A new interactive program to teach children about faith is being held at the Churchill Hill United Methodist Church on Churchill Hubbard Road.
The A.R.K., or Awesome Rotating Kids, is a new Sunday school program from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. that began Jan. 10.
Based on a repetitive, multi-sensory style of learning, students visit six classrooms over a six-week period with each classroom covering a different Bible story.
Article Photos
Special to Hubbard Community News
Children learn Bible stories and about faith in a rotating interactive program at the Churchill Hill United Methodist Church. Pictured at the Bread of Life Cafe classroom from left are: Adam Yoder, 6; Alex Yoder, 5; Brady Smith, 6; Noah Poling-Calion, 9; Alexander Smith, 9; and Rebecca Wolfe, 12.
''Our goal is not to just cover material, but to ensure as best we can that lessons are retained,'' wrote Tena Gerdes of the church's education commission, in a press release.
The church's curriculum committee came up with a three-year plan for the program after reviewing the material and selecting what they determined were the most important Bible stories and concepts that needed to be covered.
Six classrooms are decorated with themes to help reinforce the lesson to be taught that morning. Each Sunday, children participate in one classroom and its activities over a six-week period. There are generally two classes going on each week. At the end of the six weeks, the rotation begins again.
Classrooms include A Carpenter's Shop, Bread of Life Cafe, Make a Joyful Noise, The Father's Word, Solid Rock Productions and a computer room called Jesus at Your Fingertips.
The Father's Word involves costumed storytellers while children are encouraged to mime and perform parables while acting them out on stage at Solid Rock Productions. Christian computer games are available in the computer room, and children learn to make friends while learning about God in The Carpenter's Shop and the Bread of Life Cafe.
Each classroom is designed to stimulate and enhance a particular learning style, Gerdes wrote.
Classes are available for all ages.
The church is located at 189 Churchill-Hubbard Road. For more information, call 330-759-0118.