Consider SRE
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 31 October
Friends in Christ, today I pass on to you a letter from my dear wife, Karyn, who leads our growing Cathedral Kids Sunday School ministry.
But Karyn also teaches SRE (Special Religious Education) at our local primary school. This letter is also endorsed by her fellow SRE teacher, Kath Cook, who is also a lay canon of our Cathedral.
We’re looking for people to join our SRE (Special Religious Education) Team.
Every Thursday afternoon 2:05-2:35pm, during school term, volunteers representing our church visit Ultimo Public School. They teach children from the Bible, using a well written, age-sensitive curriculum authorised by the Anglican Church.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the culture-enriching and potentially life changing message about Jesus. Someone shared this precious gospel with you, why not take this chance to share it with children?
Many children in our classes seem to have no other Christian input. What a privilege to teach them God’s Word almost every week of their Primary School experience!
Occasionally there are children who are obviously from Christian homes. What an opportunity to encourage these families as they seek to reach their school community with the good news of Jesus!
Sometimes there are children whose grandparents share Bible Stories with them. What an honour to partner with extended family members whom we may never meet, but who are probably praying for these dear children!
We need to build our team of teachers. For example, more teachers would mean teachers could more easily take a week off in case of a sick child or the need to assist an ageing parent, or for annual holidays. And sometimes current teachers can’t continue forever, as life and responsibilities change. More teachers also opens up the chance for team teaching.
Would you be willing to pray and ask God if you should consider joining us? It is an important responsibility, and can be challenging. But for some of you it's quite accessible given your experience and gifts. For quite a few, it's probably not as hard as you think...
If you've never taught in a school before, you could start as a helper in the classroom, without much responsibility. It can be a good way of getting used to the school environment and seeing if maybe you could teach at some stage.
There are five units of training provided (and required), which are very helpful. There is also 'recognition of prior learning' for those who have some recognised biblical studies qualification and/or recognised educational qualification.
Not everyone is able to adjust their commitments to be in Ultimo for 30 minutes on a Thursday afternoon. But if you are willing to explore your gifts in this area, if you can step out of your city office for an hour or so, or use your flexible working arrangements or life situation... please put your hand up and come serve with us. Let's make sure we are able to continue to take hold of this gospel opportunity!
And everyone else? Would you pray for God to raise up workers for the harvest? Would you persistently pray that God’s Spirit would be at work each Thursday afternoon at Ultimo Public School and wherever SRE is taught across the State of NSW?
Karyn Grant
All I can add is that I agree with her. (And I agreed in earlier times when she was working as a music teacher or mothering and was not able to teach SRE.)
Please consider... And pray!
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney