2011 Adult Sunday School Class Leaders Handbook Spring 2011 edition



Adult Sunday School
Leaders Handbook
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Table of Contents
Mission Statement..............................................................
Let’s Keep in Touch............................................................
Class Protocols and Policies..........................................………
Curriculum Resources........................................................
Supplies..........................................................................
Event Planning.................................................................
Web Sites of Interest........................................................
Mission Statement
of
Myers Park United Methodist Church
We are the body of Christ,
growing in faith and serving others.


Let’s Keep in Touch

The Office of Adult Education needs to know about your class!

· Class officers and current roster to be submitted annually
· Mission projects
· Schedule of teachers and topics of study
· Social activities, inside or outside the church building
· Sunday dates when your class does NOT plan to meet in its classroom – including holidays and summer “breaks.”
Send a copy of your class newsletter or class calendar to the Office of Adult Education. We will help you schedule events on the church calendar and reserve a room, as well as help you to promote this information, when appropriate, to the greater church body and visitors. See more about Event Planning, beginning on page 10.

Your Office of Education

The office of Reverend Barbara Barden, Minister of Education, is located on the first floor of the Parish Life building — room 115. She can be reached at 704-295-4813/ bbarden@mpumc.org.
The office of Jennifer Martin, Director of Young Adults, is located on the first floor of the Parish Life building – room 118. She can be reached at 704-295-4821/ jennifer@mpumc.org.
The office of Christine Mull, Education Administrative Assistant, is located on the first floor of the Parish Life building – room 117. She can be reached at 704-295-4815/ cmull@mpumc.org.
The main reception number is 704-376-8584, the church fax number is 704-376-0423, and the web site is www.mpumc.org.

Class Protocols and Policies

Cancellation of classes


There may be times (other than weather-related) when a class may choose not to meet on a particular Sunday. We ask that you notify Barbara Barden or Christine Mull in the office of Adult Education no later than Wednesday of the week you plan not to meet as a class so that signs can be made and notices can be put at the hospitality desk and in the greeter packets.

You are strongly encouraged to consider combining with another class on these Sundays rather than canceling. Combining provides both your class members (rarely will you find that no one in your class will be present) and guests who may have planned to visit your class that week a place to gather.

Class Reporting


You will find reporting envelopes for each Sunday of the upcoming month in your class mailbox before the first Sunday of that month.


Sunday School Offering
Each week an offering is received through our Sunday School classes. In years past this money went directly to a line item for purchasing curriculum. Our Sunday school literature is now purchased through a line item in our church budget. Most of our classes have since developed their own formal and informal policies regarding the offering. Most give some percentage ranging from 25 to 100 percent of offerings received to the church. The balance is used to support class projects and benevolences of their own choosing. Since all giving is totally voluntary we do not impose a specific percentage on each class but rather encourage classes to make that decision for their specific class.
Complete the attendance form on front of the provided offering envelope and place it, with any offering, in the black safe in the Work Room on the 2nd level of the Parish Life Building before leaving church.
Sunday School Attendance
Attendance numbers are reported to the Administrative Board and other church leaders on a regular basis and become the basis for the report sent to annual conference which appears in the conference journal. These figures are also used along with other demographics to determine room assignments.
For these reasons, it is very important that even if no offering is collected on a given Sunday morning that the attendance is recorded on the outside of the reporting envelope provided and that the envelope is then placed in the mailbox of either Christine Mull or Barbara Barden at the close of class. Alternately, you may email these figures to Barbara. (Please let us know if offering envelopes are no longer needed for your class.)

Classroom Use

Remember that your Sunday school classroom is only reserved for your use on Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:40 a.m. At other times, it may be in use for other activities. Think of MPUMC as a 24/7 church! For this reason, when you leave your classroom make sure that all trash is in the trash can and all papers, supplies and books are put away. Help us to maintain a welcoming space for all groups.


