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Children's Ministries
Primary Grades 1 - 5
The Primary Department offers Bible lessons in the format of a Workshop
Rotation. The same lesson is taught in different media for a period
of 4-5 weeks. Classes rotate through a different workshop each week
and experience the lesson in a new way. The focus is on keeping the
lessons active and engaging.
Junior High Grades 6 - 8
The Junior High Department lays a foundation for a young person's faith
journey through lessons just right for energetic, on-the-go junior high
youth. Our goal is to point their course toward faithful living as followers
of Jesus Christ.
Confirmation Class Grade 9
Confirmation class is designed for youth in the ninth grade and above.
Its purpose is to explore the meaning of discipleship (being a follower
of Jesus Christ) to assist each participant in making a decision to
reaffirm personally the promises made for them at Baptism. The class
begins on September 18 at 9:15 and concludes in May. Worship, Bible
Study, fellowship and service form the basis the year’s experience.
Each confirmand has an adult mentor throughout the year.
Barnabas Team Grades 9 - 12
Confirmed senior high youth support our Church School program as members
of this group. Team members help teachers and children in a variety
of activities on Sunday mornings between 9:00 and 10:30 AM. They receive
special orientation to the curriculum and learn to develop their teaching
gifts in small group environments. Additional information will be mailed
to you on request.
Midweek: Fellowship, Service and Music
Music, service and fellowship form the bases of our Midweek program
for young people between kindergarten and high school ages. Activities
are held at the Parish House on Wednesday afternoons beginning at 4:15.
Participating in Midweek deepens a child’s relationships with leaders
and friends; preparing him or her to become a more integral part of
the church community. A child may select to participate in all Midweek
offerings or just those of interest that fit into the family schedule.
Junior High Youth Group. Our Junior High Youth Group (youth in grades
6 – 8) meets at the Parish House each Wednesday afternoon at 4:15
for fellowship, faith building recreation activities and community service
projects. The junior high teens have dinner in Sheffield Hall at 5:30.
After dinner, musically motivated 6-8th graders are encouraged to stay
at the Parish House for Tower Ringers & Singers.
Koinonia is our Senior High Youth Group – a vibrant community within
our congregation which meets each Wednesday as part of our Midweek program
from 5:30 – 7:30 PM for faith building, fellowship, food and service.
Teens participate in recreational activities, discussions, projects
and other activities each week.
Koinonia youth volunteer at the Interfaith Food Pantry each month to
support special project needs. Many Koinonia youth also join forces
each summer for one week to work in the Risingville, NY community, helping
to rebuild or renovate people’s homes. This is a tremendous learning
experience for the senior highs and their advisors. It is eagerly anticipated
each year. (More)
Children's Library
Did you know that the Presbyterian Church in Morristown owns a lovely
collection of children’s books? It is very likely that you did not,
even if you have been a member for years. The Library Committee has built
a collection of excellent Christian books which may not be readily available
at the public library. The children’s collection has always been
a part of the church library but in such a small room, with so many volumes
and such a big table, the children’s collection has not been visible.
For this reason, the Library Committee has moved the children’s collection
to classroom number 4.
An Open Letter to Church School Dads
Dear Presbyterian Fathers,
I am writing to you as a Christian Education Committee member and a
Church School teacher, but most importantly as a Church School Dad.
I wanted to share with you the experience that I had last year teaching
in the 2-year old room, and ask that you consider teaching or assisting.
Church School is a great place for Dad's to make a difference in the
lives of their own children, and the children of the church.
Last year, when a spot opened up in the 2-year old room, Beth Fenske
approached me to see if I would be interested in taking it over. My
daughter had just graduated from the class, and my son Jack was about
to enter it. I was tentative at first, since I had never actually taught
a Church School class, and I certainly hadn’t tried to wrangle
eight 2-years old for an hour. As the weeks passed though, those fears
disappeared, and were replaced by the anticipation of what new things
our little group would be doing that week, and what new friends might
appear in our class. It turned out to be a great year, with new friendships
made among the parents, and a wonderful group of energetic youngsters.
The two year old class is a certainly a great introduction into the
world of Church School. It is where we concentrate on making the kids
feel comfortable, welcome and loved by their church family and introduce
simple bible stories to them. Of course there is always lots of time
for playing, reading, and especially the all important "snack time."
If you are looking for a way to get more involved in the church, consider
teaching or helping out in one of the Church School classrooms. It is
a great opportunity to get to know the kids of the church at an early
age, and watch them grow into young adults. It’s also a great time
to share in what your kids are learning. Most importantly, it’s
a chance to know, teach and show God's love to the wonderful kids of
the Presbyterian Church of Morristown.
I hope that you will consider either this year or in the future, the
opportunity to teach in Church School. If you are interested, please
call Beth Fenske at 973-538-1776.
Sincerely,
Tim Woodworth
Our Sunday church school is a wonderful way for adults
to share their talents with children. If you have not considered this
ministry for yourself, contemplate the following:
| Most classes are taught in teams. |
You always have a backup and usually several
extra sets of hands to assist you.
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It is possible to teach on an intermittent
schedule
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It is possible to teach on an intermittent schedule.
If you teach one unit, your commitment is one lesson preparation
and four or five consecutive weeks of teaching. Then you can
return to your regular worship schedule, energized by the experience.
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The lessons we teach use your talents
and give you plenty of support for the Bible content.
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No need to be a Bible scholar; we have the
“cliff notes”! Can you cook with children? Do you
enjoy craft and art projects? Do you sew or tell good stories?
Can you make a game out of almost anything? Then you may have
what it takes to teach church school. If you enjoy the spontaneity
and exuberance of children, there is a spot for you on our staff.
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Some of our staff never prepare or
teach a lesson
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As a shepherd, you travel with a class
of children from workshop to workshop providing consistent support
and building relationships. It is the perfect job for anyone
who wants to spend time with children, but who doesn’t
feel up to teaching.
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If any of this information has encouraged you to investigate further,
please call Beth Fenske at the Parish House on Monday, Thursday or Friday
mornings or at her home (973-285-1569) any evening after 8:00 P.M.
Church School Photo page
Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ,
promise to guide and nurture these children, by word and deed, with
love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be
faithful members of this church?
Book of Common Worship, question to congregation,
The Sacrament of Baptism. p.406
How can we, the faithful members of this church, fulfill
our baptismal promise to our children? One way is to provide programs
that grow with our children in their understanding of God's world. To
that end, the session of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown offers
the following church school programs.
Pre-school Department - Ages 2-4 years
Kindergarten Department (Young Children
and Worship)
Primary Department - Grades 1-5 (Workshop
Rotation Model)
Junior High School Department - Grades
6-8 (Junior High Fellowship)
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