how much they are learning through these experiences.
This has been evident to me many times when I hear some very astute answers during “the pastor’s time with the children.” The children at Nativity seem to have a very strong sense of presence and acceptance from the congregation and we make it a priority to include them in the worship and learning experiences as much as possible. I am hoping my children will reflect back on their growing-up years in the church with memories of fun times and lessons they have learned to help them live out their adult lives.
The neat thing about our church is that the learning doesn’t have to stop after High School! I have been able to take advantage of bible Studies, Small Groups, Spiritual Growth Retreats and even serving on the Church Council to help keep my own Spiritual journey growing. I have experienced both sides of the Small Group program – as a participant and as a leader in a number of them – and I am always amazed at the quality of information I learn and the wonderful interactions between the participants. We get the knowledge and expertise of our pastors and other leaders along with embracing the great wisdom from people like Cliff Cain and Midge Sumner!
In our church, we have had the opportunity to hear life stories and experiences of people facing diversity challenges in the world today. We have been educated on foreign affairs and the war in Iraq; offered the chance to learn how to cook healthy; use talents to create water color masterpieces and led through trips to the Holy Land – without even getting out of our chairs. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. I would certainly say that the learning for anyone of any age in our church community can keep on growing as long as you choose to do so. The opportunities are there – you only have to take advantage of them!
. . . Jane
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