Classroom Boards and Walls
Please keep your bulletin boards neat, not cluttered, and current. Out of date announcements or publicity should be removed.
Dry erase boards must be erased after each class – do not leave written information on these boards as over time this will permanently damage them. Use only markers which are clearly marked dry erase. Use cleaning fluid and eraser provided for this purpose which should be in your classroom. If at any time you are in need of markers or cleaning supplies, please let us know.
Use only blue painter’s tape to affix items to walls, doors or any fixtures.
Classroom Storage
1. The top portion of the storage cabinet is assigned for Sunday school class use only.
2. Other groups meeting in the classroom may have one sweater-box sized storage container in the bottom of the cabinet. Boxes must be labeled with group name/ministry area and date originally stored. Anything outside of labeled boxes of the appropriate size will be disposed of.
3. Please leave all bibles and hymnals in the classrooms, as you found them. If you borrow them, please return them and if you find your class in need of more, please let us know.
4. Leave nothing remaining on tables or countertops, including the outside of the storage cabinet. Maintenance has permission to dispose of any such items.
5. No food or drink items of any type may be stored anywhere in the room.
6. The office of Adult Ministry will randomly inspect and clean out these rooms and storage areas. If you have items other than those that can be stored in the designated manner, please contact Barbara Barden.

Copy Machine

A copy machine is available in the church library for your use. Additional copy paper is stored in the right hand drawer of the desk next to the copier.

Inclement Weather Policy

While every attempt will be made to conduct regularly scheduled worship services, the cancelation or postponement of Sunday services due to inclement weather or other emergency will be at the discretion of the Senior Pastor. Please call the main church reception line at 704-376-8584 and follow prompts for weather-related information. In the event of such weather, Sunday school classes may choose to hold joint sessions or not meet at all. Members are advised to use wisdom and discretion in determining if they are able to travel safely.

Mailboxes

Each class has an assigned mailbox, located in the workroom on the second floor of the Parish Life building. A class representative is requested to check these boxes prior to class each week for timely notice of current and upcoming church events and activities, for notices from the Office of Adult Education and to pick up and drop off your class reporting envelopes.

Medical Emergency

In case of a medical emergency:
· First, call 911 and direct emergency vehicles to the lobby entrance at 1501 Queens Road\
· Send someone to retrieve the AED pack, if appropriate
· Send someone to the lobby to meet the emergency personnel and to conduct them to the classroom
AED Packs are located:
  • At the reception desk in the main lobby of the Parish Life Building
  • On the wall outside the Chancel Choir rehearsal room on the main floor of the Snyder Building
First Aid Kits are located:
  • At the reception desk in the main lobby of the Parish Life building
  • On wall in the work room, upper level of the Snyder Building
  • In the narthex of the Sanctuary, in the wood cabinet, pulpit side
  • In the main kitchen
  • In the gym

Room Setup and Reservations

The Office of Adult Education needs to know how you like your room to look on Sunday mornings. A current plan including number of chairs and room arrangement should be on file in the Office of Adult Education. Request any changes to that plan at least one week in advance through the Office of Adult Education.
If you are planning to use your Sunday school classroom outside of your scheduled Sunday School hour, you must reserve it for that event. As soon as you begin planning your event, contact Christine Mull or Barbara Barden to begin the reservations process. It may take as much as a week to complete this process and notify you. See more about Event Planning, beginning on page 10.

Sunday School Joint Class Policy

The purpose of this policy is to create a consistent approach to resolve issues surrounding when Sunday School Classes may combine for a program.

The general intent of Sunday School Classes is to provide a time on Sunday morning for smaller group study and fellowship. On occasion it may be desirable to invite all Sunday School Classes to combine when a particular program may be of interest to all Sunday School Classes. Even when there is a program that all Sunday School Classes are invited to attend, it is up to each Sunday School Class as to whether they wish to participate in the program or wish to have their regular Sunday School Class meeting.
The guidelines below should be followed for any program where all Sunday School Classes are to be invited.
  1. The church staff clergy must approve the program.
  2. Notice must be given of the event though normal channels no less than 6 weeks prior to the date the program is to be held.
  3. There should be an average of no more than one Church-wide program per quarter.


