A Brief History of the Sunday School

Sunday School Song: Sunday School, Sunday School, the family home of all our children; Honouring our heavenly Father, loving one another, finding new life in joyful fellowship. Sunday School, Sunday School, the gathering place for all our children; Winning people for Christ, pressing onwards, offering ourselves faithfully as his soldiers. Studying the Bible, praising without ceasing; as children love the Lord, the church is renewed. Gladly obeying our Lord's commands, glorifying his name all our days. Our History: Sunday School ministry began on 18 June 1895, one month after our church was established. In 1917, our pastor, Rev. 邱清浩, gave particular attention to children's ministry. He reorganised Sunday School and actively developed its work, establishing a strong foundation. Enrolment rose to 250 pupils in 15 classes. In those early years, successive pastors and church workers managed its work and activities themselves. Enrolment grew rapidly in 1934. To develop the ministry, the Local Church Executive Committee began appointing a superintendent specifically to lead Sunday School. The first was Mr 柯宽心 (1934–1935), followed by Mr 倪汉卿 (1936), Mr 王则义 (1937–1940) and Mr 庄秉生 (1941). Alongside these superintendents, Rev. 黄懋庭, missionary Miss Urech, church worker 洪瑞要, Ms 陈淑美 and Ms 林清美 offered guidance. Teachers including the wife of Rev. 黄懋庭, Ms 杨玉莺, Ms 洪完全 and Mr 洪清江 worked together to develop the school. Enrolment at one point reached 500, meeting in five locations and using Hokkien and English. Alongside senior, intermediate and junior divisions, there were Hokkien adult classes and English youth classes. Sunday School ceased operating from 1942 to 1945 because of the Pacific War. It reopened in 1946 under superintendent Mr 叶恩谭, with more than 350 pupils, 17 teachers and 12 classes meeting at our church, Air Itam and Jelutong. In 1947, the appointment of superintendent became the responsibility of the quarterly circuit meeting, and Mr 叶 was reappointed. He left Penang in July, after which Ms 洪碧珠, Ms 洪完全, Ms 庄家珍 and Mr 陈承恩 jointly led the work for the rest of the year. Ms 洪碧珠, also known as 瑞云, served as superintendent from 1948 to 1952. In 1950, Sunday School began meeting at the same time as Sunday worship. In 1953, she responded to God's call to study at Trinity Theological College in Singapore. After graduating in 1957, she was appointed an assistant pastor of our church. Ms 林庆华 served as superintendent from 1953 to 1956. She introduced a revival class in 1954 and formed a children's singing group in 1956. In 1954, Sunday School contributed $2,000 towards the church's religious education building. Ms 庄家珍 served as superintendent from 1957 to 1968. During her 12 years of leadership, Sunday School undertook many activities. It contributed $200 towards the Air Itam preaching point's parsonage in 1957 and $500 towards the Jelutong preaching point's church building in 1958. Monthly teacher-training classes were held from 1958 to 1960. From 1959 to 1961, assistance and food were provided to pupils and children from needy families. In August 1963, Mr 骆宽容 led a Vacation Bible School attended by more than 200 people.