Sundays
How to know what’s happening each Sunday
The RE Calendar is on the church website, under learning / children and youth. You can check it any time to see what’s coming up. Please keep in mind that plans may change.
Andrea sends a weekly email to volunteers, listing whether children / youth start in the sanctuary or downstairs; what each group is doing; which volunteers are leading; links to the morning’s lesson plans; and any other notes that might be relevant.
Preparation and who does what
Every Sunday we aim to have one lead and at least one assistant (helping hands) with each group. This meets Safe Congregation standards of two adults in every room, and provides young people with more mentors (and volunteers, with two sets of hands and eyes).
The lead:
Assistants/Helping Hands:
The Director of Lifespan Faith Development arrives about 9:00 and likes to be available to greet people upstairs and/or prepare for the service from 10:10 to 10:30, so it would be very helpful for any questions to be managed before 10:10. The DLFD floats between rooms both in support of volunteers and to connect with our young people. When she is away or off a DLFD Substitute takes on these roles.
Childcare Staff work from 10:00-1:00.
On Sunday morning
If you need time to set up your room, or prepare in other ways, there is usually someone in the church by 9:00 a.m. and you are welcome any time after that.
If you’re fully prepared you can spend the first part of the service in the sanctuary, and accompany the children downstairs, otherwise you may use that time to prepare.
Welcome new families, if present, and ask that they complete a visitor form (please leave these in Andrea’s mail folder - under J). Visiting parents may stay in the room if they like.
Take attendance (clipboard hanging near the door). It’s very important to take attendance every week, adding any visitors where there’s room. You’ll need this list in case of an emergency, and the Board of Directors receives a report on whole-church attendance every month.
Plan to wrap up around 11:45. We intentionally wrap up about 15 minutes after the service does, in order to allow parents time in coffee hour and to provide you with enough time for RE. The closing ritual is very important, so if parents come down immediately after service, encourage them to visit upstairs or ask them to wait in the Pine Tree area until you’re finished. Once RE is over, parents are responsible for their children.
Share the “take it home” note about your session so parents can engage their children about their activities, thoughts, or questions (or send by email later).
Encourage children / youth to help with clean up as you go through your morning. After the session is over, ensure the room is left in good condition, supplies are returned neatly to the Supply Room, and the RE space in general is tidied. Our caretaker vacuums between Sundays.
Substitutes and Volunteer Team Support
We strive to have two volunteers for each group. If you know you will be away, work with your team to arrange a schedule that will work for everyone. Always notify the DLFD ASAP (Saturday night or early Sunday morning) if you get sick unexpectedly and cannot come in. Emergency calls/texts: Andrea James 204-297-8434
How to know what’s happening each Sunday
The RE Calendar is on the church website, under learning / children and youth. You can check it any time to see what’s coming up. Please keep in mind that plans may change.
Andrea sends a weekly email to volunteers, listing whether children / youth start in the sanctuary or downstairs; what each group is doing; which volunteers are leading; links to the morning’s lesson plans; and any other notes that might be relevant.
Preparation and who does what
Every Sunday we aim to have one lead and at least one assistant (helping hands) with each group. This meets Safe Congregation standards of two adults in every room, and provides young people with more mentors (and volunteers, with two sets of hands and eyes).
The lead:
- Prepares the lesson, adapting as needed to fit about 55-75 minutes, depending on whether they begin upstairs or in groups (this task can certainly be shared, if both volunteers prefer)
- Contacts the DLFD by noon on Thursday if special supplies are needed
- Arrives 20-30 minutes prior to the start of class, gathering supplies and setting up the room, centering yourself
- Leads the session
- Evaluates the session with the assistant and DLFD (if possible) at the end of the day
Assistants/Helping Hands:
- Support the lead with whatever needs to be done during class
- Creatively manage behavior challenges while the lead facilitates the circle, lesson, etc.
- Help to clean up at the end of RE
- Evaluate the session with the lead and DLFD (if possible) at the end of the day
The Director of Lifespan Faith Development arrives about 9:00 and likes to be available to greet people upstairs and/or prepare for the service from 10:10 to 10:30, so it would be very helpful for any questions to be managed before 10:10. The DLFD floats between rooms both in support of volunteers and to connect with our young people. When she is away or off a DLFD Substitute takes on these roles.
Childcare Staff work from 10:00-1:00.
On Sunday morning
If you need time to set up your room, or prepare in other ways, there is usually someone in the church by 9:00 a.m. and you are welcome any time after that.
If you’re fully prepared you can spend the first part of the service in the sanctuary, and accompany the children downstairs, otherwise you may use that time to prepare.
Welcome new families, if present, and ask that they complete a visitor form (please leave these in Andrea’s mail folder - under J). Visiting parents may stay in the room if they like.
Take attendance (clipboard hanging near the door). It’s very important to take attendance every week, adding any visitors where there’s room. You’ll need this list in case of an emergency, and the Board of Directors receives a report on whole-church attendance every month.
Plan to wrap up around 11:45. We intentionally wrap up about 15 minutes after the service does, in order to allow parents time in coffee hour and to provide you with enough time for RE. The closing ritual is very important, so if parents come down immediately after service, encourage them to visit upstairs or ask them to wait in the Pine Tree area until you’re finished. Once RE is over, parents are responsible for their children.
Share the “take it home” note about your session so parents can engage their children about their activities, thoughts, or questions (or send by email later).
Encourage children / youth to help with clean up as you go through your morning. After the session is over, ensure the room is left in good condition, supplies are returned neatly to the Supply Room, and the RE space in general is tidied. Our caretaker vacuums between Sundays.
Substitutes and Volunteer Team Support
We strive to have two volunteers for each group. If you know you will be away, work with your team to arrange a schedule that will work for everyone. Always notify the DLFD ASAP (Saturday night or early Sunday morning) if you get sick unexpectedly and cannot come in. Emergency calls/texts: Andrea James 204-297-8434