Education at Washington Street United Methodist Church

Washington Street United Methodist Church

▪ Education ▪

Children's Ministries | Youth Ministries | Adult Sunday School

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Click here to access Safe Sanctuaries Forms.

▪ Children's Ministries ▪

Children have a special place at Washington Street United Methodist Church, which provides opportunities for them to grow both spiritually and socially. Through stimulating and fun Sunday school classes, children's choirs and worship experiences, our children prepare for participation in services with the congregation. They discover that church is a place where they belong, too, and that it is a safe place, where they are accepted, even when they are being children.

Nursery
	Even parents with small children can enjoy a Sunday school class! Paid workers and church volunteers care for infants through two year olds.
	Contact	Jill Fairey, Nursery Coordinator (jillhf@hotmail.com)

Preschool Sunday School Classes
	Two classes for preschoolers - two and three year olds and four and five year olds - are taught by teams of caring, competent adult church members.
	Contact	Traci Powers, Preschool Coordinator

Elementary Sunday School Classes
	Loving and dedicated teachers encourage spiritual growth while offering elementary-age children instruction on the Bible and the church. Classes are 1st and 2nd grade; 3rd and 4th grade; and 5th grade.
	Contact	Karen Horne, Elementary Coordinator (khorne@ed.sc.gov)

Children's Choirs
	The Washington Street Singers are an enthusiastic group of second through sixth graders. In addition to singing, they learn rhythm and how to read music. They rehearse each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and participate in church services throughout the year.
	Contact	Joan Beamer, Director (jbeamer@earthlink.com)
	The Cherub Choir is for children four years through the first grade. They rehearse each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and participate in church services throughout the year.
	Contact	Jenna Barrett, Director (jennabarrett@sc.rr.com)

Children's Library
	The Children's Library at Washington Street United Methodist Church provides books and other reading materials for children that are spiritually enriching, contain positive Christian values and are educationally and theologically sound. Although children have access to many wonderful books through school and public libraries, our Children's Library uses its limited shelf space for books that may not be available at other libraries. A stained glass window honoring Nan Self - a retired public school teacher, Christian educator and child advocate - special animal chairs, pictures, bright colors and stuffed animals create an inviting library atmosphere. The Children's Library is open each Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at other times arranged through the church office. An adult should always accompany children six years old or younger when visiting the Children's Library.

For more information about the children's ministries at Washington Street United Methodist Church, contact Joe Person, Education Committee chair, (joeperson@bellsouth.net) or the class contacts listed above.

▪ Youth Ministries ▪

Youth ministry at Washington Street United Methodist Church provides opportunities for youth to understand who and whose they are, all the while giving them information that they need to make informed decisions about making Jesus Christ their personal savior. Our counselors are trained to walk with youth on their faith journey not only to the point of decision, but also to help them grow as Christians after they make their decision.

Sunday School
	Youth Sunday school meets at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday on the third floor of the Education Building with classes for both junior high (6-8 grades) and senior high (9-12 grades) youth. The United Methodist curriculum is our guide to make Christianity real in the lives of our youth.

Worship
	Youth are involved in the worship life of Washington Street United Methodist Church in different ways: Attending Sunday morning worship services; Ushering; Singing in the Sanctuary Choir; Playing musical instruments for the offertory and to accompany the choir and congregational singing; and Leading worship on Youth Sundays.

United Methodist Youth Fellowship
	United Methodist Youth Fellowship meets from 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. each Sunday and is open to all youth in grades six through 12. Sixth through eighth graders (junior highs) meet together, and ninth through twelfth graders (senior highs) are grouped together. A snack supper is served at the beginning of each meeting, and then age-level programs under the direction of our youth minister and trained youth counselors are presented. Recreation is also a part of most meetings.

Retreats
	Retreats, both spiritual and recreational, are scheduled each year and include mid-winter spiritual life retreats at Myrtle Beach, snow skiing trips, spiritual retreats at Lake Junaluska, and white-water rafting trips.

