There are many among us here at Flipper Chapel who were given proper instruction as members of the religious institution when we were attending "Sunday School." This long-time member had to become flexible enough to become accustomed to the term "Church School". However, be whatever means it is called, this Christian educational body still remains one of the more personal ways of learning within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The mission of the Church School is to,
- teach
- train
- nurture
- prepare, and
- recruit
adults/children in God's word for Christian service. The emphasis is on Christian principles. This is essential for Christian growth and participation in order to provide Christian leaders capable of living in a changing society.
The pastor of the local church serves as the chief superintendent and he/she nominates the lay superintendent. This nomination is then confirmed by the Quarterly Conference. Church School officers are elected by the Church School Board and may or may not be nominated by the local pastor as well. The Board is comprised of the Church School teachers and officers.
The Flipper Chapel AME Church School officers for the current conference year are as follows:
- Lucy Pride (superintendent)
- Leona Gordon (asst. superintendent)
- Dosha MacDonald (secretary)
- Andrea Brown (asst. Secretary)
- Willie Johnson (treasurer)
- Dianetra Haynes (librarian)
The Church School Board meets monthly (usually the Tuesday after the 4th Sunday) to conduct it's business. The AME Discipline contains a model agenda for each local board. There may be persons who are nominated at each regular meeting and by the consent of the majority and subscribing to the constitution may become a teacher. He/she should be Christians and of some report. They should be members of the AME Church if practicable. This allows others to be teachers within the Church School who are acceptable to the body and subscribe to the Church School's by-laws. The by-laws must be consistent with the AME Discipline.
There are other specifics outlined that pertain to the Church School. Some of there are:
- The Pastor shall send to the secretary-treasurer of the Christian Education Department names/addresses of the officers of the local school.
- The Pastor arranges weekly teacher meetings, quarterly reviews and the Children's Day anniversary.
- The Pastor shall be ex-office chairperson of the weekly teacher's meeting and meetings of the Church School Board.
- In the pastor's absence, the superintendent presides and if neither is present the task shall fall to the assistant superintendent.
- Publications authorized by the Department of Christian Education shall be adopted by the Church School. The Journal of Christian Education is one of these publications.
Presently, at Flipper the current superintendent has made allowances for the flexible schedules of this year's roster of teachers. This has made it possible for more teachers, each possessing effective and differing Christian leadership skills, to deliver valuable Christian training to our students. The 2000-2001 Conference Year Church School roster of teachers include: Sis(s). Beulah Gregory, China Evans, Constance Gold, Ruth Armstrong, Chenell Lee, Greta Campbell, Barbara Wallace, and Laura Adams and Bro. Michael Catledge. Please forgive if anyone has been omitted.
There is much that can be taught and learned while attending Flipper's church school which begins at 9:30am each Sunday. May He continue to strengthen the teachers and officers of this essential group within our Christian society.
In conjunction with the "Stay At Home Tea Party" fundraiser, coordinated this year by Sis. Roberta Hall, the Flipper Chapel Lay Organization will hold its own 'Tea Party' during their regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 10. Members are encouraged to bring samples of their favorite tea for on-site brewing. Tea cakes, cookies, and other delicious treats will also be served. If you have a favorite tea cup, bring that too! All those interested in participating in the "Stay at Home Tea" please contact Sis. Hall for more details.
The Flipper Chapel Lay Organization is gearing up to bring you their Second Annual 50 States Program. If you can recall, last year's effort truly schooled the members of Flipper on the multi-faceted history and significance of nearly 50 individual AME Churches within very diverse communities throughout the United States. This year Bro. Oscar Lightfoot has been charged to coordinate the occassion. Bro. Lightfoot is seeking 50 volunteers to be responscible for one state within the union. The 50 States program is slated to be held on the weekend of the 1st Sunday in May so there isn't much time. All interested please contact Bro. Lightfoot or Bro. Michael Catledge, the director of Lay Activites, for more info.
