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Christian Education and Youth Ministries
Jennifer deSimas,
All Are Welcome! Who is Jesus, anyway? Tiny babe in a manger, compassionate healer? Impassioned teacher, tortured son of God, beatific risen Christ? I think of the movie Talledega Nights, where race-car driver Ricky Bobby declares that he prefers the “Christmas Jesus” while his son pictures a “ninja (Jesus) fighting off evil Samurai.” The fact is, our impression of Jesus changes as we grow, and as our faith grows. When we are small, our images come from Bible stories and Sunday school teachers and we grow to love them. Our adult perceptions are much different. We understand that Jesus did walk the earth, did advocate for social justice – and was called revolutionary, “God’s revolutionary” (www.marcusjborg.com, 02/07/11). He lived his life to show us how to live. He lives now in the hearts, minds and actions of his followers, those of us who also aspire to be revolutionary. At ACC, children and adults listen to the stories of Jesus the babe or Jesus the Risen Christ and understand that not everyone sees Jesus in the same way as everyone else. Still, we throw open the doors of this old church to welcome everyone who stands on the doorstep. For Jesus meets us wherever we are on the journey, no matter how we think of him, regardless of who we are. We honor him when we do the same for each other.Our dedicated staff of over 20 volunteers offers a variety of programs for children, youth and families throughout the year. We are blessed to have so many share their God-given gifts with us. If you have questions or comments, would like to register your child for Church School, or would like to become involved in the ACC Christian Education Ministry, please contact Jennifer. About Church School Programs Crib Room/Nursery: The Crib Room is open Sunday mornings from 9:45 until directly following the worship service to allow parents to sit with their small children while the service in the Crib Room while the service is taking place in the sanctuary. The service is broadcast from the Meetinghouse to the Crib Room. Church School: Our Church School classes study the epic stories of the Bible and learn the basic tenets of our faith through stories, song, and prayer. The curricula we use were chosen for their relevancy to today’s kids and the ways they engage children to apply Christian principles to everyday life. Occasionally throughout the year we also teach special topics through Rotation Workshops. These dynamic sessions incorporate the theory of Multiple Intelligences. Classes attend different weekly workshops—art, drama, film, music, movement, cooking, science,—as they study a particular theme or story. We ask that parents personally stay with children in the Crib Room, and personally pick up their Pre-school, Kindergarten (downstairs) and First-Grade (upstairs) children in their classrooms. All other children are dismissed by their teachers to meet their parents in Fellowship Hall during the Hospitality Hour. We also request that there be an adult (relative or family friend), available on the premises for each child during Church School.
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Look at the Monthly Newsletter for information about recent activities and coming events. Link to Fuller Scholarship Information
Christian Ed Programs
Youth Ministry
Our youth groups meet regularly at ACC and points beyond for fellowship and mission projects. Parent involvement is essential to the success of this ministry.
We encourage our youth to get involved in the full ministry of ACC, including serving on committees, helping in classrooms, serving as acolytes (fifth-graders only) or ushers, and working at church functions.
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