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We believe Christian
education is vital for people of all ages
as we seek to know
God’s will through
the study of Scripture
and church traditions.
We provide such education by offering formal instruction
through our Sunday School and Children’s Church programs,
as
well as other special opportunities for Christian growth
and
faith development...
Sunday School
Children:
9:45 a.m. until 10:45
a.m.
Adults:
9:45 a.m. gather in fellowship hall for opening
exercises
of hymns, announcements, and devotions.
Adults are at individual classes
10 a.m.
- 10:45 a.m.
Our Sunday School program is designed to include everyone,
from infants to mature adults,
in the Christian education experience.
Children’s classes are grouped by age or school grade
to insure that students can participate in ways
that are age-appropriate.
Adult classes, on the other hand, are more fluid and are
grouped more by common interest and format
than by chronological age.
Promotion Sunday:
One of the most important events in the life of Oakland's
Christian Education ministry was held on Sunday,
September 7th. Promotion Sunday is a day full of
celebration for both students and teachers! The
festivities begin at 10:00 AM when all Sunday School classes
(children, youth, and adults) gather in the Fellowship Hall
for the awarding of promotion certificates and perfect
attendance pins. After the ceremony, children
1st grade and under return to their classrooms, while
everyone else remains to complete in our annual Bible
Trivia match.
 
Teacher Dedication:
During the 11:00 AM worship
service, there is a service of dedication for all of our
Christian Education volunteers, as well as a special time of
recognition for those volunteers who are retiring. To
top things off, after worship there will be a Teach
Appreciation luncheon for all Christian Education volunteers
and their families. Make plans to join us for this
wonderful celebration of Oakland's Christian Education
Ministry!
Sunday School Class Photos:
Click here
Church Picnic:
This years picnic took place on Sunday afternoon,
August 10th, when we gathered at the Nansemond Swim Club
(the old Crittenden Pool) for a wonderful time of fun and
fellowship. There were opportunities for swimming,
relaxing, and of course ... eating! The festivities
began at 3 PM and lasted until 7 PM, with the meal served at
5:30 under the picnic shelter. This year's menu included
BBQ, fried chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans,
rolls, corn muffins, and lemonade. For more information
about our church picnic, please contact Rev.
Fuller or call the church office at 255-4353.
Children's Church
As part of our Christian
educational training for children, we offer a special time
for children, age 3 through 3rd grade, during
worship. This time, known as “Children’s Church,” is
designed to teach young children how to worship appropriately
during worship,
and to appreciate the meaning and significance of a typical
worship service. Emphasis is placed on understanding
central Bible stories, elements of worship, and important
Christian symbols. Children who participate in
this program attend regular worship with their parents until
just after the children’s sermon, at which time they leave
for Children’s Church with their leaders, and remain in
Children’s Church until the adult worship service is over.
Youth Work Camp: The second annual youth work camp
experience took place on Virginia's Eastern
Shore from August 4th through 8th. The first three
days of our work camp was spent working with the
children at the Cheriton Migrant Head Start Center.
Our young people did everything from reading stories to
leading games and crafts to helping clean up the playground. Thursday, August 7th, was a fund
day at the beach at Chincoteague. This is a wonderful experience for our
young people who have completed grades 6-12 to learn about
how to put their faith into action!
Vacation
Bible School
VBS Photos
Each year during
the early part of the summer,
we have a themed Vacation Bible School
with classes for
children ages 3 - 5th grade and adults.
The program begins at 6:00 p.m.
and a light supper
is provided
by various church fellowships and adult Sunday School
classes, with VBS classes ending at 8:30 p.m.
Children participate in Bible activities,
games,
crafts, music, and more!
An adult class is provided
and focuses on
a different Bible
story each night.
The Bible School closing program is
on Friday, 7:00 PM,
with an ice cream social following.
This program allows parents, grandparents,
and friends to
witness first hand
what the children learned all week long.
For more information about future Vacation Bible School
programs,
please contact the church office at
(757) 255-4353.
Bible
Study
Each fall and spring,
Oakland offers a Bible study group to help members grow in
their faith by learning more about the Scriptures. Our
pastor, Rev. Mark Burns, leads this group and covers a
variety of topics based on the group’s needs and interests.
The same Bible study is offered both on Tuesday evenings
and again on
Wednesday mornings.
The book of Acts is
the focus of the Bible study groups. For more information about this part
of
Oakland’s Christian
education ministry,
please contact the church office at (757) 255-4353. |
