MPC Children's Education Programs
Planning for the Future
The staff and congregation of MPC alike believe in investing in good sound Christian education programs for our children. Our team of professionals and well-trained volunteers make it a point to see that the children are safe, well-cared for, and as happy as kids can be. All of our classes are team taught and mentored. You can worship or join in an education class knowing that your child is safe and sound.
Childcare - Infant - 4 Years
Childcare is provided by our team of professionals and volunteers. Everyone who helps take care of children in the Nursery or Preschool loves children and has attended Safe Child training. These servants in ministry are very patient when a child is having a hard day. You often will see them sitting on the floor with the children, playing or reading with them.
Childcare Coordinator: Dawn Flook
Pre-School: Little children are often our greatest learners. They frequently remember details from Bible stories that adults overlook – and accept the teachings of God’s love with tender hearts. Our 2009-2010 teachers are Marilyn Schoenthaler, Heidi Dous, and Kelly Huggins.
Kindergarten – 1st Grade: Children entering school who are just learning to read are in for a real treat. Quick to tell you they’re not babies any more, these children thrive on repetition of Bible stories. Our 2009-10 Teachers are Jessica Vincent and Alexander Zbinden.
2nd – 3rd Grade: In a training workshop, MPC volunteer teachers distilled the Sunday morning experience to two key components: story and song. In this class, children start to make connections between the scripture stories, the songs we sing, and the choices we make as Christians. Our 2009-10 Teachers are Nelson and Peggy Runger.
4th – 5th Grade: Full of energy, children in this class are offered creative, interactive lessons. Each week’s material involves a story from scripture, reinforced with a hands-on activity of some kind. Our 2009-10 Teachers are Beth Curtiss, Kathy Foster, and Wes Gardner.
Special Events for Children
Christmas Eve Drama – Rather than revisiting a bathrobe pageant every year, we are experimenting with different ways of telling the story of the birth of Christ. In 2005, our DCE portrayed Mary and offered a first person account. In 2006, children and teens created tableau, offering a visual representation for the familiar story of the coming of the Christ child. We have our creative thinking caps on for 2009. If you’re invited to play a part, we hope you’ll say yes!
Lord’s Supper Instruction – the PC(USA) Book of Order states that “Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity.” W-2.4011
Twice a year, Director of Christian Education Katy Yates Brungraber offers age-appropriate instruction for four to 14 year olds. Eighth grade Confirmation class students receive instruction separately. For all that we study, appreciate, and understand about Sacrament, the Lord’s Supper remains a mystery. We offer this “gift of God for the people of God” to our youngest and oldest baptized members of the Christian community.
4th and 5th Grade Retreat – Once each spring, the 4th and 5th grade classroom becomes a retreat center. The children and their Sunday morning teachers, with the help of a couple parent volunteers, camp overnight at the church with sleeping bags, study scripture, worship in pajamas in the chapel in the morning, and help with a mini-mission project. Retreats alternate each year with studies of the sacraments of Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Special letters of invitation are sent to all 4th and 5th graders in the church
Children’s Sunday – On the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend, children of the church lead worship. Whether performing as sailors in Oh, Jonah! or dancing as raindrops in 100% Chance of Rain, the children become our ministers on Children’s Sunday, interpreting God’s word in a vibrant Children read scripture and lead the congregation in prayer. It takes many behind-the-scenes helpers to create such a special day in the life of the church. Interested volunteers are invited to see Katy Yates Brungraber, D.C.E.