Christ Church Rathgar, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland.Junior Church

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CHRIST CHURCH RATHGAR

 
Junior Church at Christ Church Rathgar runs each Sunday, for 40 minutes.
 

Children of all ages are welcomed into the church and there is a children’s address at the beginning of the service.  At this time, they are invited to go up to the top of the church and sit with Rev. Mary Hunter and have time with Mary to address a different part of the bible each Sunday.  This is done through various mediums so that the children get a concrete understanding of the message that Mary is teaching to them.  There is a prayer and a song for the children before they leave for Sunday School at 11:20 a.m.

  Children's address

Church is fun!
by ChristArt.com

 

We have three classes in Junior Church:

1)  the under 2 - 5's, called LIGHT  =  Love Is in God's Heart Too;
2)
  the 6 - 9's, called GIFT  =  God Is Fun Too; and
3)
the 10+ group, called FOG  =  Friends Of God.

We hope through our work that we can nourish their curiosity and enthusiasm to be involved in the life of the church.  See below for a monthly Junior Church Report, as the year progresses!

 

In addition to Junior Church, the children get involved in all aspects of church life, including the Harvest Service, a stall at our Christmas Fair, a Children’s service in December and May and various fun days and parties that are organised throughout the year.

The Junior Church endeavour to make the Bible fun and informative for the children, so that we can create a positive image of Christianity.  Please keep the children and teachers of the Junior Church in your thoughts and prayers.


by ChristArt.com

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Junior Church
by ChristArt.com

Doreen Conway - Team Leader
Telephone 01 493 6798 / 087 662 1427
e-mail e-mail
 

 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   MAY, 2008
 

During April we had two fun events, we had our Family Quiz night and also our trip to Leisureplex for bowling.  Both were great fun and it was great to see so many people coming along.

This month sees Junior Church preparing for our end of year service, which will be held on Sunday 25th May.  Every year the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has a Youth & Children’s project that it supports.  This year the title of the project is Rhythm & Rhyme and it is supporting two projects in the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan.

The first part of the project is based in Gujranwala where the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan asked ABES to launch a non-formal Primary Education Project for girls aged between 7 to 12 years of age who are not able to join formal Primary Schools. 

The Academy of Church Music is the second part of the project, which was founded by Rev Eric Sarwar in Karachi. The Academy will train ministers and worship leaders both musically and spiritually in a purpose built school. 

Junior Church will be telling you a bit more about the projects in the May service and during the month we will be doing some fundraiser to support them  At the end of April I announced that Junior Church will be holding a Sponsored Silence on Sunday 18th May, the children have been given a sponsorship form. 

Don’t forget we will be having our congregational outing to Clara Lara on Saturday 24th May, please come along from 12 p.m. and bring a picnic or a BBQ along.

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

Diary

Saturday May 24th:

Family/congregational outing to Clara Lara

   

Sunday 25th May:

Junior Church Service
   

 Sunday 1st June (bank holiday):

There will be no Junior Church
 

Our prayer for May is:

Dear God,

You are very loving and kind.

You always keep your promises.

Please help me

to do my best for you.

In Jesus’ name. 

Amen

Prayer
 

Our memory verse is:

We love Him, because

He first loved us.

John 4:19

Memory Verse
by ChristArt.com

 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   APRIL, 2008
 

I hope you all had a good break and didn’t eat too many chocolate eggs!!!

All the entries for the Photographic Exhibition are displayed on the notice board at the back of the Church.  Please have a look and enjoy some fantastic images of ‘My Church’.  The photographers are William Doyle, Harriet Doyle, Isobel Doyle, Emily Jane Doyle, Robyn Esmonde, Emily Esmonde, Alex Esmonde, John O’Donnell, Alan O’Donnell, Lana Cotter, Lawrence Prosechin, Mark Conway, Robyn Conway and Lily Conway.  Thank you for such great photos and congratulations. 

The Family Quiz night is being held on Friday 18th at 7:15 p.m. (to start at 7.30pm sharp).  It for all the family from children (6yrs plus), teenagers, parents and grandparents.  There will be a charge of €3 per person.  There will be refreshments and some prizes.  It will be a good evening to meet and have some fun.  The more people there are the better the fun, so please try to come along.

There are a number of events coming up so please put them in your diary.

Junior Church is an important part of our Church life and it is only possible with the support of the parents and in particularly those parents who help out with the groups or as Leaders.  In Junior Church there are three groups and two leaders share each group.  In total six leaders are needed and additional parents for helping out. 

