Christian Formation

Children's Education Program
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19: 14-15

Here at St. Dunstan's we regard the care and nurture of our children as an important part of our community life. Children are always welcome at worship and fellowship activities.

Camp St. Dunstan
Camp St. Dunstan is the name of our vacation bible school. This year the dates are June 23 - 27 from 9:00 am to 1:30 p.m. Our theme this year is Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God. We will look at five different medieval saints are we travel back in time to visit St. Dunstan, Thomas Becket, St. Francis, Queen Margaret and St. Patrick. Registration is beginning now.
If you have any questions about our camp, please send an email to: CampStDunstans@gmail.com

Sunday School (for children ages 2 through elementary school)

Sunday school begins at 10:00 a.m. each week. Children may attend the 9:15 a.m. service with their families and then come to Sunday school, or they may arrive at 10:00 a.m. for Sunday school and join their families at the peace for the remainder of the 10:15 a.m. service.

Nursery care is also available each Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Terrific Tuesday: Generally, on the last Tuesday of the month during the school year, we have a special evening program for all ages. We start with an informal dinner at 6:00 p.m. and then have separate programs for children and adults from 6:50 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Topics vary monthly.

Outreach

Helping others is an important part of our children's ministry. The children participate in a mini Help-the-Homeless walkathon to raise funds for Samaritan Ministry. During the school year, the children also gather supplies to make bag lunches to help the poor who stop at our door, as well as for Samaritan Ministry. In addition, toiletries are gathered and made into kits for the participants of Samaritan Ministry to help them prepare for job interviews and other appointments. The children also reach out to our elderly and shut-in members of our community by sending cards throughout the year as well as preparing treat bags for them at both Valentine's Day and Halloween.

Annual Schedule of Events

Fall

In October, Halloween treat-not-trick bags will be made for our shut-in parishioners and our Special All Saints Day project will look at famous women saints.

Winter

In December we will decorate the Christmas tree with "Chrismons" (Christ's monograms), the children will participate in our Christmas pageant the Saturday before Christmas, and Valentine sweets will be asssembled for our shut-in parishioners.

Spring

We will have a "Walk through Holy Week" program and a special Pentecost celebration.

Summer

Programming will continue through the summer in new single session faith topics. 
 
We hope you will join us and become part of a growing and lively community of faith. For more information about our program, contact Bettianne Quinn at 301-229-2960, extension 14, or via email at bettianneqn@comcast.net

Director of Christian Education

Bettianne Quinn was an active volunteer in the Christian Education Program at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Damascus, Maryland, for ten years before joining St. Dunstan's staff in l996.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in special education from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, continued her education at Virginia Theological Seminary and received her Equipping Lay Ministry certificate in Christian Education from Wesleyan Seminary in May 2007. She is married with three children.

My personal ministry beliefs are:

Children are a gift of God and in their innocence, openness, creativity and wonder can lead adults into a new faith about God. Children need to be encouraged to wonder, to reflect and to know that their special gifts are signs of God's love.

Children need to be received, nurtured and treasured by including them in our activities as participants, while advocating the integrity of childhood and dignity of all children.

The church is called to nurture and support families in caring for their children, and recognizing and fostering their children's spirituality and unique gifts.

Bettianne Quinn