<-- Go Back
Abbey Organisations
Sunday School - September 2011
I can’t believe that it is the beginning of another year in Sunday School already. It seems no time at all since we were bidding everyone farewell at our Prizegiving Service!
Our last term in Sunday School was full of interesting events as you will see from all the information below.
Baptismal Bibles
At our AGM in January, it was agreed, with the Minister’s consent, to give small paperback Bibles to babies being baptised in the Church going forward. This replaces the flowers previously given to babies being baptised. We thought it would be a nice memento for the babies to keep. We hope that this will remind them about the Sunday School in the years to come as they read the Bible stories with their parents. The first of these Bibles was given out in April and we intend to keep this going in future.
Joseph and his Colourful Coat
During the month of May we learned all about Joseph and the wonderful colourful coat his father gave him. We also learned what happened to him when his brothers sold him as a slave. On Sunday 5th June, following the Church service, we invited our parents in to the hall where the two oldest classes performed a short sketch about Joseph’s life. The youngest classes also enjoyed watching this and then handed out gingerbread Josephs decorated with coloured icing to look like his coat. This was a fun finish to our Joseph theme.
Picnic
On Saturday 11th June, the Sunday School held their annual picnic. Unfortunately, due to the torrential rain this year, the picnic had to be held in the Church halls. However, our spirits were not dampened by this and we were determined to have fun! We began by having our picnic food, followed by all the families joining in with potted sports. We then had a game of summer bingo and further activities for the children. At the end of the picnic we even managed to run a few short races – well done to all the winners.
We were joined at the picnic by Mr. and Mrs. Jessamine and Mr. and Mrs. Paton. A big thank you to them for their usual support. Bonnie also made a guest appearance to say goodbye to the children before retiring to Strathaven. Everyone seemed to enjoy the event so it was another successful picnic, despite the awful weather!
Closing Service – Sunday 19th June
As a result of months of planning, this year’s Closing Service was quite an event. Following an introduction by the Senior Sunday School, we sang our song ‘Jesus’ Love is Very Wonderful’. The children then received their prizegiving books. We were fortunate again to be able to use money from various bequests made to the Sunday School over the years to purchase our prizegiving books and hope the children enjoy reading them.
At the Service, we said goodbye to our four P7s who were presented with a Youth Bible each, which we hope they will use as they join the Youth Group. We also bid a fond farewell to Julie Blanchflower who had been helping out in Sunday School over the last year. Julie left us to begin teacher training studies at university and we wish her all the best for the future.
Later on in the Service, it was the Sunday School and Youth Group’s chance to say goodbye to Mr. Jessamine. The Sunday School children presented Mr. Jessamine with an engraved photo frame containing a photograph of them taken in the gardens below the Abbey. We wanted to give him something to remind him of all the children, most of whom he had baptised. Together with the Youth Group, we also presented him with silver cufflinks engraved with the Abbey coat of arms. The children had also taken the time to make him a card to wish him well in his retirement. In addition, the Senior Sunday School also presented Mr. Jessamine with a newspaper they had made, ‘The Jerusalem Times’.
The newspaper contained articles they had written about the stories we had been learning about Jesus. We thought Mr. Jessamine could read this at his leisure during his retirement! Then, with the Youth Group, we presented Mrs. Jessamine with a lovely celtic brooch. We didn’t forget Bonnie either and gave Mr. Jessamine a little ‘doggy bag’ for her! Mr. Jessamine expressed his delight with these presents and thanked the children enthusiastically.
Following this very emotional service, all the young people from the Sunday School and Youth Group, plus the staff, left the Church ahead of the Minister and formed a guard of honour for him to pass through. Mr. Jessamine appeared delighted with this gesture and the young people thoroughly enjoyed doing this for him.
Children’s Song Books
During the Closing Service, Mr. Jessamine dedicated new children’s song books. These books will be used in the Church every week when the Sunday School is present. The books were put together by the Sunday School and Youth Group from a selection of songs we have used over the years and also contains one of Mr. Jessamine’s favourite children’s hymns. Members of the Senior Sunday School designed the cover of the song books to make them look colourful, especially for our young children.
The cost of the books was met by the Sunday School and Youth Group with a contribution from Philip Bradfield in memory of his wife, Sheila, who was an Abbey Chorister. We hope the congregation will enjoy singing these songs as much as the children do.
AYG Quiz Night
The Sunday School entered two teams in the Youth Group’s quiz in June. Our contribution of £20 was put together with all the teams’ money and will be given to the charity nominated on the night. We all had a great time as it was a fun evening.
Thanks to the Youth Group for organising this event again and we look forward to next year’s quiz!
GOING FORWARD
Coffees - Sunday 4th September
This week will be the Sunday School’s turn on the coffees between the services. We will be donating all the proceeds to MacMillan Cancer Support as part of their ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ fundraising event which takes place on Friday 30th September this year. Please come along and help us support this worthy cause!
The 4th is also when the Sunday School and crèche return from the holidays.
Harvest
Our Harvest Thanksgiving Pageant of Youth Service will take place on Sunday 2nd October this year. As usual, we will be collecting items of food for Frontline Fife to distribute to the homeless in our area. We would be grateful if members of the congregation could bring along to Church items such as: tinned food, dried pasta, pot noodle, teabags, coffee, soup, biscuits, crisps and cereal bars. During September and October our theme will be ‘God Gives Us Food’ to tie in with our Harvest Service.
All Welcome
As always, we extend a warm welcome to all children aged 3 to 12 to join us in Sunday School. We begin every week in the Church at 11.00am and then go over to the Halls for Bible stories and activities.
ABBEY CRÈCHE
The crèche recommences on Sunday 4th September along with the Sunday School and runs during Sunday School term times. With the help of all the volunteers on the rota, the crèche is open from 10.45am in the Church Halls. Please note that the crèche will not be available on Sunday 2nd October (family Harvest service in Church) or during the October holidays.
|
