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321 Route 164
Preston, CT 06365
(860)887-4647
E-mail: pccc@snet.net
Sandy Dudek has been the Director of Religious Education since 1990. She also has lead responsibility for handling the administrative needs of the church staff and members. Among her many contributions to church life, Sandy supports Rev. Stan, prepares the weekly worship bulletin, the monthly Preston Pilgrim newsletter, supervises other print and electronic mailings, manages meeting scheduling and notification, and responds to the many various requests and inquiries the church receives daily.
WELCOME…
The Board of Religious Education, the DRE, and the teachers welcome you. We are pleased to have your child(ren) in our program and we pray the Sunday School will be a positive experience for all children. This pamphlet is designed to answer some questions you may have about the Sunday School and how it operates. Please feel free to contact the DRE, a board member, or teacher if you have any further questions.
Sunday School sessions are as follows: Session 1 ~ 8:45 – 9:50 a.m. (Nursery 3 through Grade 8) Session 2 ~ 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. (Nursery 3 through Grade 8) Please note that High School students are now invited to a unique program designed just for them on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Further information may be obtained by calling the church office. At students request, a Sunday School class could be set up for Sunday mornings or High School students may assist with the Sunday School program by speaking to the DRE.
We strongly urge you to bring your child(ren) on time. Your child should be registered for one session and adhere as closely as possible to coming at that time. Occasionally we understand there may be circumstances that warrant switching the session attended. K-6 begins with worship in the Sunday School Hall. Session 1 Grades 7 & 8 will also come to the Sunday School hall for worship. All other grades will go directly to their classrooms. Following the K-6 worship, the Nursery 3 & Nursery 4 students will meet with Mrs. Dudek for worship. Session 2, Grades 7 & 8 will meet in the Sunday School hall for worship (following class) at 11:15 a.m.
There is a Nursery for very young children, newborns to age 3. The Nursery is located downstairs adjacent to the coffee hour room. At least 2 people are scheduled in the Nursery each Sunday.
Those youngsters who are 3 by September 30th may enter the Nursery 3 teaching class. Those who turn 3 by January 1 may enter the first Sunday in January. Nursery (3) three and (4) four year olds, kindergarteners, first and second graders must be picked up after church school by the parent in the classroom unless authorized in writing to allow someone else to pick up the child (siblings must also be listed for authorization). Picture identification may be required.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW…
Bible Memory Verses are found elsewhere in this pamphlet. Students K-8 are encouraged to memorize these verses and to recite them to the Bible Memory Verse Coordinators assigned by the DRE. The Coordinators will be available 10 minutes before the start of Sunday School, following the Sunday School worship when students are en route to their classes and 10 minutes following the church worship service. The BVC will record their progress and a master list will be posted on the Sunday School bulletin board in the coffee hour room. Nursery 3 & 4 students may recite the verses to the Teacher or Assistant Teacher. At the end of the school year, awards will be given to children who memorize the verses. Please note: each verse must be memorized by the end of each month to qualify for an award with the exception of the May Bible Verse which must be recited by May 4, 2008. This is to allow preparation time for Children’s Day.
BIBLES should be brought to church each week. They will be used during class. The curriculum this year is The Best of the Whole People of God Online. It is based upon the Revised Common Lectionary (3 year cycle – Year A, B, C) which is widely used in Christian churches in the United States and Canada. The minister often preaches on the lectionary enabling a family to discuss the lesson at dinner table.
First Graders receive a Bible on Children’s Day. If your child enters the Sunday School after that time and does not have a Bible, we’d like to provide one. If this is the case, please speak with the DRE. Often times parents would like to provide their children’s Bible themselves and/or in memory of a loved one; please let the DRE know if this is the case with your child.
Attendance Pins are given to children who are not absent more than five Sundays from Sunday School attendance. In the case of a child who is with the parent on a part time basis, this application will be for one-half of the Sundays. Please speak with the DRE if this situation applies. If your child is late coming to Sunday School, please check with the teacher to ensure attendance has been recorded.
Perfect Attendance awards will be given to those students who are physically present in Sunday School every Sunday it is in session from September to May. Helping with child care does not count as Sunday School attendance except in rare instances when approved by the DRE.
Offering…The Sunday School operates on its own funds. To do so, we rely on the offerings of the children each Sunday morning. During their morning worship children are encouraged to give an offering. Envelopes are available to each child for privacy and similarity to the adult worship service. Boxes of envelopes are available by speaking to the DRE.
Birthday Pennies…Any week of the month of their birth, they can be dropped into the birthday bank while we sing “Happy Birthday” acknowledging this special day. Each student will be invited to choose something from the birthday box. Children whose birthdays are during the summer may come forward in early May to be acknowledged if they so choose.
Confirmation Classes begin with an organizational meeting with students and their parents on September 17. Classes taught by the Minister and the Director of Religious Education are held on scheduled Monday evenings from 7-8:00 p.m. The class does not meet on holiday Mondays. A variety of topics are taught providing the student a closer look at our faith as well as other faiths. On April 13th, The Rite of Confirmation will be held during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. At this time, the students will confirm the vows made by their parents at baptism and become members of the church.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS will be announced over radio stations, WCTY/ WICH, WNLC/WKNL and television channel 3 by 8:00 a.m. Please be sure to tune in if the weather is questionable. You may also check our web site: prestoncitycongregational.org. When Sunday School is cancelled, all activities that day will be cancelled; however, church will be held unless announced otherwise. Student attendance will not be recorded on a cancellation day.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 9 S.S. Opening Day
16 Children’s Choir begins, 9:45-10:10a
17 Confirmation organizational meeting with students and parents
23 Youth Choir begins, 11:45a-12:15p
30
Oct. 5 Third Grade Class Communion meet with Rev. White 6p
7 World Communion Sunday
14 Sunday School communion
21
28 Reformation Sunday
Nov. 4 Turn clocks back
11 Sunday School communion
18 Thanksgiving Sunday
25
Dec. 2 First Sunday of Advent (Year A)
7 Cookie bake
9 Sunday School communion
9 Carol Sing 2 p.m.
16
23 CHRISTMAS SUNDAY
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
30 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Jan. 6
13 Sunday School communion
20
26 Teacher Appreciation Dinner
27
Feb. 3
5 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
6 Ash Wednesday – Lent begins
Prayer vigil, Noon-6 p.m.
