Women

Women

Event
05/01/15

A Heartfelt Thank You!

For more than 20 years, a dedicated and faithful group of volunteers have cared for and guided generations of children whose mothers and grandmothers have attended Thursday morning bible study at Parkside Church. Their continued and unwavering service over these many years has made it possible for hundreds of women to study the Word of God knowing that their little ones were in safe and caring hands.

Living Out Parkside’s Vision to Build Into the Next Generation

In May, this remarkable group of men and women, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, will be retiring. We would like to recognize and thank the many volunteers of this ministry who have lived out both Jesus’ call to serve one another, and, Parkside’s vision of Building Into the Next Generation.


“Alistair has mentioned at baby dedications [that it takes] more than just parents to raise a child, and I have always felt that our group has been a part of that,” notes Sallie Newcomb, longtime preschool volunteer coordinator and one of this year’s retirees. “We’ve tried to help children to learn the very basics when they were little, but we were also there for the moms if they wanted to talk or whatever. We were there for them.”

Gail Gerycz, Thursday morning women’s bible study coordinator, agrees. “As I’ve coordinated the [Thursday morning bible] study for 14 years, Sallie and her team have been the ‘older’ women and men teaching those of us in the next generation how to love and serve well by their example. I’ve learned much from Sallie over the years. She is a sister in the Lord and a friend -- all possible through the Lord while serving on Thursday morning.”

More than Babysitting

Sallie remembers being asked by a friend if she and her husband, Bob, were still “babysitting,” but Thursday morning preschool time is so much more than just babysitting. The leaders read stories and play games. They teach Bible lessons, music, crafts, and even rudimentary table manners including praying before snack time and wiping mouths with napkins when snack time is over.

“It’s the little kids that keep me young,” laughs Bob Newcomb. “It’s great to watch and see how the little ones learn how to do new things and how to play with each other.”

Here’s a recent look at a day-in-the-life:


Captions:

  1. Bob Newcomb figuring out puzzles.
  2. Elaine Belliveau overseeing Play-Doh.
  3. Dick Rasper puppeteering during Story Time.
  4. Dorothy Nirmaier, who travels from Pennsylvania, visiting with Gail Gercyz.
  5. Ken Belliveau and AnnElla Rasper refereeing relay races.
  6. Carole Pittis leading a Palm Sunday parade.
  7. Cathy Downing teaching a bible lesson.
  8. Norm Maenner organizing nametags.
  9. AnnElla Rasper having a tea party.
  10. Jerry Pittis preparing snacks.
  11. Curt Downing playing games.

While the preschool volunteers arrive on Thursday mornings ready for a few hours of energetic activity, they also look forward to the quiet time that they spend in prayer before the kids are dropped off. Afterwards, they share in fellowship when the group heads to lunch. A small group unto themselves, this close-knit group of friends have developed relationships that have sprung up from serving together.

Can You Help?

As the majority of this group retires from service and we continue to build into the next generation, we ask that you prayerfully consider joining the remaining volunteers who will continue to serve this ministry. “We want Parkside’s younger women to be able to attend bible study,” notes Sallie. “I think empty-nesters or retirees are the perfect group to serve here.”

If you have a heart for children, consider volunteering for the Thursday morning women’s bible study. With more than 250 women attending the morning study and an average of 100 nursery, preschool, and homeschool children in need of care, we need your help! If you would like more information, please contact Laurie Brown at labrown@roadrunner.com.

Women's Ministry Preschool Volunteers