WE RAN AWAY & JOINED THE CIRCUS

            Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages    On Tuesday, July 27 10 young people and 7 adults who had participated in the “Portage Church Day Camp 2010” this summer were given an opportunity to “run away and join the circus.”

            Okay, not really! However, we did spend the day at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Arriving early on a typical summer day, we were able to enjoy many different opportunities before it became too warm.

            Our day started with the “Kids Interactive Circus” with our own Elizabeth Martens playing the role of an elephant. She was the star of the show.

            Then we made our way across the river to the “Tiger Adventure Show.” The trainer led the tigers through a variety of jumps and acts. We even heard a tiger’s “growl” and saw a tiger’s “teeth” as one of the cats decided they were not too happy doing what they were supposed to do. Among the tigers were two “white tigers.” As the day progressed, we all practiced our “growls.”

            Then came the “Big Top Circus Performance.” This was a fantastic show of juggling, elephant acts, dog acts, balancing, twisting on a rope suspended over the arena among other things. Oohs and aahs were commonly heard throughout the performance. And of course the performance was extra-special because the “ringmaster” (David SaLoutos) is a Presbyterian (from the First Church in Baraboo).

            Lunch was “the infamous bag lunch” and then it was on to a “magic show.” We are still trying to figure out how he did what he did!

            When asked what part of the day they liked the best, some thought about the tigers. Others were thinking about the jugglers or the elephants. But, in the end, all agreed that the best part of the day was “everything.”

            What a great way to close our “Portage Church Day Camp 2010” ministry for the summer.           A very special “thank you” to our “anonymous donor” who          made this day possible.

EDUCATION MINISTRY UPDATE

            Come and check out the good things that are happening here at PPC.

            Our “birth-3 year old” class continues to meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. This class has been gathering in the “nursery area” above Parry Hall. Liz Bellmore and Donna Mohr are the teachers for this class.

            Elementary age youth has 2 opportunities to participate in PPC’s educational ministry. Sunday morning classes continue to meet at 9:30 a.m. in Westminster Center. Our “one-room Sunday School” experience is being taught by Lee and Mary Roundy.

            On Wednesdays we have three “Wednesday evening” classes - one for elementary age young people (now taught by Mackenzie Bornick and Nick Hankins); one for our “Pre-Confirmation” group (grades 6 & 7) taught by Lee Roundy; and one for older youth and adults (led by Pastor Dave) in Parry Hall.

            If you have questions, please contact Kathy Hankins at 742-2752 or dknshankins@verizon.net

EDUCATION MINISTRY - 2010

            PPC begins this new year celebrating the good things that are happening in our “educational ministry.”

            We will continue to offer the same educational opportunities as we have this past Fall. We hope that you and your family will come and check it out.

            Our “birth-3 year old” class will be meeting on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. This class has been gathering in the “nursery area” above Parry Hall. Liz Bellmore and Donna Mohr are the teachers for this class.

            Elementary age youth have 2 opportunities to participate in PPC’s educational ministry. Sunday morning classes will continue to meet at 9:30 a.m. in Westminster Center. Our “one-room Sunday School” experience is being taught by Lee and Mary Roundy.

            Then, on Wednesdays we have two “Wednesday evening” classes - one for elementary age young people (taught by Pastor Dave) and our “Pre-Confirmation” group (grades 6 & 7) taught by Lee Roundy.

            We are looking ahead to planning a program of some sort for Easter time. We will let you know more as the plans come together.

            If you have questions, please contact Kathy Hankins at 742-2752 or dknshankins@verizon.net

"WHAT’S HAPPENING” IN EDUCATION?

            Special “guests,” singing songs, learning about the Bible, taking “field trips,” following Jesus – these are all some of the things that have been happening in our Sunday School in this new year.

            Our “little folks” in the “Birth-3” class have been learning about baptism and “following Jesus.”

            The “K-2” and “3-4” grade classes are studying about the preparation that God’s people put into a life of faith. We are learning about Jesus and those around him, including His disciples. As God has helped prepare His people for a life of faith, so God helps us.    

            Grades 5-6 continue to make their journey through the Bible.

            In our Confirmation Class, we have been talking a great deal about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and how this impacts our daily lives. We are just beginning to think about writing our “statements of faith.”

            We continue to have our 4 youth classes (on Sunday mornings) and our Confirmation Class (on Wednesday after school).

            The Parish Education Committee is still interested in having Adult Education classes. If you are interested in helping to facilitate a Bible study or other type of class, or you would like more information, please contact Jane Considine, Pam Crossley or Kathy Hankins.

            Teachers in your Educational Ministry this year include: Liz Bellmore and Donna Mohr (birth to 3 year olds); Toni Armson and Nicole Armson (K-2^nd Grade); Kris Cadigan and Nick Hankins (Grades 3-4); Lee Roundy (Grades 4-5);  (adult Bible study); and Pastor Dave (confirmation).

            Please continue to remember in your prayers all who are involved in these ministries and all whose lives will be touched by them.  

            If you have questions or suggestions for our Educational Ministries, please contact Kathy Hankins, Director of Christian Education (742-2752).

NEW CONFIRMATION CLASS THIS FALL

            We will be starting a "new" confirmation class for young people who are at least in the 7th grade this Fall.

            Our "new program" is a one year program which builds upon the areas of study that the young people have explored and expanding into a probing and reflecting of their own faith.

            A meeting day and time have not yet been set. We will set our meeting time according to the schedules of the young people and Pastor Dave.

            So, if you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Pastor Dave.