The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By DAVID GRIMES, Quill Correspondent
STRONGHURST - In September 2002 three church groups determined that they could offer a better quality curriculum, realize an economy of savings by making better use of building space and get more bang for the buck by improving their student-to-teacher ratio.
No, we're not talking school district consolidation here.
"It's a Sunday school consolidation, of sorts," said George Knox, pastor of the Stronghurst United Methodist Church.
For a little over 1 1/2 years, Knox's church has joined with the Henderson County village's United Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in a joint effort to keep their Sunday school programs alive.
The concept was the brainchild of Phyllis Harrell, rural Stronghurst, a member and former Sunday school teacher at Bethel Lutheran.
"It got to the point where we didn't have enough children attending to be able to offer an effective program," Harrell said. "Still, we had five or six children who wanted to continue attending Sunday school.
"And I had two granddaughters who would have not been able to attend, so I had a personal reason (for looking for a way to continue a Sunday school program)."
Harrell said that was when she approached the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in town to gauge interest in combining forces.
Knox, who pastors the Methodist Church at Carman, as well at Stronghurst, said the superintendent for the Spoon River District - the parent organization for the Stronghurst and Carman churches - was amazed when first approached about the possibility.
"He said as far as he knew, nothing like this had been done before and that he was primarily concerned about the three churches having denominational differences with respect to curriculum used," Knox said.
But, Knox said, the curriculum being shared is fundamentally conservative enough that the three church groups have not experienced any theological problems.
Knox estimated 50 individuals take part in the Sunday school program, which begins at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings and lasts about one hour. Four different adult classes and five classes from nursery through high school are conducted weekly.
A fellowship time follows for those attending to enjoy light refreshments and conversation.
Sunday school superintendent Sharon Hicks, who attends the Stronghurst United Methodist church, said the 30 minutes of down time allows people time to bond before adjourning to their individual church homes.
Regular Sunday morning services at all three churches begin at 10:30 a.m., so there is no scheduling conflict between the class time and worship hour.
The three churches also conduct a monthly Sunday school session with a seasonal activity such as swimming, bowling, rollerskating, caroling and picnics in the park.
About a half dozen volunteers from each of the three churches work in the combined Sunday school program.
Hicks said the three churches also have conducted joint Vacation Bible School programs for several years.