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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Christian formation for children at Binkley is marked by a commitment to explore the foundations of Christian faith by engaging the Bible, sharing experiences of our spiritual journeys, participating in service projects, singing together, and creating community through friendships old and new. Children's ministry is coordinated by the Children's Committee, chaired by Ilona Page. Worship: Each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. we gather to be renewed for faithful living in the world. We celebrate the many ways children participate in Binkley worship by serving as acolytes during the school year; singing in worship; leading as liturgists; presenting Bibles to 2nd graders each year; blessing and dedicating infants and children; and participating in worship as part of the larger community. Acolytes: Children in grades 1-5 help the congregation begin worship each Sunday by bringing in symbols of God’s word and light. Acolytes light the candle on the communion Table and carry in the Bible bookmark. - Coordinated by Wanda Burton-Crutchfield and Heather Rabalais Worship with Children: During the worship hour, we offer worship for children about three Sundays per month. Adults and youth lead this program, focusing on stories, discussion and spiritual growth. This program has a Montessori influence. - Coordinated by Wanda Burton-Crutchfield Nursery: Childcare is provided on Sunday mornings year-round for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Binkley employs several qualified caregivers, assisted by volunteers from the congregation. - Coordinated by Anna Kirby and Betsy Hughes Service Projects: Binkley seeks to be a generous church in the care of one another, our facilities, and our wider mission in the world. Children may give an offering in VBS, church school, and worship, and may bring non-perishable food to the narthex, which supports the local Inter-Faith Council (IFC). Children have participated in CROP and NAMI walks. Some have chosen to serve as church greeters, water a church plant, or bake bread for communion. Elementary children have service projects in the fall and the spring. YOUTH MINISTRY The Youth Ministry at Binkley is composed of 6th through 12th graders and their adult leaders. The focus of youth group is aimed at allowing young people to explore their relationship to God and God’s creation. We lift up hospitality, compassion, service and courtesy as important practices of our faith. We strive to have fun as we develop lifelong relationships and build lasting memories. We look to Jesus, the incarnation of God’s love in human form, as our guide. Opportunities for youth in grades 6-12 include these Sunday events: Church School: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Middle School: Dale Osborne, Pocket Room High School: Pocket Room Youth Choir: 5:00-6:00 pm, Choir Room Youth Group: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Our gatherings begin with a shared meal in the Sun Room. The meal is followed by opportunities for educational, social, service-oriented, worshipful and purely fun activities. - Coordinated by Dale Osborne, Mark Walters, Brooke Wheeler, Judy Sordean, Jordan Hale and Tessa Benjamin We are supported by the Youth Committee which is chaired by Pamela Nielsen. This past summer the youth participated in a Habitat Mission Trip, Vacation Bible School Leadership and Baptist Youth Camp among other activities. We look forward to sharing these experiences with our new sixth graders and building on the leadership skills we have developed as a group. Join us! ADULT MINISTRY Church School: Christian formation for adults is an important part of nurturing the faith and spiritual lives of all people. Church School for adults meets 9:30-10:30 am each Sunday morning this fall. A NEW SEMESTER FOR ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES JANUARY 8 – APRIL 1 (PALM SUNDAY) COFFEE & CONVERSATION, Room 8, Marilyn Metcalf and Joe Pardington, facilitators: The Coffee and Conversation Class explores contemporary issues, religion, and moral/ethical implications of putting faith into action. We provide support for one another as we grapple with these issues together. The class offers opportunities to build friendships with fellow Binkleyites through shared laughter, tears, questioning, and friendship. All are welcome, and are encouraged to share in leadership of the class. ESL BIBLE STUDY, Room 15, Maria Palmer, teacher: This class is designed for those learning English as a second language and interested in Bible Study. It will focus on stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Participants will learn basic English vocabulary and share from our own cultures and histories about why the stories are important. SEARCHING FOR GOD WITH MIND, HEART, SOUL AND STRENGTH, Lounge, Collins Kilburn, teacher: The course is structured around the book Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God, by preeminent feminist and Roman Catholic theologian, Elizabeth A. Johnson. Johnson writes with fire and lucidity about what she sees as a burgeoning renaissance of insights into God in our time - a golden age of discovery. She explores contemporary issues and situations which challenge traditional religious understandings but which can also provide glimpses of the Divine in fresh and surprising ways, thereby deepening our understanding. Examples of the situations she probes include the following: pervasive secularism, unspeakable suffering and evil in a "good" creation, persistent and wretched poverty, women's experience and liberation, African American and Hispanic struggles, religious pluralism, and the ecological crisis. In her "exploration into God" Johnson draws liberally upon a great variety of other theologians and thinkers, ancient and modern. Each class will include a presentation plus ample time for discussion. Reading the book is strongly recommended. UNRAVELING THE GOSPELS: MAKING SENSE OF DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF JESUS’ SIGNIFICANCE, Sunroom, Allen Davidson and Michael Palmer, teachers: The New Testament contains four accounts of the life of Jesus—the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This class will begin by examining the one that most scholars consider to be the oldest: the Gospel According to Mark. We will then discuss how the others may be related to this earliest account, and how each author left clues about his purpose in writing yet another version of Jesus’ life. The remainder of the class will focus on Luke’s Gospel. Writing at least fifteen years after Mark, Luke stated why he did so, and left evidence enabling us to see even more deeply into his reasons for writing. Join us for an exciting introduction to both the history and the literature of the canonical Gospels. PARENTING WITH GOD, Room 17, Christine Jernigan, Anna Kirby, and Robert Hughes, facilitators: This class is geared towards parents of young children and follows a discussion-based format. Example topics include “Starting with Sunday: From 'church clothes' to church school”, “Who is God: Big questions of faith”, “Spiritual Practices: What can we do at home?”, “Discipline: Where is God in the do's and don'ts?”, and “Global Love: Instilling a love for equality for all”. Topics for each week will be posted so people can attend the subjects that interest them. We will invite a panel of veteran parents for a question and answer session near the end of term. All are welcome! |
