Sunshine Class still thriving after 46 years
By the Rev. Meg Jiunnies
FLORENCE—In 1979, Central United Methodist Church’s then-director of Christian education, Olene Civils, was inspired with an idea for a new ministry involving Christians with special needs. In the decades since, the ministry has grown and thrived.
As it is whenever we partner with the Holy Spirit, the ministry has been much more than the simple group it started out to be; it has brought together people with many different spiritual gifts to be blessed to participate in a multitude of creative ways.
Civils’ idea inspired Kathy Brown, a special needs teacher at Briggs Elementary, to arrange for a small group of her students to come to Central on Wednesday afternoons for Christian fellowship. A group of ladies and youth volunteers met with them. Together they enjoyed singing songs, eating snacks, reading Bible stories, making crafts, playing games and forming relationships. As these first young students grew, so did Central’s program. Wednesday afternoons expanded into a week of summer day camp at Camp Sexton for even more children with special needs.
Soon, these children and families were so familiar with our church that a regular Sunday School Class was established especially for them. The class adopted its name, the Sunshine Class, under the leadership of Ann Ayres Orr in the 1990s.
Many Central members have worked with the class as teachers, music leaders and helpers over the years, and members of the class have become more and more integrated into the church. Some of the participants have been confirmed, and the class has always been very active in missions. Barbara Deas, who taught the Sunshine Class for more than 20 years, reminds us that this is a class of love.
In past years, a designated place under the side balcony, which allows for easy wheelchair access and entrance to worship, became the seats for the Sunshine Class and their families. Often leading each other to the altar rail and helping each other with various needs during communion, these friends continue to demonstrate what loving your neighbor looks like. Now, The Well at Central, the casual worship service, has now become a favorite of the group.
Today, Central’s Sunshine Class comprises about 20 regular adult members who continue the traditions of worshiping and serving together. Instead of one primary teacher and a small group of helpers, the teaching team now has a group of leaders, including youth, who share in the joy and fun of this wonderful class. The class itself is a combination of church members and community members as well as some family and caregivers.
This March, Central took the time to celebrate this ministry that means so much to all of us with a reception, an open house tour, handmade sunshine pins and prayer beads for guests. In addition to the handmade gifts, the classroom boasts a beautiful artwork by artist Allison Slice as their symbol.
To learn more about creating this type of ministry in your own congregation, contact [email protected] for more information, or come visit us.