Christian Education

 

 

CE Ministry Updates:

The monthly meeting of the Presbyterian Women Bible study resumes

Tuesday, January 6, 10:30 a.m.

 at the home of Elizabeth Tipple

The study is Jubilee!: Luke's Gospel to the Poor

Call 409.621.1713 or 214.725.7994 for more

information or speak to Elizabeth Tipple or Connie Campbell

(Study books will be available at the meeting.)

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"Children & Worship" has resumed meeting, during the latter part of the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service, for children in grade 3 and below.  The program is meeting in the children's dept. of the moody methodist church library.

 

Our Nursery Workers have been certified to serve in the Moody Methodist nursery.  the nursery (for age 4 and below) is located at the north end of the moody methodist campus.

 

The children's worship bulletins are back!

 

January-February Pockets magazine for children now available, free of charge.

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Vacation Bible School 2009

June 15-19

Mark your calendar now!

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A big THANK YOU! to the FPC Christian Education team that worked

the FPC craft table at the community Christmas Festival for families

held December 13, at Moody Methodist:

Billy Coltzer, Cathy Houser, Isabel Walsh, & Jennifer Wright

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Thanks to all who helped with the

Annual Halloween Carnival for Young Children and to all who

participated!  Extra toys & books were donated to Toys for Tots.

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Many thanks to Grace Presbyterian Church, Plano, TX and to Goodwill Industries of Galveston

for donating books to the FPC Preschool/Nursery and

to East End Preschool & Kindergarten.  Books were also recently received

from a NYC book collection  project organized by BOI Marianne

Pascal with the help of Ball High Band alumni.

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Thanks also to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Laurel, Mississippi

for donating gift boxes & backpacks to children & youth in

our congregation & our community.

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Thank you, Grace Presbyterian, Plano, for sending 100 gift

bags to bolster our annual Seafarers' Christmas Gift Box project!

Thanks to Anne Woodson for help with sorting.

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Within the community of faith, we grow…we grow in relationship with each other in our church family; we become stronger through shared experiences - as we support one another, grieve with one another, rejoice with one another. 

We want to grow....

Every day, we learn something, something big or small, good or bad – and we wonder, what do these things mean? 

 We wonder about the big questions:  What does it mean to be children of God?  How do we live a life of faith, in right relationship with God and humankind?  How do we share the Good News?  How do we go about being Christians together?  What does the Kingdom of God look like?  How do we pray?

Does everyone ask the same questions in different ways?  Where is it safe to talk about these questions?  Where do we find other people asking these questions?

 Christian education is woven into the fabric of the life of the church – it reveals itself in what we say and do, in what we don’t say and don’t do, in what we hope for or never hope for, and in how - and where - we put our hearts and hands to work.

If we do not grow, we become smaller, inside.

You can become part of the Christian education ministry in this community of seekers....

• by participating in a Bible study or Sunday School class, and by inviting others;

• by praying for the Christian Education ministry of your church;

• by serving in a program with youth, children, or adults…on a regular basis or  part-time….teaching or assisting in the Sunday School, guiding a short-term adult Bible study, helping with a special event for children or youth, being a leader or greeter once a month for Children & Worship;

• by planning with the Christian Education Ministry team which meets once a month….or perhaps you’ve thought of a talent, interest or experience, unique to you, that you have to share.

         

  The Christian Education Ministry of First Presbyterian Church recognizes the importance of all ages of the congregation – adults, youth, and children – being included in

·the corporate worship of the community,

·in study and spiritual growth,

·and in service and discipleship

The Christian Education (CEM) needs enthusiastic people interested in improving the congregational life and spiritual growth of God’s children of all ages.  Would you like to serve on a planning team of this ministry this year? Work on a special event?  Participate in Vacation Bible School?  Help host or provide food or transportation for the Youth Group?  Share a talent, hobby, life experience with a class?  Substitute when a Sunday School teacher is out?  Participate in a Bible study?  Please see Elizabeth Godbehere, Director of Christian Education, for more information!

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About "Children and Worship"....a program option for Grade 3 & below, in the 11:00 a.m. worship service.

Background on "Children & Worship"

Click here for some ideas....for those who worship with children

Worship Bulletins for Children are available by the doors to the chapel and sanctuary (preschool & elementary editions.) 

 

 

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Child Protection & FPC

Since 2005, Child Protection Policy orientations have been held periodically for all volunteers & staff who work with children & youth in the church, VBS staff, East End Preschool staff, and for those who might be interested in doing so in the future -- or anyone who wants to know more about the current issues & our policies.

A children's protection policy was drawn up by the Christian Education Ministry team of First Presbyterian, using resources from the Presbytery & General Assembly, and in consultation with the Synod, the Presbytery, our Presbytery's/church's insurance representatives, the Personnel & Building & Grounds ministries, and church attorneys.  The Child Protection Policy was approved by the Session in 2005: What follows is the Child Protection Policy

Copies are also available in the church office.

 Please contact Elizabeth Godbehere, D.C.E., for more information.

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Spiritual study resources:

Pockets is a children's monthly devotional magazine from Upper Room Ministries, geared for children ages 6-12, with daily scriptures, stories, activities, and games.  Please take a free copy to share with the children in your life!

These Days is a quarterly devotional magazine from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for adults. 

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is accessible online at  www.pcusa.org/pcusa/cmd/mip/mybtoday.html

The Church has a lending library, with Bible study & reference books, books on prayer, missions, worship and Christian Education, as well as children's books.  It is located at the east end of the second floor hallway in the Education Annex (sharing a room with the Chancel Choir.)  For access or for media resources, contact the church office (409.762.8638) or Elizabeth Godbehere (Director of Christian Education.)

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"First Presbyterian Church has obtained from Christian Video Licensing International the right under the copyright law of the United States of America to publicly perform certain lawfully manufactured pre-recorded home videocassettes and DVDs in the manner and at the location(s) specified in the [level two] license agreement between these parties."

CVLI License No. 502361900

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Link to the Presbytery of New Covenant (Houston) searchable Resource Database:  Resource Center

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East End Preschool & Kindergarten is a parent board-run early childhood program located at First Presbyterian.  For information on enrollment in East End Preschool, call (409) 762-8638 or email the Director at eep@galvpres.net    For more information, check out this page on the website:  East End Preschool