Colin Craig

Roll

There are some 40 children registered in the Sunday School at Old High St Stephen’s. Numbers have reduced a little over previous years. There are however some healthy signs, especially at St Stephens, of new entrants coming into Sunday School at the younger end. It is recognised that the smaller numbers at the Old High do present challenges when it comes to Sunday School involvement in all age worship.

Staffing

The Sunday School teaching staff complement has remained largely unchanged this year and all of the teams are working very well. The support of Rev Douglas Clyne was much appreciated. The annual request for new blood remains. The ongoing health of the Sunday School relies on a steady supply of new ideas and new faces!

Curriculum

The Sunday School have continued with the Scripture Union material this year which remains the most user friendly. It is intended to review this once again to see if there are better alternatives available prior to ordering for 2008-2009.

Involvement In Worship

Opportunities have continued to be taken to involve the children in worship this year, particularly at Christmas and Easter, but also at the Kirking of the Council and Harvest Thanksgiving. Although not a Sunday School initiative, the introduction of an early evening service on Christmas Eve at St Stephens was much appreciated by the youngsters and teachers alike.

As we move forward with greater certainty in 2008-2009 it is hoped that more can and will be done to involve all our young people, Sunday School and Youth Group, in worship outside the normal festivals.

Space Constraints

The accommodation concerns at St Stephen’s remain, although it has to be recognised that the Sunday School has coped exceptionally well with all sections in the Hall at the same time. It is nonetheless important to record that there remain real difficulties with noise and any suggestions on potential solutions will be very gratefully received!