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Kids 4 Christ is our elementary level Christian education program. K4C meets
Wednesday evenings from mid-September through April, 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM. The evening
begins with "Shepherd Time" where each class develops relationships with each other
and their leader. Then there is a brief opening session with celebration of
music, and prayers. Next, its off to the kid-friendly learning stations to
learn the Bible story using creative, hands on learning environments. The
evening closes with the children singing a blessing melody: "May the Lord".
Kids 4 Christs uses the Rotation model of teaching. Major Bible stories and
concepts are taught through kid-friendly multimedia workshops: Art workshops, Movie
Theater/Storytelling, Computers, and Cooking kitchen. In a rotational setting,
the same Bible story or theme is taught for three weeks. Each week, learners
rotate to a different station. The story remains the same, but children encounter
it in different ways in each station. Repetition is an important part of the
rotation approach. The more different ways children explore a story or concept,
the more it is reinforced in their memories.
-Imagine a church school classroom where children examine Van Gogh’s Starry Night
and paint their own version while discussing God’s promise to Abram when God said,
“Look at the sky and try to count the stars; you will have as many descendants as
that.” (Genesis 15:5, Good News)
-Or enter a room where children are playing the “Laughing Game.” When the giggles
wind down, the teacher begins a discussion about laughter. He reminds the children
how elderly Abraham and Sarah laughed when God told them they would have a baby,
and asks if they know the meaning of the baby’s name, Isaac. When the children hear
that Isaac means “laughter,” the giggles begin again.
-And can you imagine visiting the church kitchen for church school class?
That’s
where some children are assembling a fruit salad while others are frying tortillas.
They tell you they are making the kinds of food that might have been served when
Abraham held a feast when Isaac was weaned (Genesis 21:8).
Kids 4 Christ meets in lower level of the church. All children age 3 through
5th grade are welcome!! You do not have to be a member to participate in this great
learning opportunity. Guests are expected! So come join us.
Who teaches?
Teachers teach the same lesson, with age-level adjustments, for the length of the
rotation, usually three weeks. Rotational learning is exciting for students and
teachers alike, as teachers teach to their strengths and students experience Bible
stories in ways they learn best. A teacher may teach one or several units during
the school year. Workshops include: Storytelling/movie, Art, Computer Lab, Kitchen/Cooking
What Is a Shepherd?
Because children will rotate to a new station each week, they will not have the
opportunity to develop a relationship with one teacher over the course of the year.
A shepherd is an adult or older youth who will travel with the group each week to
its station, providing continuity. It is the shepherd who knows the children by
name. The shepherd is not responsible for teaching, but may take attendance, “check
in” with the children each week, be an extra pair of hands in the classroom, and
help in ways that the teacher asks. Shepherds might also be responsible for name
badges for the class, which are particularly helpful as the group moves from teacher
to teacher.
UMCL’s confirmation program is designed to help parents uphold the vows they made
at their child’s baptism, help students make an informed decision on the journey
of accepting Jesus Christ and help both to be shoulder to shoulder in God’s service.
We want to develop disciples to take a hold of the church and learn what God has called
them to be and do. Thus, we have rebuilt a three-year program geared for
understanding the Old Testament,
the New Testament and Christian Heritage. Our 4-week units give kids and
parents a chance to experience small group study, serve all of God’s people, grow
as a church family and have FUN along the way!
Typically but not solely, we begin in sixth grade and those who complete all program
requirements successfully will be confirmed at the end of their eighth grade year**.
We meet 32 times from September through April, on Wednesday evenings, 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM. If
you wish to begin confirmation contact the church office at (712) 546-5901 or Jason@lemarsmethodist.com
Please provide your contact information with your inquiry into UMCL’s confirmation.
**Adjustments can be arranged for un-confirmed junior high students coming from
another church with one year of confirmation experience.
Information on Vacation Bible School for 2011 will be available in the spring of 2011.
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© 2007