My name is Caroline Young Coffin (you can call me Kary or Caroline, whichever you prefer), and I am thrilled to be serving as Christian Education Director for the ensuing year. Since the position is half-time, I may or may not be in the office if you stop by; but once my schedule settles down, I will post my hours. Feel free to make an appointment to speak with me.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in Auburn, walking down the road to a village church, and came to the Auburn United Methodist Church 11 years ago, when I was starting high school. I was baptized here and married here, and my grandfather, Norman C. Young, is a retired Methodist minister. You may recognize me as a soloist or member of the Wesleyan Singers at church. I have also participated in the Chapel Choir, Spirit Ringers, and directed the Cherub Choir; and I have led the music at our Vacation Bible School for the past 10 years. I graduated from USM with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2006, and I attended New England Annual Conference for the first time this year as an alternate lay delegate.
I have gotten to know Gladys Chapman well since I started attending church here, and she has done a phenomenal job as Christian Education Director these past 10 years. I hope to build on the success achieved thus far, knowing that I do not embark on this journey of faith alone. I am very grateful for all the support the church has given me, and I will do my best to feed the minds and souls of our congregation, so that we can keep our church growing and active in ministry!
With faith, hope, and love,
Caroline
September 9th will be our first day of Sunday School this year. Please remember that church will begin at 10:00am that Sunday. The children will go into church with their families, going out to Sunday School after the Moments with the Children. Registration forms are included in the Beacon that you can fill out (one for each child) and mail or bring back to church in the next few weeks. We will have additional forms and a box in which to put completed forms at church. Please think about the following opportunities in which your child could be involved this year and mark your interest on your registration form:
Acolyte – (Grades 3 to 5) responsible for lighting the candles at the start of the service, and extinguishing them at the close of the service, bringing Christ’s light out to the world. Training is provided.
Youth Choir – Claire Cote has done a marvelous job with our Youth Choir; if your child is interested in singing, the Youth Choir is for them.
Spirit Ringers – (Grades 3 and up) William Buzza is the director of this beginning bell choir. It is a great musical opportunity for your child.
Youth group –
(Grades 7 to 12) We currently have an ecumenical Youth group with High Street
Congregational Church that meets twice a month and goes on a mission trip in
the summer. We are also looking at the
possibility of a Junior Youth Group for Grades 4 through 6; if your child is
interested in participating, please mark it on the registration form.
Here are the individuals who have stepped forward to teach our children this year:
3 & 4 year olds: Terri Blasi, Claire N. Ross, Megan Howes
Kindergarten: Navana Routhier, Simone Morin
1st & 2nd Graders: Will Talpey, Carla Burkley, Deb Trautman
3rd & 4th Graders: Melissa Buzza, Marci Ellingwood
5th & 6th Graders: Kay Little
7th Graders & up: Mary MacMahon
Nursery: Shelly Chapman
I am very grateful for this year’s Sunday School teachers. Nurturing the faith of young people has always been a rewarding experience for me, and the story is the same for all who volunteer their time in children’s ministry. We especially could use help in the Nursery, and substitute teachers are a necessary part of our program. If you would like to step forward and lend a hand, please contact me (Kary Coffin) at 782-3972; there is a place for you.
Lastly, something new for this year will be Sunday School attendance awards. Sunday School is important; it is where children build the foundation of their faith. For instance, in the 7th graders and up curriculum, “The Amazing Bible Race,” the students will be going on a scavenger hunt through the Bible, solving weekly challenges and competing against other youth teams nationwide. When the children are able to attend every week, they receive the benefit of the cumulative curriculum, they are able to grow in their faith, and they feel more a part of the church community. So at the end of the year, every Sunday School student with perfect attendance will get a special award. So make sure to bring your children to Sunday School – not only will they get an award – the rewards will follow them throughout their lives.
Some children in 5th and 6th grade have expressed an interest in having a youth fellowship for their age group. If your child is in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade and would be interested in participating in a Junior Youth Group, or if you are willing to take on the challenge of helping to lead the group, please contact Kary Coffin at 782-3972.
Vacation Bible School was a wonderful success, taking place August 6th -10th at High Street Congregational Church, with a theme of hot air balloons and the title: “Lift Off! Soaring to New Heights with God.” We had 41 children attend, with 12 buddies and 20 adults helping out. The children spent the week eating snacks, singing songs, making crafts, learning Bible verses, playing games, and performing science experiments, and we couldn’t have done it without your help! Thank you to all of those who gave their time, talents, goods and money to help us soar! Next year’s Vacation Bible School will be hosted by our church, with the theme of Beach Party! Surfin’ through the Scriptures… I can’t wait!
Camp Mechuwana, the Methodist church camp in Winthrop, has been a wonderful place to go for years. Thanks to the contributions and bottles and cans that we have collected, our church was able to help 14 campers attend this year. Each camper received $75.00, and the camps attended included Swim Camp, Creative Arts Camp, Music Theatre Camp, First Timers Camp, Rally Camp, Night Camp, and Mom/Child Camp. Please bring in your bottles and cans to help support this mission; and if you have never attended or volunteered at Camp Mechuwana, take a look at the schedule!
2007 SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION - UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
NAME OF CHILD ________________________________________ TELEPHONE #________________
BIRTHDATE ____________________ AGE__________ GRADE___________
PARENT/GUARDIAN __________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________
CHECK AREAS OF INTEREST:
□ ACOLYTE □ YOUTH CHOIR □ SPIRIT RINGERS □ YOUTH GROUP
2007 SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION - UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
NAME OF CHILD ________________________________________ TELEPHONE #________________
BIRTHDATE ____________________ AGE__________ GRADE___________
PARENT/GUARDIAN __________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________
CHECK AREAS OF INTEREST:
□ ACOLYTE □ YOUTH CHOIR □ SPIRIT RINGERS □ YOUTH GROUP
2007 SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION - UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
NAME OF CHILD ________________________________________ TELEPHONE #________________
BIRTHDATE ____________________ AGE__________ GRADE___________
PARENT/GUARDIAN _____________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________
CHECK AREAS OF INTEREST:
□ ACOLYTE □ YOUTH CHOIR □ SPIRIT RINGERS □ YOUTH GROUP
Beacon Reports: Jan 2008, Dec 2007, Nov 2007, Oct 2007 Sept 2007
Current & Past Reports © 2008 Auburn United Methodist Church