June 16, 2009

Dear Hope families,

We hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! Although the end of the school year just passed, plans for next fall are already in full swing at Lutheran Church of Hope. Let us share with you some exciting news about special changes in the works in programming for students in grades 5-8.

Over the past several months, a huge amount of thought and prayer has gone toward how to keep our older elementary and middle school children growing in their faith. What God has revealed to us is that students could greatly benefit from the opportunity to begin their confirmation journey in grade 6, a year earlier than what we’ve traditionally offered.

During the sixth grade year, the students will concentrate on the teachings of Luther’s Small Catechism, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and more. Through research and consultation with educators, we feel that students this age are ready and receptive to this teaching. This program (known as PowerLife) will take place on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:15 pm. PowerLife will become the main program for students in grade 6. On weekends, students in grade 6 will be encouraged to attend worship and participate in service projects.

During grades 7-8, PowerLife students will focus on applying the confirmation teachings to their lives. PowerLife, at this level, will continue to take place from 7:00-8:30 pm on Wednesdays.  

Students in grade 5, we haven’t forgotten about you! Both the weekend program (Kingdom Quest) and Wednesday evening program (Worship on Wednesday) will include children through grade 5. While the Scripture topics will remain consistent throughout grades 1-5, the lessons, activities, and large group time will be grade/age specific. Children in grades 4-5 will have large group time together separate from grades 1-3.

One great thing about the new programming is that your children will continue to work with Hope leaders they’ve come to know and love. We’re just shifting around responsibilities a little bit with the following:

• Cindy Manning will now serve as Director of Children and Student Ministries. This will allow Cindy to share her gifts of administration, structure and organization with everyone through grade 12!
• Mark Brandt, who has served as Student Ministry Director for the last nine years, will now serve as Minister of Children and Student Ministries. This will allow him to share his gifts for teaching and providing care to children and students from birth through grade 12 and their families.
• Emilie VanDis, a familiar face from the Children’s Ministry staff, will now serve as PowerLife Coordinator. Emilie has done an incredible job at Hope as coordinator for grades 5 & 6 and is perfectly suited to work with middle school students.
• Andy Hermanson and Taylor Penrod will continue to serve the high school students working with both Mark (for teaching and care) and Cindy (for program support) to grow the ministry. They will also be involved on Wednesday nights with supporting the leaders and students involved in PowerLife.
• Darci Lantz and Emily Brockberg will now serve students through grade 5 in their respective programs, Kingdom Quest and Worship on Wednesdays.

With these slight changes, we anticipate greater opportunities to serve Hope families and care for our students as they grow in their understanding of what it means to be followers of Jesus. We are truly excited to see what God has in store for this fall, and we hope that you are, too!

Thank you for the privilege to be part of the lives of your children. If you or your children have any questions or concerns about these changes, we invite you to get in touch with us to share what’s on your mind.

In Christ,

Cindy Manning                                                                      Mark Brandt

Director of Children and Student Ministries                             Minister of Children and Student Ministries

222-1520 or cindy.manning@hopewdm.org                                222-1520 or mark.brandt@hopewdm.org