An average of 25 children aged between 3 to 14 years old have come to Sunday School on Sundays. They've come out of church to some activities in a circle called the Greeting Ring. The Greeting Ring is about hellos & birthdays & prayers & games that link with the lesson of the day. It has also been to keep for Sunday School the themes that Big Church has explored so the children have had sometime of being conscious of disabilities as well as being well and happy with their bodies. Around women's day they chanted the names of female disciples and at other stages they've had friendly visitors like Roy Cheek, Terry Hector and Cathy Bill who came to help with some specialist activities. Lisa organised a drama on the theme of Noah in which everyone could participate, being God, Noah & his wife, an animal or even a noisy agitated wave.

Some real caring happens at Sunday School and farewells were done for Alden, Alice and India and most recently for Megan.

The basket of food for Oasis has come out of church, carried by the Sunday school children and recently the children have been bringing clothes and toys that will get given to fire victims. Some children and youth have done a wonderful visit to Adams Farm where they've spent an hour playing with ladies who have physical and mental disabilities. And everyone has painted big Christmas boxes to which were added some goodies and that were then given away to disadvantaged people. For these 2 activities children received kind thank you letters from the 2 organisations.

And because Sunday School is about doing things because of God's love as well as always getting to know Jesus better, children have a weekly lesson taken from the Salt material. Their dedicated teachers are Tina, Victoria, Heleen, Gail, Suellen, Lisa, Nelson, Howard, Johan and Don. Some new-comers are Margaret & Anween. And those who have always been so nice in stepping in when an extra person was needed are Samantha, Howard, Tenneale & Jilly. And for a short while we had Katy who spent a few months in South Africa for her peace studies and still manage to give some time to Sunday school before returning to the US.

An extra special feature of our Sunday School is that we have our very own photographer: Peter took great pictures of the children.

When children have been asked why they come to church they've said that it's to play, to know about God, for their friends, and to sing. In the last few weeks the singing has become wonderful with Mandisi's contagious enthusiasm that led to the smallest and the biggest singing in English & Xhosa and doing great moves. Sybil has been the great instigator of more singing and the whole Choir has kindly come in full support.

The confirmants and some older youth have met with Brendan every Sunday and now that they are staying in church for the services, new confirmants have are 'graduating' to have their special meeting in the little corner as one gets into the hall.

Besides coming to Sunday School in the morning, some children and youth have also come to play (and teach new games) at the Saturday afternoons Youth Club and this has been led by Aaron Hess who is soon to move to Joburg.

An activity that's great for getting to know other people the same age and to enjoy many God-centred activities are camps. There were 3 camps last year to which various children and youth went and most had very exciting and positive feedback about it.

Superintendent & Youth Co-ordinator Philomene Luyindula

YOUTH OUTING