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Wonders on Wednesday (WOW) is the name
that we at First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro have selected to call our Logos program.
Logos is a national program which provides in-depth and well-rounded Christian nurture for children and youth of the
church. The program is intended to parallel the school year with weekly meetings
beginning September 10th. The weekly meetings consist of four basic segments
which are Bible Study, Recreation, Family Time and Worship Skills.
The program is not a substitute for,
or replacement of, Sunday School or other programs of the church. It is rather
a strong enhancement to the entire program of the church.
The Logos program is a program used
in many churches. Some churches use the name Logos as their program name; others
select their own local name to use. As mentioned above, we have chosen to call
our program WOW or Wonders on Wednesday. From time to time you will hear (and
read) both terms, WOW and Logos. Please don't be confused; we are really talking
about the same program.
The Program
The Logos Program is not just a design by which young
people can develop an intellectual understanding of God. It is not just “about”
theology; it IS theology - that is, it is a design by which the Christian understanding of God is expressed in relationships. The Logos Program is designed to be theology in action. Its design is to help children and youth move from understanding in the way God is and calls us to be,
into the “learning experience” of putting into practice within the program time arena what our biblical study
helps us to understand theologically. The
Logos system intentionally provides for that learning of the gospel that comes only by experiencing it as we “practice
up” on treating each other as the children of God that we are.
So here is an “arena” of time and experience
in which young people and adults can “practice up” on “treating everyone as a child of God.” That is the one rule of the Logos Program and is the summary of the theology to be
practiced. The Logos Program system provides designed time in which understanding
the Way, the Truth, and the Life is nurtured, experienced, and practiced up on, so that everyone in the Logos Program grows
in learning how to treat everyone else as a child of God.
We require four areas of study and experience. These elements, indispensable to the program, are:
2.
Worship Skills (Choir/Bells/Drama)
In addition to the various forms of study, there
are supervised recreation and craft programs for each child to participate in.
A common meal together is an essential of the Logos
program and is a big part of the total “experience.” In this dinner
hour is the opportunity for the cultivation of a unique “esprit de corps,” a sense of the family of God, training
in unselfishness, sharing in clean up of tables, serving one another, etc. Manners,
too, come into the picture. The program time of dinner hour is used for group-
singing, games, skits and announcements.
Our regular program times are as follows:
- Children entering Kindergarten through Fifth Grades come at 4:00 p.m. for
the start of their program,
- Junior Highs will come at 5:15 p.m. for their program.
Discipline
at Logos
Simply stated, we will adhere to the following:
No one has the right to treat anyone else as if they
do not matter. There is only one rule:
We are
all God's children,
and we treat each other that way.
Cooperation with all members of the staff should
be stressed by the parents at home. General demeanor during the Logos Program
should reflect Christian thought and concern for others. Courtesy is expected
at all times whether in study or play.
Parent questions about discipline should be referred
to the Pastors. Disciplinary problems will be dealt with as promptly, realistically,
and consistently as possible, as they are detrimental to the progress of the entire class and sometimes to the safety and
well-being of other persons.
Behavior at the Dinner Hour-
Table parents, who each supervise one table during
the dinner hour, require courtesy and good manners from those at their table. “Please”
and “Thank you” are expected. The table leader functions as host,
disciplinarian, teacher, and friend.
Logos members are asked to remain in the dining room until dismissal, unless specifically and personally excused by the table leader. Parents arriving to pick up children should address the table parents regarding early
dismissal.
The cost to participate for the first semester in
WOW is $ 65.00 per child. Additional children in the same family will cost $ 55.00 each. This
covers dinner, arts/craft materials, special prizes and activities.
Scholarships and payment plans are available.
Please see Anne Swanson.
Logos will be happy to assist you if there are transportation
problems you need help with.
Absence
We will be looking for your enrolled child every
Wednesday. If for some reason he/she cannot attend, please call the church office
483-2772.
