Supporting our Keiki

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June 27, 2016
 
Aloha All Saints’ ‘Ohana,
 
Do you believe that the keiki are the future of the Church?
 
If so, then you understand that we are called by God to support, nurture, and empower their future in the Church! This is a responsibility that needs to be shared by the whole congregation, not just by a few individuals and not just by the parents/guardians of our current keiki.
 
In August, we start the 2016-2017 “program year” and all of us have the opportunity, responsibility, and privilege to support our keiki and their future in the Church. We must renew and strengthen our commitments of time, talent, and resources to support our Sunday School and Youth Ministries at All Saints’.
 
Twenty years ago, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopted the “Children’s Charter”. It is an amazing and prophetic document that provides a vision, a standard of excellence, and accountability for churches to support and empower children’s ministries. In the coming years, it is my hope that All Saints’ will live even more fully into the Charter’s vision.
 
Please prayerfully consider the question how much of your time, talents, and resources you are willing to offer for the keiki of our Church.
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Starting in August, All Saints’ will implement a dedicated Sunday School curriculum, Weaving God’s Promises. It is a comprehensive, three-year Christian education curriculum for children that is developed and written exclusively for the Episcopal Church.

• Volunteers: We are looking to develop a minimum of four teams each comprised of four adult facilitators to assist with Sunday School. The teams will serve only once a month as Sunday School facilitators. Volunteers will be asked to arrive at 9:15AM. Sunday School begins at 9:30AM and concludes just before the congregation exchanges the peace. Volunteers and Sunday School students join the congregation for the celebration of Holy Eucharist.
  
  Teaching experience is not needed! A Christian Education background is not required. We are seeking caring, loving, and passionate people who want to offer to our keiki a great Sunday School experience. We need a minimum of 16 volunteers who are committed to this vision. A sign-up sheet will be located at the entrance of the Church on Sundays.
  
  
• Curriculum (Weaving God’s Promises): Sunday School facilitators will not be tasked with the burden of curriculum development. Each lesson is well organized and provides a variety of activities for both younger and older elementary age Sunday School students. The curriculum will be available on the All Saints’ website well in advance and volunteers will be asked to read through the materials prior to Sunday morning.

• Training: We will offer a training workshop on Saturday, August 6, 8:00AM – 1:00PM in Memorial Hall. We are asking all Sunday School volunteers to be present. During the workshop we will: (1) Finalize the Sunday School teams, (2) Discuss basic techniques of classroom management, (3) Develop general standards for facilitators, (4) Orientate facilitators to the curriculum materials; and, (5) Provide Safeguarding God’s Children Training. A sign-up sheet will be located at the entrance of the Church on Sundays.

 
YOUTH GROUP: The Ke Akua Youth Group typically meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month after the 9:30AM service.

• Supporting Youth Leadership: The Youth lead their own meetings and are supported by a Youth Steering Committee (a group of adults dedicated to empowering and mentoring the youth of the Church). If you would like to serve on the Youth Steering Committee or would like to volunteer to mentor and/or chaperone our youth, please speak to either Dianne Tabura, Nadine Nakamura, David Murray, or Linda Crocker.

• Youth Room: In the coming weeks, the youth will get their own space in the All Saints’ Gym (2nd floor, Lihue-side room). We will need volunteers to assist them in painting and prepping the space. More information will be published soon in The Epistle and a sign-up sheet will be available at the entrance of the Church on Sunday mornings.

 
Our keiki are the future of the Church! Offering quality Sunday School and Youth Ministry programs is essential to our Church’s mission and vision. As our Church continues to grow so will our Sunday School and Youth Group . . . As our Sunday School and Youth Group continues to grow, so will our Church.
 
In Mark 9:37, Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”  
 
Our keiki need our time, talents, and resources. Let us welcome our keiki into the Body of Christ. Let us embrace the future of the Church with loving and supportive arms. We need your help! Please consider the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future leaders of the Church by assisting with the Sunday School and Youth Ministries at All Saints. Ultimately, I ask each of us to continue praying for the keiki of our parish and for the Church’s ministries to young people.
 
Mahalo nui loa.
 
Faithfully in Christ,

The Reverend Ryan D. Newman