Sunday School Coordinator: Tad Johnston (tad.johnston@umit.maine.edu)
We believe that Sunday School is part of Sunday worship for our younger members. In Sunday School children and their adult leaders hear and interact with the Word of God in ways that are engaging and meaningful.
Sunday School is held in the undercroft at the same time as the adult service upstairs. We start at 10:00 with music. Children sing and accompany their singing with rhythm instruments. Karen Horton has agreed to take a leadership role with children's music. The children then will participate in an activity, usually related to the Gospel for that Sunday all together or in "like-age" groups. Sunday School is taught by a team of two teachers allowing for flexible grouping depending on the lesson and which children are present that Sunday. At the Peace, we all come up to share the Great Thanksgiving as one congregation. Children should plan to stay upstairs for the rest of the service through, "Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord." If announcements are going to run long we can arrange to have some "coverage" downstairs. Of course, children who want to "stay up" and be with their families for the whole adult service are welcome to do so.
Teachers scheduled for this fall are: Paula Drewniany, Uli Guthrie, and Paul Rawson in addition to Karen Horton. Tad Johnston is the Sunday School coordinator and pitches in when needed. The Sunday School Committee works in close consultation with Rector Mary Ann Taylor. See Tad if you would like to be part of St. James' Sunday School program as a teacher, musician, substitute teacher or have something you would like to offer as a "one-time thing."
St. James' younger members are some of the nicest children anywhere. Teachers work hard to design lessons that are engaging and stimulating. Sometimes things get a little too stimulating! We believe it will help if parents remind their children that "best behavior" is needed for Sunday School. Sunday School is about God and worship, and coffee hour can be the social time for kids as well. The music will start promptly at 10:00 and it's great to have everyone there to start, but if families are running a little bit late it is easy to join in the singing when you get there.
Finally, we would like to hear your ideas about Sunday School. What would best serve your children and help them learn more about God and our church? Are there favorite Sunday School experiences that you think we can duplicate? Do you see a way to improve what we are doing? Do you have concerns about the way things are going? Please share your thoughts with Tad or one of the other teachers or come to one of the announced Sunday School Committee meetings.
