CPC 1997 Annual Report:
Children's Ministries
Rhonda A. Herman

---

Sunday School, Adventure Club, Children's Worship, Children's Chorus, Nursery Care, Special Events all add up to one fantastic ministry for our children and their families. Approximately 100 volunteers staff our regular programs which are attended by 200+ children. Moving children to Christ is what we are all about.

Our PreConfirmation Class is just one example of how we lead children to a deeper understanding of their faith in Jesus Christ. This class is designed for those children who express interest (on their own) in participating in the Lord's Supper and/or who want to be baptized.

A group of seven students spent a Friday night here at church for a spiritual retreat. Our focus was "Being a Christian in the 90's". We discussed personal quiet time and prayed for children outside of ourselves and our families.

Our annual 3rd/4th/5th grade retreat was held during the Missions Celebration. Richard Ames-Ledbetter focused on "Heros" and who we are choosing as our role models. The children learned about missionaries and the challenges that they face and the rewards that their work brings. Missionaries should be our children's heros. Ways we are moving Beyond These Walls...: Our annual "Prayer Walk" around the Christian Community Center, Bus to Beachmont Christian Camp, Very Exciting Bible School and 5-Day Clubs, the All Saints Party, and the Advent Fair.

Children's programs continued to be strengthened in various ways. An intergenerational family class is held during the summer for children ages five and up and their parents. This class offers a one-of-a-kind experience for families. Julie Sharun held a book drive for our preschool classes. A total of 72 new books were purchased. Helena Santos held Wacky Wednesdays during the summer and a Parents' Night Out in November. Security for our children continues to improve. We use matching tags for both parent and child in our preschool rooms. Even though we miss all of the space the Preschool building offered, it has been a smooth move into the new rooms. Parents have been cooperative which has helped our children transition and adjust quickly. Our year came to a dramatic close under the direction of Gaill Thompson with our Family Christmas Eve Worship service.