The Education Team
The Education Team meets quarterly to plan special events, discuss educational needs, speakers, and other issues that impact the religious education programs at St. Peter's. The Team not only oversees the various Sunday morning Education Hour programs, but Children's Worship, the Nursery, the church library, youth programs, camping experiences, Vacation Bible School, special events for children, and the various adult study programs that are offered at St. Peter's.
A variety of special programming activities are offered by the Education Team, including Vacation Bible School, youth activities, camp opportunities, special Advent and Lenten activities/programs, and maintaining the church library.
Vacation Bible School
Beach Party - Surfin’ Through the Scriptures
Monday, August 4th – Thursday, August 7th
9:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Download the VBS Registration Form
Visit the beach this summer by participating in St. Peter’s Vacation Bible School. Each day, children will learn the basics of surfing and ride the wave of God’s love. Surfin’ Scripture teachings are the basis for the essential “Beach Be-Attitudes:”
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Be Kind
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Be Forgiving
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Be Bold
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Believe
Children will extend their learning through activities like crafts, snacks, recreation, and music.
Vacation Bible School is for children who are ages 3 (potty trained) through those who are entering 6th grade in the fall. Also if you are volunteering to help, childcare will be provided for children under three years old.
Please fill out your registration form and return them to the VBS mail slot in the church office AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You will receive a confirmation letter and IMPORTANT VBS PROCEDURAL INFORMATION in the mail a few weeks before Surfin’ Through the Scriptures begins.
Also, we are in need of adult volunteer to teach and to supervise stations throughout the week. Contact Kelly Bradbury at educationteam@stpeterscarmel.org. We look forward to seeing your child at Vacation Bible School!
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Spirituality and Sexuality Training
The Education Team is offering a training session for those interested in Our Whole Lives. Training for leaders will take place with and at First Congregational UCC in Indianapolis, and this training will focus on the elementary age curriculum. Our Whole Lives is a comprehensive spirituality and sexuality curriculum developed by educators from the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist faith. UCC values are infused into this curriculum which is now being used throughout the country. The Our Whole Lives curriculum helps participants integrate the values of the program with their own system of values within an open, affirming, and anti-bias environment and within a community of trust, confidentiality, authenticity, and faith. The instructors, and writers of the curriculum, believe that our sexuality is a God-given gift to be understood, celebrated, and protected. If you are interested in attending this training session, please contact Kelly Bradbury at educationteam@stpeterscarmel.org or 972-1755.
Children and Worship at St. Peter’s
Sunday worship for all ages is an integral part of ministry at St. Peter’s. Preschool children and school age children up to 4th grade gather for a special time of worship each Sunday following the “Time of Sharing” with our pastors at both the 8:30 and 11:00 services.
Adult volunteer leaders provide this worship experience for our preschool. They include: Debra Warner, Joanne Smith, Karen Hays and Kelley Wertz. Karen Hays will be stepping down as a preschool leader this summer. Thanks to Karen for the wonderful job she has done in leading our youngest in worship. Debra & Jeffrey Gastineau are excited to lead Preschool Children's Worship beginning in June.
Our school age children participate in our “Worship and Wonder” program once they leave our regular worship service each week. They gather in our Library for a time of sharing a Bible story, an experience of “wondering” about the story and expressing their thoughts through play and special activities. Jane Lawrence, Suzy Leagre and Judy Doll rotate Sundays as the storyteller/leader for the “Worship and Wonder” program at both services each week.
St. Peter’s library, home to Worship and Wonder, is now filled with baskets and boxes, each containing the simple wooden cutouts used to tell a different story of the Bible each week during worship. We wish to thank Gary Lawrence who has created these wooden cutout story pieces for us.
There are a variety of opportunities for you to be a part of these growing ministries involving our precious children:
· Assist our preschool Children’s Worship leaders as a Helper at each service. A Helper provides the “extra hands” to help out our little ones while our leaders share a Bible story, activities, and songs. Please contact Kelly Bradbury at 972-1755 or educationteam@stpeterscarmel.org to volunteer to be a helper with our preschoolers.
· Serve as a “Welcomer” for Worship and Wonder with our older children each week. This person provides “extra hands” and offers support to both the leader and the children during worship. He/She will greet the kids as they exit the sanctuary and make their way to our special Worship and Wonder space. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or contact Theresa at theresa@stpeterscarmel.org
· New stories, with new cutouts and new activity items, are added weekly to Worship and Wonder. If you would like to contribute to the program and provide a donation to help cover the cost for the materials to add one of the stories to our collection, please contact our Education Team Leader, Kelly Bradbury, at educationteam@stpeterscarmel.org.
Thank you for your continued support of our children. They bring joy and energy to our congregation, and we are all blessed to share worship with them.
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Have You Completed Your Background Check?
All those who desire to be a nursery or children’s worship volunteer or to spend time with our youth, please be sure to fill out the paper to have your background check completed and on file with St. Peter’s. This practice has been put in placed to ensure the safety and care of our children and our volunteers. You may obtain a form by calling the church office. Questions? Contact our Education Team Leader, Kelly Bradbury at educationteam@stepterscarmel.org.
Education Hour This Summer
Larry's Class - Meet in the room across from the sanctuary for a discussion of today's lectionary texts. Often delving into the 'story behind the story,' this class raises questions based on the scripture readings and will benefit those interested in biblical studies as well as those curious about further discussion of the day's focus.
Cincinnati Youth Class -If you are coming to Cincinnati on the week of July 27th, then be sure to join us in the youth room every Sunday in July at 10:00a.m. to help prepare a special treat for our friends at Washington UCC. Let’s create a unique and memorable experience for the children in Cincinnati. Come to find out more!
Lori's Class - Due to Lori’s commitment to the Cincinnati education opportunity for youth, this adult class will resume in the fall. Check your Epistle and bulletin for further information about this class, which will incorporate scripture, art and literature in creative ways. Questions? Contact Lori at lori@stpeterscarmel.org.
The Parlor Class - Please join the Parlor Class Sundays at 10:00 when we begin again on September 7. For the first few weeks, members of the class will present the results of their studies into the major religions of the world. As always, we anticipate lively and candid discussion, with diverse viewpoints encouraged. Oh yes, there will be good coffee too. For more information contact Kent Newton at knewton@nbbplaw.com
2008-2009 Preschool Registration is Open
Registration for the 2008-2009 school year is open. If you are interested in enrolling your child there is still space. Please visit http://stpeterscarmel.org/psprograms.html for program and tuition information. The St. Peter’s Preschool Programs offer the community a child-centered developmental curriculum consistent with the highest standards of early childhood education for 3 and 4 year olds. The Mother’s Time Out Program provides a warm and caring environment for children 18 months through 2 years old as well as an opportunity for free time for the parents Please contact Kathy Leonard, Preschool Director, with any questions at (317) 846-6860 or preschooldirector@stpeterscarmel.org.
Like to Read? Check Out Our Library!
Did you know that St. Peter’s has a church library? Please take a look at what we have to offer. In addition to adult books, there is also some wonderful children’s literature! Thank you to Jonnie Wallis who volunteers as our church librarian.
3106 East Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN 46033
Telephone: (317) 846-6882
Fax: (317) 844-0984
Preschool: (317) 846-6860
Email: stpeters@stpeterscarmel.org