St Marc's crèche welcomes children below the age of 5. We do not have enough children to have separate "babies" and "maternelles" groups.

Since last year two children have gone up to the sunday school, and three have arrived.

We now have :

• 4 year olds : Caleb, Eva and Joshua.
• 3 year olds : Olivia, Kindness and Jessica (turns 3 very soon)
• 2 year old : Rhiannan.

The crèche is staffed by "pairs" of teacher/helper. We endeavour to have both french and english spoken.

Our staff is currently : Carine, Juliette, Craig, Elizabeth, Daniel, Sam, Lilan, Stephanie S-K, Shona, with valuable help from Maureen and Mimi when someone is absent. Each pair of teacher/helper is on duty once a month. Alison taught in the crèche up to last Christmas ! She has been replaced by Sam.

At first a few children would not stay, and asked for « Maman », but now by and large they seem to enjoy themselves.

A typical crèche session will be taken up by a short lesson, taught out of books for ages 2-4 from TNT ministries, an activity, such as drawing, colouring, cutting and sticking, then sometimes a song, a game when possible or just a time of play. During longer services we sometimes give a goûter.,

Language barriers can be important, we often have to speak both french and english ! if we could speak korean that would be good too.

We sometimes wonder what exactly the children take on board, but we believe it is never too early to talk of God and Jesus to them, and that it will be a grounding, along with what they hear from their parents.

To us it is a great challenge to try and express ourselves in a way understandable to small children, to make them participate as much as possible, and develop a good relationship with them. We pray for all our children and families.

Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly March 2011

This is now the second year that my family has attended St. Marc. Once again we were saddened to see the departure of several families last year. However, like the Spring season arriving, the Lord provides for renewal. Indeed we have been blessed by the arrival of new families last Fall as well as recently this season.

1. Attendance

We now have 6 to 10 children who attend regularly, from the ages of 5 to 10. During the joint service with ICG, we had 30 children present

2. Teaching Language

Our lessons continue to be taught mainly in French with an English-speaking assistant. This is because many of the children understand little or no English and our aim is not to teach them English, but to bring them to know God. Those who speak English are mostly bilingual, so this is not a problem and they are very flexible.

3. A Typical Lesson Plan

-Prayer to thank the Lord and to focus on His message -Introduction -Song -Bible Lesson highlighting a biblical truth -Manual Activity to reinforce the lesson that has been taught -Memory verses – important focus because the verses you learn in your childhood are often the ones you remember most in your life.

4. Curriculum

We have just finished Book 3 of the Series “On the Way” (“Sur le Chemin”). We will be beginning a new series on “Life in Bible Times”, “The Existence of God”, and “How God should be worshipped”. We will also be preparing a short presentation for Easter.

5. Christmas Play

15 children eagerly presented the Christmas Play. We were greatly encouraged by the dedicated participation of several parents: Daniel et Jung, Carine, Juliette and Craig; as well as helppers: Lilan, Yué, Philippe and Mimi. Howard’scraftsmanship shone through as he masterfully created and built the Judean hill backdrops and wooden stable

We started preparations for the play earlier, in October, but there were still lots of last minute details to tend to. Something I continue to learn, the wonderful power of prayer. Our first rehearsals were so turbulent and hectic, Dona and I were a bit overwhelmed. Yet thanks to all you prayer partners, on the evening of December 12th, a divine calmness settled on our “energetic” group. The Holy Spirit surely helped them to brilliantly narrate the birth of Jesus, God’s amazing gift to all humanity.

But of course, nothing is perfect and despite painstaking planning and precision, the Star of Bethlemen unexpectedly fell down during it’s ascent in the sky. Thanks to a quick-thinking backstage hand, Philippe grabbed the star and raised it up for all to see. I guess you could say he saved the show and provided a few chuckles!

6. Teaching Team

We are blessed to have a dynamic group of teachers, all with a heart for Jesus: Dona, David, Fred, Montserrat, Jean-Philippe, Rossana, Marzieh and Lilia. If anyone feels the calling to join the team, you are certainly more than welcome.

7. Prayer and Support With childlike curiosity have you been looking for the first signs of Spring. We are reminded that Scripture is filled with the idea of newness and renewal.  

God’s grace and blessings are new every morning. He puts a new song in our mouths. He is worthy to be praised.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

We ask that you please continue to pray for our Sunday School team so that they will have renewed strength, love and patience as they sow the teachings of Jesus. May the Lord continue to work in their tender hearts so that they may receive the seeds of truth and blossom into children ready to love and serve the Lord.

Lilia Ledent March 2011