We’re excited to have returned to in-person ministry events with most of our children and families. Our ministry is connecting in creative ways with the continuation of the mid-week online experience for PreK and Elementary families that haven’t yet returned to church as COVID-19 restrictions continue. We share online worship and Bible story each Wednesday at 4 p.m. via email to parents. We also post it on our website under Children’s Ministries for viewing each Sunday, in addition to offering Sunday School on site. Here are some of our favorite things that we did during the past year:
• Kids explored the outdoor market, story station, and petting zoo during the Jerusalem Festival.
• Over 100 kids hunted eggs during four separate hunts at the outdoor Bunny Breakfast. Our St.
Mark youth hid over 1,000 eggs for this event.• Amazing leaders shared stories and activities during a one-day mini-Vacation Bible School for Knights at North Castle. Elsa and Olaf came to lunch, followed by a foam party, and snow cones.
• Sunday School and Nursery returned over the summer – thanks to our wonderful Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, and volunteers! • Saints and Siblings hosted a Mound Ridge work day and an evening at BounceU.
• We had a fun-filled Fall Festival with the help of many St. Mark committees and church members! • Advent Connect helped families, church, and community connect with video discussions and activities based around Jesus’ birth.
• Our children’s choirs shared a special Christmas musical called Jesus Means Christmas to Me to kick off the Advent season.
• With the help of our St. Mark Church family, we were able to collect back-to-school supplies for PCHAS, 138 pound of food/hygiene items for Circle of Concern, and 63 angel tree gifts.
• To implement the policies of Safe Church for Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults, we have thirteen (13) volunteers, teachers, and nursery attendants credentialed through Protect My Ministry.
• Several of our teachers and volunteers completed First Aid, CPR & AED training provided through our Deacon Health and Wellness Committee.
Thanks: I want to thank Latisha Gilliland, Director of Children’s Ministry, for her continued prayerful and joyful guidance of our children’s ministry at St. Mark, sharing the love of Jesus with all the children and families who are part of our church community. I also want to thank everyone who has served on this committee this year. You brought your creativity and willingness to try new approaches to some of our oldest traditions...
Respectfully Submitted,
Shelley Lester Elder,
Children’s Ministry Chair
YOUTH COMMITTEE
In 2021 Middle and High school groups were combined for weekly bible study and monthly fellowship activities. Bible study was held every Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 7:00. During bible study, we had an opportunity to study scripture and discuss how it relates to our daily lives. The last Sunday of the month is set aside for the youth to just go to the youth lounge and hang out. Covid19 slowed us down but didn't stop us. As things started to change, so did we. We were able to start to meet in-person, which was a great thing. The youth were able to get out from behind a screen and interact with others again.
With things being lifted and being able to gather outside we were able to help out with Fall Festival, Bunny Breakfast and the one-day VBS. This year we were also able to complete our mission project of collecting enough bottle caps to have a table and bench made for Mound Ridge and are in the process of planning a mission trip. 2021 was not the year we planned to have because of Covid-19 but the future is starting to look a little brighter and hopefully next year will be a better one for our youth and everyone involved.
We would like to thank St. Mark for its support and involvement with the youth program. In the coming year, we will continue to work on expanding and increasing involvement of the St. Mark youth in the church and community as a whole.
Respectfully submitted, Jim Arnet, Chair
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