Children

CHILDREN

Sunday School

Sunday School meets from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. each Sunday, Mid-September through May or early June. Our Sunday school is open for children ages 4 through sixth grade. A nursery is available for younger children during the Sunday School hour. We take a bible story or theme and work with it over several weeks. On a typical Sunday, the children gather at 9:30 a.m. for music and story telling and then move on to other activities which further explore our story. The children play games, do science experiments, watch video clips, and enjoy art and cooking activities as they make the story more and more a part of their lives. We celebrate and culminate our learning over several weeks with a Family Friendly Worship Service.

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Music Classes for Children and Youth

What are the classes like? We currently offer music classes on Thursday afternoons for children and youth at three different levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. All the activities are interactive and age appropriate. We find joy in singing church and folks songs, playing lots of singing games and enjoying folk dances. We sing echo songs, call and response songs, and rounds. We also play rhythm instruments and handbells. After class, the children have recreation time on the playground or in the Fellowship Hall.

How often do the children and youth perform? About 4 times a year, we sing for "family friendly worship services" at Castleton Hill Moravian. These relaxed, interactive services are geared for children and their families.

Which class should my child participate in? The classes are based more on experience than on age. Any elementary age child who is a beginner is welcome in the beginner class. Children who want to be in Intermediate or Advanced classes should see Pastor Delbridge for placement.

What method does the teacher use? The teacher is Pastor Delbridge. She uses the Kodaly method which she learned while earning her Masters in Music Education degree from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She has been teaching the four year old preschool music classes at Castleton Hill for 6 years and the music classes for Children and Youth for 5 years. Before that, she taught public school music for a year in California. For more information about the Kodaly method, you can check the www.oake.org website and click on "About Us" or www.kodaly.hnu.edu and click on "The Kodaly Vision."

What do I do with my other children while my child is in music class? You and your other children are welcome to play on the playground or in the fellowship hall while you wait. The weather determines which space we open up for play.

Are the classes expensive? The registration fee for the fall semester 2011 is $50. If the fee presents a financial hardship, other arrangements can be made.

How can I learn more? You can always talk to Pastor Delbridge at 718-442-5215 or email her at pastorchmc@si.rr.com.

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Vacation Bible School: Shake It Up! 2011

VBS is open to children who are old enough to enter Kindergarten in the Fall up through children who have completed the sixth grade. A nursery is available for the younger children of staff members. Teens are welcome to serve as volunteer assistants. Classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each day. Our building rocks with the energy of approximately 90 children and our adult and teenage staff. Crafts, bible stories, music, science, recreation, snacks, skits and lots of fun fill our five days together.

The dates for VBS in 2012 are yet to be set but it usually takes place the first week in August. Our VBS Director is Ms. Kim Johnson. Children receive a tee shirt and music CD as well as daily snacks, crafts and other activities. Parents who work as volunteers can register their children tuition free and use our nursery. Program theme and registration fees for 2012 will soon be set.

Vacation Bible School Slideshow

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Youth Group

Our Youth Group is open to youth in 6th to 12th grades. The group typically meets on Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Danni Grossi leads the group with assistance from Pastor Andy and youth group alums, Adam Ferre and Annie Breen.

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Preschool

Our preschool offers classes for two, three, and four year old children. For more information about the preschool, please check out the preschool website www.castletonhillpreschool.com or call the preschool office, 718-442-5350. The preschool is a ministry of our congregation. Twice a month, the preschool classes come to the sanctuary for devotions with Pastor Delbridge. Pastor Delbridge also teaches the four year old music classes. The stories and songs explored in devotions and in music classes are often the springboard for our Family Friendly worship services which we encourage all our Preschool families to attend.

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Troop 26

Our congregation hosts Cub and Boy Scout Troops 26 and a Venturing Crew for older teens and young adults. Please call the church office and ask for contact information for the appropriate scoutmaster. The Scouts lead worship for us each year on the first Sunday in February and also host a Bingo Dinner and a Square Dance. Both these events are open to the larger community. We are most grateful to them for their contributions each August to our SI Moravian Children's Clothing Distribution.

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