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What is the Shepherd’s Call ?
Our Mission
To make Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), in its beauty and wholeness, available to Christian communities not yet being served, thus inviting these children to be in relationship with the Good Shepherd.
Members of The Shepherd's Call found CGS through our own personal searches, not in our own church communities. Currently, mostly Catholics and Episcopalians embrace CGS. Before The Shepherd's Call, denominations outside Catholic and Episcopal church individually adapted the work of Cavaletti to fit our particular denominations. The Shepherd's Call has been formed to bring together individual work and make it more accessible to Christian communites which vary from Episcopal and Catholic form, language, and theology. We strive work closely with the National Association of CGS to keep the integrity of Cavaletti's work intact as we research and collect responses from the children in our adaptation.
Contact Us
Emai us at info@theshepherdscall.net
Who We Are
Pam Mader
I am Pam Mader, wife to the very talented and handsome Bob Mader, and mother of four wild and beautiful children. We live happily on a pretend farm in the little town of Loudon, TN with a handful of adorable goats, many entertaining chickens, two spoiled cats, a miraculous gerbil, and a giant dog named Ripley. I love Jesus with all my heart, and I delight in dancing-- mostly folk and expressive worship, and I relish writing as well. I am a member of Two Rivers Church, a protestant evangelical free church. Education and spiritual formation are my passion.
Before children, I taught special education with my bachelor’s degree from University of Cincinnati for a few years and then became a full time youth minister for a Knoxville inner city ministry. I earned an associate’s degree in Bible from Johnson Bible College. As a youth minister, mother, and Sunday School teacher, I’ve sought to find meaningful ways to connect children in relationship with Jesus. I’ve examined and tried many of curriculums like David C. Cook, Gospel Light, Hands On, Open Door, Willow Creek, Northpoint, and though these curriculums offer many good things,
I have found no equal to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for building relationship between the child and Jesus. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeking Jesus with children using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach for ten years now.
Joanna Williams
My name is Joanna Williams. I am the one who provides my comedian husband, Jim, with all his best material, and one of the few people who gets all of his jokes. I am mother and teacher to three wonderful blessings from God. During life B.C. (before children), I worked in the corporate world in change management. Since embarking on the great journey of parenting, my work has mostly been in education. Several years ago, we left Atlanta and corporate life to seek out rural America. We live on a farm in Lebanon, TN, just east of Nashville, raising Nubian and Boer goats, and chickens. (No, you don't have to have a farm, goats, or chickens to do this! It's mere coincidence. I promise!)
I found and fell in love with this way of being with children through the Montessori world. I was researching and learning about the Montessori method of educating my children when I learned that this method had also been used for Christian education. In the beginning, I went to the training to be able to provide this for my children. In the end, I stayed because I found this to be a joyful way to be with Jesus and children, a place I felt called to contribute to His kingdom and plan, and an invitation to become like a little child before Him.
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Test Your Children's Ministry
What is the required adult/child ratio when glue sticks are needed for Sunday School craft time?
- One adult per child
- Two adults per child
- Glue sticks! Who said anything about glue sticks?!
- No adult supervison is required. The children are taught to use glue sticks independently.
You read from the Bible to a four year old during the lesson time. What's the likely result?
- Suzy puts gum in her neighbor's hair.
- The group breaks out into a spontaneous game of duck, duck, goose.
- A child begins to cry "I want my mommy!"
- Children respond with deep spiritual truths.
What is the time required for cleaning up the room after Sunday School?
- Don't worry about the room, It'll NEVER be the same again.
- How many helpers do I have?
- 10 minutes. (I spent the entire ministry time cleaning up.)
- None, the children did it themselves.
How long will Suzy sit still during the lesson?
- Suzy? Sit still? Interesting concept!
- Are her feet nailed to the floor?
- Has she had her medication this morning?
- As long as the Holy Spirit is talking with her.
How many filler activities do you plan for after the lesson to keep the children occupied until the parents come?
- How many toys are available to pull out?
- Is there a playground within walking distance?
- Are Suzy's feet still nailed to the floor?
- None, because the children contentedly and quietly occupy themselves.
How long do you need to prepare for a lesson?
- 10 minutes.
- One hour.
- None. It's all planned out for me in my teacher's guide.
- A lifetime.
What best describes your feelings after teaching the 4 year old Sunday School class?
- When will I ever learn to say "No"?
- Is it against the 10 Commandments to take a valium?
- Thank God Sunday is a day of rest (so I can recover).
- Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of listening to You with these children.
What will the children leave Sunday School with?
- A black eye or bite marks (if they were sitting next to Suzy).
- A yellow sun foam craft which states "God made the sun and me!"
- A piece of paper with a cartoon Noah and a three word memory verse.
- A relationship with the Good Shepherd.
How many children's Bibles do you need to buy for your classroom this year?
- How many did Suzy tear up last year?
- Bibles? Won't Bible videos do just as well?
- None. Our curriculum package has provided all the coloring pages we need.
- None. The children can readly connect with the version the adults use.
Would you like for all your answers to be # 4?
- Really?
- Is this a joke?
- Was that St. Peter we just passed at the gate?
- Yes!
No, we're not kidding. CONTACT US to find out how to make it happen for your children's ministry! |
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