10 Sunday School communion
17
24
Mar. 2
9 Daylight savings time begins
Turn clocks ahead
Sunday School communion
16 Palm Sunday
20 Maundy Thursday Service 7 p.m.
21 Good Friday service Noon
Holy Week Special Event 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
22 EASTER – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
30
Apr. 6
13 Confirmation Sunday
20 Sunday School communion
27
May 4
11 Sunday School communion
Mother’s Day
18 Children’s Day
Enjoy your summer! Please bring your children to worship often; there is a Children’s message each Sunday, (9:00 a.m.)
DID THEY KNOW?
Did the disciples know as they sat at Jesus’ feet and learned life’s most important lessons, that one day they would pick up the torch of his teachings and carry light into a dark world? What teachers instill in young minds is the spark from which generations of flaming torches of truth may be lit.
from the book, “A Teacher’s Heart”
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION is observed in the Sunday School hall generally on the 2nd Sunday of the month by students in Grades 3-8. Mrs. Dudek administers the Sacrament with the assistance of our church Deacons who serve it. VERY IMPORTANT: Session 1 will begin communion worship promptly at 9:05 a.m. Those students arriving after the service has begun will be asked to wait in the hallway until communion is finished. They will then go to the classroom with their class. Session 2 will receive communion at 11:15 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL GOALS
General Goals
The goals of the Sunday School shall be to bring all individuals connected with the Sunday School, both student and teacher, to a better understanding of God and Jesus Christ through study of the Bible and its truths. Emphasis shall be given to applying the truths of the Bible to each individual’s life.
Individual Class Goals
Each class has a “Class Goal” as listed below. During September, each student will be given a copy of the Class Goal to bring home. It is hoped that the student and/or parent will work to achieve the goal. This year many classes are combined to make the system of double sessions work effectively. In some class situations it may be difficult for the teacher to have time to work on a variety of class goals. Whenever time allows, the teacher may spend some time to help students achieve the goals. To receive an award on Children’s Day, the Class Goal must be recited to the teacher or Mrs. Dudek by April 27, 2008 (3 weeks prior to Children’s Day to allow preparation time for awards.).
Nursery 3 Bible verse: “Be patient.” James 5:7a
Nursery 4 Bible verse: God is love.” 1 John 4:8
Kindergarten Learn and recite the Lord’s Prayer
Grade One Learn and recite the Twelve Disciples
Grade Two Learn and recite the Ten Commandments
Grade Three Learn and recite Psalm 23
Grade Four Learn and recite the books of the New Testament
Grade Five Learn and recite the books of the Old Testament
Grade Six Learn, understand and recite The Beatitudes
Grade Seven Learn and understand each part of the worship service; assist at Sunday School worship at least twice.
Grade Eight Create a banner which will be presented on Children’s Day
Note: Emphasis should be placed on learning as much about the goal in each class as possible. For example, in learning Psalm 23, applying the Psalm to everyday living will help the student better understand the Psalm.
CLASS GOAL MUST BE COMPLETED THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO CHILDREN’S DAY …APRIL 27, 2008 (and must be said individually to the teacher).
One of the symbols of Congregationalism is “The Open Bible”
BIBLE MEMORY VERSES
For Students Nursery 3 – Grade 2
It is important for the children to know what’s in the Bible and how they can apply it to daily living. The Bible Memory verses are taken from the Children’s New International Version of the Bible that is the one we use here at the church. Through explanations of verses during worship time and the teacher’s lessons, the child will be presented an understanding that will help development of their spiritual life.
September “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
October Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” (Mark 10:14b)
November “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
December “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” (Psalm 23:1)
January “…Do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12) Golden Rule
February “...God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
March “Children, obey your parents...” (Ephesians 6:1)
April “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)
May “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
For Students Grades 3 – 12
September “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
October “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 (Note: This was Jesus’ reply when the Pharisees asked Him what the greatest commandment was.)
November “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 The Great Commission
December “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
January “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
February “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin again you.” Psalm 119:11
March “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23
April “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 May “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
PLEASE ENCOURAGE students to learn these verses. To qualify for an award at the end of the year, verses must be correctly recited by the end of each month with the exception of the May verse which needs to be recited by May 4, 2008, two weeks before Children’s Day. (Refer to Bible Memory Verses section).
PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO BRING HIS/HER BIBLE TO CHURCH EACH WEEK!
It’s important for the children to know what’s in the Bible and how they can apply it to daily living. The Bible Memory verses are taken from the Children’s New International Version of the Bible, which is the one, we use here at the church. Through explanations of verses during worship time and the teacher’s lessons, the child will be presented an understanding that will help development of their spiritual life.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE students to learn these verses. To qualify for an award at the end of the year, verses must be correctly recited by the end of each month to the Teacher or Assistant Teacher with the exception of the May verse which needs to be recited by May 6, 2007, two weeks before Children’s Day.