The Episcopal New Yorker |

By the Rev. Canon Patricia Mitchell and Nicole Seiferth

Part of children's ministry is providing them with a framework for making sense of and tools for coping with the complexity and stresses of modern life. Children need to hear the story of God's love for them as expressed through Jesus. They need to learn and experience this transforming love in the boaom of their parish community.

Sunday School is one way a parish can do this. The biblical story, and particularly that of Jeusus, is the story children need to know to empower them with lessons, examples and values that are often in short supply in modern society. Parish families can and must teach them about the model that Jesus represents so that they will have answers to two very vital questions: "What would Jesus do?" and "What can Jesus do?"

There are, of course, practical matters involved in a good Sunday School program. Choosing the appropriate curriculum is one issue with which parishes sometimes wrestle. Thare are many kinds of curricula available which are suitable for different parish settings and needs.

St. John's, Kingston, created a new Sunday School class last year using the Godly Play curriculum, which is used in many Episcopal parishes. Godly Play, according to its website, aims to "teach children the are of using religious language, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence around them and in their lives", using the Montessori method of learning. St. John's Godly Play class was so popular, the parish divided the class into two age groups before the end of the school year.

Godly Play requires a number of "props" for the weekly story which are integral to the program. Although it may sound expensive, the Rev. Duncan Burns says, "You don't need a lot of money." Using purchased patterns rather than pre-made story elements, St. John's "..organized a group in the congregation to make the stories themselves."

Each week, a different person provided the classes with their "story." Now St. John's has a sizable collection of Godly Play stories that can be used over and over again.

The Rev. Daniel Gross, curate of Christ's Church, Rye, says the programs used in the parish's Sunday School, which draws approximately 100 children every week, varies from class to class. The pre-school and kindegarten classrooms have used Godly Play for two years and the first graders will bein using the curriculum next year. Other grades use Living the Good News, a lectionary based program designed for the Episcopal Church. Other teachers develop their curriculum in consultation with Gross.

Regardless of what program is used, Sunday School is only as good as the people who teach it. Enthusiastic, dedicated teachers are a common and important aspect of any Sunday School.

Christ Church, Rye, is experiencing an abundance of Sunday School teachers from an unexpected source. "One of the most interesting developments in the past year, " recounts Gross, "is that we've had a number of teenagers teaching Sunday School."

The new teachers were inspired to volunteer as teachers following their confirmation; several of them have signed up to teach again next year.

"They've gotten excellent reviews," Gross added. "Not just from the kids but from parents, as well."

St. Andrew's, Bronx, is an excellent example of a parish where dedication and enthusiasm are in abundance. Kay Grant has been Sunday School Superintendant for more than 30 years. Her predecessor held the position for more than 50 years.

While some potential teachers may have a lack of confidence in their abilities or their own theological understanding, the fact is that most Sunday School programs are user-friendly, presenting the material in a format that is clear and that provides enough background that any adult (or older youth) whol ikes working with children and feels called to this ministry can lead a class session with confidence.

"If you build it, they will come"

Having a Sunday School welcomes and attracts families with children. It's an aspect of growth that cannot and should not be overlooked.

Grant puts it quite simply: "Any church who doesn't involve their young people in the life of the parish is not going to have growth.

Burns says St. John's, Kingston, continues to build its Sunday School program. The exciting part to me," he says, "is that that is where our church is growing most- families with young kids."

But a successful Sunday School program involves more than large numbers of childre. It requires intention: a parish-wide commitment, including a budget allocation, to formation for its youngest members as an important ministry. It requires ongoing attention, review and adjustment. Finally, it requires prayer on the part of a supportive parish for dedicated teachers and the children and families-as well as the larger parish community- that Sunday School serves.

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
	July/August 2006
A Familiar Ministry With Unlimited Potential

By the Rev. Canon Patricia Mitchell and Nicole Seiferth Part of children's ministry is providing them with a framework for making sense of and tools for coping with the complexity and stresses of modern life. Children need to hear the story of God's love for them as expressed through Jesus. They need to learn and experience this transforming love in the boaom of their parish community. Sunday School is one way a parish can do this. The biblical story, and particularly that of Jeusus, is the story children need to know to empower them with lessons, examples and values that are often in short supply in modern society. Parish families can and must teach them about the model that Jesus represents so that they will have answers to two very vital questions: "What would Jesus do?" and "What can Jesus do?" There are, of course, practical matters involved in a good Sunday School program. Choosing the appropriate curriculum is one issue with which parishes sometimes wrestle. Thare are many kinds of curricula available which are suitable for different parish settings and needs. St. John's, Kingston, created a new Sunday School class last year using the Godly Play curriculum, which is used in many Episcopal parishes. Godly Play, according to its website, aims to "teach children the are of using religious language, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence around them and in their lives", using the Montessori method of learning. St. John's Godly Play class was so popular, the parish divided the class into two age groups before the end of the school year. Godly Play requires a number of "props" for the weekly story which are integral to the program. Although it may sound expensive, the Rev. Duncan Burns says, "You don't need a lot of money." Using purchased patterns rather than pre-made story elements, St. John's "..organized a group in the congregation to make the stories themselves." Each week, a different person provided the classes with their "story." Now St. John's has a sizable collection of Godly Play stories that can be used over and over again. The Rev. Daniel Gross, curate of Christ's Church, Rye, says the programs used in the parish's Sunday School, which draws approximately 100 children every week, varies from class to class. The pre-school and kindegarten classrooms have used Godly Play for two years and the first graders will bein using the curriculum next year. Other grades use Living the Good News, a lectionary based program designed for the Episcopal Church. Other teachers develop their curriculum in consultation with Gross. Regardless of what program is used, Sunday School is only as good as the people who teach it. Enthusiastic, dedicated teachers are a common and important aspect of any Sunday School. Christ Church, Rye, is experiencing an abundance of Sunday School teachers from an unexpected source. "One of the most interesting developments in the past year, " recounts Gross, "is that we've had a number of teenagers teaching Sunday School." The new teachers were inspired to volunteer as teachers following their confirmation; several of them have signed up to teach again next year. "They've gotten excellent reviews," Gross added. "Not just from the kids but from parents, as well." St. Andrew's, Bronx, is an excellent example of a parish where dedication and enthusiasm are in abundance. Kay Grant has been Sunday School Superintendant for more than 30 years. Her predecessor held the position for more than 50 years. While some potential teachers may have a lack of confidence in their abilities or their own theological understanding, the fact is that most Sunday School programs are user-friendly, presenting the material in a format that is clear and that provides enough background that any adult (or older youth) whol ikes working with children and feels called to this ministry can lead a class session with confidence. "If you build it, they will come" Having a Sunday School welcomes and attracts families with children. It's an aspect of growth that cannot and should not be overlooked. Grant puts it quite simply: "Any church who doesn't involve their young people in the life of the parish is not going to have growth. Burns says St. John's, Kingston, continues to build its Sunday School program. The exciting part to me," he says, "is that that is where our church is growing most- families with young kids." But a successful Sunday School program involves more than large numbers of childre. It requires intention: a parish-wide commitment, including a budget allocation, to formation for its youngest members as an important ministry. It requires ongoing attention, review and adjustment. Finally, it requires prayer on the part of a supportive parish for dedicated teachers and the children and families-as well as the larger parish community- that Sunday School serves.

A Familiar Ministry With Unlimited Potential