Children and Youth
Children and youth are carefully supervised during activities, both at the church and at sponsored events held away from the church, under the guidelines of the church’s Child Protection Policy.
Sunday mornings include Sunday School options for children and youth of all ages. During worship, from September through May, KIDS Church provides an age-appropriate worship experience for kids aged preschool - grade 2 several times a month. The church Nursery is staffed for both Sunday School and the Worship Service. Summer and holiday schedules may vary.
On Wednesday Evenings, September through May, KfC (Kids for Christ) offers children preschool - grade 2 a fun time with crafts, games, snacks, and weekly Bible lessons. Junior Youth is for boys and girls in grades 6 - 8. Programming includes recreational, service, educational and spiritual activities at their weekly meetings and during their winter and summer weekend retreats. Their Pinewood Derby competition is an annual favorite for the whole congregation.
Mennonite Youth Fellowship (MYF) is geared for high school students and meets weekly (year-round) for worship, Bible study, service projects, and community building. Their program also includes weekend retreats, extended service trips and attending Mennonite Church USA youth conventions. MYF currently meets on Sunday evenings.
The Halloween Alternative, for children up through 6th grade, is a fun evening with wagon rides, a moon walk, carnival games, a cardboard maze, crafts, homemade soft pretzels, and lots of candy treats.
Adults
A variety of Sunday School classes are offered each week for adults. On Wednesday Evenings, October through March the Adult Choir meets prior to Christmas and Easter to rehearse for the traditional holiday worship services. A Winter Bible School series is held in January with a congregational supper before each Wednesday evening session. Past series have included Bible Studies, discussions about current issues, and series focused on practical living issues.
Meals for those who are retired are held quarterly with Forest Hillers who live in the local retirement communities and with those who remain in their own homes. Our seniors anticipate and enjoy these times of fellowship and interaction.
Other Special Focus Groups and Programs:
A variety of Service Experiences are scheduled by our children and youth programs and by adult Sunday School classes. Annually, adults are given the opportunity to participate in a one-week service adventure with organizations such as Mennonite Disaster Service or Habitat for Humanity.
Pastoral care is offered by the Care Team, a group of individuals who work with the pastor to assure that each person relating to the congregation is supported and encouraged as they deal with the challenges and joys of life. Sunday School class Shepherds expand the team of caring persons who are ministering to the needs of various age groups in the congregation. These individuals are attentive to needs of class members in times of stress, illness, or death and mobilize others in the class to respond in practical ways.
Our Service in the Park is held in August in the West Earl Lions Park in Talmage. The outdoor location provides a wonderful setting for both worship and fellowship. Following the informal service, everyone enjoys a picnic lunch provided by the church. The annual Church Picnic is held at church on a summer Sunday afternoon.