| To Children |
| To Youth & Young Adults |
| Adult Education |
| Small Groups |
| Retreats |
| Resources |
TO
CHILDREN
Children are important to us. We include a Children's
Time in every Sunday morning worship service, and regularly welcome
the participation of children. Sunday School is held every week from
September through the beginning of June (no S.S. during the summer).
Parents and others in the congregation endeavor
to pass on our values to our children through nurture, fun events,
and education. One event enjoyed each year is a trip to the Resource
Center of the Mennonite Central Committee in Ephrata (PA), where aid
material is gathered to send to refugees all over the world. The children
are given a tour and they help with projects, such as filling school
kits.
The fall quarter begins September 13, 2009. Look for the weekly themes and scriptures included in the Worship Schedule. If you have questions about Sunday School, or would like to receive a take-home "Talkabout" for your family, speak with Kathie Sauder, Sunday School Coordinator.
Sunday School Classes:
Preschool - ages 3 & 4Where: Rm #5, across from nursery
Teacher: Laurie CallanPrimary - Grades K, 1
Where: back half of nursery
Teacher: Mercy OyanaMiddler - Grades 2, 3, 4, 5
Where: classroom just off of the gym
Teacher: Jim Kurtz and Christel Urmenyhazi
Junior High - Grades 6, 7, 8
Where: Room to the left of the Adult Sunday School Room
Teacher: Tim Martin JohnsonSenior High - Grades 9-12
Where: 2nd Fl, above church office
Teacher: Alex Esh Bouwman
TO
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Our
youth group consists of students from 6th-12th grade. They get together
2x/month for a wide range of activities such as: camping, cookie baking,
sushi making, ice skating, bowling, leaf raking, movie nights, game
nights, progressive and mystery dinners. They also attend denominational
events like an all-night lock in with other Franconia Mennonite Conference
youth, and the Mennonite Church youth conventions held around the
country.
Youth Leaders: Alex and Amanda Esh Bouwman
Linford Martin and Marcy Zimmerman
Students who attend Mennonite Colleges are eligible to receive grants
of $500 per semester from the WPMF Mennonite College Assistance Fund.
We currently support two students at Goshen College (Goshen, IN) and
three at Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA).
ADULT EDUCATION
Adults meet for
Sunday School every Sunday while the school year is in session. We
usually have series on topics of interest or we discuss scripture
and welcome suggestions for new topics or books to study.
SMALL
GROUPS
Small groups meet throughout the year
for fellowship, study, sharing, and prayer. All are currently open
to new members. These groups are:
Cedar Avenue Small Group
Meeting Place: Flexible
Meeting Time: One Sunday a month (usually 3rd)
Contact Person: Carol Martin Johnson
Group Focus: We meet for lunch, and focus on checking in with each
other, support for each other and discussion around church happenings.
Other Information: We may occasionally gather at other times.
Lectio Divina Group
Meeting Place: Currently meet at 7117 Pennsylvania Ave, Upper Darby)
Location can be flexible.
Meeting Time: Every other Sunday,
6:00 p.m. (5:30 when we share a meal together).
Contact Person: Sheri Magness
Group Focus: Practicing lectio
divina in a group context of mutual support and care.
Other Information: Group lectio
divina provides sufficient structure to guide the process while offering
freedom for our particular engagement and sharing. The process is
easy to learn. New members are welcome at any time.
Parents-of-young-children
Meeting Place: Rotates
Meeting Time: Monthly
Contact Person: Amy Hochstetler
Group Focus: informal; sometimes with music
Other Information: This group is still pretty free-form. "Members"
participate as they're able.
West Philly Women's Group
Meeting Place: 4708 Kingsessing Ave.
Meeting Time: Every other Sunday at 7:00 PM
Contact Person: Marla Burkholder
Group Focus: Primarily a sharing/support small group. We rotate leaders
with the leaders choosing the format for sharing and bringing something
to reflect on together (a reading, topic, poem, church issue, etc).
Other Information: Supportive group of women at various places in
spiritual journey, career, personal lives. Value confidentiality and
mutual sharing.
October is an intentional opportunity to explore small groups.
Individuals and families are invited to consider how small groups
contribute to the life and mission of our church and to one's own
support and growth. If you would like to visit a new or different
small group during the month of October, plan to do so by connecting
with the small group's contact person. Sherri Michalovic is available
to help discuss options if desired and make initial contact with a
group. If you have ideas for a new or different group, we can explore
that as well.
ANNUAL
CHURCH RETREAT
Every spring the whole congregation is invited to
a WPMF Church Retreat, held at Tel
Hai Camp & Retreat in Honeybrook (PA). The retreat is held
from Friday evening through Sunday lunch, and includes discussion
of various topics, fun activities, and time for fellowship and intimate
conversation. Sleeping options include cabins or the campground. Meals
are provided.
2010 Date: April 23-25
PRAYER
RETREAT
Brief contemplative prayer retreat in the
city:
Bi-monthly gatherings take place
the final Saturday of every other month at the Sisters of the Assumption
house, 47th and Springfield. This ecumenical group is focused on personal
and group meditation, reflection, silence, and sung prayer in various
contemplative prayer and meditative practices such as chants, Centering
Prayer, Lectio Divina. These gatherings are for those interested in
an introduction to meditation and contemplative prayer, or for those
wishing to deepen their own practice and connect with others. For more information and to RSVP contact
Chris Petersen at (215)222-3322 or chrispetersen66@yahoo.com.
WOMEN'S
RETREAT
The annual women's retreat takes place in October
at Tel Hai Camp &
Retreat in Honeybrook (PA). The retreat is held from Friday evening
through Sunday lunch, and includes discussion of various topics, fun
activities, time for walks and quiet contemplation, and for fellowship
and conversation. All women, and girls 12 and older, are encouraged
to participate. The retreat is planned by, and often led by, women
of WPMF.
2010
Date: October 1-3
updated: 06/30/10