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Three Great Years as Director of Children's Education by Judith A. McBride, Ph.D.
Three years ago, Hartshorn asked me if I would work with him and Nancy Brown to determine a new focus for the Sunday School. Father Murphy and I had worked together on similar things at St. George's in Milwaukee some 25 years ago and I told him I would be happy to help. Nancy Brown was our senior seminarian doing a field work placement at the time, and also was the Director of Children's Ministry. We held two very productive parent and teacher forums and gathered good information about what people really wanted for their kids and how everyone seemed united in wanting the children to play a more vital role in the life of the church. I suggested augmenting the usual Bible and church-year base curriculum with some social skills lessons that would have real life meaning for the kids and teaming teachers in groups of two to work for blocks of six weeks rather than the whole year. In this way, many adults would be exposed to many kids, and we could each give our best without getting "burned out." The year got off to a good start, and in the mid-winter, Nancy announced her resignation.
I told Hartshorn I would continue to help and it seemed logical that I would assume the position of Director of Children's Education, so I agreed to do so until we got the current program up and running and completed the three year curriculum cycle.
In many ways, the position was perfect for me, drawing on my years of experience as a school psychologist and educational consultant. In other ways, it was difficult, since we live in Long Beach and I teach at the University there nearly every week night and we are out of town visiting one of our four children and grand-children on all major holidays. Now that the three year cycle is complete, it is clear that I must step down. With grand-child number three as close as Tacoma, we will be gone more and more weekends. I can not thank all of you enough for the privilege of working with these wonderful children and highly creative and inspiring teachers. The generosity with which people have given of their time and talents has been truly humbling. To see the acolyte program grow from a few kids to a proud corps of 16 has been a thrill. The confirmation of 13 young people speaks to the ability of the parents and teachers to keep them interested in church and Sunday School to this point.
We are not going anywhere. Byron and I will continue as active members of St. A's and will be happy to be available to lead parenting classes and consult on any issues pertaining to kids. Again, my thanks and may our most precious flowers continue to blossom.
by Elissa Tognozzi
As a parent, it is a priority to belong to a parish that welcomes and accepts children as members. St. Augustine's has provided that place for us for the past three years. During these years, working with your children under Judy's direction has been one of the highlights of my experience. I have seen the children grow and develop a sense of belonging. They have found a safe place to be themselves, to know love and to give it. It is a privilege to serve at St. Augustine's and to work with you towards the continuous success of the Sunday School. We'll be working over the summer to determine a new curriculum and get our classes off to a great start in September.
Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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