The Christian Education Ministry Team started the year 2002 working with the same goals as established the previous year: to deepen our spiritual growth by training our children and creating space and opportunities for all to enhance our personal walk in faith; to enhance our attendance by being inviting and welcoming; and to share Jesus Christ with our community and world. Our key words have been "caring and sharing".

To reach these goals we continued with the very bold strokes of using different curricula for the various Church School groups, according to their needs. The Church School has sixty five children and adults participating. A new class was added, first and second grades because of the increase of participation in that age group. The Church School continues to share Christ with its community by donating its offering to the Shelter of the Cross' electric bill. We had to expand the Adult Class to the downstairs Chapel and the High School class to the downstairs vestibule.

Vacation Bible School was exceptional this year. We were caught by surprise when so many of the older children "aged out" of VBS., but were pleasantly surprised when the very young set realized that they were center stage! And they took CENTER STAGE! We saw the blossoming of a new and refreshing understanding of the love of Jesus Christ! Curriculum was Concordia's "Godwerkus Circus" which by the way fulfilled a goal that we set three years ago, to have a clown ministry. Well, we may not have a clown ministry but I feel the goal is fulfilled. During VBS, groundwork was laid to donate school supplies to children of Ghana, Africa.

Thursday Night Life continues with a fellowship supper, Bible study, Spiritual Recovery and crafts and activities for children. The year began with a six week study on racism: "The Gift of Diversity" and continued with the study of "What Methodists Believe". Spiritual Recovery continues to be available, while Bible study has been sharing time with the Christmas Bazaar crafts. The children (mainly Cliff Davis) have almost completed a 1000 piece puzzle that will be framed and mounted in the High School Church School classroom.

The Young Adult Ministry was created this year. The core group convenes for fellowship with an agenda of inviting other young adults into the church community. We have dinner and games twice a month-open invitations to everyone. Participation has been as high as sixteen persons.

Another new ministry is the Employment Ministry. Designed to encourage those who are looking for jobs, whether changing jobs or out of a job, this ministry is putting into effect networking techniques as well as spiritual counseling. This ministry is serving people within and without our church community.

Children and Youth also train through Acolytes and UMY. These programs have a participation rate of about thirty three young people who fellowship and participate in worship services each week. The Youth performed an Easter Drama and completely conducted a Children's Day service. We recognized our graduates and celebrated their achievements with a reception after service. We confirmed one candidate on Confirmation Sunday and continued that celebration with a picnic. We celebrated Christian Family Month by having families share their faith experience with the congregation.