Correction

Amanda corrected a few of the words in the song lyrics. Apparently, I had them wrong, and since she was 4-H song leader for 4 years, she should know! (Also, she showed me the book which I couldn't argue with. ;)

I already changed the previous post to reflect the corrections, so if you printed it before today, please reprint it with the correct lyrics. Thanks!

Also, Sky has asked me to record the tune, which I haven't done yet, so he can send out a cd to everyone. He would like for us to perform this for the congregation!

Opening Song

There is a song that Amanda and I learned at 4-H camp. It is the song they sing when the fire is lit every evening. It's very peaceful and beautiful and we have been singing it when we light the candle at the beginning of Sunday School. Not all of the kids know the words and I have been promising to write them down.

So, here they are:

As the bright flame ascends to heaven
Oh, God of love and truth,
We would in thought with thee commune
In joy and love and youth.

The hills resound with our glad song
And echo back to thee
Our thanks received for work and health
And love and loyalty.

Sunday, May 4th

Willem, Amanda, Jeremiah, Daniel, Amos, Sophia, David, and David were present today. We did the third lesson in the Fair Play series about beliefs.

The kids had a chance to listen to a Chicken Soup story and discuss their thoughts about it. Then they wrote down their reactions to various belief statements and did a cooperative activity where they tried to work together using only one index finger per person to lower a hula hoop to the ground without anyone's fingers losing contact with the hoop.

This lesson wasn't as well-received as the previous one. It was a little dry. We maybe should have skipped the belief activity and added a game or a craft instead.

Summer Programming Partnership

Just wanted to add that I spoke with Chris Higgins of the Unitarian Universalist church last Sunday at the bowling alley. He said that they are reconsidering the idea of having the middle schoolers mentor the younger students, and are considering setting up a separate room for them with projects/activities geared toward their age group.

I suggested that, maybe in addition to learning about the difficulties faced by persons in other countries, the middle schoolers could design and implement a humanitarian project of their choice--raising money for a well in Africa--running a book drive for the Sojourners Shelter library, etc... I think an activity like that would make them feel like they really can make a difference.

Does anyone else who has middle schoolers have any suggestions that they would like the committee to consider when we next meet?

Christy

Bible School Meeting

Hello everyone,
      below  are notes that I took in the meeting with Kathy from St. John's about their Bible School this year.  It all sounds cool to me.  Each room will have a different country with a different worldwide goal (for example, the African room will have drum music, mosquito netting and will deal with poverty, hunger,etc.).
      The dates are from Tuesday, July 22nd - Thursday, July 24th from 5:30-7:45 ish pm.  

      

Bible School Meeting – Tuesday, April 22, 2008 with Kathy Giltinan of St. John’s

 

            Bible School is tentatively set for Tuesday, July 22^nd- Thursday, July 24^th from 5:30-7:45 pm.  This is whole family event with people divided into small groups with various ages moving from station to station.   Middle-schoolers will be the helpers. Volunteers needed to set up, be with the children, and to cook.  The Outreach group from St. John’s will also help out.

            Goal – is to understand how make a difference in the world. 

            Each night will start as one large group then split into the smaller multi-age groups.  5:30-6:15 food will be served.  Each night, the food will be from a different country (ie, Mexican food on one night).  6:15-6:30 together as one large group.  6:30-7:30 rotating to stations in the small groups.  At 7:30, we will meet back together as the large group for the ending.   One of the stations will be a craft area.  Another example of an area is Africa with drum music and mosquito netting, etc.

            Children will be divided as follows:  0-2 years in the nursery

                                                                        3-5 years in activities

                                                                        K-5^th grade in the groups going to stations

                                                                        6^th grade and up – helpers

            Suggestions included : UU has a person who makes and works on AIDS quilts.

                                                Light up banana boxes – St. John’s already has these.                                                                                                                                               The boxes are created from the banana leaves by one of their members.

                                                Large globe will be the center piece.

                                                There is also a walled garden where an activity could take          place.

                                                Plan for 60-70 people.

                                                Pre-registration is at the end of May.

 

 

                                                            Pam Hippler