Children & Youth Christian Education
Director: Rachelle Dudley
Email: rdudley@wpcoly.org
(360) 357-5750
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Whoever welcomes one of these little children in
my name welcomes me...
- Mark 9:37
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Our doors are open and we welcome you and your children in our church.
Westminster's mission is to welcome all people to worship the living
God through Christ, while together we learn to love and care for one
another, grow in faith, and promote social justice.We encourage you
to take part in a variety of programs designed to enhance your family's
spiritual journey with Christ. Our goal is to provide support to parents
and caregivers as we work together to nuture your child's faith.
EXPLORING, BELONGING, THRIVING & LEARNING
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Parent Link Live!
Parent Link Live are monthly podcasts designed to help you as a parent tend to your child's spiritual wellbeing with practical down-to-earth advice. Carey Nieuwshof's is lead paster of Connexus Community Church. Carey has become a highly recognized leader in enabling churches to partner with parents. Cllick below to hear this month's podcast.
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| Children are a vital part of our community. They are welcome in our worship services. We hope they learn that they belong to Jesus Christ and share in the Christian fellowship to which they belong. We offer a Children’s Sermon time in worship where the children hear the word of God. Children can take part in worship by serving as acolytes, ushering, and more. We also offer quiet activity bags for children to use during worship. Baptized children are invited to participate in the sacrament of Communion when they express readiness and parents feel they are ready. Bringing children to worship has its challenges but taking the time to nurture and engage children in the service will make the experience more meaningful and less stressful.
Please download the "Connecting Our Family With Your Family" brochure to see a full list and description of available programs for children and youth.
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Connecting Our Family With Your Family Brochure |
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Sunday School
Beginning Sunday, September 11th, join us for Sunday School, offered from 9:45-10:45 every Sunday. We offer classes for K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade.
* K-5th grade use the "We Believe" curriculum series published by PC (USA).
* 6th-8th grade use "FAQ: Faithfully Asking Questions" curriculum especially designed for this younger group also published by PC (USA).
* 9th-12th grade begin a 20 week explorations of world religions. Using "Which Way to God? A Christian Look at World Religions," this course will focus on the beliefs and practices of the four largest religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam.
9th-12th Grade Interfaith Sunday School Fieldtrips:
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 to Sanatan Dharma (Hindu) Temple in Maple Valley. Leave church at 9:30.
Friday, November 11th, 2011 at 7:00 pm to Temple Beth Hatfiloh (Jewish) in Olympia.
Sunday, January 8th to Olympia Zen Center (Buddhist) at 9:30-1:00-ish.
Sunday, January 22 & 29 Muslim Guest Speakers
Sunday, February 12 to Idris Mosque (Islam) in Seattle
Sunday, March 4 to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Olympia
Sunday, March 25 to Olympia Friends Meeting
Sunday, April 15 to Olympia Unitarian Universalists Church
Sunday, April 29 Mormon guest speaker
Sunday, May 6 to 1st Ward Church of the Latter Day Saints in Olympia
Sunday, May 13 Interfaith Potluck
Childcare is available for both services as well as for Sunday morning Adult Christian Education Classes. Located in Sunshine Preschool.
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Youth Confirmation
This is a faith formation class for young teens, 6th-8th grade that is ordinarily held every other year. Students experience an engaging in-depth look at Christian faith and what it means to be Presbyterian. The name "confirmation" means to "confirm" one's faith in Christ. All youth are invited and do not have to be baptized to take this class. Participants will be given the opportunity to become fully active members of Westminster.
This Dec. 2011 we concluded our Confirmation Class with 6 awesome students! These students were received into membership at Westminster on Dec. 4, 2011. A worship service of celebration led by the confirmands (students) will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM and 11:15AM with a reception to follow the 11:15 AM worship. Please join us in welcoming our confirmands!
Next Confirmation Class to be offered: Fall of 2013
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Sunday School Mission Project
Our 2010-2011 Sunday School mission project with Heifer International raised $480.00! With that we purchased a goat, geese, trees, bees, chickens, rabbits and more. This year's mission project will focus on our number one global crisis: access to clean water. Our offerings will go to support 2 organizations: Living Waters for the World, a mission resource of the Synod of Living Waters, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Water 1st International.
If there among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open you hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need whatever it may be. Deuteronomy 15: 7-8
Join us Sunday, October 30th, 9:45-10:45 when Water 1st is coming to do a presentation and water activity with us!
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