Children & Youth Ministry

Sunday School (preK-6th grade) & Youth Group (7-12 Grade)

Sunday school programming is back with the start of school, and all are welcome to join! Please complete the following registration and medical release form prior to the start of programming:

Online Registration & Medical Release Form

Helpful Information about Youth Programming at Good Shepherd:

  • Sunday Youth Programming happens after Sunday worship under the leadership of 1 teacher, and 1 adult helper per classroom. 
  • Students, Sunday school teachers/volunteers, are dismissed for Sunday School at 10:30am even if the worship service has not yet concluded. This provides students an opportunity to socialize and get a treat before Sunday School starts. By 10:45, students (accompanied by a parent for children younger than 6th grade) proceed to designated classrooms.
  • A check-in and check-out sheet are in each classroom. Parents need to sign in/out their children younger than 6th grade.

 

CALENDAR for 2022-23: 

  • Blessing of the Backpacks: August 21st during the 9:30 am worship service: All students and school personnel will receive a special blessing during church for the upcoming academic year.
  • Sunday School and Youth Group: September 11th – May 14th.  Class is 10:45 AM – 11:30am. Sunday School and Youth Forum will generally follow the Decorah Community School calendar with a couple of exceptions. There will be no programming: Oct. 16th, Nov. 6th,  27th, Dec. 25th, Jan. 1st, 15th, Feb. 19th, April 9th, and May 7.
  • Christmas Program: December 16th, 5:00 pm. Simple dinner provided, with each family sharing cookies.. Rehearsal dates: Dec. 4, 11, 18 during Sunday School.
  

2022-23 Sunday School Programming Support 

Awaken your faith by helping with Good Shepherd youth classes!

 Our Sunday School & Youth Group classes are growing and we need helpers. The teachers do all the prep and leadership. We are in need of other adults to be a second, supportive presence in the room. This requires just 45-60 minutes of your time a few times a year and a very brief background check for new volunteers. Sign up HERE or under the Sign-Ups Tab. 

Child and Youth Abuse Prevention Program

At the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on February 4, 2018, a Child and Youth Abuse Prevention Program was formally adopted by the Good Shepherd congregation.  The program was recommended by the ELCA as well as Church Mutual, the Good Shepherd insurance company, and ratified by the Congregation Council.  Legal counsel was also consulted.

Abuse Prevention Program

 

First Communion/Confirmation