Planning has started for next September and I will require some new leaders and parents who are willing to help.  When I was preparing for this year, it was very difficult to find Leaders but thankfully we have some wonderful and committed people as Leaders.  There is a commitment in time required and plenty of patience needed, but it is fun and so rewarding!

It would be great to see some new faces and I would urge all parents to consider getting involved.  If there is anyone who would like to know more about Junior Church, I would be delighted to talk to you.

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

Diary

Friday April 18th
@ 7:15 p.m.:

A Family Quiz in the Lecture Hall
   

Sunday April 27th
(after church):

After church to Leisureplex in Stillorgan for Zoo and bowling

   

Sunday 4th May:

There will be no Junior Church on Sunday 4th May (Bank Holiday)
   

Saturday May 24th:

Family/congregational outing to Clara Lara

   

Sunday 25th May:

Junior Church Service


Our prayer for April is:

Dear God,

You are very loving and kind.

You always keep your promises.

Please help me

to do my best for you.

In Jesus’ name. 

Amen

Prayer
 

Our memory verse is:

We love Him, because

He first loved us.

John 4:19

Memory Verse
by ChristArt.com



Doreen - Team Leader

 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   MARCH, 2008
 

This term the FOG is continuing looking at the history of our church.  Did you know that the first marriage in CCR took place on the 27th August I860?  The group will be putting together a poster of what they have discovered, so keep an eye on the notice board!

The GIFT and LIGHT groups have been learning about the Easter Story, as Sunday 16th March is the last Junior Church before Easter, we are having a egg hunt!!  After Easter, they will be looking at the story of Joseph.

Sunday 9th March is the last day for entries for the Junior Church Photographic Exhibition.  If you need a bit more time just let me know. I hope to display the photos on the Junior Church notice board this week.  There will be a prize for all entrants.  The theme of the exhibition is "My Church", so feel free to capture in a photo your unique view of Christ Church Rathgar.

There are a number of activities organised for the remainder of this year and they are listed below.  I would ask you all to consider coming along, the more there are the better fun it is and the more people you get to know.  There will be more details nearer the times but you can mark your diary up now!!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

Diary

Saturday March 8th:

FOG trip to Baldonnel, thanks to Paul, Declan and Meriel for your help
   

Sunday March 9th:

 

LIGHT and GIFT trip to the Ark Theatre for “Beware of the Storybook Wolves”
   

Friday April 18th,
 at 7:15 p.m.:

 

A Family Quiz in the Lecture Hall
   

Sunday April 27th,
after church:

To Leisureplex in Stillorgan for Zoo and bowling
   

Saturday May 24th:

 

Congregational outing to Clara Lara
   

Sunday 25th May:

Junior Church Service

We are hoping to organize a fun tournament between CCR and hopefully two other Presbyterian congregations.  We will keep you updated.
 

Our prayer for March is:

Dear God.

You are very loving and kind.

You always keep your promises. 

Please help me

to do my best for you.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Prayer
 

Our memory verse is:

We love Him, because

He first loved us.

John 4:19

Memory Verse
by ChristArt.com



Happy Easter!

Doreen - Team Leader

 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   FEBRUARY, 2008
 

Last term the third group was designing a logo for Junior Church and names for each of the groups and they have now completed this and it is being presented to the Congregation this morning (10th February), as part of the Children's address.

You will see the logo opposite and it consists of children and young people engaged in various activities in the shape of a cross.  In Junior Church, we discussed with the group what Junior Church meant to them and what it is or should be.  The logo will be displayed on our notice boards and on any literature which involves Junior Church.

Secondly, the group discussed names for the three groups, presently they are referred to by the ages.  We had a great time talking about different names and their meanings. Finally three names were decided on and the group talked to the other two groups.

 

CCR Junior Church logo

 

New!

The 2 - 5 year old Group will now be called LIGHT (Love Is in God's Heart Too)

The 6 - 9 year old Group will be called GIFT (God Is Fun Too)

The 10+ Group will be called FOG (Friends Of God).

 

On the notice board (at the back of the church), you will get a better look at the logo and names.  Thanks to all group for all their work and inspirations.  A big thank you to Tony Cronin for putting a professional look to our thoughts and drawings.

In general term Sunday School is now referred to as Junior Church, the teachers are the Leaders and the Sunday School Superintendent is now the Team Leader.

