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Ascension Memorial Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts began a new program in September 2006 called Our BEACH. Our BEACH is based on a non-denominational teaching technique called the Workshop Rotation Model. This teaching method has been used by hundreds of churches nationwide over the past 10 years and has been successfully implemented in other Episcopal parishes. The Workshop Rotation Model focuses on teaching Bible stories through a series of child-friendly, multi-media workshops (classrooms) that present the same story to children each week so that it can be experienced and learned through a different teaching medium each time: Art, Music/Drama/AV or Story Telling. Here’s how Our BEACH works: Our BEACH features three newly renovated workshops (classrooms) named for our local beaches: Crane’s Creations (Art), Steep Hill Stage (Music/Drama/AV) and Parable Pavilion (Story Telling). Children are grouped by age and grade level: Little Necks, Sea Stars, and Plovers with Gulls (Youth Group) serving as Lifeguard (teacher) helpers and Tidal Pool space provided in our Family Lounge for young children and their caretakers. Each age group will rotate to a different workshop each week, over a 3-week period, hearing the same bible story taught through three completely different teaching mediums! Our BEACH Mission is to teach our students an introductory understanding of the Christian life, using a curriculum that honors and engages their hearts, minds and imaginations, draws upon the timeless stories and loving wisdom of the Bible, and affirms that being a Christian is not primarily about believing the right things or being good. Rather, the Christian life is about entering into a relationship with God, which transforms us more and more into compassionate beings -- into the likeness of Christ. Reverend
Bradford Duff Clark Our BEACH Workshops (Classrooms) CRANE’S CREATION: A real art studio to inspire children to create meaningful art that will decorate the walls and halls of Sunday School and home. This is much more than simple arts & crafts — the goal is to have children interpret Bible stories through different artistic mediums such as painting, paper mache, mosaics, fabric, sculpture and more. STEEP HILL STAGE: Children are born actors! We have a drama room with a stage area and imaginative costumes and props where children can act out a “script” after hearing a Bible story or watching an inspirational movie. Our hope is that children will learn from Bible stories through the creative process of play-acting and movement. PARABLE PAVILION: This is the most traditional of the three workshops, with an emphasis on the Bible story, culture, geography, and how the story relates to our faith. The Lifeguard (teacher) is the storyteller who prompts discussion and reflection through such tools as journaling, maps, and the exploration of ancient & modern day objects as well as through the use of a beautiful puppet theatre made by our Youth Group. Our
BEACH Classes (Age Groups) Crawlers &
Toddlers are invited to play in the Family Lounge Tidal Pool area
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