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Christian Education - especially for our younger members
Christian Education at St. Michael has recently been targeted as an area needing more focus and development as we experience rapid growth in membership. A result of our recent growth has been a hunger for more learning opportunities for the entire family. Our Christian Education committee oversees a program that currently offers Sunday Church School, weekly from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. with classes for pre-school through adult. Curriculum for children is developed from those provided by Augsburg Fortress. Adult classes offered are four to eight weeks in length and spread over five different sessions. These are for the most part taught by laity.
Confirmation and Youth Ministry are two innovative, exciting programs offered on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. during the Sunday school hour. The Confirmation program is currently in its fifth year using curriculum from Faith Inkubators while the High School Youth follow a curriculum coordinated by a curriculum committee of the Youth Ministry committee. Both programs incorporate parents, students, and adult mentors.
Adult Education varies on Sunday morning with two tracks being taught. Interest has been expressed in developing educational opportunities during the week with more advanced Bible study and parenting classes.
The Mission of St. Michael's Christian Education Ministry
Our Christian Education Ministry embraces the mission of St. Michael to lift up Jesus Christ through worship, education, and service. Opportunities to grow in knowledge and faith are available for every generation. There are times for quiet reflection and prayer, lively discussion, serious study of scripture and welcoming the newcomer. We laugh and play. We reflect and pray. We study and debate. We sing and create. In short, we learn and grow — always amazed at the extent of God’s love and astounded by the joy of life in Christ’s Church.
Sunday School
Sunday School ranges from preschool through sixth grade. Preschool attendance requires that each child is potty trained and mature enough to participate with the other children (usually age 3 or 4).
After preschool the child will follow the grade level they are attending scholastically. All grade levels follow a Christian based curriculum which encourages and promotes a caring, loving fellowship in everyday activities.
Adult Sunday School classes are available for the adult member of St. Michael. There are two sessions offered: one featuring a traditional approach and a second featuring a more contemporary approach to the Living Word. Facilitators for the classes are volunteers who rotate on a class-by-class basis. Studying the Word and enjoying Christian fellowship are the hallmarks of the adult studies. Our regular Sunday School church year begins in September and runs through spring, either May or June depending on other activities. During the summer, we modify our program and provide combined graded classes based on current church needs. Registration may be made with the teacher of the respective class or with the Sunday School superintendents.
Vacation Bible School
First Communion
All parents and children, 4th grade and up, are invited to attend three special sessions in preparation for First Communion. These classes are interactive and designed to be shared with parental participation. Classes will be on three Sunday afternoons in Lent from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Confirmation
2007 Confirmation Class
During the two-year Confirmation program, the confirmands participate in many activities centered around building their Christian faith. The core of the program incorporates learning activities and presentations that the confirmands help to create, along with small group time to help them connect with one another and their adult "Guides." The learning events cover the Bible and Luther's Catechism, in a fun way. Fellowship and service events are also an integral part of the Confirmation calendar. A mentor program associated with Confirmation joins each confirmand with an adult member of the congregation. The mentor is a "Christian Guide" who serves as friend, teacher and advisor with whom the confirmand can build an important personal and spiritual relationship.
Youth Group Ministry
Youth ministry at St. Michael is composed of a Senior High Youth Group for students in grades 9 through 12. Meetings are held weekly. The youth leaders have worked to develop activities and programs that foster Christian education, evangelism, social ministry, stewardship and worship. All youth of St. Michael and the local community are welcome.
Library
Books and videos, for children and adults, can be found in the church library. A diverse selection of material is available for borrowing. Children's books and videos for all seasons and adult books on various subjects can be found on the shelves. Materials are kept current by the frequent addition of new titles. The library also sponsors an annual Book Fair for the congregation.
