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SSTN # 20 - February 17, 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
--> Custom Stencil Design
1) Upbeat Children's Songs
2) Explaining Dinosaurs
3) Burned out
4) Burned out
--> Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards
5) Burned Out
6) Burned Out
7) Burned Out
8) Upbeat Music
--> W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers
9) Rotation pros-cons
10) Burned out
11) HELP ME!!! Burned Out
12) Rotation Pros and Cons
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Custom Stencil Design - by Sarah Keith
Get a designer look for a fraction of the cost. Use them in your home,
church, or business! Have a design created to match your decor or have one
made using your own design. To learn more, go to the following web page:
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1) Upbeat Children's Songs
Brentwood-Benson's Kids Music Club has a CD entitled "Move to the Beat"
that our kids really love. Some are original music and some are classic
early rock with new words. Great stuff!
Eric Manlove
Central Church of Christ
Wichita, KS
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2) Explaining Dinosaurs
There is nothing "mystical" about Dinosaurs. They were land animals which
God created on the sixth day of the creation week, along with all the
other land animals and people. Dinosaurs, together with many other kinds
of animals, have since (probably) become extinct.
The name "Dinosaur" which means "terrible lizard" is fairly recent, and
was coined by the famous British scientist (and creationist) Dr. Richard
Owen in the early ninteenth century. Thus, although the word "Dinosaur" is
not mentioned in the Bible, there are a number of apparent references to
them, including a detailed description of one
(Behemoth) in Job 40.15-24.
Maurice Sweetsur.
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3) Burned out
We used to attend a fairly large church, but there was
still often a shortage of teachers for many Sunday
School classes. They developed a policy of not
allowing classes to "open" until they were fully
staffed (either for the trimester or the year, I can't
remember). This made parents and the rest of the Body
more aware of the need, as they found themselves next
to squirmy little ones who would much rather be in an
age-appropriate class.
"The need does not constitute the call," as someone
wisely said, so I think you are right to pray for God
to use you where he has called you. People may
consider you "the expert," and it may be a good idea
for you to offer training to new teachers, but unless
you also are being fed, you will burn out (as you
said!).
Susie
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4) Burned out
To "Burned Out" I sympathize. I am 54 years old and still very
involved in the youth program at our church (membership 62 - SS membership
32) I also feel like some of the younger parents could take over so I
could do only those things I enjoy. I would like to sit in church with my
husband once in a while :)
How I have coped?
a. I typed up a schedule of dates, times and events needing coverage and
went personally to moms asking if they were available for any of those
times.
b. I actually put a notice in our church newsletter that "my cup was
overflowing with responsibility" and I needed to devote more time to my
family. 3. most importantly I realized this was my gift and God had a
purpose inall this. I was good at what I did. Not that I should be taken
advantage of, but that I should look at this as my personal mission.
I also noticed that a lot of the reluctance to help came from a fear of
not knowing if they could actually teach. I did some "team" ventures with
them. Hope this helps a little
In Christ, Debbie
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Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards
Ten Egg-shaped cards that tell the Easter Story - When the cards
are cut, colored and assembled, players can play Easter Egg Scramble and
learn the Easter Story! Reproducible so your whole class can make a set!
In the Curriculum section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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5) Burned Out
I think, dear Lady, you need to start saying NO.
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6) Burned Out
Reply to help me
I have been teaching for a little onger than you nad my favorite age is
the ages you are dealing with although i am not working with that age so
much as in the past.
I have used learnig centers with great success with the 2-3 year olds.
they have such short attention spans and love to play. Using several
leanring centers gives choices. Also try doing the same theme for a whole
month. They will not be bored with the centers and will enjoy getting to
do what they loved the week before again. This will also save you trying
to create new each week. Alot can be learned by doing the same story for
more that one week and using all the learning styles. www.rotation.org has
a differnt way of doing classes but they can be adapetd and lots of
wonderful ideas there to be used. As far as getting help, we have just
sent out letters to the parents and told them their month of sundays they
would be helping in the class. If you are not eager to use parents, asking
a young adult class to help or teenagers. The one thing with teens is they
are not as realiable. Find if you can another peer to be your helper or
ask for adults to sign up to be shepherds.
