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A news item from the BBC caught my attention this week (no, it had nothing to do with the state of the Church of England!) It was about Sunday Schools and how they have helped to shape Britain. I learned that the first Sunday School was held in 1774 when a group of children met in a house in Gloucester. The movement grew but was not always welcome. Indeed it was thought to be a dangerous and subversive movement because it taught the lower classes to read and learn! Prime Minister William Pitt sought to suppress these dangerous schools. If children could read the Bible they might also read more dangerous books! Despite this Parliamentary opposition, Sunday Schools grew in popularity, especially in Victorian times. Learning to read was one benefit which, prior to State education was often in the hands of the churches. Of course, the main aim was to teach children bible stories and also develop faith through the singing of songs and hymns—always a powerful way to teach religion. Oddly, some Sunday Schools also led to men forming other groupings, especially football teams to train the body as well as the soul. Fulham, Everton and Aston Villa owe their origin to Sunday Schools. As many of the teachers were women this gave them a new role in the Church, an influential role as they shaped minds and souls. (Though, of course, male superintendents were usually appointed to control the aspirations of the teachers!) In the 20th century Sunday Schools continued to flourish and through activities such as Whitsuntide Processions (especially in the North) they offered a powerful witness of the Church to society. I well remember being part of such Processions with the big banner and the smaller flags. We walked in double file, controlled by lengthy pieces of rope, with a brass band leading us. We were bought new clothes for the occasion and part of the fun was that people kept slipping coins into our pockets—a hangover from earlier days when buying clothes was a financial hardship and so charity was given in an acceptable form. Sunday Schools were usually held on Sunday afternoons (giving a well earned rest to families who were able to send boisterous children into a safe haven). Today they are less popular but thankfully, at St. John’s we have strong Sunday Groups led by dedicated teachers using imaginative learning methods. The aim is still the same—to instil a love of Jesus and to help children encounter the Living word of God in the Bible. Long may they flourish in St. John’s and long may we encourage children to be a real part of our church family—of which they will be the future but also they enrich our lives now. Give thanks and pray for our Children’s Leaders. |