WUMC Committees

Education Work AreaCurrent Minutes[PDF]

Our Purpose

To foster collaboration among all providers of educational programs in the church, resulting in a comprehensive set of educational opportunities that invite discipleship and encourage growth in faith

Set the direction for all educational programming, providing consultation, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring the effective use of resources (facilities, financial, and human capital)
Support teachers through training and materials and recognize their gifts of service
Monitor and assess the effectiveness of educational programming
Ensure alignment of all educational activities with the purposes and goals of the church

We have established our regular meeting time as 5:45 pm on the evenings prior to Administrative Council. Our 2010 meeting dates are listed below. We also have two special meetings for evaluation and planning to be held in February and August. Those dates are also listed.

January 26, 5:45 p.m.
February 16, 6:30 pm, Program Evaluation and Planning Session for June-December, 2010
March 23, 5:45 pm, Meeting prior to Administrative Council
May 25, 5:45 pm, Meeting prior to Administrative Council
July 27, 5:45 pm, Meeting prior to Administrative Council
August 31, 6:30 pm, Program Evaluation and Planning Session for January-June, 2011
September 28, 5:45 pm, Meeting prior to Administrative Council
November 23, 5:45 pm, Meeting prior to Administrative Council

Chair: Heather Sass (hlsass@columbus.rr.com
Staff Representatives: Reverend Cyndy Garn
Members: Shirley DeLucia (sdelucia.cap@gmail.com), Holly Kapus (hfkapus@columbus.rr.com), Jen Hall (djhall@columbus.rr.com), Patricia Nash (patricia.nash@nationwidechildrens.org), Mary Scott (36.scott@gmail.com), and Ann Wheat (awheat@columbus.rr.com).

Values That Guide Our Work

Educational programs should. . .

Invite people to be transformed, as they are inspired and challenged to know and experience God through Jesus Christ
Offer a variety of programs for all life stages (children, youth, young adult, adults) and for specific life experiences that create an educational need (i.e., parenting, financial challenges, employment issues).
Reflect an understanding of the stages of human development, moral development, and faith development
Encourage consistent practices and routines at each educational activity, including small group rules of operation, prayer, and stewardship

Areas to Consider in Assessing Education Ministries

Does a clear, shared vision for Christian education and formation guide education ministries?
Are a variety of education opportunities (small group, large group) offered in a variety of settings (Sunday mornings, outside the church, in the community)?
Are educational opportunities offered for a variety of ages groups and do they reach a large number of people in the church?
Are teachers and leaders effectively recruited, supported, trained, and recognized?
Do the education opportunities actively engage the participants and consistently encourage spiritual growth?
Do the educational offerings get results?
Is physical space used efficiently so as to complement the educational activities?

Reference: (The First) 80 Guiding Questions to Assess the Education Ministry of the Church by Dr. Diana L. Hynson, General Board of Discipleship, UMC

EWA Goals

Conduct semi-annual meetings to plan and evaluate educational programs.
Provide training opportunities for volunteer teachers in educational programs.
Provide leadership in the implementation of stewardship and a culture of giving throughout our educational programs.
Monitor the success (attendance, effectiveness survey) of educational programs.
Recognize teachers who serve in educational programs throughout the church.

Results

The achievement of EWA goals will result in:

increased participation in educational programs.
increased revenues from offerings made by education program participants.