Curriculum Resources

Choosing Curriculum

A curriculum library is maintained in the church library on the first floor of the Parish Life Building. Please ask Barbara Barden for access to review this collection. Our library includes:
· Books· Graded Curriculum· DVD’s/Videos
In addition, we have access to the Conference Resource Center. You may view their online catalog at http://wnccumc.org/rsc/resourcecenter.htm.
Barbara is also glad to help with consultations on an individual basis. Please contact her to schedule an appointment.

Online Curriculum

Online Liturgical-based lessons will be printed for classes as requested on the following schedule:
· Advent/Epiphany· Lent/Easter· Pentecost 1· Pentecost 2
Leader materials are available online. Contact Barbara Barden for logon access or online assistance. For a printed copy of a lesson, please contact Christine Mull and allow at least three days notice.

Purchasing curriculum

United Methodist curriculum and approved resources, which appear in the Cokesbury catalog, will be provided to classes requesting it at no charge.
Other types of Sunday school lesson material can be purchased using a book/video allowance. This amount is determined using the following formula: The average class attendance for the previous quarter times $10.00, up to a maximum of $300.00.
This allowance is not cumulative from quarter to quarter and may be used only towards the purchase of Sunday School lesson material. Costs over this allowance amount will be billed to the class.
In any event, in order to be the best stewards of God’s financial gifts, PLEASE DO NOT purchase any curriculum materials of any type without first contacting us. We may have other options available to you!

Theology

United Methodist Distinctives
We believe in the centrality and authority of Scripture.
We believe in free will.
We believe in the grace of God. That grace is
§ prevenient - it goes before us, calling us into a relationship with God even before we are aware of God;
§ justifying - through Jesus Christ we are transformed, receive pardon from sin and liberation from guilt;
§ sanctifying - enables us to live lives of holiness.
Thoughtfully and critically review your sources.
Much popular religious literature is based on the fundamentalist tenet of the inerrancy of Scripture. This concept is not a tenet of United Methodist belief. Teachers need to use discretion and good judgment when accessing such resources.
Much popular literature also contains a determinist slant, which is often in direct opposition to our belief in free will. Once again, teachers should use good judgment and discretion with such resources.
A large body of well-known and popular literature deals with Biblical prophecy, end times, rapture, and other beliefs of a dispensationalist nature. These beliefs are not basic to Christian belief and should never be taught as such.
When reviewing material, consider the answers to these three basic questions:
1. What does this material say about God?
2. What does this material say about human beings?
3. What does this material say about the interaction of God and human beings?
For more information on United Methodist Theology copies of “What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Theology” from Discipleship Resources is available in the Office of Adult Education.

Supplies


Please request all supplies no later than noon
Thursday before the Sunday they are needed.
To reserve these materials, contact Christine Mull at 704-295-4815 or cmull@mpumc.org.
Audio-Visual Equipment
· Projectors and screens· TV with DVD or VCR· Cassette/CD players
All A/V equipment must be reserved by contacting the office of Adult Education by noon on Thursday. You will receive confirmation by email that the request has been received. Do not assume that any given item will be available on Sunday and do not “borrow” any items from nearby classrooms or closets where items may be reserved. Please do not leave cd’s or dvd’s on the TV carts. Return them properly.
Curriculum
Online lectionary-based lessons will be printed for classes as requested on the following schedule:
· Advent/Epiphany· Lent/Easter· Pentecost 1· Pentecost 2
Leader materials are available online. Contact Barbara Barden for logon access or online assistance. For a printed copy of a lesson, please contact Christine Mull and allow at least three days notice.
Resources and Supplies:
· Dry erase boards, markers· Easels, paper pads, markers· Nametags · Paper for various needs· Pencils, Pens