Junior Church is going to hold a Photographic Exhibition (see rules below).  The photos will be displayed on the Junior Church notice board in the church.  There will be a prize for all entrants.

The theme of the exhibition is 'My Church', so feel free to capture in a photo your unique view of Christ Church Rathgar.

  Photographic Competition
 

Don't Forget

Here are the rules:

  • The photo should be standard size either 6x4 or 7x5 inches

  • The photo can be black & white or colour

  • Only ONE photo per person will be accepted

  • Name and age must be submitted with the photo

  • Open to all members of Junior Church

  • All photos should be given to a Junior church leader by 9th March

 

  Have fun!
 

Our prayer for February is:

Dear God

Thank you for forgiving my sins

Please help me to forgive other people too

In Jesus' name

AMEN

Prayer
 
 

Our memory verse is:

In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.   Genesis 1:1

 

Memory Verse
by ChristArt.com

 

Doreen - Team Leader

 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   JANUARY, 2008
 

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a good Christmas.

I would like to say a huge thanks and well done to all the children and young people of Junior Church for the Gift Service in December - we may have forgotten to have a baby Jesus in the Nativity play but Jesus was certainly not forgotten.  Also a big thanks to all the Leaders and parents for your work and time.

Thanks to those who entered the Bookmark Competition.  There were 22 entries from 15 people.  I hope the congregation enjoy the bookmarks and pray for all of us in Junior Church when they use them.

Our gifts this year from the service went to Focus Ireland and they were collected the following week.  The Social Workers who collected them were absolutely delighted.

This term, the first two groups will be continuing to learn bible stories, The Creation and the Easter Story.  The third group will be looking at our church in Rathgar and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Our prayer for January is:
 

Dear God,
Thank your for forgiving my sins.
Please help me to forgive other people too.
In Jesus' name.
Amen

Prayer
 
Our memory verse is:
 

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth".

Genesis 1:1

Memory Verse
by ChristArt.com

 
   

We hope to get some activities organised in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on the announcements in the Order of Service and on the web Noticeboard.

Doreen Steenson

 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   DECEMBER, 2007
 

The 9th December marked the Junior Church Gift Service and the children practiced hard over the previous few weeks learning the songs and parts for the nativity play. The theme of our Service was Happy Birthday Jesus.

I would like to say a huge thanks and well done to all the children and young people of Junior Church for the Gift Service - you are all brilliant.  Also a big thanks to all the Leaders and parents for your work and time. A special thanks to John White who helped us on the piano to practise our songs.  And thanks to Anne Walsh for helping with the props.

Our gifts this year are going to Focus Ireland, Focus Ireland was founded by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy as a result of the findings of research into the needs of homeless women in Dublin. In 1985, two years after the initial research Focus Point (now Focus Ireland) opened its doors in Eustace St, Dublin. The agency provided street work services to young people, advice, information, help with finding a home and a warm and welcoming place to meet and have a low-cost meal.

Our Gift Service gifts will go directly to the Social Workers who are assisting families in their struggle to set up and settle into their home and we hope that the presents we give will them joy at this difficult but happy time.

On 1st December, Louise Woods and I went to the Building Blocks Conference in Drumcondra.  It is a multi- denominational conference for people involved in children's ministry.  It was a great day with some very interesting seminars on such topics as 'Neither teens nor children' and 'Creative prayer, Play and Worship for the under 5s'. The keynote speaker was Bob Hartman, who has been involved in Lion publications of bible stories, he gave an amazing talk with plenty of stories and audience involvement, we were elephants and rabbits to name but a few!  It was wonderful to be able to see a bible story come to life in words. There was a range of resources from songs to activities available.  Louise and I came away with a sense of all that we could do in Junior Church and we hope to use some of these over the rest of the year.

Ronda Gerrish from CCR is involved in Building Blocks on the organising committee and I would like to express our thanks to the committee for such a great event.

Thank you to all of you who entered the Bookmark Competition, they are really wonderful and creative!  I hope that the members of the congregation will remember Junior Church in their thoughts and prayers when they use the bookmarks.

From all the Leaders and myself, we hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and remember to say Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

Doreen Steenson
 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

23rd December - Christmas Quiz

30th December - No Junior Church
& 6th Jan

13th January    - Junior Church as normal.

Diary
 
 

 
 
JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2007
 

I hope you all had a relaxing half term and enjoyed the trick and treating!

