emann@pvdemocrat.com —
While it is no great secret that the future of any church depends on what is done to grow its base through the next generation, success also comes from how children feel involved on a personal level.
Take it from a former Pauls Valley teacher of the year, Teresa Begley, to help her fellow parishioners at First Christian Church figure out that even spiritual learning is not only about what one hears in a classroom setting, but being involved in the actual learning process.
Called “Worship & Wonder,” since it began earlier this year, it’s been a way for their youngest members to figure out what forming faith is all about through interactive stories and asking questions important to their own foundation.
“The way the program is set up, it engages the students in learning,” said Begley. “They’re actually seeing the stories dramatized... That makes the story come alive, it makes it real.”
Hoping to find a way to keep kids interested in the church experience, several people from the congregation went through a training program earlier this year, and the storytellers along with Begley include Judy Powers, Danielle Caldwell, Caroline Beck and Vaughn C. Johnson.
Each Sunday during part of the regular service which starts at about 10:50 a.m. kids proceed to the children’s church room next to the main building and get involved in an almost a theatric-setting where one of the instructors have memorized their role the week before.
The kids get a chance to arrive at their own conclusions through an interactive story basket with all the supplies for the particular day ready and also get a chance to enjoy a biblical related craft as well as snack time, said Begley.
The idea is also one FCC Pastor Peggy D. Farris has been supporting all the way and instead of lecturing children and looking at them, she also likes how it mirrors her own way of giving a sermon through a storytelling format.
“They know the expectations when they come in... The kids are learning a proper behavior in a worship environment,” said Begley, who said after the kids reach a certain age they can then transition to the regular service. “I’m really excited.”
Even with 5 to 10 regular kids coming, those involved are inviting anyone else in the community to bring their children to be a part of it as it grows. Adults can become involved in the project if they have time to be trained in the program.
“It’s open to anyone in the community who wants to come,” said Farris. “It’s a simple way of telling, but it pulls you in so well.”
For more information contact the church at 405-238-6632 or Farris at 405-226-3620.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Though not the only ministry for children in Pauls Valley, one of the more recent options created for the community is First Christian Church’s Worship and Wonder program. Here one of the storytellers Caroline Beck engages kids like 7-year-old Jonah Davis in the weekly program where kids learn how to grow their faith. Ezra Mann
Discussion
PV church reaches out with kids’ ministry
- Local News
-
-
Storm too close for comfort
Historical record will forever mark May 20 as one of the somber moments for the residents of Moore, Oklahoma, but for a handful of emergency officials in the Pauls Valley area, conditions were right for a similar tragedy to unfold here as well.
-
PV rallies around tornado victims
As Oklahoma begins to pick up the pieces and seek a way to cope with the tragedy experienced by a devastating tornado Monday in cities like Moore, there is once again a ray of hope emerging from individuals who are rallying around those in the storm’s path.
-
There is a message with tornado sirens
The sounds of tornado sirens filled the air around much of Pauls Valley when a threatening storm approached on Monday afternoon.
-
Helping meet needs in Moore
-
Home invasion case gets new pleas
A long prison sentence and a couple of guilty pleas came Monday in the case of a couple of violent Pauls Valley area home invasions dating back to 2010.
-
Storm danger threatens much of state
It’s been a busy few days for emergency officials of all kinds with severe storms, some packing powerful tornadoes, threatening to sweep through various parts of Oklahoma.
-
Pauls Valley Wall Cloud
-
Young Grads with Honors
-
Special athletes get special support
It was special to say the least for a group of Garvin County law enforcement officers to see for themselves what an experience the state Special Olympics meet can be.
-
Derby to roll in all day fun
The tracks and vehicles may be much smaller than a national day at the races, but the fanfare and scale of 2013’s Hot Wheels Double Dog Dare Derby is expecting no less enthusiasm as engines set to fire when it returns to Pauls Valley on Saturday, May 25.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
