Last June, upon the retirement of our beloved Cheryl Ryniak, I stepped into the position of Interim Director of Children and Youth Ministry here at Transfiguration. Since then, I have endeavored to keep our Children and Youth programs running smoothly and I owe a great deal of thanks to Cheryl and to the Children and Youth Ministry Committee (CYMC) for all of their help.

We began our program year in September with a free church school kickoff lunch in the "Garden of Eatin" (a decorated Leach Hall) where we served Bible-themed food items immediately following the first day of church school.

In early December, we had a visit from St. Nicholas who passed out chocolate coins to all of the children (and some lucky adults too!). A big thank-you to St. Nicholas.

Also in December, the CYMC sponsored a Sunday-after-church Holiday Craft Lunch. Participants, young and old, created a number of different Christmas craft projects while they enjoyed a hearty mac & cheese lunch. At this event, the children each made an ornament that was placed on our Transfiguration Christmas tree the following Sunday during the 10am service. Our tree looked beautiful.

On Sunday, December 20, our annual Christmas pageant was performed for the congregation during the 10 am service. "Behold This Child" featured our children and young people from preschool right on through Sr. High. They did a terrific job.

We continue to use the Joyful Beginnings church school curriculum for our children age preschool - 5th grade. It is a rotational program which is organized into 6-week teaching units. We typically cover about 5 units every year. Each church school class has a grown-up shepherd that is with them every week as they rotate from one classroom to another - art, science, games, storytelling/drama, video, and music. This year our wonderful shepherds are: Nancy Stec, Jan Jaekel, Juel Hood, Katherine Hamann, and Becky Hensley. Volunteer church school teachers commit to teach 4 weeks of a 6-week unit. They teach the same lesson in the same room to four different rotating church school classes. And it's really fun. It's also a great way to connect with our Transfiguration children. I believe that our kids should feel like the church is their extended family. By volunteering to be a teacher and interacting with our children, you can help to facilitate that connection and we will all be better for it. And again - it's just a 4-week commitment. Thanks to all of you who have served in this capacity.

With our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, on alternating years we teach the Confirmation curriculum. On non- confirmation years, church school lessons include discussions of the sermon and applications to daily life. A big thanks to Ted Karrison who has been teaching this class for more years than I can count.

Our senior high youth group meets down in the chapel room on Sunday mornings. The structure is loose and open; very discussion-oriented with an emphasis on personal values, social and ethical issues, and religious and spiritual matters. Every fall, our youth group takes a team-building field trip to Iron's Oaks Nature Adventure Center. They always have great time - this year was no exception. Thank you to our youth group leader - Mike Trapp, another long-time church school volunteer.

Our Sunday morning Children's Chapel (for children age 3 - 2nd grade) continues to be led by Amy Johnson. Thank you Amy. And our dependable nursery attendant - Stacie Obrien can be found keeping an eye on our little ones in the nursery every Sunday morning from 9:00 - 11:30 am. Thank you Stacie.

This coming spring, we will begin Solemn Communion instruction classes for our 2nd and 3rd graders. And toward the end of the church school year, our confirmation candidates will begin the mentoring component of their instruction.

I'd like to conclude by giving a special mention to all of the terrific volunteer members of the Children and Youth Ministry Committee: Cheryl Ryniak, SueAnn Beardsley (committee chair), Jeanette Conklin, Katherine Hamann, Joan Karrison, Jeanne Preston (church school superintendent), Melinda Moore, Nancy Stec, Laurie Schick, and Sandie Wagner - awesome church ladies, one and all. Thank you for everything that you do.