Christian Education Ministries

Mission: To implement educational programs for all ages that inform Unity's congregation in the knowledge, understanding, and love of God and Jesus Christ.  Specific responsibilities of this ministry are church school for both children and adults, youth and teen programming, seasonal activities, and special learning opportunities, including Vacation Bible School.  The Christian Education Team works closely with the Associate Pastor for Christian Education, to assure continuation of high quality educational programming. 

Christian Education Ministry Team: 

Steer, advise, and coordinate the various programs and activities of the Christian Education Ministry.  Includes helping to recruit teachers, substitutes, helpers, and advisors for the many programs of this ministry.

Church Library Coordinating Team:

Update, maintain, and organize materials in the library.

Sunday School Superintendent:

Provide leadership for the Church School, by working closely with the Associate Pastor, by checking attendance of classes, providing diretions and assistance to new families and children, and taking the Church School offering. 

Sunday School:

Teach adults, youth, and children during Sunday morning Church School, in order that faith will be an integral part of their daily lives and they might continue to grow in their knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible.  Opportunities to serve include: 

       Teacher:  Lead children (K through 6th Grade), Youth (7th through 12th Grade), Confirmation, and Adult Church School classes (Curriculum provided)

       Substitute:  Fill in for teachers and/or helpers

       Room helpers: Assist teachers during class time

Nursery:

Careful supervision of our young children is required in our nurseries.  Volunteers are required in the infant and toddler nurseries during the 8:45 am and 11:00 am services.  Adults are needed in both locations.  High school youth may volunteer in the toddler room, or with their parent in the infant nursery.  Middle school youth may volunteer in either room with their parent.  Childcare is also offered durign some weekly events and special services at Unity, and Nursery volunteers are needed during these times.

Nursery Ministries Coordinating Team:

This team will work with the Nursery Ministries Coordinators to promote and maintain our Nurseries.  Opportunities include managing permanent name tags, assisting with quarterly cleanings of the Nurseries, assisting with Nurseries scheduling needs and Safe Place Trainings, and managing the Nursery welcoming table.

New Baby Welcoming Team:

This team is available to families who have a new baby.  There are several opportunities available, including arranging for the sanctuary rose delivery, writing notes to parents and/or grandparents, preparing meals, and visitation.

Children in Worship:

After the Children's Sermon during both worship services, children who are 4 by September 1, 2008, in Kindergarten, or 1st Grade are invited to participate in a Montessori-based worship program.  Throughout the year, children worship in a way that corresponds to corporate worship by learning to experience and praise God through Bible storytelling, learning the order and language or worship, and responding to their worship experience through art, music, and other means of self-expression.  Adults and older youth are needed to serve in this very reverent worship time as worship leaders, greeters, and helpers.  Parents are needed to volunteer for feast supplies, bookmark making, and worship room set up.

Growing Christians:

This program for youth in grades 4-6.  GC's brings these youth together for some awesome Christian fellowship, helps them grow in their faith, and prepares them for Junior High Youth Group.  GC's meet twice a month, and is made up of three parts:  Bible drills and thrills, Christian missions in our community, and how to deal with daily problems in a Christian way.  Occasional fun outings are planned throughout the year.  Adult volunteers are needed to help this program succeed.

Junior and Senior High Youth Groups:

Unity's Junior High (7th and 8th Grades) and Senior High (9th to 12th Grades) Youth Groups are very active year round.  Being part of the Youth Group gives the youth an opportunity for active Christian Education, fellowship, and fun with their peers.  Trips, mission and service projects, activities, dinners, and weekly meetings are just some of what the Youth Groups do.  Adults oversee the Youth Council in the planning, scheduling, and coordinating of events, as well as are a vital part of the weekly Youth Group meetings.

Youth Prayer Breakfast:

Every Wednesday morning during the school year, the Senior High Youth gather for food and fellowship.  Assistance is needed in providing breakfast foods and leaving devotionals.

Work at Youth Dinners, Outings, and Lock-Ins:

Youth outings take place several times a year, and include seasonal activities, as well as fellowship opportunities and mission work.  Adults are needed to assist in these by serving as chaperones and drivers.  Occasionally, the Youth Groups participate in "lock-ins" in the Fellowship Hall.  Adults are needed as chaperones for these, as well.

Chaperone Out of Town Youth Events:

Adult chaperones are needed for out-of-town, overnight youth events.  Background checks and training may be required.

Adult Education Coordinating Team and Summer Sunday School Coordinating Team:

Serve by workng on a team to plan and coordinate adult education opportunities.  Serve by working on a team to plan to coordinate Summer Sunday School.

Christian Education Special Events Coordinating Team:

Provide assistance with Christian Education seasonal activities and events, such as Rally Day, Teacher Appreciation, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and more.

Vacation Bible School:

Serve by coordinating a one-week Bible school in the summer.  This is a fun-filled week with food, Bible study, music, games, crafts, and activities.   Teachers, assistants, kitchen helpers, set-up, clean up, and supply assistants are among the positions needed.

Adult Bible Study:

A variety of Bible studies are offered:

•      Disciple 1 and Disciple 2 are being offered in 2008-09, with plans to offer them again in 2009-10.
•      A Wednesday morning Bible study is offered.
•      We are always interested in offering more Bible studies.  If you are interested in starting or leading a Bible study, let us   know.