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To add or remove your name from our mailing list, please contact editor@fwchristianed.org or call 817-922-9551 |
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Welcome Aboard! by Kristy Leaseburg |
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Welcome to the first issue of “Building up the Body,” the Christian Education Electronic Newsletter for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. This publication is created by the Diocesan Christian Education Commission for the benefit of all parishes seeking to make the most of their Christian Education departments.
The newsletter will feature regular articles about the resource room, seasonal activities, and helpful hints. It will also help us to advertise our events and keep you apprised of the Commission’s work. We will put out new issues each month. We want to keep them short and sweet to insure that you will get the most out of each newsletter without overwhelming everyone with more things to read. Feel free to forward the newsletters to anyone who you think would benefit.
The electronic newsletter is just one component of the Commission’s effort to provide you with resources. Also launching this month is our Christian Education website. You can check the website for archived newsletters, a calendar of events, online registration for events, contact information for commissioners, and much more. Come see us at www.fwchristianed.org. |
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The Importance of Christian Education and the Life of the Parish The Rev’d. David A. Madison |
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School. Their work during Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, VBS week, and during all of their other activities is truly one of the most important things the Church will ever do.
Here’s one more idea—it is also one of the most important things a parish can do to insure its own health and vitality. I can’t tell you how many families will come to a parish specifically because of the Christian Education program. Also, current members develop community in the classroom that will keep them engaged in the parish. Here are some of the benefits to developing and maintaining a strong program of Christian Education:
1. It sends a strong unspoken message that children are important — Taking the time to develop Sunday School sends the message to your parishioners and visitors that young people are important. You take the time to provide for them. That is the kind of parish that most families would like to join! That’s also the kind of parish that they want to tell their friends about! What kind of message are you sending if you provide no Sunday School or a Sunday School that is weak? 2. It sends a strong unspoken message that Christian Education is important for all ages—Many Churches believe that Sunday School is something for the “little ones.” Once you reach a certain age, Sunday School doesn’t apply. A Strong Christian Education program is one that provides opportunities for all ages of the parish. Providing such a program sends the message that Christian Education is not something you “check-off” when you reach a certain age. Rather, it is a lifelong pursuit. Parents would like to be enriched by Sunday School in the same way that their children are enriched by Sunday School. 3. Community, Community, Community—In addition to excellent curriculum materials, a strong Christian Education program provides one of the basic ingredients of any vibrant parish—a sense of community. One way for people to feel like they belong is to participate in a Sunday School class. In that class, they will develop relationships which will help engage them in the life of the parish. If your parish does not provide Sunday School for all ages, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to build a community!
The Christian Education Commission of the Diocese of Fort Worth is committed to strengthening the programs of all our parishes. We do this through conferences and through one-on-one consultations. If there is any way that we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call upon us. |
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St. John Baptist de La Salle offered these words of wisdom when commenting on the importance of Christian Education. It is a quote that I often use when speaking to the fine people called by God to teach in the Sunday |
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As you enter the Center for Ministry, the resource room is on your left. It is a lovely space dedicated to providing the people of the Diocese of Fort Worth with access to tools for the enhancement of their ministries.
The Resource Room houses a variety of materials to assist the patrons. There are labels at the top of the shelves that designate the materials. The wall on the left is devoted to curriculum materials for elementary age students including nursery, preschool, and kindergarten children. Next, are curriculum materials for middle school, high school, and adult classes. The curriculum materials are updated as new ones arrive. There are catalogs for additional curriculum materials located in the catalog drawer.
As you face the back wall, going from left to right there are Sacramental Educational materials such as confirmation class curriculum for all ages. Next is a large section entitled Adult Bible Study. This section has grown substantially this past year with the purchase of many new Bible study materials, including audio and video tapes to enhance the studies. Beginning in the center of the back wall is the Ministry Resources Section, including materials on subjects such as Christian Education, Youth Ministry, and Mission Outreach.
On the right wall of the resource room are reference materials, a small section of literature, and many videos to support children, youth, and adult classes.
To check out any materials, fill out the small sheet of paper on the large conference table in the Resource Room, with your name, phone, and parish, and list the items you have selected. Leave it on the conference table and it will be recorded during the week. Materials may be kept one month with no fines for past dues. Simply leave the materials on the table when they are returned.
The librarian is Anne Lange, a parishioner of St. Andrew’s and a member of the Christian Education Committee - Diocese of Fort Worth. Anne can meet you at the Resource Room to assist in your selections if needed. Her home phone is 817-926-3700. Hopefully, the Resource Room will become a valuable asset in planning the educational programs in your parish. |
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· Are you making your students feel like part of a community? By sending a postcard to students who were absent, the student will know they were missed. Families will feel like a real member of the church family. Marginal attenders may feel like coming more often. · What are you doing to make your Christian Ed. Program visible to the congregation? Try advertising in your church bulletin. Let the parish know what’s going on in Sunday School by putting a request for supplies, an announcement of a performance or special event, or a request for prayer warriors to pray for the children and the program. |
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Mark your calendars for an informative conference coming up on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the Diocesan Center for Ministry. This conference is designed to help clergy and directors to make the most of their programs or to start a successful new program.
Topics will include: · Grooming Future Leaders and Recruiting · Starting and Managing the Small Sunday School · Curricula Review · Attendance/Increasing Numbers · Troubleshooting.
If your parish already has a program, come and get tips on how to strengthen it. If your parish is considering starting a program, come and find out the ins and outs without having to reinvent the wheel. Online registration will be available for this event on our website. Be sure to watch for a mail-out with more information. We hope to see you there. |
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Christian Education Commission Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth Diocesan Center for Ministry 2900 Alemeda Street Fort Worth, TX 76108 Phone: 817-244-2885 Email: editor@fwchristianed.org
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