Youth & Children's Ministry at the Snowmass Chapel
Children & Young People
Our Vision:
Believing a vital children’s and youth ministry to be an intrinsic piece of the Chapel’s over all mission, we are working hard to cultivate a stimulating, relational, relevant and safe Sunday morning learning environment for our local and visiting kids. Desiring to shepherd the youngest of God’s flock into a deeper understanding of God’s story and of each child’s place in the midst of that story, our intent is to discover with our children how Jesus would have each and every one of us respond to His love and to His guidance for our and their lives.
On any given Sunday:
Beginning the morning in the sanctuary with their parents and/or grandparents, the children are lead - after a children’s message - by adults from the Chapel community to a child-friendly gathering and educational time in the community building.
At the morning gatherings, your child can expect:
a connecting time with their "shepherds" and friends in the class, a gathering prayer, a giving/sharing time, and a scripture memory game. In the time remaining, the children will be invited to explore creatively and experientially a Bible story (using, for example, drama, art, music, cooking, community building games and/or and outreach focus as the story leads). The morning ends with clean-up and a closing prayer.
Appreciating developmental, age-appropriate and hands-on learning, our goal is to offer on Sunday mornings at least two classes: a preschool and kindergarten (3-6 year olds)group (relying more on play and songs) and a grade school (1st-5th grades)group (encouraging our older children to connect relationally with each other and with Christ as well as to engaging their multiple intelligences/varied learning styles). Currently, the youth (6th –12th grades) remain in the Sanctuary with their parents.
Through out 2008, the children will be collecting offerings for Heifer Project International.
Our goal? $5000. $5000 purchases an “arc”.
7th Sundays youth outreach:
Starting (if schedules and volunteers permit) in the summer of ‘08, we hope to offer special discipleship events for young people. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact the church office.
1st Communion/Preparation for the Lord’s Supper:
Relying upon guidance from their parents, children will be invited annually to participate in a special course of study designed to prepare them for receiving the Lord’s Supper with the larger Chapel community. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact the church office. Interest has been expressed for a class to be offered in this Spring.
Confirmation Classes:
Every other year (even years), an intensive class will be offered for young people grades six and above to prepare them for making their own, voluntary profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Young people will be expected to memorize and interpret a Bible passage, design and participate in an outreach program, design and lead a worship event, and spend one weekend in spiritual retreat. These classes will be offered in the fall. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact the church office.
- Special events:
- SMC’s “X” Games: January Snow sculpture design. Build a snow-arc competition.
- The “Reel” Deal: February Pajamas and a movie.
- Holy Habits: Lent
- Palm Sunday Procession: Holy Week
- Maundy Thursday Dinner: Holy Week
- Easter Sunday: Holy Week Families are asked to bring a dozen plastic eggs filled with candies (non-chocolate/peanut oil based) or small coins for a community egg hunt.
- 1st Communion class, Reading through the Bible Study: Shoulder Season
- Get Fi(RED) up!: Pentecost Sunday Teacher Appreciation Sunday
- Splash Down!: Late June Swim party and brunch at the SMV rec center
- All Saints Day Party: October
- Christmas Pageant: December
