Sprouts
Sprouts is a fellowship and educational group for 1st-5th graders. During the School year, we meet on the first or second Friday of the month, (depending on holidays) from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. We do not meet in June, July or August. Each meeting focuses on a different educational, fun, or service activity. There is no cost for participating in Sprouts, and dinner is included in the evening. Every elementary child is welcome, and we always love meeting new friends. (Each month is self-contained, and we usually have one or two new faces each month, so first-timers won’t feel behind or left out.)
If you would like more information about any event, or Sprouts in general, please contact Pastor Rob by e-mail rob@wallingfordpres.org or phone (610-566-1644 ext 13).
Here is a list of the Sprouts Activities for the 2011 – 2012 school year:
October 14, 2011 (6-7:30pm) Caring for God’s Creatures
In October, we will learn about some of the amazing animals that God created, and think about our job to care for and protect them. We will be visited by Jungle John, a former zoo-keeper, who will introduce us to some of his animal friends, including “Wally Gator,” a 5-1/2 foot American alligator, and “Julius Squeezer,” a 12-foot albino Burmese python. He will share interesting facts and stories about the animal kingdom, and even let the kids touch some of the animals. Afterwards, Rob will talk with the kids about what it means to be stewards of God’s creations – even the ones that look a little strange. At the beginning of our evening, we will make Halloween Bags for the kids who are served by Chester East Side Ministries. The bags will be delivered by our High School students later in the month, when at the CES Halloween Party.
November 4, 2011 (6-7:30pm) Spending, Saving and Sharing
In November, we will learn about budgeting. Each Sprout will be given $30 in play money at the beginning of the evening. Then, they will have to divide the money up between spending it on their dinner (a cafeteria style meal with different priced items), spending it for items to give to different charities, and saving it in the WPC bank, where it will grow at the amazing rate of 100% each month. The money donated to charity will made “real” by the church, underwriting the Sprouts donations to various organizations through the Christmarket.
December 9, 2011 (6-8pm) The Light of the World
Light is one of the most common metaphors for God. John, the gospel writer, calls Jesus, “the true light that enlightens everyone.” Jesus goes on to call his followers to be the light of the world. At Sprouts this month, we’ll talk about light as an ancient Christian symbol. Surrounded by candles, we’ll look at different characteristics of light and fire and ask what those characteristics have to do with God, us, and a life well lived. At the end of the evening, we’ll make luminaries which will be used at WPC for Christmas Eve Worship.
January 6, 2012 (6-8pm) Practicing Teamwork
We will learn and experience teamwork throughout our evening: dinner, games, and service. We will make our dinner team-style. (We split into groups of four:¬ one person prepared sandwiches, one the fruit, one the drink, and one the dessert. Each plate has to be completed before anyone on the team can eat.) In addition, we will play team-building games like group juggling and team relay races. Finally, we will work as a team to put together hygiene kits for the homeless women and men of Broad Street Ministry.
February 3, 2012 (6-7:30pm) Learning About Communion
We will learn about baptism – that surprising and amazing moment when we learn and remember that before we are aware or able to respond, God loves us and says, “I want you in my family.” Dinner will also be served baptismal style (cheese fondue with a chocolate fountain for dessert ¬ makes this the Sprouts’ favorite dinner of the year).
March 2, 2012 (6-8pm) Experiencing Prayer
We will learn about different ways to pray. The Sprouts will move through eight different interactive prayer stations including: wrapping in a blanket to remember God’s love wraps around them, watching pictures on a screen and praying for the people in the pictures, and sitting in a comfortable chair and praying for someone who needs a rest. We’ll end at 8 pm, rather than our usual 7:30 pm.
April 13, 2012 (6-7:30pm) Learning About Communion
We will learn about communion. We’ll talk about both the theological meaning of communion (God loves us enough to die for us, we are united through that love to everyone else, we are fed and strengthened regularly by remembering and reconnecting to God and one another) and also the simple matters of logistics (what do you say when and how do you pass those plates in the pews anyway?). The goal is to familiarize the Sprouts with the ritual, so that when they participate in it, they can feel more comfortable and knowledgeable about what is going on.
May 4, 2012 (6-8:30pm) End of Year Party at Ridley Creek State Park
We will end the year with a party at Ridley Creek State Park. We will learn how to set up a tent and about fire safety. Then we will go on a nature hike with a ranger from the park. Dinner will be hot dogs and s’mores over the open fire. Because this Sprouts is off site, it will last longer than usual.
