2006-2007 Registration Form
Sunday School Superintendent: Jodi Maga-Daniels
email: jodi@pilgrimuccfdl.org
(920) 921-0415
A
Christian Education Policy
Pilgrim
Church offers Christian education opportunities to all ages. We believe that
our quest for wholeness in life is a religious quest. We have high hopes that
each church member whether child, youth, or adult will know God in ways that
are personal and meaningful, that all will discover the support of other caring
Christians. We are concerned that people have the opportunity to grow in their
spirituality, and belong to something that is greater than ourselves.
Our church provides children with a multitude of opportunities to have essential
experiences: play, building friendships, skill learning, and making valued
contributions. We believe that children both give and receive – and in so
doing enrich us all immensely. We believe that children are wonderful, challenging
and God-given. The development of a child is exciting to behold. We have discovered
that children have the best experience and learn the most when they are regularly
present. Therefore we try to reinforce high attendance by special awards.
Each Sunday morning church members meet in classes that are Bible-centered
using a United Church of Christ curriculum. Our teachers make a commitment
to teach and share their faith for six months to a year. Hence they are among
the most valued volunteers. In Sunday School classes, children play an important
role – they help us understand the love, patience, and beauty of God.
We believe in a two-pronged approach to Christian education, in that both
faith and knowledge are important and they compliment each other. Faith in
God and Jesus Christ is the foundation for our beliefs. Knowledge without
faith has no purpose or meaning. To develop a faith relationship with God
and Christ means that we are called to develop a faith relationship with all
creation. Our faith provides the “eyes of Christianity” through which we view
the world. As St. Paul said, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
through the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2). This renewal of the mind
requires knowledge and nurturing.
Our educational programs are for people who prize life-long learning. Learning
occurs throughout the span of human life as we ask about and live with the
fundamental questions of human existence. In each life phase there are new
issues, new lessons.
We believe our Lord and Savior to be the Prince of Peace, and as Jesus’ followers
we work to create a peaceful environment in our church school, community and
the world. We have declared ourselves to be a “peace” church, annually receive
a peace offering, and will not tolerate war toys in our church school. We
encourage all our members to make an effort in working towards a more habitable
world for all.
The
foundation for Pilgrim’s educational policy are found in:
a. The biblical record of God’s covenant with Israel and of the apostolic
witness to Jesus Christ.
b. The nature, purpose, and faith of the church;
c. The guiding presence of the Holy Spirit;
d. The unique history and traditions of the United Church of Christ.
We must grow in the biblical and historic Christian faith and in the call to be disciples of Christ in the world. Christian education helps us to be faithful to Jesus Christ and serve the world.
Class Level Learnings
Parents are asked to help students learn each of the following as well as to help their young person demonstrate an understanding of each by the end of the church school year:
Kindergarten: Simple table graces and bedtime prayers, some will be
memorized while others will be deeply personal.
First-Second: Introduce the Lord’s Prayer and begin
memorizing, also learn the Doxology. Begin to use the Bible and become
familiar with its various sections, i.e., books of the Law (the Torah), the
Gospels, St. Paul’s letters (the Epistles).
Third-Fourth: Begin learning the books of the Bible in
order; begin using the UCC Statement of Faith in Doxology Form
Fifth-Sixth: At this point the Lord’s Prayer, the Doxology,
UCC Statement of Faith, books of the Bible should be known by each student.
In addition they should learn the 23rd Psalm, the Beatitudes, the Ten
Commandments of Moses, and the Two Great Commandments of Jesus. An
understanding of Baptism and Communion should be a part of their faith
knowledge.
Seventh-Eighth: A study of United Church of Christ history
and its organization. Important General Synod Statements on ethics and
justice issues should be shared with students.
Sr. High/Adult: Continued Bible study and memorization,
i.e., Micah 6:8, Romans
1:16 and 5:1, Philippians 4:8.
“until all of
us come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ…speaking the truth in
love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”
-St. Paul in Ephesians 4:13,15