Smithville UMC has Sunday School programs and Bible studies for adults and children alike. Our goal is to meet the needs of both mature and new Christians, as well as -- and perhaps most importantly -- seekers.
For information regarding the Sunday School or Bible study programs, please use the links to the left.
Our Education Staff:
Karen Bartram is the Superintendent of the Education program, providing the leadership and vision for the program as well as the hands on fifteen minute weekly program introduction for the children. Karen runs a direct mail company in Gaithersburg, MD, and serves as the Communications Chairperson, the Chairperson of the Home for the Holidays program, and on the Board of Trustees. The Bible verse that guides Karen's life is: Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Dr. Glenn Edgecombe teaches our children's Sunday School science section. Glenn is a Medical Doctor in General Practice in Waldorf, MD. He and his wife Karen have two adult children — Lindsay who lives in Manhattan, and Emily who lives in Washington DC. Glenn has also served as the Lay Leader at Smithville and headed the Building Project.
Jackie Smith teaches the Arts & Crafts section of our Children's Sunday School. Jackie is a retired Arts & Crafts teacher at a Christian day school and when approached about a class that required making paper, responded, "Every time I've made paper ..." Smithville is truly blessed to have Jackie leading this section of our Sunday School.
Rick Manning is, according to his wife Karen Bartram, "the world's oldest teenager." Teaching the Games section of the children's Sunday School, Rick is a former member of the Chesapeake Beach Town Council and a recovering politician. Rick has also served with his wife Karen as the Youth Leaders, the Teen Sunday School leader and as Lay Representative to the United Methodist Annual Conference. His Sunday School motto is: "Just because it is called School, doesn't mean it can't be a blast."
Bob & Joyce Green run the computer program for Smithville. Both trained computer scientists, Bob established himself as an IT professional in the Department of Defense, while Joyce chose to raise their family of Becky, Kevin and David (all attending or graduated from Messiah College in Pennsylvania.) When the vision for a computer lab was brought forward, this amazing duo leaped forward with willing hearts to make it happen in a matter of weeks. Bob and Joyce have both served as Sunday School teachers for years, and have been actively involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and on various Committees within the Church.
Betty Tippett is the joyful glue that makes the children's Sunday School work. Betty works with each child to give them the individual love and attention that they need and deserve. Betty also serves as the Financial Recording Secretary of the congregation and is an active member of the Social Concerns Committee. Betty and her husband Wayne reside in Sunderland, MD.
Susan Foster runs the Children's Church program designed to give the children who attend our worship services a quality worship experience suitable for people their ages. Susan lives in Chesapeake Beach with her husband Karl and her daughter Sarah, and works for the Maryland State Teachers Association in Annapolis. Susan's willing servant's heart is what makes her especially valuable in bringing the Gospel to the children.
Andrew Fleck, at 18 years old, is the youngest member of our Sunday School teaching team. Andrew often is the key participant in dramatizations that help to bring the lesson of the day home to the children. Seen recently in his role as Noah, and performing a rap duet with Rick Manning, Andrew attends Northern High School and plays the trombone in the marching band where he is better known by his nickname — FLEX.
James Jackson teaches the Adult Sunday School class. James, a retired Colonel in the US Air Force, served as the Navigator on Air Force One. James quiet, thoughtful style of teaching and presentation encourages the type of questions and exchanges which lead to deeper understanding of the Word. James has served as the Chairman of Pastor Parish Relation Committee and is a trusted, dependable voice for God in our congregation. James lives in Dunkirk with his wife Lucy and daughter Lauren.
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