Logos members may invite visitors but they must call
the church office by Wednesday noon and make a reservation. The meal will cost
$3.00. If a visitor wishes to be enrolled, the parents will need to attend an
orientation meeting with the Logos coordinator.
The person bringing a visitor is responsible for
the visitor's conduct at all times.
Visiting parents who are coming to the dinner hour
will sit at the guest table. The dinner cost is $3.00
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1
To create an understanding and desire in young people for accepting Jesus as Lord and personal Savior.
2 To develop intelligent, active and loyal discipleship and leadership in the church.
3 To give worthwhile study, wholesome recreation and opportunities for service - within a Christian
community.
4 To enable young people to face the inevitable moral trials and assaults on the Christian faith
with spiritual fiber and conviction.
5 To develop Christians who are able and willing to communicate their faith
and assume personal responsibility in assisting in the building of God's Kingdom on earth.
When parents present their children for the Sacrament
of Baptism, they commit themselves to rear them in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The Logos Program gives parents some concrete and specific ways to keep such a commitment. Parents are asked to assist their children/youth with Logos assignments, counsel with them, and encourage
their faithful and regular participation in the total life of the church.
Active participation by at least one parent or sponsor of every child
in the Logos Program is essential. Since the staff is voluntary (except for the pastors), part-time service by a large number of people is
needed to keep the many activities going. At least as important, however, is
the “morale-boosting” effect of the parent's physical presence and
visible support of the program from time to time. This is a vital element in
the successful operation of the program.
At the time of registration, either one or both parents
shall be asked to indicate where they will be participating.
1.
Insist upon regular attendance in the program on Wednesdays and in worship on Sunday Mornings.
2.
Assist your son or daughter in the preparation of any outside home study. We do not expect that you prepare this but that you see to it that he or she does. Unprepared children soon loose interest because they cannot follow the class.
3.
Fulfill your commitment to volunteer your service. Staff members in Logos
are not paid, but are working for their Lord in committing this time for the development of young people, and you, by giving
of your time, render a vital service to our youth.
4.
Encourage and participate in daily Bible reading and prayer at home and participate in Sunday worship with your child
or children.
5.
Stress the importance of courtesy and good behavior at Logos. Emphasis
on these matters at home will greatly ease the work of our supervision.
My child has too much homework. What shall we
do?
Homework is an important aspect of a child’s
life, and on particularly heavy days children can go to a supervised “study hall” during their Recreation time
at Logos. Also, since the Logos program does not begin right after school, nor
end very late in the evening, homework can mostly be accomplished outside of Logos.
Remember, we make time in our lives for those things which count. Our
growth as children of God certainly needs to be a priority for all of us.!
Does every child have to be in choir?
Every child needs to participate in a worship skill
area. These include choir, worship leadership, drama, etc..
Can't we do away with dinner and save time, trouble and money?
To have only part of the program destroys the essence
of its success. To eliminate any 1/4 of the program diminishes its importance
and success by over 1/2. The value of the Logos Program is not the activities
offered but a total program of growing relationships.
Can't this be on a Sunday?
There is a real value in mid-week education. It tends to teach that religion is not separate from daily activities. It is relevant to young people - much of their major activity occurs during the week-day school year. Attendance on weekdays is almost guaranteed; Sunday for many has become a day of recreation
and absenteeism.
Doesn't this compete with Sunday Church School?
No. In
every situation where Logos is used the tendency has been to upgrade the Sunday School hour.
The children come to Church School as better friends and with better background to add to class discussions, etc.
My child is involved in after school athletics. Can
he/she come to only part of the program.?
Since most athletic programs do not run the whole
year and are of real value in the life of the developing young person, it is suggested that the child come to Logos as soon
as he/she can after practice. Then, following the season, full participation
can be resumed. If Bible class must be missed, independent study can be done
at home with a parent’s help.
I work late and cannot easily help. What
should I do?
There are many areas where help is needed and at
different times. The Logos Director can help you work out your volunteer assignment.
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