The Sunday School meets every Sunday during school terms and runs concurrently with the 9.30am service. Sunday School meets in the parish hall (primary classes) and the “cryingroom” is often used for secondary students. Karen B and Jill H coordinate Sunday School.
Leaders
There are two leaders required each week for each group (primary and secondary) and this is shared on a roster basis. One leader acts as a teacher/leader for each group and one acts as an assistant. In total there are approximately 16 regular parishioners on the roster.
Intention
The Sunday School aims to share the bible with children, to teach children what God’s word means and how to put this into practice in their everyday lives. It endeavours to bring children to a relationship with God so that they know and have him as Lord and Saviour in their hearts and lives and that they will feel comfortable talking with God and sharing their lives and hearts with Him. The group aims to achieve this through a number and variety of activities such as stories, games, craft and investigation. The leaders continually seek different ways to achieve these intentions through a range of commercially produced programmes, always ensuring they contain sound biblical principles and goals.
Tools of Ministry
The Sunday School uses the parish hall and crying room, toys, games and craft aid in hall cupboards and the parish kitchen is used to prepare the children’s morning tea.
Risks to Ministry
Sadly, about every 6 weeks or so, no children turn up due to other external activities. Very few families with children attend the church.
Outcomes
Children are encouraged in their walk with Jesus, young adults have simple Bible Study and the 8 – 12 regular children have a great time.
Financial
It is common for special weekly requirements such as craft items to be financed by the teachers themselves but this is purely on a voluntary basis and funds are available for reimbursement as and when required and the same system applies to the provision of cordial and biscuits for morning tea. Funding is sought and provided by the parish council for “special” items such as bibles, Christmas gifts or programming materials.
It is a pleasing aspect of this outreach that children visiting the church on the occasion of a family baptism on the 1stSunday of each month are encouraged to attend the Sunday School and are made to feel really welcome and included.