“Let
us move on, and step out boldly, though it be into the night,
and we can scarcely see the way. A Higher Intelligence than the
mortal sees the road before us.”
Charles B. Newcomb
Most
of you are aware that there have been many changes especially in the Christian
Education Department over the past few months. Many of you have expressed
some confusion as to who do you turn to with your questions, suggestions
or just who is responsible for things as we search for a person to fill
the Director of Christian Education position. This is an attempt to answer
some of your questions.
First, you should know that Betsey Guest-Natale is not leaving the church.
Her role at the church has changed as she needs to spend more time with
her family. Betsey is responsible for Sr. High faith formation through
mission and outreach. She will be coordinating service and outreach opportunities
such as (but not limited to) trips to Salem Mission, Emmaus House, Learning
and Serving trips for both Middle School and Sr. High. She will continue
to work with the Sr. High Leadership team as they develop programs and
activities for the sr. high youth.
Irina Gunzel-Guerra is the contact person for church school grades 4-12.
She also is the communications person for children and youth. She helps
create the youth news letter, keeps the Spire and Bulletin up to date
and helps to create permission slips. Middle School Youth have a team
of parents planning and facilitating activities. Contact people for youth
group activities are Mike Ierardi and Sue Ditucci. Sandy Whelan, the co-chair
for the Board of CE is also the contact person for the church school preschool
through grade 3. Mary Alice Spain the other co-chair for the Board of
CE is the contact person for Safe Church as it concerns the church school.
She is co-coordinating volunteers who are hall monitors, helping to keep
our church school a safe environment.
Kids inC., a youth group for grades 4-6 has a team of adults to help plan
and facilitate activities throughout the year. Mary Alice Spain is the
contact person for this group. Pastor Kathie Rhyne is responsible for
the overall Confirmation program, however if you child needs to make up
a class, they should contact their mentor to let them know when they will
be making up a class, and letting Betsey Guest-Natale know (in advance)
when they are attending a make-up session. Please note that all of these
positions are interim positions (including Betsey’s, Irina’s
and whoever is called to the Director of CE’s position). The church
family will be discerning what their vision for Christian education is
and how they would like to see Christian Education structured. When that
process is complete we may have more changes or we may decide that we
like what we have. In the mean time, it is wonderful to know that there
are so many people involved with the Christian ministry of our children
and youth. We truly are a gifted church.
|
Latest News