Schedule
Monday afternoons
when Sussex County
Public Schools are in session
Children pick-up: 3:30pm
at Long Neck Elementary School
Light snack: 3:45pm
Lessons & Activities: 4-5:00pm
Parent pick-up: 5:00pm
at Conley's United
Methodist Church
To Enroll:
1) Fill out and submit the Registration
Form to Conley's United Methodist
Church annually.
2) If you would like your student of
Long Neck Elementary School to be
transported by van to CYC, fill out
and submit the Permission Slip to
Long Neck Elementary School weekly.
What is CYC?
Conley's Youth Connection (CYC) is an after-school program offered as a gift to our local community as a way to help young people learn about God, build their faith, and form friendships. This is accomplished through teaching basic Bible knowledge and helping children understand how to apply the Bible’s principles in their own life. Conley's United Methodist Church provides a secure and fun environment; an extensive Safe Sanctuaries Policy helps ensure the safety of all involved. NOTE: While Conley's is able to provide student pick-up only to Long Neck Elementary School, this program is open to all 1st-5th grade students regardless of the school they attend.
What happens at CYC?
When children arrive, they will gather at the Kid's Cafe for a light snack (we expect they will be hungry after a long day at school!). Next, they will participate in Discovery Centers - fun and educational activities including games-with-a-purpose, object lessions, crafts, music, and more - all designed to communicate spiritual truth in fun but meaningful ways. Next comes a time of self-expression; an opportunity for kids to reflect on God's Word by recording what they've learned with words and/or pictures in their own Faith Journal. Finally, a closing celebration to bless the children as they go. NOTE: all materials including Bibles and journals are provided free of charge by Conley's Church.
What are your educational principles?
Teaching the Bible doesn’t mean much unless it has an impact in people’s lives. To help us pursue a successful, life-impacting program, CYC has selected FaithWeaver Friends to serve as our curriculum. FaithWeaver Friends is a product of Group Publishing, a trusted source of material for a wide variety of churches. Group has done years of research to determine what makes effective learning take place. They believe that when people are physically and emotionally involved in the learning process, they learn and retain more. Jesus used those same principles as he involved his disciples in learning experiences and interactive discussions. And he also used teaching methods to which people with different learning styles could relate. The FaithWeaver Friends curriculum focuses on three core principles:
Kids grow their faith
through friendship
Small groups help children build long-lasting relationships with
God at the center. Games and projects encourage children to help one another. No one will
feel out of place or left behind.
Kids own their faith
through self-expression
Children learn a weekly Bible verse and how that verse applies
to their own life; then they get a chance to write or draw those lessons in their Faith Journals in ways that make sense to them.
Kids apply their faith
through service
We help children learn what
loving others is all about by encouraging them to apply each week's lesson through performing acts of kindness and service for the people in their lives.
What are your religious beliefs?
CYC's beliefs are those of Conley's United Methodist Church as explained on the church's we believe page. However, the FaithWeaver Friends curriculum used in CYC is designed for a wide variety of churches and denominations. It concentrates on the basic doctrines of the Christian faith; those beliefs about which virtually all Christian churches agree. To see Group Publishing's Statement of Faith, or to find out more about their products, click on the FaithWeaver Friends logo to the right.
Is there homework?
No! We understand that children are busy with school and family and other activities! We do not want to be a burden on them or their families. The only take-home activity is that children are sent home with a Daily Challenge reminder encouraging them to put their faith into practice.
Who is in charge of CYC?
CYC is under the supervision of Jay Bachman, the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Conley's United Methodist Church. Jay and his team of volunteers are all dedicated to ensuring the welfare and healthy spiritual development of the children entrusted to their care. Everyone who works with children at Conley's United Methodist Church is required to pass a fifty-state background check, have an excellent reputation in the church and community, and meet all requirements of our Safe Sanctuaries Policy.
CYC's Goal
Recognizing that youth are an important part of the community, we will help them to grow in their understanding and relationship with God, with family, and with one another.
