Recasting an Old Traditional
In many Sunday schools, opening exercises went out with the hula hoop because, as one wag put it, "they didn't open anything or exercise anybody." Teachers of individual classes made good use of the extra minutes. But something was lost in the exchange: No one quite had a sense of the whole group anymore. "Our Sunday school has spilled out into two extra houses nearby," says Jan Janofski, director of Christian education at Marquette Gospel Tabernacle in Upper Michigan, "and we never had an occasion to get everyone together." So the church began a 25-minute special feature for all ages once a quarter, on the fifth Sunday of whatever month had one. Janofski plans each celebration to feature different departments on a different theme. For example: • "Make a Joyful Noise"—preschoolers played rhythm instruments, others contributed special music. • "Live What You Learn"—primaries and juniors presented a homemade slide show to illustrate "Tim's Temper," a serialized story. • "Let Your Light Shine"—adults put on an international breakfast (this even started earlier than usual) to kick off a day-long missions emphasis. • On another fifth Sunday, junior highs did a skit. "It's been a tremendous concept with a lot of enthusiasm," says Pastor Louis Ondracek. "The sanctuary has been packed every time because of the advance promotion." Posters, photo mobiles in the foyer, and word-of-mouth previews have all heightened interest. "People enjoy watching the children perform," says Janofski. "It's almost like a quarterly Sunday school program, only half as long. And we need to be together, so we don't forget who all is meeting at the same hour each week to study God's Word."
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