Christian Education Notes For May

 •  Congratulations to our entire Sunday School:  We raised over 6,700 “food points” for our March Food Drive.  The classes earned points for Money ($1 = 5 points), Healthy Food item (3 points) and other food items (1 point).  It was a resounding success.  All of the food and money raised will be donated to Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP).  VEAP is a local non-profit agency serving low-income families, individuals, elderly and disabled persons in the communities of Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, and South Minneapolis
 •  Rural Immersion Retreat:  Our 6th and 7th Grade class will have an opportunity to spend a weekend on a rural retreat May 4 – 6.  The retreat is coordinated through Shalom Hill Farm, located near Windom in Southwest Minnesota.  Shalom Hill Farm is a non-profit education and retreat ministry specializing in hands on learning experiences in rural culture and the environment.
 •  Looking ahead:  Our Annual Children and Youth Service will be held on May 20 this year.  It will be followed by a church-wide picnic.
 •  Register today – Deadline is April 30!!
Vacation Church School:  God’s Big Universe and our Big Green Earth
June 11 – 15, 2012;    9:00 – 11:30 AM; Children age 4 – 4th grade (as of September 2012).  Children completing 4th grade and up may also volunteer as helpers.
Drama Camp: available to children entering grades 1 - 8:  after Vacation Church School, stay for more fun and drama at a Theater Workshop with Renee Carey!
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (following a supervised brown bag lunch)
 • Mayflower’s Friday Morning Out - This cooperative child care program for infants, toddlers, and pre-K children is offered Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon during the school year. It was established 40 years ago to give parents of preschool-age children some time to themselves and to give the children an opportunity to play with other children and learn to separate confidently from their parents.  Located in our education wing, each room is staffed by a childcare provider employed by the program. Debbie Keyes directs this program and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (612) 824-0762 x156. Registrations for 2012 – 2013 are now being accepted.

More About Christian Education at Mayflower

Christian Education at Mayflower is a vibrant and growing program, with lots of families that are relatively new to Mayflower connecting with lots of families that have been a part of this community for quite a long time. The efforts of the program can flourish best if given the time and the nurturing of each person and each family.

Please deeply consider how you are involved with Christian Education at Mayflower. Our ability to offer great programs and events is possible only through the efforts of a strong and involved group of families that commit to making this place their own and giving their time and talent to the community of Mayflower. This is your church and each of us benefits from what we have here. No experience, background or history with Mayflower is required, and it is a great way to make connections with great people.

Right now, 20% of our families contribute 80% of the time and effort currently given to our programs. Let’s find a way to make this the place that reversed those numbers. Here is a sample of some areas of Christian Education that could use some volunteers and fresh ideas. It is a collaborative effort: Talk to Rachel Williams to learn more!

• F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S. events – hosting and planning
• F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S. Parent Sharing – coordinate discussions and small group educational topics for Sunday mornings during the education hour
• Green Action Team – a liaison who can work on issues of our environment with our Green Action Team, and bring those efforts back to Christian Education
• Sunday School Teacher – recruitment and community building
• Christian Education Ministry Team – an advisory group that helps provide insight and perspective to the programming and development of Christian Education overall