Event Planning

COME TO US FIRST!
As a United Methodist congregation, we have certain policies to guide us through our event planning. Some of these are denominational and others are specific to our local church. All are necessary to keep harmony and smooth-flowing operations within the church. Please allow us to help by coordinating your event with you. As soon as you begin to plan your class event, contact us and we will walk through the steps together.
Childcare
If you would like to offer childcare for your event, for children up to age 12, let us know. We will check availability with our Childcare Coordinator and let you know the details. In most instances, a class representative will be requested to follow up with registrations and other specifics.
Communications
Internal and/or external, church wide email or targeted distributions, Sunday worship bulletin, bimonthly Cornerstone newsletter, website item, fliers and/or direct postal mailings; these are some of the many ways we have at our disposal to publicize your event. Because of press deadlines, volume and priority of other church events, and the audience for any given event, the timeliness of your submission and other factors must be considered. We cannot assure you that your event will be publicized throughout all avenues, but we can assure you that we will work with you to make sure it is effectively communicated.
Submit as much information as possible about your event to this office. We will help you with writing and/or designing and additional editing for space will be provided by the Communications Director, as necessary.
Timelines for submission to our office:
· For possible Sunday bulletin: Monday - 2 weeks advance of the Sunday bulletin in which you wish to advertise
· For possible Cornerstone: 3-4 weeks in advance of publication date, check with this office for specifics on your event
· For church-wide weekly (Monday and Friday) emails: no less than 1 week in advance of your event.
Donations/Collections
If your event requires receiving donations from any church member and you would like to set up large scale collection in the lobby, please contact this office and we will be happy to help coordinate that effort between you and our Local Missions Coordinators. Specific procedures will be detailed after reservations are confirmed.


Expenses
Class will need to set up or use an established designated account through MPUMC for receiving of and distribution of funds. For further information see the Guidelines for Use of Specified Funds and contact Barbara Barden.
Fundraising
If your event involves collecting money for a cause, the event must be approved in advance by the Finance Committee. Please contact Barbara Barden or Jennifer Martin when you begin planning so they can help you properly submit your request.
Room/Facilities Reservations
If you are planning to use your Sunday school classroom outside of your scheduled Sunday School hour, you must reserve it for that event. Likewise, if you wish to use another church space for your event, contact this office as soon as you begin planning your event. We will work with the Reservations Coordinator to verify availability, setup and resolve any conflicts or issues along the way. It may take as much as a week to complete this process and notify you.
Food Services/Kitchen Use
If you require Food Services through our kitchen, we will first coordinate the date and particular request with the Director of Food Service. Following her approval, your class representative will be asked to work directly with her. Please note there is a minimum of ten reservations required for Food Service.
If you require access to the kitchen, or use of any supplies, including ice or any types of paper products, this must also be coordinated through our office.
Sound or Other Technical Assistance
When using technical property of the church, if you require assistance, a technician may be assigned to you. Please let us know your need and we will try to coordinate this for you.
Use of Alcohol
It is expected that alcohol will not be mentioned in any communications related to events, nor should it be a primary part of any official gathering of any group promoted as being an activity of Myers Park United Methodist Church. Neither will the office of Adult Education pay for, reimburse nor endorse any purchase of alcohol in the activity of any of its ministry areas.



Use of Van(s)
If your event calls for use of church transportation, we are happy to help schedule a van or van(s) for you, provided you have named a church approved driver(s). Reservations are based on availability and advance notice of at least one week. Specific procedures for use of van will be detailed with the driver after reservations are confirmed.

Web Sites of Interest

· http://bible.oremus.org/ Searchable online Bible tool (includes NRSV)
· www.biblegateway.com Searchable online Bible tool
· www.cokesbury.com Cokesbury/United Methodist Publishing House
· www.gbod.org General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church
· www.mpumc.org Myers Park United Methodist Church
· www.seasonsonline.ca/ Seasons of the Spirit online curriculum and resources
· www.umc..org United Methodist Church
· www.wnccumc.org Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church