Mission Statement

         The basic objective of this Board is to plan and administer the total educational program of the Congregation, to recommend policies and select personnel for the activities.

          Membership

This Board shall consist of a Chairperson elected by the Voters’ Assembly and at least two (2) other members of the congregation appointed by the Chairperson and approved by the Council.

Meetings

          Meetings will be held once a month, more often if necessary.      

Duties

            The Board shall:

             1.  Be responsible for the Christian nurturing of children, youth, and adults in the congregation, and through them, in the community and beyond.

             2.  Establish objectives, set policies for, and supervise the total education program for each education agency in the congregation, including the personnel; i.e. Sunday School, weekday school, Vacation Bible School, confirmation classes, Bible Classes, and all other educational groups.

             3.  Provide for active expression of Christian love and concern as an integral part of the total educational program.

             4.  Approve curriculum and analyze performance of each education agency and seek constant improvement.

             5.  Continually review existing agencies to determine whether all age groups are being served and recommend revisions and additions as deemed advisable.

                        6.  Make annual analyses, by age groups, to determine the degree of participation of the total membership of the congregation in its total educational program.

             7.  Maintain a "people accounting system" to record members participa­tion in the educational program and to follow up the uninvolved.

             8.  Be concerned, for the assimilation of newly confirmed youth into appropriate agencies for study and activity.

             9.  Work with organizations and other Boards and committees to coordi­nate educational activities within the congregation.

            10.  Encourage increasing participation of every congregation member in Bible Study, privately and in formal and informal groups.

            11.  Delegate administration of education agencies to qualified persons.

            12.  Exercise leadership in gathering lists of candidates for vacancies in teaching staff and for properly calling or contacting.

            13.  Enlist, train, place and continue to train lay teachers and leaders as the congregation's needs require.

            14.  Establish a system of commendation for and recognition of faithful service by all persons involved in the educational task of the congregation.

            15.  Encourage Christian educational programs in societies of the congregation such as the L.L.L., Couples Club, Lutheran Ladies Guild, L.W.M.L.

            16.  Consider special classes, courses, conferences, retreats and the like for special purposes and for special groups.

            17.  Consider provision of special education opportunities for mentally retarded and other handicapped persons.

            18.  Maintain, improve and cultivate the use of a church library.

            19.  Provide for and promote the use of audiovisual aids and to this end establish and maintain a film library.

            20.  Provide and/or promote subscription to church periodicals.

            21.  Study and adopt or adapt helps suggested by the education depart­ments of Synod,

            District, and Circuit.

            22.  Establish and maintain, in conjunction with other boards, a continuing program for the recruitment of full-time workers in the church at large such as Pastors, Teachers, Deaconesses, and the like.

            23.  Establish and maintain a permanent file of all children and youth of the congregation by age, grade level, and the like and see to it that such a file is kept continually up to date. Example - cradle roll.

            24.  Annually examine the education facilities and equipment, and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees as to upkeep, repairs and replacements.

            25.  Check the safety of education facilities--steps, handrails, lights, exits, housekeeping practices, fire drills and the like on a regular basis.

            26.  Prepare and submit an annual budget request in the form and at the time requested by the Board of Finance.

Currently, Al Vanderpoel and Chris Abrams oversees the education area.  Al can be reached at 62-4778 or alvanderpoel@agraceplace.org and Chris can be reached at 716-925-7320 or email at chrisabrams@agraceplace.org