Children’s Ministry

Children’s Discipleship Ministry

Children’s Discipleship Ministry is comprised of a faithful group of teachers, staff, and volunteers who serve the children of St. Andrew’s ages birth through fifth grade. The staff includes Director Heather Brannock, Childcare Supervisor Anita Degnan, and Children’s Choir Director Kylie Shelton.

DIRECTOR CHANGE: Children’s Discipleship Ministry went through a major transition this year. In September, former Director Shelly Akins left St. Andrew’s Children’s Ministry to accept a teaching position in public education after eight years of service in her Director role. Assistant Director Heather Brannock moved into the position of Acting Director to lead CDM through this period of transition. In December, Heather was hired to be the new permanent Director beginning on January 1, 2023. Heather is very excited to be starting this new role!

SUNDAY SCHOOL: We continue to have Sunday School during the 9:00 am service. Starting in August we were able to have a Sunday School class at the 10:45 am service as well. During the 9:00 am Sunday School, we have six classes with seven teachers and 13 youth assistants. During the 10:45 am Sunday School, we have one class and one teacher. Average weekly attendance for 2022 was 31. This is up from our average attendance from 2021, but we still are lower than our pre-pandemic numbers.

We are still using the “Simply Loved” curriculum for our 2s - 2nd grade classes. Third grade is learning Bible basics including the order of the books of the Bible, and how to look up verses. Fourth and fifth grade are following Pastor Pete’s sermon topics and continue to attend worship about once a month. SPIRITUAL MILESTONES: • Prayer Partners: On February 20, five

Kindergarten and first grade students met with adult prayer partners. • Third Grade Bibles: On August 21, we presented 13 Bibles to third graders. • Promotion to Youth Ministry: On May 15, seven fifth graders were promoted to Youth Ministry. • Communion: On September 25, five fourth graders and their families learned about

Communion. Pastor Mat talked with the students and Heather talked with the parents.

Fourth and Fifth graders attend service once a month on Communion Sundays.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: This year’s theme was Monumental and was held June 13-17 . More than 130 children attended and 65 adults and youth volunteered. We held VBS with a rotation schedule with children attending Bible Discovery, Kid-Vid Cinema, Games, and Imagination Station. Classes are capped at 15 children for elementary classes and 12 children for preschool classes with three adults or youth leaders per group.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Kylie Shelton continues to direct the choir. The choir sings several times during the school year at the 9:00 am and the 10:45 am services.

OTHER PROGRAMS: • Holy Molies, a monthly fellowship group for 4th and 5th graders. This year (2022-2023) we are using a theme about trusting God by being yourself. • Easter Egg Hunt took place on Saturday,

April 9, instead of on Palm Sunday. We added prayer stations this year as well, and it was well attended. We had many families from

St. Andrew’s Preschool and Kindergarten in attendance. • Palm Sunday Processional. Students processed at the 9:00 am service and the

Children’s Choir sang at both the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services.

SAPC KIDS

• Trunk or Treat - 26 trunks decorated by volunteers. Over 630 people from the church, preschool, and community attended the event. Youth Ministry had a competition for the best trunk decorations with a partial camp scholarship as the prize. • Christmas Eve Play - 29 kids and five youth participated in a portrayal of the Christmas story.

SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY: In February we began a special needs ministry called Super Friends. While we include individuals with special needs in all our programming, we wanted to offer a group for them to meet their individual spiritual needs. We offer a Sunday School class for children with special needs and a parent support group for the parents of children with special needs. Both groups meet on the first Sunday of the month at 10:30 am. Our Super Friends Sunday school class focuses on getting to know God and our parent support group focuses on resources and strategies to help children with special needs on their faith journeys. During the summer, our Super Friends hosted several events in which we invited the entire congregation to join us. The goal was to foster relationships between families with special needs and the greater church community. We did painting with Lucky Cat Social Art, a pool day at Oro Valley Aquatic Center, and bowling at Fiesta Lanes. We are so thankful for all of the families that attended these events in support of our Super Friends.

LOOKING TOWARDS 2023: • Children’s Ministry looks forward to building a more intentional partnership with

St. Andrew’s Preschool and Kindergarten. • VBS: June 12-16, our theme is Stellar. We plan to have a cap of 240 elementary students and 60 preschoolers. Registration will begin in late March. • We are also planning to hire a new Assistant

Director of Children’s Discipleship Ministry.