Sunday School Ministries Chairman

Sunday School Ministries Chairman

Dr. Porter, Rev. Zink, members and friends of the assembly, it is privilege to bring my fifth report as Sunday School Ministries chairperson for the New England District. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I believe passionately in the mission of the Sunday School which is the primary means by which we in the local church carry out the teaching part of Jesus’ command to “Go. . . make disciples, and teach them to obey.” Further, I continue to believe that there is no greater need in today’s world, than that men and women, young people, boys and girls be taught and learn to obey the commands of Jesus. This is the task of the Sunday School.

The quadrennial theme for Sunday School Ministries is Make the Connection—Make the Connection with Christ, Make the Connection with People, Make the Connection with Your Community, Make the Connection with the Next Generation. We are being challenged to connect people wherever we may find them to Christ and His Church by whatever means we can. To paraphrase the words of the Apostle Paul, we must become all things to all people so that by whatever means possible we might save some.

To that end the Sunday School Ministries board has endeavored to assist and encourage local church leaders in making the connection by providing training and resources for ministry and to augment the effectiveness of the local church through district children’s ministries such as camps and Bible quizzing.

The Year in Review

The Sunday School Convention was held October 4-5, 2002 in Manchester, CT with guest speakers, Rev. David Graves, Director of Sunday School Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene and Mrs. Lynda Boardman, Director of Children’s Ministries. Rev. Graves challenged us to invest our lives in bringing men, women and children to Christ. Lynda Boardman presented the decadal emphasis on children and youth and spoke of the particular challenge we face in passing on our faith to the younger generation. In recognition of their faithful service as Sunday School teachers, Teacher of the Year awards were presented to Natalie “Grammy” Linton of the Lowell, Mass. First Church, Diana Crampsey of Marlborough, Mass., New Life Fellowship, and to Martha Landry of Springfield, Mass. First Church. A Second Mile Award was presented to Rev. John Reilly in recognition of his “above and beyond” service to the Church of the Nazarene on the New England District.

Over 200 children attended Middler and Junior Camps at Windsor Hills this past summer. I am grateful for the dedicated leadership of directors, Barb and Randy Calhoun (Middler Camp) and John and Debbie Reilly (Junior Camp) for their able leadership in planning, recruiting and directing the camp programs. I am also grateful for the many committed volunteer counselors and staff who worked together to provide our children with a quality, Christ-centered camping program. Rev. Allen and Terri Archer ministered effectively through music, original drama and story telling. Many children responded to the call of Christ in the chapel services.

We continue to face significant challenges to our camping program in the area of finances and concern for children’s safety. While every attempt is being made to contain costs, the current economic downturn makes it increasingly difficult for some parents and churches to send children to camp. However, we continue to believe that we must make it possible for every child to go to camp because children get saved at camp. We commend every parent, every pastor, every Sunday School teacher who works and sacrifices to send boys and girls to camp. We are committed to working hand in hand with you so that our children will reap rich dividends.

The other area of challenge we face is increasing concern for the safety of children. Our camp leaders have always taken very seriously their responsibility for the physical safety and well-being of campers. We are grateful that we have not had a serious accident or injury to a camper. In recent years there has been growing public awareness of the problem of child sexual abuse and its long term effect on children who have been abused. In the wake of almost daily reports of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, especially here in New England understandably some parents are reluctant to send their children away to camp.. At camp, as in our churches, we have put into place measures intended to safeguard both children and the adults who work with them. These concerns are not going to go away. They are part of the fabric of our society. The challenge we face is to find ways minister effectively in the face of these difficulties. We are confident that the Spirit of Jesus will guide and empower us in this endeavor.

Harriet Douglas has provided able and enthusiastic leadership for Children’s Quizzing. Harriet reports that four new teams participated this year with several other churches planning to become involved in the coming year. Harriet and Allan Douglas have also been involved in planning for the first Eastern Regional Children’s Quiz to be held at ENC in June of this year.

There have been a number of changes in the makeup of our board this year. We have welcomed Ellen Whetstone and Holly Woodbridge as members. John Reilly is the newly appointed Adult Ministries director. Rev. Dick and Louise Clifford have come on board as Prime Time Directors, Darlene Lamos as Women’s Retreat Director, and Rev. Jeff Lane as Young Adults. I am thankful to each of them for their willingness to serve.

The Year Ahead

Dr. Thom Rainer, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, will be the speaker for this year’s convention, Connect 2003, to be held Saturday, October 4 at the Wollaston Church. In recent years there have been a growing number of church leaders who believe that Sunday School is no longer an effective tool for reaching and discipling people in the 21st century. Dr. Rainer admits that he himself was of this mind—that is, until he conducted a study of formerly unchurched people who had joined the church. The results of his research as reported in his book Surprising Truths From the Unchurched reveal that Sunday School is an important factor in attracting the unchurched to a particular church and in assimilating them into the life of the church for the long term. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Rainer.

The Adult and Children’s Councils continue to provide resources and to be available for training and consultation in the various facets of these ever expanding ministries.

In conclusion I would like to express my sincere thanks to the members of the board who have faithfully served throughout the year. In addition to those mentioned above I want to thank Faye Arey, Secretary, Linda Owens, Treasurer, Dan and Lynette McCabe, Lay Retreat Directors, and members Mary Beth Doane, J.R. Chavier, and Linda Scott. I also wish to express my appreciation to our District Superintendent, Rev. Chuck Zink for his able leadership, his encouragement and support.

Respectfully submitted,

FERN E. WOODRUFF