Fall 2001
Dear Junior Church Parent,
It is nearly time to begin another year of
our weekly programs for 4th, 5th and 6th
graders. Mary Anderson and Ross Olson
have been doing this for as far back as
memory (at least as far as OUR memories can
search). For more than 15 years the
fall has been
highlighted by an all day Saturday hike to
a semi-wilderness area near the
junction ofthe Mississippi and Minnesota
Rivers.
But, now for the second time, a hike has
been canceled due to injury -- not the
kids, they are fine as always. But it
is the aging voyageur who has again had to
deal with catastrophic failure of an
essential piece of hiking equipment, namely
a knee. Therefore, the next outdoor
hike will come in the spring, the first
Saturday after Memorial Day. There
MAY be an indoor hike to the Science Museum
in January 2002 as we did in January 2001
when we found many examples of misleading
exhibits that failed to call attention to
evidence in nature for the existence of a
Creator.
But, for sure, we have an exciting schedule
of topics for the Sundays beginning
September 9, 2001 and continuing until June
2, 2002. The combined Worship Service
with the adults and children begins in the
Sanctuary at 9:30 am on Sundays.
About 10:00 am the children are dismissed
to go downstairs to the "New Fireside
Room" which is the room directly
across from the gym. The younger
Children's Church groups meet
elsewhere, for instance the K--3rd Graders
meet in the room off the end of the
gym.
A complete schedule is attached, but to highlight a
few topics, we will discuss what creation tells us
about the Creator. We will also talk about
what it means to be a Christian and hear from 6
adults in the church who will tell us about their
own spiritual journey. We will discuss what is
good and what is bad about popular culture. We
will talk about disabilities and meet a boy who is
blind. We will talk about the spiritual world,
missions, church government, the place of the arts
in church and many more. It sounds like we
should award a degree at the end, and indeed, these
topics, which have been developed over two
decades by Mary and Ross, would probably be
instructive for many adults. (Sorry, you have
to be shorter than Mary to be a member,
although occasional parent visits are always
welcome.)
Also attached is "Purpose of Junior
Church" which summarizes our goals.
Basically, the world is becoming more and more
dangerous for children and young people. Only
those with a clear
understanding of the spiritual dangers will know
there is a battle
going on and only those with the knowledge and
courage to fight back will be able to make it
through. We don't want to see them simply
survive, however, but be active lights in an
increasing dark world.
For those who want the play-by-play story of
Ross' injury, which occurred on an August 11
"Alumni Hike" you may find copies of the
story in the literature rack at church or on the web
at
www.rossolson.org (Click on
"Family" then "Unexpected
Falls.")
Mary Anderson 612-824-7691
Ross Olson 612-824-7691
e-mail rossolson {at} qwest.net
First Evangelical Free Church
5150 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis MN 55417
Phone 612-827-4705
Website www.firstfreechurch.org
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