We have rewritten our childrens ministry mission after discovering the
Prayer of Jabez...we now look on it as our ministry and a calling to be
with these little ones each time. Find, beg, drag another to be there with
you...it will make it a fun and fulfilling time each week.
You will be in my prayers as you endevor to teach each one.
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7) Burned Out
For "Help Me -- Burned out" -- It seems to me that your pastor is giving
you good advice to pray for a replacement. You are doing way too much,
especially where it is all with the same age group. Another thought:
You
mention that the parents all say you are doing a great job teaching. My
thought would be that the parents could be helping out with the nursery on
a rotating basis, thus freeing you up for your Childrens Corner. In our
church nursery workers rotate each week. Hope this helps. God bless.
-- A Sunday School teacher in New England
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8) Upbeat Music
Looking for upbeat music. Our Sunday school has been using songs from the
"Donut Man" Rob Evans for many years. The songs are fun and most of them
actually teach the children a scripture verse. Other songs we've used are
from Steve Green's "Hide 'em in Your Heart" series. Again, all the songs
give the scripture reference and the children remember the words. It's
wonderful reading the Bible to them and having them remember that they
know certain scriptures from the songs.
Cindy
--from SSTN: by typing "Donut Man" into the search box of the Bookstore
you can find some of his titles:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html
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W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers
There's something much worse than cooties...it's called sin! Now kids can
make Gospel Catchers rather than Cootie Catchers! A fun and innovative way
for kids to learn to share their faith with their friends! Includes 4
Gospel Catcher patterns to make: the Colors of Christ (Gospel Colors), the
Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Promises of God. Follow this
link to learn more:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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9) Rotation pros-cons
>I am intrested in the Rotation Sunday School Model. Would your please
>share your experiences pros and cons. BeBop-Grace UMC East Texas
Hi Grace, Our church has been rotating for only a month, but we really
like it! We started with our midweek program and SS starts in March. I
don't know if you have looked at the www.rotation.org site, but there is a
contact list of churches who rotate. There were four in Texas. Anyway,
when we were thinking about it, I read all the articles at the site and
visited a church that rotates. And I thought the articles were very
balanced. As I said, we are only a month into it, but I would say off the
top that the most work is getting it all going... planning the scope and
sequence, placing the teachers and shepherds, preparing the rooms, etc.
But the kids love it... we have a couple kids who refused to attend our
Wed night program who "Just tried it"and love it. Hope this is helpful t!
o you! Cheryl
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10) Burned out
repeat after me...."NO" you don't need an excuse, you don't need a
reason. try this- "this is something i'm not preparred to take on right
now." what would happen? would the parents have to (God forbid!!) take
turns teaching the little ones? you cannot nourish if you are not
nourished! the best sunday school teachers are those that are not burned
out!
sincerely
been there
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11) HELP ME!!! Burned Out
I am 45 as well, but grandchildren are wonderful I have 5 of them. Now
you seem to be alot like me and take on all the jobs no one will do
because you know it needs done. It's hard to say no, I have to take a
breather. Yes YOU DO NEED FED. I have to go to our service after SS or I
would just feel like I am giving and never replenish and we die. That is
physical and sprititual, so give up one of the classes. As long as you
are there, no one will step up to the plate. I am glad to see you have a
heart for God's little ones, but do yourself a favor and get some food so
you can do this into your 90's.
Jamie/Arizona
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12) Rotation Pros and Cons
While it seems to work well in some churches, the first con I came up with
is you are limited in the number of stories to be presented to your
children. If you have 4 rooms and approximately 32 Sundays, that's only 8
stories a year. You would have to be careful in choosing what to present
in
order to offer the essential stories to the children.
Sabrina
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