A milestone!

Kindergarteners with their new Bibles/devotional books

These kids (and a few that were missing) passed a milestone on Sunday. Since many are starting to become readers, they received a gift from FUMC. Ahead of time they chose a Bible storybook, or a book of devotions. They also previewed (via a tour!) what Cool Disciples would be like when they become 1st graders. Here are a few notable differences about being “upstairs” kids:

• They will be rotating!
  (This is, after all, called the Workshop Rotation Model™, which you can learn more about here.) While in Kindergarten, the workshops came to the kids. As 1st graders they’ll be visiting the workshops – physically moving – to a different workshop each week.
• How do we figure out where they go?
  Check out the Children’s Ministries page in the bulletin. Or ahead of time at home (or from your smartphone on your way to church – not the driver of course!) you can check out the schedule post.
• After the children’s moment in church, there is a large mob of kids – how does my 1st grader survive?
  We’ve got a system. First graders are big kids, but the older kids can look bigger! To help out with this, the 1st graders gather in the hallway outside of the Sanctuary. This allows all of the older kids to run excitedly walk ahead to their workshops. A volunteer Shepherd greets the 1st graders outside of the Sanctuary. (Look for the person holding the orange 1st grade banner.) After the older kids have disbursed, the first grade goes as a group to their workshop.
  On the first few weeks next fall, you may want to help your child find the banner and say goodbye in the hall; then once they are familiar with the process, you can let them leave the Sanctuary by themselves.
• Do I need to sign them in and out?
  Nope. 1st and 2nd graders will wait after class with an adult in their workshop, for pick-up by a parental unit. (3rd grade and up are dismissed to meet their families.) When you pick up your child do at least make eye contact with your child’s Shepherd!
• What is a Shepherd (and how else can I get involved in this great program?
  Glad you asked! Shepherds rotate with a class. They get to know the kids and help out as directed by the Workshop Leader (by taking attendance, forming groups of kids for a game, or assigning roles to puppeteers). Ideally Shepherds would serve twice a month from Sept. through May. There are many other ways to get involved. Email Beth Pascoe to ask more questions!

Oh, there is one more change… something that you as parents/caregivers have complete control of… (perhaps you’ve already implemented this?)

Continue the faith dialogue at home.

Journey with us; your family’s faith companion.

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Photo credits:
Photos are from my archives.