Education Minutes-7/17/07

Attendance: Carol Leeson, Amy Zapata, Ginny Comings, Marcia Larsen, Carlene Kellenberger, Debbie Engel, Penny Ball, Jay Rager, and Kelly Akemann

The meeting was opened with a prayer.

• VBS: Kelly reported that it was a huge success. We planned for 30 kids max and had a total of 42 kids over the five days! The decorations will be left up downstairs until late fall as painting has been postponed until the new budget year.
• Summer Sunday school: Attendance has been about 7 kids usually – with 12 different kids coming at times. The age range has proven to be difficult as we are missing the 2^nd thru 4^th graders that the curriculum is geared for. The curriculum is also outdated for us as it does not apply to the second service at all. Carol will be looking for a new one for next year.
• Adult Education: There is some confusion as to whether Keith Paskiewicz is meeting as a small group or as part of Education. There is a need to expand on the Adult Ed offerings as to not make people fir into a certain class. We will need to recruit teachers for either all-year long classes or short term classes. Debbie said she would like to see a couple’s class offered, but perhaps not on Sunday morning as then some of would not be able to attend due to teaching.
• Young Adult/Youth: Mollie and Wally have been teaching the junior high class, not Liz and Mollie as thought. Due to Safe Sanctuary, another teacher needs to be there while they are teaching. Stan Weas has offered to be a part of the class. Mollie and Wally were informed and are supportive of the idea. Discussion was held regarding Safe Sanctuary and its impact on the classrooms. It was also questioned whether Greg Cherry and Dan Hahn were to return teaching the senior high next year. Carol has not spoken to Beth yet to find out. Per Debbie, she had spoken to Greg in passing a while back and he was undecided at that point. Carol will contact Beth to see about an update.
• Fall: Amy relayed that we are looking into getting new programs for the kids this year to perform. Also she would like to try to offer a mid-week kids class – perhaps tying into the Wednesday night dinner. She will be looking into different new curriculum to offer with it. She is awaiting the catalogs to come to review with the young children’s teachers at our next meeting. Also, Carol mentioned that any of the teachers who would like to look for new updated curriculum may see her as there is money in the budget for that.
• Rally Day: We discussed the need to move the food out of the closet downstairs so we may move the Children’s SS props/costumes in there. This will clear out one room downstairs for another class to utilize. Also, the small closet will be made into a supply closet for paper, scissors, markers, glue, etc. Amy mentioned that we could use an idea from VBS to raise funds/supplies for SS. We have people “buy” a bull picture for $5 or what is written on there (i.e. 3 pairs of scissors) and then upon the return of the money or the supply, we have a display of the many bulls that different families have purchased. It could save us from having use the budget on just supplies. Rally Day discussion started and it was discussed that perhaps we change the name and the way it is presented. In talking of the planning of Rally Day, Debbie had a brief presentation from the Healthy Church Committee. We reviewed the vision of Epworth, as well as the mission and ministry. The Ministry Guide Sheet was started to be filled out. Carol reminded each small committee to fill one out for each of its goals. The name was changed from Rally Day to Education Round-up Day. It was decided that we would have a SS fair of sorts in the Community Room on that Day – September 9^th. It will be mentioned to the Hospitality Committee that perhaps we can have treats available as people wander from booth to booth. Carol will contact Allison, Diane and the Hosp Committee. To attract new teachers, Marcia suggested doing a Witness during service regarding being a SS teacher. Carol will speak with Pastor David as she has thought of that as well. Much discussion was held on how to handle the Roundup Day activities as parents will want to able to peruse the Adult offerings but we don’t want kids just wandering the church. It was decided that the Children’s teachers will provide an activity for the kids while parents are invited up there. Perhaps we can check with the new music director upon their hire if they can help us by leading some songs as well. The Ministry Guide was finished and will be provided to all that are mentioned on the sheet and presented at Ad Council. Kelly will contact Kara Berg as she is now the Communications Leader as to her role and if she can help us as well with this.

The meeting was closed with a prayer.

Next meeting has been set for Tuesday August 14th, 2007 at 7pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kelly Akemann