CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION CORNER
Please
congratulate the following children on their perfect attendance in Sunday
School for the month of December!
Nathan Farnsworth Logan Morin Eric Hall Paige Morin
December
was a tough month for many families; kudos to those who made it here!
You
can still get an attendance award, even if you’ve missed up to 3 Sundays. Also, if you’re out of town for whatever reason
and can’t come to church, go to church wherever you are and bring me a bulletin
as proof that you went, and that absence will not count against your total. If
you have any questions about the attendance or the Lord’s Prayer memorization
awards, call or email me.
Please
take the time to visit the different Sunday School classrooms on Sunday and
take a look at the attendance chains. Every Sunday, each child adds a link to
his or her attendance chain, and it is a visual reminder of how their faith
grows every time they come to church.
Do
you know your child’s Sunday School teacher? Please check out the first of our
series of Sunday School “Teacher Features” in this month’s Beacon, where you
can become better acquainted with the talented individuals that teach our
children. This month, we will get to know Kay Little, who teaches our 5th
and 6th grade class. Mrs. Little has been exploring the
possibilities around a new and different curriculum called “Godly Play,” and we
are forming a committee to help make it a reality. Please take note of her
addition to the Beacon this month, and prayerfully consider assisting us.
It
is always appropriate to express gratitude for the church members who step
forward to help with our Christian Education program. Is it possible that you
have felt called to this important ministry? Please contact me, and we can talk
about it! I am available to meet with
anyone; simply contact me and we can set up an appointment. I have both
mornings and evenings available. Feel free to call me (782-3972) or e-mail me
(dce@auburnmethodist.org) with questions, concerns, or to share ideas!
Thank
you,
Ms.
Kary
TEACHER
FEATURE: Kay Little
Ms.
Kary: What would you prefer that the children call you?
Mrs.
Little: Mrs. Little.
Ms.
Kary: How long have you attended this church, and how long have you taught
Sunday School?
Mrs.
Little: We have attended this church since we moved here in 1991. I have been
teaching for 10 years, and I have taught 3rd & 4th
Grade, 7th & 8th Grade, and 9th through 12th
Grade classes as well as the current class I teach, 5th & 6th
Grade.
Ms.
Kary: Tell us a little bit about your background.
Mrs.
Little: I grew up in Pittsburgh, and I graduated from the University of
Pittsburgh with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught elementary school
for 2 years, but decided I liked children better one-to-one or in small groups.
So I decided to change careers, obtaining a Nursing degree from Duquesne
University, also in Pittsburgh.I worked as a nurse for about 8 years, as a
public health nurse, educating new mothers, and a visiting nurse with the
homebound. Then I became a mother, and I didn’t work. I wanted to be at home
with my kids, and I feel very fortunate that we could do that.
Ms.
Kary: Tell us about your family.
Mrs.
Little: I have three children – they’re actually not children anymore. My
oldest son, David, is 24, and got married in August. He lives in Chicago with
his new wife, Laura, and is in graduate school for computer science. Christy,
who is 21, is a Junior at Boston University. She is living at the Society of
Friends house, which is an intentional community with shared values such as
simplicity and community.Robbie, who is 18, is a senior in high school, and he
is applying to schools right now! My husband, Dana and I met in Pittsburgh at
an outdoor club; we both loved hiking, skiing, etc. It’s funny: he always said
he would never marry a nurse, and I always said I would never marry a
doctor! We have just had our 25th
anniversary. We both really wanted children, and we’ve been a good parenting
team.
Ms.
Kary: Do you have any hobbies (other than teaching Sunday School, of course)?
Mrs.
Little: I love to read. I also like to write; I meet with a writing group twice
a month. I got fibromyalgia in 1995. I was disabled from this and couldn’t work
full-time. There are so many things that I can’t do; but I can write. So
writing has been a godsend.
Ms.
Kary: Why did you decide to volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher?
Mrs.
Little: I taught Sunday School in our previous church in Cleveland, and I loved
doing it! I have a background in education. It was a creative outlet for me
when I had small children; now it’s still a creative outlet for me! I enjoy the
provess and the teaching… It’s a passion. It’s just fun.
Thank
you to Mrs. Little for consenting to be interviewed. Don’t forget to consider
her request for help with her new “Godly Play” curriculum!
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Every Sunday, the children will come into church
with their parents; please feel free to select the age appropriate Children’s
Worship Bulletin for your child, available as you enter the sanctuary. The
bulletins have activities that center on a scripture reading from the day’s
worship service. After the Moments with the Children, they will go out for their
Sunday School classes. Please don’t forget your offering when you go out to
Sunday School! We will continue to have families celebrate Holy Communion
together on the first Sunday of the month, attending Sunday School classes
after the conclusion of communion. Claire Cote directs our Children’s Choir,
and practices with the children starting at 11:00am.
In February, the Sunday School theme is Parables.
The children will be learning about the parables of Jesus. Ask your child about
what he or she is learning in Sunday School; take a look at the leaflet that
goes with the lesson. And if you missed Sunday School, there’s a chance that
there’s an extra leaflet that you could take and do at home with your child.
Just see your child’s Sunday School teacher or contact me at 782-3972.
YOUTH
GROUP MEETINGS
We
are going to try and have Snow Tubing as a joint Youth Group activity this
month. If you are interested, please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship
Hall and get your deposit in to Kary Coffin as soon as possible, so that we can
be assured of the number going. If you are willing to provide transportation,
please let Kary know as well.
Here
are the details:
February 17th
from 4pm to 6pm
at Oxford Plains Snowtubing and Snowboarding on Route 26 in Oxford (it used to
be called Mountain View Park). The carpool will be leaving the church at
3:30pm. The Ruth Circle has funds dedicated to youth activities that will
reduce the price to $5.00 per youth group member. Families are
welcome to attend as well at the group rate of $10.50 per person (depending on
turnout, the cost could be lower). Riders between the ages of 3 and 6 must wear
a helmet and ride in an adult’s lap. Direct questions or concerns to 782-3972
or dce@auburnmethodist.org.
7th-12th
graders:
Come and join us for our Youth Group meetings this month, February 10th
at the Auburn United Methodist church at 6:00pm, and February 24thth
at the High Street Congregational Church at 6:00pm.
4th-6th
graders:
The Junior Youth Group is welcome to stay February 17th after church
for the pot luck luncheon, but instead of a regular meeting after church, they
will be going snow tubing from 4pm-6pm.
Acolytes
February
3: Hannah Kenison
February
10: Cody Malpass
February
17: Koby Humason-Fulgham
February
24: Lucas Phillips
©
Feb 2008, United Methodist Church
Beacon