Our Sunday School classes meet Sunday mornings at 10:00 from September through May. We have classes for all ages---both adults and children. We have two adult classes: one that focuses on the Bible, and one that discusses contemporary Christian issues. Our elementary children's classes include a Bible story with related activities. Middle and high school classes discuss Christian ways to deal with issues teens face today. All of the child and youth classes meet in the classrooms on the basement level. For more information about the available classes, please read on.
Watching for Jesus Willie & Bola Nicholson, leaders Join us in this very interesting class for adults, young and old alike. We meet in the parlor at 10:00 am and are almost reluctant to stop for the 11:00 am service! Willie and I are by no means experts, so everyone's input, insights, thoughts and personal experiences are what make this class so appealing. We mix the class content with DVD's, bible reading and a whole lot of discussion! So far, we have studied these topics:
- Who was Jesus? - This was a video series in which the author went to Jerusalem and traced some of Jesus' actual footsteps in his search for the identity of Jesus and some of the bible stories.
- The Book of Revelation - Everyone took something new away from all the individual thoughts from class members. This was so eye popping; we don't think we will ever look at Revelation the same way.
- The Prodigal Son - This was another video series, in which we saw the parable from the point of view of each of the three characters, as performed by a single actor. The theatrical presentation made this series easy to follow and really brought the parable to life.
- The Parable of the Sower - During this study of the different soils described in the parable, we examined ourselves as sowers and identified the types of soil we represent. This required us to look in the mirror and realize what we need to do to become more like Christ. Powerful.
The Explorers Mark Benjamin & Roger Thomas, leaders The Explorers have been focused on Bible study with the overall viewpoint of progressive revelation. That is, as God's people, we are given as much information as we can understand at the time. Recent topics have been:
- The minor prophets - We learned about the development of major theology.
- Proverbs
- Paul's writings
Preschool & Kindergarten Andrea Lewis, Becca Greggs & Belinda Resler, teachers The pre-school and kindergarten children meet in the Nursery. We use the Rock Solid curriculum, which provides opportunities for the kids to hear Bible stories, color pictures, make crafts, and participate in activities related to the story.
1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades Kim Benjamin & Jenine Fury, teachers Meeting in the classroom outside the nursery, we use the Rock Solid curriculum, which provides opportunities for the kids to read aloud, act out parts, look up Bible verses, translate codes, and solve puzzles. We also like to measure everyone's height a couple times each year to see how much they are growing!
4th & 5th Grades Susie Moffett & Ruth Thomas, teachers The Rock Solid curriculum teaches a bible story each week through a play read by the children. Then we do lots of role playing, crafts and brainstorming on ways to apply what we learned to our everyday lives. This group meets in the classroom next to the choir room.
Middle School Jim Canfield & Greg Lane, teachers For tweens, grades 6 through 8, teachers take kids on a journey through the Bible with games, discussion and hands-on activities. The fun spirit of this age group, coupled with its energetic leadership, makes this an educational and inspiring class.
High School Sandra Lane & Pam Hess, teachers Students from grades 9 through 12 are welcome to join the teen Sunday School class, which meets in the youth room. Mrs. Hess and Mrs. Lane go beyond the standard curriculum to share the Christian message with their students. For example, this past year, the class read a popular, yet controversial, Christian novel, followed by a viewing of the movie that inspired the book. An occasional off-site field trip, hands-on activities and thought provoking games keep the class connected as they move through their faith journey.
Birthday Breakfast for Jesus We celebrate Jesus' birthday with a special breakfast the Sunday before Christmas. Everyone is invited. It is a great time to socialize and get to know others from the church. Bring the whole family!
Planting flowers for Union Aid Apartments One Sunday in May, the children's Sunday School classes plant flowers for the Union Aid apartments in Sewickley. Union Aid is government subsidized housing for the elderly. There are several common areas where residents are able to sit and enjoy the outdoors. We generally plant the flowers in these areas. This helps the kids to understand that it is important to do things for others. I hope that when I am too old to plant flowers, someone will plant them where I live.
Safe Sanctuary is a Sewickley United Methodist Church endorsed program that assures safe ministries for children, youth, vulnerable adults and all church members and visitors. Our church staff, activities leaders and other volunteers are familiar with our Guidelines. Prior to having contact with any children or youth, they have submitted clearances and appropriate background checks.
- The primary reason we need Safe Sanctuary Guidelines (SSG) is to do our best to protect the children and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care.
- We need SSG to protect our staff, teachers, activities leaders, other volunteers and the church itself from false accusation.
- A third reason we need SSG is to send a clear message to the community that we are a Safe Sanctuary congregation. Having Safe Sanctuary guidelines in place may make the difference in whether families will be willing to visit us or join us. And, having Safe Sanctuary guidelines in place will be a clear message to predators that we care about our youngsters and are vigilant about protecting them when they are in our care.
- Another reason we need SSG is that it will likely help us with insurance costs in the future. Sexual abuse allegations have become a major concern among church insurers. It is likely that, in the near future, those insurers will develop financial incentives for congregations that have Safe Sanctuary guidelines in place and in practice.
Our guidelines recommend the following:
The Two Adult Rule: Whenever children (less than 18) or vulnerable adults are present on church property, or participating in a church activity off church property, they should be (if possible) supervised by at least two unrelated adults (21 or older). Note: When children are gathered in small groups, as in Sunday School, there may be one adult in the classroom provided there is another adult "roaming" the area with the ability to see into the classrooms and with the freedom to enter at any time. Classroom doors and curtains should be left open when only one adult can be present.The Five Year Rrule: If possible, persons supervising the activities of children should be at least five years older than the oldest youngster participating in those activities.
The Six Month Rule: It is recommended that new members of the congregation be restricted from participation as supervising adults in activities with children and vulnerable adults until they have been active participants of the congregation for at least six months.
The Background Check Rule: All persons functioning as supervising adults with children or vulnerable adults will consent to a background check as a condition of being approved for those responsibilities. All paid staff, Sunday School teachers, youth counselors, activity coordinators, and other volunteers with children, including persons driving groups to events, must have a “clean” background check in order to function as supervising adults. (Although this rule may seem extreme, it is already being practiced by many public schools [i.e.: Quaker Valley School District] and parents of school age youngsters have come to accept and expect it.) This rule is a clear message to potential predators that we are intent on protecting our youngsters. Our congregation has decided on the parameters of its background checks and has procedures in place to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the background checks. "Clean" background checks will be honored for five years and repeated at five year intervals.
Youth Specific Procedures: If possible, during mixed gender Youth activities and events, there should be both male and female leaders present. With the advent of new technology, special attention should be paid to the usage of camera cell phones within Youth group settings and events. Also, while social networking internet sites can be used as a positive tool with certain interactions, leaders and parents are encouraged to monitor their child's use of these sites.
Youth, Adults and the Purple Rule: Our church will make all attempts to make our facility a No Purple Zone. (This applies to maintaining appropriate inter-personal boundaries using the premise that pink + blue = purple.) All members are encouraged to respect each other's personal space.
Pastoral Counseling Meetings: The Pastor can meet for counseling sessions or private meetings with his office doors closed; however, the office blinds shall remain open. If office doors are closed, members should use the Simpson Room hallway to access the conference room or library.
Unaccompanied Children in Building: If possible, children should not be permitted to be in the church without supervision. It is recommended that children use the buddy system when moving from one area of the church to another during church services or activities.
