SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT 2010
We continue to welcome children and young people to the Sunday School each Sunday morning, when we leave the church service after the second hymn to begin our sessions in the back rooms. Although the numbers are small, attendance is generally excellent, and this enables the teachers to structure the lessons and, more importantly, build up good relationships with those in their class.
In September, the annual "Sunday School and Crusader" residential weekend took place in Coleg y Bala, when we had an "action-packed" time of teaching sessions, games, swimming, etc, within an atmosphere of Christian fellowship. Part of the money given for tea/coffee and biscuits following the Sunday morning service, is used to subsidize the cost of those attending this weekend, and, in addition, £250 was donated to Present Aid, with the Primary children choosing the "gifts", ranging from a watering can to 16 ducks!
On the last Sunday in November, the Sunday School filled 110 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child with gifts which had been donated during the previous few weeks by the congregation. Thanks go to Mrs. Sandra Smith for organizing "suggestions of gifts" in order for each box to be packed with a suitable mixture of goods; an excellent idea! In addition to the gifts, £310 was donated for aviation fuel, and again, we are grateful for the generosity of the congregation in supporting this annual appeal.
On the morning of December 19th Mr. Andy Smith led the Nativity service and involved all the children and young people (and some, not quite so young!) in the presentation of the Christmas message. During the afternoon of the same day, the Sunday School took part in a United Christingle Service held at St. Mary's Church. Unfortunately the planned procession from the library to the Church was cancelled due to the snowy weather, but we were proud of the way our children and young people fulfilled their various roles. This was a new venture for the town, organized by Cytûn, and it is hoped that it will become an annual event, held in a different church each year.
For many years Mr. Andy Smith has been the leader of the Sunday School, and teacher in the Senior class, but, unfortunately, during 2010 had to relinquish these tasks due to a change in his pattern of work. We miss him greatly on Sunday mornings, and thank him most sincerely for his commitment and enthusiasm whilst working in the Sunday School. We are most grateful to Mrs. Deborah Robinson who took over as leader of the Senior class in September, and to Mrs. Ffion Larsen who has led the Primary class when necessary. Thanks, also, to Mrs. Margarita Evans, our Cradle Roll Secretary who ensures that all children who have been christened in St Thomas's receive a birthday card until they reach the age of 3, and to Mr. John Raine, our Treasurer.
We thank God for the Sunday School at St. Thomas's and pray that it may be used to help the children and young people to grow in their Christian faith.
Pat Squire