Over the next few weeks all the Groups are going to concentrate on preparing for the Christmas period. There will be Christmas Bible stories, decorations for the Christmas tree, bookmark competition and the Junior Church Gift Service.

The Memory Verses for November and December will be:

'For unto you is born this day in the city

of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace,

good will toward men.

Luke 2:14
 

The Prayers for November and December will be:

Dear God.

Thank you for all the presents that people give us at Christmas.

And thank you for giving Jesus to us as the best gift of all.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

O Lord Jesus, who for the love of us

Lay as a baby in the manger we thank you that by your coming

You brought joy to all the world

Help us at this glad time

To try to make others happy for your sake.

Amen.
 

The 10 Plus Group having been working very hard on designing a logo for Junior Church and coming up with names for each of the Groups. At this point we are looking for a professional view on our ideas. If there is a member of the congregation who has connections or experience in graphic designing and who would be willing to help us, I would be delighted to hear from you. 

The Junior Church Gift Service will be held on Sunday 9th December and all members of  Junior Church will be involved in this.  Over the next few weeks we will be practicing for this.

Usually we have a Christmas card competition and then they are distributed to each member of the congregation during the Gift Service (9th Dec). This year. instead of cards we are having a Bookmark competition and these are the rules!!:

  • Envelope, containing some cards (which are the size of bookmarks) will be
    distributed in Junior Church over the next few Sundays.
     

  • The theme is 'Joy to the World'. Using your creative skills, design a bookmark using pictures or words.
     

  • On the bookmark, the following should be included:

- the phrase 'Joy to the World' (not essential)

- Name and age (if under 15yrs)

- CCR

  • You can enter as many times as you like.
     

  • There is no restriction on age
     

  • The entry can be black & white or colour.
     

  • Entries should be given to me or one of the Junior Church Leaders by Sunday 2nd December.

The Junior Church contribute to the Christmas Sale by making and selling gift tags, calendars and a Suduko competition. If you can't make the 1st December for the sale, all of these items will be available to buy from next week during coffee.

On the 20th October we held our Halloween Party and it was truly terrifying!  We had over 45 ghosts, witches, princesses, fairies and many more creatures and characters!!  A great night of fun and entertainment was had by all. we even had a very wet minister and floor!  I cannot thank enough all the people who helped on the night, thank you, thank you.

Doreen Steenson
 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

2nd December - Closing date for the Bookmark competition;
                          and Rehearsal for the Gift Service

9th December - Junior Church Gift Service

Diary
 
 

 
 

JUNIOR CHURCH REPORT   -   SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, 2007

This year there are three groups in Junior Church: 2 - 5 years, 6 - 9 years and the 10 plus group,

This year the 2-5 and the 6-9 groups will be learning about some of the Bible stories.  Also Memory verses and prayers will be included in the programme.  The Bible stories for this month are Noah and the Ark and Feeding the 5000.  The Memory Verse for September and October is:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul. with all your
strength and with all your mind.” 
(Luke 10 v 27)

 

The prayer for September and October is:

"Dear Lord. please help me to love you with all my heart and with all my soul
and with all my strength.  In Jesus' name.  AMEN

The 10 plus group will be doing some project work, and their first project is to design a logo for Junior Church and names for each of the groups.

During the year there will be some Junior Church outings.  The first was for 9 years and under to a concert in the National Concert Hall.  This happened on Saturday 23rd September - 32 parents and children went and a thoroughly animated and magical time was had by all!!!  Have a look at the photographs in the back porch.

The 10 plus group went on a Sea Safari on October 6th.  The group headed off at 12 p.m. on Saturday for Malahide by the bus and dart. and had a great time on the speed boats in Dublin Bay.  A few seals and porpoises were spotted along the way.  The group returned to the Church for a pizza and a chat.  There will be some photographs up soon. so keep and eye out for them. A big thank you goes to Declan Connolly for organising the trip and also to Maurie Cotter for helping out on the day.

The activity for October will be a Halloween party in the Lecture Hall on Saturday 20th October from 6.30 p.m -8.00 p.m.  It will be a fancy dress party and there will be plenty of tricking and - treating!"

A big thank you to all who tenderly looked after your grassheads for the Harvest Service.  They all look fantastic.  Well done!


Doreen Steenson

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

20th October - Halloween party

28th October - No Junior Church (Half-term)

Diary
 


Junior Church

 

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