Meg Hickling: Sexual Health Education for Families 2012

On-Line Registration Is Now Closed

Limited space MAY be available for the 5:40 to 6:20 pm session only.

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012

Time(s):

• 4:30 to 5:10 Session #1 Children ages 3 to 7 and guardians. We have 88 children and 80 adults signed up for this session.
• 5:40 to 6:20 Session #2 Children ages 3 to 7 and guardians. We have 87 children and 92 adults currently signed up.
• 7 to 8 pm  Session #3/4Youth ages 8 to 17 and guardians. And for families with youth also in ages 3 – 7 grouping. We have 180 youth and 180 parents/guardians signed up for this session!!
• 7 – 9 pm Session #4 Youth ages 13 – 17, parents/guardians in separate space. 

Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary

Meg Hickling

Meg Hickling, is a well known sexual health educator, member of the Order of Canada, and has the ability to convey difficult material with sensitivity, gentle humour and warmth.

Cost is only $12/Family

Books and a DVD of a previous year’s workshops will be available for sale at the event.

On-Line Registration. Click on a category as stated above.

This is very important! We have a very large attendance so pre-registration is crucial to our planning.
See you on Thursday, January 12, 2012!  

Sunday School Classes and Curriculum

Sunday School starts at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Children and youth sit with their parents at the beginning of the service. During the “Time for Young People” children and youth come forward for a special time. After this, they go to their own classroom with their teachers. We have classes for Nursery (ages birth to 2), Toddlers (2 to 4), Beginners (Kindergarten), Grades 1 and 2, Grades 3 and 4, Junior Youth (Grades 5 to 7), and Senior Youth (Grades 8 to 12).

During the class time, a snack and beverage is provided. Classes will end at 12:00 for Nursery and Toddlers. Please come to the children’s rooms to pick them up and wait outside the door until the classes finish. Please wait at the Fellowship Hall  until 12:15 before going to the classrooms to pick up Kindergarten to Grade 4 children.  Enjoy coffee and cookies in the Fellowship Hall while waiting for the older children to finish their activities. Grades 5 to 12 youth will be led to the Fellowship Hall by their leaders.

Wonderful Teachers!

Many dedicated, experienced teachers and wonderful volunteers who love children are present to nurture children and help them explore Christian principles: God’s love, Jesus’ ministry, and important values such as sharing, fairness, respect and compassion. Grades 5 and up will be led by youth leaders and volunteer helpers. If you can teach or assist teaching, please let Megumi Matsuo Saunders know.

Our Facilities are great!

Well-equipped Nursery and Toddlers rooms offer a safe bright environment for preschoolers. (Located on the first floor)

Other classrooms are located on the second floor. Each classroom is spacious, bright, and comfortable. We have a small gathering room for special times and a large gym for luncheons and fun activities. Please wait at the Fellowship Hall with visits over coffee and cookies until 12:15; then pick up K to G7 at their classrooms.  Please wait outside of the door until the class finishes.

Exciting Curriculum

• “Seasons of the Spirit ” will be used for Nursery classes.
• “Power Xpress” will continue to be used for Grades 1 to 7. It is an exciting program and has been receiving a very positive response. The same Bible story is explored for several weeks in a rotational learning setting.  Each week, children encounter the scripture in different ways, including Art, Cookery, Science, Games, Music, Story, Video etc. The variety of experiences keeps interest high throughout the unit. We have specialists in each category and each specialist teaches 3 lessons per unit or year. We also have (Home room teachers, who look after children regularly and also teach from time to time.
• Grades 5 to 7 use additional resources.
• Toddlers and Senior Youth  (Grade  8-12), will use a different combined curriculum and other resources.

Parents Room

For those who want to keep their very young children or infants with them during the service. We have a well-equipped room off the front entrance (back of the church sanctuary). Children can be tended in comfort or play at your feet while you can see and hear the service in the Sanctuary.

Nursery: Newborn to 2 year olds

Nursery is available for newborns to two years old during the 11:00 am service. Caregivers and parents look after the children. There is a speaker to listen to the service if parents want to stay with their children. Children in the Nursery are released at 12:00.  Please come to their rooms to pick them up.

Toddlers: 2 – 4 year olds

Includes creative play and stories various curricula. The three year olds start the gradual transition from the play of the younger children to the structured learning of the higher age group. Playtime and Snack-time are built into the lesson outlined each week. Toddlers are released at 12:00.  Please come to their rooms to pick them up.

Beginners: Older four year olds to Kindergarten

For those who are just starting preschool to school.  Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways while participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos. There are lots of crafts, playtime and Bible stories.

Primary: Grades 1 and 2

For those who are young readers. We use “Power Xpress.” Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways while participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos. Colourful Bible stories become alive.

Junior: Grades 3 and 4

We use “Power Xpress.” Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways white participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos.

Middle School Youth: Grades 5, 6 and 7

Using various resources including Power Xpress,  lessons utilize different activities (drama, pottery, music, games, crafts, discussion, photo, and others) to learn stories related 1n the Bible.

Senior Youth Class: Grades 8-12

Using various resources, youth explore Christian themes connecting the Biblical and contemporary world. Discussion, activities, etc.

