Update from the Director of Education Ministries -- Amy Grella - 412-801-3723 Join us for Kick-off Sunday, September 8
Please join us for our fall season kick-off on September 8. Join us before worship for a buffet style breakfast starting around 8:30 a.m. All normally scheduled Sunday classes and second hour events return on this day.
Sunday Morning Kids Programming Begins on Sunday, September 8
Start with the Why
This year, we have new Session elders for youth and CE (thanks Colleen Marsteller and Amber Grier!) In meetings to onboard and re-form respective committees, we challenged ourselves to think more broadly about the “why” behind the programs and activities offered at Bower Hill. At the most fundamental level, we strive to ensure children and youth of all ages are nurtured around Bible, mission and community. We are trying some new things to accomplish this. Most notably is the creation of an all-new school class for 2nd- 4th graders and updating the nursery to include a special space for PreK – 1st graders for Godly Play. The nursery will still be open for babies and toddlers during worship. Please look below for details on the plan by each age group.
NEW space for Wonder for Pre-K to 1st grade
Children preschool through 1st grade will start in worship with their families. After a Time with Children, kids will be escorted to the Friendship Room to hear a Godly Play story. Kids will see, hear, and wonder as they learn from and with each other. Then children will move to a newly created section in the nursery, where kids will engage in responding to the story through play. Parents may pick up their children in the nursery
after worship ends.
NEW! Holy Moly for 2nd-4th grade
We’re excited to explore the Old and New Testaments with kids using Holy Moly Sunday school for all kids in second to fourth grade. Kids will start in worship with their families. After a Time with Children, kids will be escorted to room 103, where they will learn a new Bible story each week through hearing and seeing a video and doing activities to deepen their thinking around the story. Parents may pick up their children in the classroom after worship ends. Do you speak Holy Moly? Click here to find out!!
Youth Groups
This year, youth groups will form for two separate groups - one for fifth through seventh grades, and one for eighth grade and up. Groups will meet during ToGather beginning at 4:30 p.m. Youth will begin in worship with their families, then split into age-appropriate groups for a short meeting and culminate in an optional dinner, with the intent to have dinner and programming wrapped up no later than 6:30 p.m.. ToGather will meet every other Sunday, beginning on September 22. Dates are: 9/22, 10/6, 10/20, 11/3 and 11/17.
SAVE THE DATE! Youth Fall Retreat December 6-8, 2024
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited for a weekend at Crestfield, meeting with other area churches for our annual fall Retreat on December 6-8. This retreat has separate tracks for middle and high schoolers, so get the benefit of having a large group, but customized experiences for each age group. This is a fun, faith-filled event that you don’t to miss! Registration details to follow, but plan to leave Friday around 6:00 p.m. and return on Sunday by noon.
Connecting with the Next Generation
In a recent meetup of children and youth ministry professionals, we were asked to share what prompted us to work in ministry. Every single story recalled a specific individual; not necessarily a pastor, or a family member, but a person - a teenager who invited them to come to youth group; a kind adult who sought them out each week to say hello after worship. It was the connections formed in these individual relationships
that were pivotal in forming a lasting faith. Connecting with the next generation is vital, and we need your help to continue to form our young people’s faith!
We as a congregation make a commitment at a child’s baptism “to encourage and instruct young people in the life of faith so that they may in time respond personally to the call of Jesus Christ in their lives.” This year, we are offering new Sunday school classes for kids in developmentally appropriate age groupings. To succeed in doing this, we need about 10-12 additional adults or older youth. We are seeking people who can help on Sunday mornings to share a Bible story with young children or lead a lesson with elementary aged kids, or meet with small groups during Sunday evening ToGather events. Training is provided, and you can choose which age group, and how frequently you help. Please click here to express your interest. Thank you for sharing your time with our next generation!
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