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Pioneer Club launches at Poland Presbyterian
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Becky Tareschawty (right) smiled with a group of first- and second-grade Pioneer Club members as they learned about exploring their bibles and reading scripture on Jan. 11.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Happily adding some G note hand chimes to songs during Pioneer Club music class were little pioneers Kaitlyn Roberts (left) Lauren Shaw, Lara Tyson, and Erika Casey.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .To bring her Pioneer Club music lessons to life, teacher Emily Slaven had her Pioneers help her with the music by adding hand chimes. Kids Alex Zedaker (left), Mary Brant, Van Blasko, and Maddie Anzeveno all handled C note chimes.
By SARAH FOOR
Poland youth from preschool through sixth grade focused on earning their first club recognition — a nature badge — as the Pioneer Club kicked off its first meeting at Poland Presbyterian Church Jan. 11.
About 40 little pioneers completed crafts, sang and played music, heard stories and learned about God through studying scripture.
Poland Presbyterian Church pastor Dave Gilbert was thrilled to see such a great turnout for the church’s new organization.
“Pioneer Club definitely fits in our mission here at the church, by helping us build a community of faith where kids can enjoy themselves and our adults are passionate and involved. The Pioneers keep Jesus in the picture and it shows that church can be fun in a lot of different ways,” Gilbert said.
At the kick-off meeting, children created trinket boxes made of popsicle sticks and decorated with acorns, silk flowers and sea shells. Pioneer club advisers urged members to explore nature and keep some of their findings in the boxes.
Emily Slaven helped Pioneers learn Bible verses by putting them to music. Kids added interest to some of the songs by playing with hand chimes.
“Today, and throughout Pioneer Club, we’re teaching the kids that the words of the Bible are like a light that can lead them through life,” Slaven explained.