SUNDAY SCHOOL
“The purpose of the St. Barnabas Sunday School is to walk hand-in-hand with our children and youth as they grow to know and love God through worship, scripture, and community.”
St. Barnabas’ has five Sunday School classes, with several ages/grades grouped together. Approximately 16 teachers, working in groups of 3-4, lead the classes. While many teachers have taught for a number of years, some are relatively new and more teachers are always welcome and needed (this is particularly true of the summer months, when a more informal program is held). The team approach means that it is not necessary to be present every week.
The “Godly Play” curriculum is followed for age 3 up to grade 4. It is a Montessori- based program using wooden figures to tell the stories of our faith. We are fortunate to have the St. B’s woodworkers creating and maintaining the story pieces.
Why teach Sunday school?
Mano Fernando, who teaches the 5th/6th grade class, says she decided to teach after praying about it. She says, “I have experienced God’s grace, especially the last few years, and feel that I need to share His love for us with the children.” Richard Gordon, who teaches the Jr. High class, explains it this way: “Our young people need to develop the ability to think flexibly and ethically about the world around them. As Sunday School teachers, we can help them discover that Jesus’ basic teaching is as relevant today as it was 1,980 years ago, particularly if it influences how we interact with people every day. ‘Love God and love your neighbor;’ how can our kids go wrong with that as the starting place for their developing ethical toolkit?”
There are opportunities to offer behind-the-scenes support to the program as well. Assistance is needed in keeping the storage area organized, providing spiritual support to teachers, substitute teaching, helping to prepare the Godly Play stories each month, and organizing the children’s church service materials in the back of the sanctuary.
If you are interested in helping, contact Cathy Lopez-Cooling at 239-9572, or speak with a current Sunday School teacher. 1/25/2010
Youth and Children
At St. Barnabas, we believe that the youth are our future. We offer many activities for children and youth.
ACOLYTES
Acolytes help lead the worship at the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Acolytes serve in teams of three or four and range from fifth grade through high school. Each fall, there is training for new acolytes and refresher training for current or previous acolytes.
CHOIRS
The Chancel Choir (teens and adults) uses a variety of musical styles to enhance the worship experience of St. Barnabas’. Rehearsals are every Thursday night, except in the summer. Come sing with us!
The Renaissance Quire (teens and adults) concentrates on the wonderful polyphonic choral works of the Renaissance, and enjoys other traditions as well. The Quire typically sings on the 4th Sunday of every month and rehearses on the previous Thursday. If you share a love of beautiful a cap pel la works, come and sing with us!
The Cherub and Seraphim Choirs children and youth ages 3 through 17 are welcome to sing in either the Cherub (ages 4-8) or the Seraphim Choir (age 9-17). No singing experience is necessary. No audition is required. We sing the first Sunday of each month and the children’s Christmas Eve Service. We practice on Sundays immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service. All that is required is a love of singing and a desire to make a joyful noise for Jesus.
The Epiphany Pageant is performed by the children (3 to teen) on Epiphany Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service. The Christmas Story is presented through music and drama.
The Children's Spring Musical (3 to teen) a story from the Bible is presented through music and drama. This year, the children performed “The Rock Slinger,” the story of David and Goliath.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GROUP
TEENS (13 & UP)
WORK CAMP
Youth Ministry Leaders
Sarah and John Mester are youth ministers at St. Barnabas Church. Sarah, a member of St. Barnabas for twenty years, once served as an acolyte and was confirmed at St. Barnabas. Sarah and John met at the University of Delaware. They married at St. Barnabas on July 21, 2006. John is a middle school science teacher and works at a local bike shop part time. Sarah is an elementary special education teacher. John and Sarah enjoy living an active lifestyle. They mountain bike regularly and enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and sailing. This past November they welcomed a son, Andrew, to their family. 8/10/2010
