Laura McKinstry and the Children's Education Ministry Team chose the church school curriculum, which, like the preaching and worship schedule, is lectionary based. The children's music, directed by Lee Wright, neatly fits the same program. Laura's role is to assure that the teachers understand interpretation of the curriculum and have appropriate resources available.

Laura feels strongly that children should be an integral part of any congregation rather than spectators. Adults have a responsibility to ensure that children are part of the life of the church in order to instill in them a life-long commitment to the church.

In the Genesee Valley Presbytery she serves on the Committee on Congregational Ministries Program and Education. In the wider church, PC(USA), she serves on the Educator Certification Council, meeting twice a year and reading exams between times.

As one might expect, seasonal changes affect the director's work. She is currently working on fund-raising and preparations for the coming summer youth trip to Arizona. In her role as volunteer coordinator, Laura points to the all-member personal-gifts inventory. She anticipates developing an internal-needs inventory which will match individual gifts with identified roles.

Laura grew up in Irwin PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Her home church was the West Hempfield Presbyterian Church. She enrolled in Seton Hill College with the intention of taking a liberal arts program to be followed by two years in physiotherapy. A brief experience with biology persuaded her that physiotherapy was not for her. Instead she majored in psychology and elementary education.

Following graduation she spent four years living at home and doing permanent substitute teaching in the elementary grades. While living at home, Laura returned to her home congregation where she taught an adult class, became a deacon, and joined the Social Concerns Committee.

Committed to the adult class teaching, she consulted a variety of resources and became aware of a more liberal interpretation of scripture. Her minister, impressed with Laura's dedication to the church work she had undertaken, encouraged her to consider the Christian Education Ministry.

She enrolled in the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond VA. A small school across the street from Richmond's Union Seminary, which afforded a two-year program leading to the degree of Master of Christian Education. After graduation, Laura held Director of Christian Education positions in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Laura connected with DUPC via Joanne and David Poland, who represented the search team at a February 2002 meeting of Laura's professional society, the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators.

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