District/Conference Events
	As a United Methodist Church, we are "connectional." For our youth this connection comes through fellowship opportunities. Special events, including South Carolina Conference retreats and Columbia District programs, give our youth opportunities to meet other United Methodist youth from around the state who are just like them and working through the same issues.

Outreach/Missions
	Youth "get their hands dirty" as they live out their faith through local, state, and international mission projects.

Liability Release Form

For more information about the youth ministries at Washington Street United Methodist Church, contact Will Garland, Director of Youth Ministries, (will.garland@gmail.com) or Beth Matthews, Youth Coordinator (mtthws@msn.com).

▪ Adult Sunday School Classes ▪

Sunday school plays a special role in the lives of many adult members of Washington Street United Methodist Church. In addition to fostering growth, it is a way to get to know the church family. Many classes enjoy social activities and work together on mission projects.

Aldersgate Class
	Members	are self-described as eclectic: single, married, grandparents, new parents and others of varying ages in a class that began in the 1980s.
	Study	material varies and tends to be more discussion than lecture-based - Bible, Christian living, interesting books.
	Projects	are completed as needed and have included support of the Child Development Center, Habitat for Humanity, church parking lot, needy families and each other. They also host social events for class members.
	Contact	Wendy Clark (WendyHiottClark@aol.com)

Dawsey Class
	Members	are generally in their 50s and 60s with outliers on each end, but this class is wide open!
	Study	focuses on applying Christian principles in today's world; social justice issues from a Christian perspective; and understanding the evolution of Christianity by addressing controversies.
	Projects	include book sales to benefit the church Somali Bantu family and the Seeds of Hope Farmers Market.
	Contact

Disciple Class
	Members	are roughly age 35 and above. This class was formed in April 2005.
	Study	material for this class is the Adult Bible Studies. The class is taught by a team of three to four church members.
	Projects	include support of the church's Soup Cellar.
	Contact	Bob Beamer (rbeamer@mindspring.com)

Grace Class
	Members	celebrate diversity of race, gender, marital status and sexual orientation - all are welcome!
	Study	includes contemporary articles, traditional Christian literature, women in the church, social justice and more.
	Projects	are developing.
	Contact	Jim Lane (jlane132@gmail.com); Kimberly McAlister (kmaclister@sc.rr.com)

Holroyd Class
	Members	are currently older adults, but all ages are welcome! The class was established in 1946 for young married couples, and members now serve the church in various ways.
	Study	varies each week with different speakers.
	Projects	include helping in the Soup Cellar.
	Contact	Nan Self; Jennie Curtis; Bryant Jennings (through the church office)

John Harper Class
	Members	are an intergenerational mix of singles and couples. This class began in July 1959 as a "young marrieds" class but has been joined by some younger members in recent years.
	Study	material for this class is the Adult Bible Studies.
	Projects	include the addition of a mini-kitchen to their room, assisting the needy and hosting an annual Christmas party for senior adults.
	Contact	Mrs. Lin Johnson (KJohnson12@sc.rr.com); Roy and Mary Sutherland (MSuth9812@aol.com)

Joy Class
	Members	are mid-20s to mid-40s singles and couples.
	Study	is arranged and taught by a class team on a variety of topics from Bible study to Christian living.
	Projects	include supporting a trailer park ministry at Thanksgiving, the Angel Tree and the church's Somali Bantu family.
	Contact	Michael Dewitt (mandmdewitt@earthlink.net)

Traxler Class
	Members	are couples and singles with a rich history beginning in 1953 as a young couples class. The class is named for the church's missionaries at that time.
	Study	material for this class is the Adult Bible Studies.
	Projects	include the Angel Tree and Woodyard Fund. Class offering is given to the church's curriculum fund each week.
	Contact	John H. Holladay, Jr.; June Raines (through the church office)

For more information about any adult Sunday school class at Washington Street United Methodist Church, contact Joe Person, Education Committee chair, (joeperson@bellsouth.net) or any of the class contacts listed above.