For more information contact Megumi Matsuo Saunders. Phone: (250) 388-5188 ext 235 | E-mail: Megumi Matsuo Saunders

Fun and Learning Events

For Children and Families

• Rally Sunday: Sunday School starts its new season on September 11, 2011. Registration and introduction.
• Drumming for a new Season and Turkey Dinner : Sep 18.
• Children’s Choir: practice on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am
• Mother’s Morning Out: An opportunity for mother’s with young children to gather for a time together for sharing, fellowship and activities while their children are involved in supervised care. Baby to preschoolers program. 1st and 3rd Friday mornings 9:30 to 11:30 am.
• Rhythm Band: Part of the Mother’s Morning Out program. Children ages 2.5 to 5. 1st Friday of the month.
• Advent Event: Ethnic Heritage food, Advent Craft, games.
• Meg Hickling Sexual Health Education: sessions for children and youth of all ages and their parents/grandparents: Jan 12, 2012
• Mardi Gras: Lunch, mask making, costume contest, fish pond, face painting, games.
• Lenten Project: Learn about our global partners and collect money to support their projects.
• Great Parade Party: Sunday School official year end party first Sunday of June each year. Lunch, fish pond, games, face painting and crafts.
• Family Fun Friday Evenings: 5:30-8: 15 p.m. Pot Luck supper, movie, games, sing along. (Once a month)
• Congregational Family Camp: Weekend camp at Camp Pringle for whole First†Met congregation the last weekend in June each year. Very popular!
• Vacation Bible Day Camp: The day camp for children aged 5 to 10 years is usually held during the month of August. Camps are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. A wide range of Christian-centred programs and activities are provided under excellent leadership.

Great Parade Party

Family Camp Weekend

Vacation Bible Day Camp

Youth Focused Worship

Children and youth are also involved in Special Sundays

• Rally Sunday: Sunday School Starts Second Sunday of September
• Children’s Sunday: Closest Sunday to November 20th UN Children’s Day
• White Gift Sunday: First or Second Sunday of December.
• Christmas Eve Family Service: December 24 at 4:30 p.m.
• Christmas Eve Young Adults Service: December 24 at 11 p.m.
• Maundy Thursday: Seder Meal and Tenebrae on the Thursday prior to Good Friday. (Passover)
• Lenten Project Dedication Sunday: One week after Easter.
• Great Parade: The First Sunday of June.
• Children and youth are also involved in Special Sundays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, Christian Family Sunday (Mothers Day), etc.

Children's Choir

Date: Sunday Mornings
Time(s): 9:30 to 10:30 am
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church

A children’s choir offers children aged 7 to 12 an opportunity to sing. It provides young musicians with a high quality choral experience and exposure to music that celebrates the presence of God in our world. Co-sponsored by the Music Team and Children and Families Ministry, this program is led by Sarah Quartel, a fine enthusiastic music educator with a gift of creativity. Our singers will practice weekly and present their music in services at  First†Metropolitan about seven times a year.

The focus of our 2011-2012 season is “A Song from My Heart.” Educationally, singers will learn how to use their voices in a healthy way and be taught proper singing techniques. Spiritually they will be encouraged to use theirvoices to expre4ss themselves and to celebrate the things they are most thankful for. Choristers  will enjoy working with global percussion instruments.

Sarah Quartel is an Ontario-born compser, educator and conductor, known for her fresh and exciting approach to the choral experience. Having received her first composition award at the age of eight, Sarah celebrates the musical potential of all learners by providing access to high quality repertoire and engaging music education.  Sarah’s choral works are performed by children, youth and adults throughout North America and internationally by groups such as the Finnish a cappella group Rajaton.  Kids will find her a joy and an inspiration to work with.

George Pringle Memorial Camp

Other Opportunities for Children and Youth

Camp Pringle, in Shawnigan Lake, provides opportunities for children, youth, adults and families to experience a closer relationship to God, themselves, other people and the natural world in a Christian setting.

There were two George Pringles, father and son, and both United Church ministers. George Sr. was a much-loved preacher in the Yukon, on the coastal mission boats and ministered in various churches including Centennial United here in Victoria. George Jr. was a champion athlete while at UBC and served as a minister in the Okanagan for a time but was tragically killed in 1943 while serving as a navigator with the RCAF.

When Victoria Presbytery established a church camp in 1950, they named it in honour of these men. The property is 18 acres (7.3 ha) of woodland and sheltered waterfront on Shawnigan Lake, 45 minutes north of Victoria. Facilities include winterized accommodation, a meeting space, kitchen and dining hall, a nature trail, an outdoor chapel plus a boathouse and wharf. The camp relies on the support of its volunteers for semi-annual spring clean-ups, for undertaking specific projects and for financial contributions.

Now entering a new era as the Regional Camp For Vancouver Island, the new facilities are ideal for United Church summer programs and year-round rental retreats.  With leadership programs, CIT and Crew, for ages 15+ and family oriented camps for all ages in addition to youth programming for ages 8-14, there is something for everyone.  There is also an excellent March Break Camp each year.  For more information see the Camp Pringle website .

Below is our NEW Branter Lodge – one of two recent additions to our revitalized camping program funded by BC Conference United Church.

Branter Lodge March 2011

For more information, call (250) 472-6877.