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First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls 27 North Main Street, P.O. Box 568, Honeoye Falls, New York 14472 (585) 624-2160 |
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Church News
First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls
Posted March 10, 2010
Youth in Our Church
"Why Are There All-Church Worship Days Included In the Sunday School Calendar?"
March 2010
For most of the history of Christianity, the primary site of Christian Education has been participation in the worship of God's people. As a Christian Educator, I heartily endorse the faith formational value of intergenerational worship. James White notes that vibrant Christian Education requires "in common experiences," whereby all ages share a moment or an event.1 In most congregations, the main opportunity for "in common experience" is found in the worshipping life of the church. For many congregations, "Worship-which is an end in itself-is also an occasion for intergenerational learning. For many churches and synagogues, age-inclusive worship is an ongoing, unself-conscious practice. These faith communities have never considered doing anything else. For them worship life is the educational structure of the congregation..." 2
When children are in practice kept out of worship, the congregation has far less opportunity to engage in "in common experiences" in the educative process. In such cases, what is lost is the opportunity for the local congregation to participate together fully as they learn and grow in their faith walk. We must be careful not to become a congregation which too frequently removes children from worship. When such patterns emerge, churches can "seemingly train young people — almost systematically — not to worship, not to learn in and from sacred services, not to break bread with people of different ages. Many duly dedicated infants grow up with little familiarity with their born-into faith communities sacred practices. This can easily happen when the hour for religious education is the same as that of the worship service."3 Even the early apostolic church saw the worship context as the location for the implicit teaching "through baptism and the Lord's Supper."4
By actively seeking out multiple ways to include children in the worshipping life of the community, this congregation will continue to demonstrate that it understands that it is, "the whole life of the congregation that teaches,"5 including the intergenerational "in common" experiences found in the worship hour.
1 James W. White. Intergenerational Religious Education (Birmingham: Religious Education Press, 1988), 26.
2 Ibid, 46.
3 James W. White. Intergenerational Religious Education (Birmingham: Religious Education Press, 1988), 47.
4 James E. Reed and Ronnie Prevost. A History of Christian Education (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 73.
5 Karen B. Tye. Basics of Christian Education. (St. Louis; chalice Press, 2000), 37.
First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls
Posted March 10, 2010
Youth in Our Church
"Why Are There All-Church Worship Days Included In the Sunday School Calendar?"
March 2010
For most of the history of Christianity, the primary site of Christian Education has been participation in the worship of God's people. As a Christian Educator, I heartily endorse the faith formational value of intergenerational worship. James White notes that vibrant Christian Education requires "in common experiences," whereby all ages share a moment or an event.1 In most congregations, the main opportunity for "in common experience" is found in the worshipping life of the church. For many congregations, "Worship-which is an end in itself-is also an occasion for intergenerational learning. For many churches and synagogues, age-inclusive worship is an ongoing, unself-conscious practice. These faith communities have never considered doing anything else. For them worship life is the educational structure of the congregation..." 2
When children are in practice kept out of worship, the congregation has far less opportunity to engage in "in common experiences" in the educative process. In such cases, what is lost is the opportunity for the local congregation to participate together fully as they learn and grow in their faith walk. We must be careful not to become a congregation which too frequently removes children from worship. When such patterns emerge, churches can "seemingly train young people — almost systematically — not to worship, not to learn in and from sacred services, not to break bread with people of different ages. Many duly dedicated infants grow up with little familiarity with their born-into faith communities sacred practices. This can easily happen when the hour for religious education is the same as that of the worship service."3 Even the early apostolic church saw the worship context as the location for the implicit teaching "through baptism and the Lord's Supper."4
By actively seeking out multiple ways to include children in the worshipping life of the community, this congregation will continue to demonstrate that it understands that it is, "the whole life of the congregation that teaches,"5 including the intergenerational "in common" experiences found in the worship hour.
Susan Thaine, Director of Christian Education
1 James W. White. Intergenerational Religious Education (Birmingham: Religious Education Press, 1988), 26.
2 Ibid, 46.
3 James W. White. Intergenerational Religious Education (Birmingham: Religious Education Press, 1988), 47.
4 James E. Reed and Ronnie Prevost. A History of Christian Education (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 73.
5 Karen B. Tye. Basics of Christian Education. (St. Louis; chalice Press, 2000), 37.
Upcoming Sunday School Schedule & Unit Topics
2010 ScheduleMarch 7, 2010 All Family Worship
March 14, 2010 Symbols of Holy Week (Daylight Savings Time begins)
March 21, 2010 Symbols of Holy Week
March 28, 2010 Symbols of Holy Week (Palm Sunday)
April 4, 2010 Easter: All Family Worship
April 11, 2010 Teach Us How To Pray (The Lord’s Prayer)
April 18, 2010 Teach Us How To Pray (The Lord’s Prayer)
April 25, 2010 Teach Us How To Pray (The Lord’s Prayer)
May 2, 2010 All Family Worship
May 9, 2010 Pentecost
May 16, 2010 Pentecost
May 23, 2010 Pentecost
May 30, 2010 Sharing Day Rehearsal
June 6, 2010 Sharing Day