WPMF - Nurture

Ministry of Nurture

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.

Child Protection Policy and Procedures

Unveiling the Child Protection Policy: Information

Sept – May, WPMF offers Sunday School Classes for children, preschool – high school. Classes go from 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Preschool Class (ages 3 & 4)
Where: Rm #5, across from the Primary Class
Co-Teachers: Christine Waanders, Carey Davis
Helper: Ana Maria Martin Zimmerman

Primary Class (Kindergarten - Grades 1)
Where: In the Children’s Community School
Co-Teachers: Laurie Callan, Brenda Rich, Sheldon Rich

Middler Class (grades 2-5)
Where: 2nd FL room above Calvary Office
Teacher: Lynn Wetherbee
Helper: Elaine Shenk

Junior Youth Class (grades 6-8)
Where: room to the left of the Adult Sunday School room
Co-Teachers: Anne Yoder, Don Brunk

Senior Youth Class (grades 9-12)
Where: 2nd FL room above WPMF office
Teacher: Alex Esh Bouwman

Substitute Teacher: Joe Syzdek

Look for the weekly themes and scriptures included in the Worship Schedule. If you have questions about Sunday School speak with Don Brunk, Sunday School Coordinator.

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:

Current Small Groups (as of October 2011)
Small Group Coordinator: Brenda Rich, brenrich53@gmail.com

West Philly Women’s Group
Meeting Place: Varied Homes
Meeting Time: Alternating Sunday Evenings -7 pm
Contact Person: Marla Burkholder
Group Focus: Sharing/support small group of women in various places in their spiritual journeys. Value confidentiality/mutual sharing. Leader rotation.

Dream Group
Meeting Place: Varied homes
Meeting Time: Monthly-alternating between Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings
Contact Person: Sheldon Rich
Group Focus: Members of the group engage in a process of active listening and group reflection to help gain insight about what their dreams may reveal in terms of personal and spiritual development. Participation requires no special prep other than a willingness to share from your own dream experiences and to respect and maintain group confidentiality.

Lectio Divina
Meeting Place: Home of Brenda and Sheldon Rich
Meeting Time: Alternating Sunday evenings-5:00 or 6:00 pm.
Contact Person: Sheri Magness
Group Focus: Latin for “Divine Word”, Lectio is an ancient Christian practice of reading and meditating on the scripture to listen for how the scripture connects to our lives, and for what God may be inviting us to thru what was heard. Lots of silence/listening/prayer.

3rd Sunday Meal
Meeting Place: Home of Tim and Carol Martin Johnson
Meeting Time: 3rd Sunday of the Month-around 12:00
Contact Person: Carol Martin Johnson
Group Focus: Sharing a potluck meal and conversation—great opportunity to invite visitors out for lunch, good time to discuss morning service.

Togethering
Meeting Place: Various months
Meeting Time: Once a week for a meal
Contact Person: Beth Caldwell
Group Focus: Shared communal meals.

Men’s Monthly Breakfast Group
Meeting Place: TBD
Meeting Time: One Saturday morning a month.
Contact Person: Reuben Wetherbee
Group Focus: Men’s gathering.

NW Philly Dinner Group
Meeting Place: Home of Mel and Linda Esh
Meeting Time: 3rd or 4th Thursday of the Month
Contact Person: Linda and Mel Esh
Group Focus: Enjoying great food together and supporting each other.

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.
2013 Retreat Brochure

PRAYER RETREAT
Brief contemplative prayer retreat in the city:
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. They meet at the Sisters of the Assumption community on 47th and Springfield Ave. in West Philadelphia. 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 the fall 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.

2012 Date: November 2-4
Registration
Brochure

updated: 4/9/12