Another summer is behind us and a new school year is in front of us very soon. Just like the previous year, the words ‘unprecedented’, and ‘uncertain’ are at the front of all our minds. I think this is especially true for our youngest Trinity kids and their families as they get ready for school to start.
How do we support and love our Trinity families and children during this time? How do we grow as a faith community even when some families are going to choose to stay home while others come to church every Sunday? I know these are questions that I wrestle with and many of you are probably wrestling with also.
One answer that I have is to keep as much stability and consistency as possible. For the autumn of 2021, the Children’s Ministry Team, Pastor Matt, and I have brainstormed a simple plan for engaging our Trinity Children—returning to Godly Play classrooms, but with two multi-age classrooms, with a high emphasis on COVID-safe practices so that families can rely on as safe an environment as is possible.
One of our Core Values for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry is Intergenerational Community. That means we need ALL OF YOU to help us grow authentic, committed, and loving followers of Jesus, one relationship at a time. I know thinking about committing to one more activity during this unprecedented and unpredictable time is hard, however I hope that seeing this simple plan can support YOU as a volunteer or parent in guiding how you choose to spend your time and show up in community and service.
Safety Plan
MASKS:
All adult volunteers will be masked the entire time and have a record of full vaccination on file with Trinity. All children will be expected to wear a mask as well.
We will use three-ply disposable masks during class time. We will have them on hand if needed.
ROOMS:
We will primarily use the two new rooms in the stair tower. These rooms have big beautiful windows and new fan systems to help keep air circulated.
In the rooms we will keep to six feet of social distancing.
The rooms will be clearly labeled with how many people can be in there. On the occasion we have more children than can fit in the room, the BNC will be used as it provides the most space.
There will be no snack during class time.
Art/Response time will be done on the floor with individual trays.
Schedule and Volunteers:
Children will be broken up into two rooms: pre-kindergarten–second grade and third–fifth grade.
Five adults are needed each week: two Teacher/Storytellers, two Doorkeepers/Assistants, and one nursery volunteer (alongside our Nursery Attendant Tiffany Keenan).
First Communion Sunday will be a Jubilee Sunday, with pre-K to fifth grade all together. Children will be dismissed to the BNC for large group and then brought back up early to participate in communion with their families.
Fifth Sunday will be Family Worship with no Sunday School classrooms (only one fifth Sunday this fall).
Volunteer Teachers & Assistants:
As Melissa is transitioning out of her role, we need as much help from you as possible. We need about five adults each Sunday, volunteering once a month. The most helpful way is to sign up for Sundays in advance. Please let us know of any Sundays from September thru December you will be GONE and UNAVAILABLE to volunteer. Please send those to Melissa Yager by Monday, September 6.
Make sure to join us on Sunday, September 12, as we begin our first week of Sunday School for the fall. Before class starts there will be a special children’s blessing, and gift for all kids and parents to take home with them. We will also have a chance to say thank you to Melissa Yager who has so capably led us in this challenging season.
Thanks for all you do to love our kids!
Pastor Matt Robbins-Ghormley
Melissa Yager
Children’s Ministry Team: KariAnn Elling, Amber Robbins-Ghormley, Annie Lambert, and Kelly Christel