Children's Ministries

The Children’s Ministries Committee develops and guides the activities for the church school as well as related family and community events. Our mission is:

… to provide a loving and nurturing Christian environment in which each child can:

• Become aware of, and feel a part of, the heritage of scripture, tradition, and worship.
• Develop a sense of being loved and accepted as a unique child of God, and a member of a community of the people of God.
• Respond in love to God, community and creation

The committee meets monthly to oversee the church school program’s content and continually evaluates it to keep materials and methods fresh and meaningful.

Sunday School:

The Sunday school uses a curriculum ( “All Things New”), which is Bible story-based, and also teaches about the Episcopal Church. In addition to the curriculum, the Children's Ministries Committee designs Workshop Rotations series each year—providing an opportunity for children in grades K through 5 to move out of their classrooms, break routine, and spend a few weeks concentrating on one topic in a variety of ways. During Workshop weeks, teachers become “shepherds,” and go along to enjoy drama, cooking, and scavenger hunts with the children, while other volunteers lead the workshops.

Outreach:

The Children’s Ministries Committee strives to be aware of ways our children can reach out to others and be helpful in the community. Some years, children have created ornaments for a Christmas “Giving Tree,” to encourage parish giving to the Gedco/CARES food pantry. In 2007, the church school planned and hosted a baby shower, to benefit the youngest children in Atima, the village served by our Honduras Mission Team. That event was so successful that it will be repeated this year. During Lent this year, church school classes will participate in a diocesan effort to raise awareness and funds for Itipini, a town in South Africa.

Other outreach programs involve "in-reach" card writing to Redeemer parishioners who are not able to get to church on a regular basis due to health conditions or mobility restrictions. Sunday school children of all ages often write "hello" cards with bright and cheery drawings to let the recipients know they are being thought of.

Vacation Bible School:

While a separate committee actually plans the day to day theme and activities for our annual week of Vacation Bible School, the Children's Ministries Committee offers input and ideas for that program, as well as for other occasional offerings for children, such as the Christmas Eve Tableau and A Walk Through Holy Week .

Committee Members:

for more information, please contact Jan Schroeder at jschroeder@redeemeronline.com or (410) 435-7333, ext. 225 or either of our co-chairs, Maggie Kallmyer or Martha Socolar.