Sunday School

After college, I interned at a mega church in Ohio. When they were hiring me, they asked, “What ministry do you think you would fit well in, and where do you not want to be placed?” I responded, saying, "I would prefer to work with adults and would not like to be placed with children and teens." Of course, they responded with, "Great, we will put you in children and middle school." While I was working with the children, I observed them move from one class to the next and graduate from high school, and then, for many of them, not go to church again. One of the key factors I observed was that something had always been catered to them from the time they were babies at Church. They went from nursery to children’s church to middle school and high school church groups, but then they didn't have anything catered to them anymore after graduation. In their eyes, the adult church was never for them.

Being at a non-denominational church, they leaned into that and tried to make it even more entertaining and catered to them even more. However, as Anglicans, this should get our attention and give us pause. Holy Communion is the height of Christian worship, and the service has a natural and integrated progression. There is a reason why one thing follows another in the service, and to take people out of the service after a certain age removes them from the fullness of the liturgy. Divine worship is not the head knowledge of a 10 minute sermon but the worship of God. As I mentioned in my last “Pondering,” the job of every Christian in the liturgy is to join their “Amen” with the Church throughout time and space.

Sunday School is a valuable gift to the church. The goal, however, is always for children to be a part of the whole service. There is always a time of adjustment for kids, but if we don't provide the expectation, then they will never rise to it. If we want to train our children up to know how to participate as members of Christ’s body, it doesn’t help to keep them from the very place they are called to be. While the liturgy is about more than learning, it remains catechetical; it forms us and teaches us. The idea that “children who can serve, should serve” guides my thoughts on the way forward.

After talking with the Sunday School teachers, it is apparent that as we grow, we need to adjust how we care for the children and help them grow. Rather than going the non-denominational way of trying to make our Sunday School bigger or make something else for the children, we have decided to move Sunday School to 9 o’clock on the first and third Sundays of the year. This ensures that they will be able to participate in the liturgy. Though they may not fully understand it, it will form them and catechize them—if we are honest and are paying attention, we might all confess that we are still learning.

As an initial arrangement, beginning September 20th, we will have Sunday School offered from 9 AM to 9:45 AM on the first and third Sundays of each month (when Adult Sunday School returns, it will be held on the second and fourth Sundays). The age range will be 4 years of age to 8 years old. Younger children are welcome to come, but a parent needs to be with them. Those older can be there, and there will be some questions and stories for them. However, they should be aware that it is geared towards the 4-8 year olds and are asked not to disrupt the younger students; there may be opportunities for them to help at the request of the teacher. Part of the hope of moving it to an earlier time is that parents can also participate in their child's education and assist in Sunday School.

As with all things, nothing is perfect. We are aware that this makes it difficult for some families who have babies that nap before church and others who would prefer not to come earlier. We also know that having the children in the service for the whole time may come with an adjustment period.

As parents, we are given the task to care for the spiritual knowledge of our children, and the Church is here to help you. For those unable to join us regularly, know that we hope to have you join us when you can. And in an attempt to help the young children in the service, there will be coloring sheets and bags put together that allow kids to engage without taking them out of the service. The hope is that they are also being instructed on how to participate in the service.

Lastly, as we transition to this model, please seek to care for the Church building by cleaning up the bag and returning it. Also, let us seek to care for our neighbor by offering them help with young children, if you see they need help—sometimes the best help is being an end cap on the pew. And above all, let us be considerate and have grace for one another, coming together as the body of Christ to help train up our children in the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it. (Prov. 22:6).

God's Peace,

Fr. Aaron