NEW CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BUILDING BUILT 1967

Sunday School 1950-1963

Mrs. John McDonald, who had started teaching during Rev. Marshall’s ministry, offered the services of her husband as a substitute teacher for Senior Boys. This proved to be every Sunday and in Janu- ary 1950 became Superintendent as well as teacher of the Senior Boys. This Husband-Wife teaching (Mrs. McDonald had Senior Girls) was very rewarding and enjoyable. The average attendance at this time was 45.

. . Many changes developed in supervision not without some mis- givmgs, but the great increase in attendance proved these changes Were worthwhile. Among these changes was the introduction of the Perfect Attendance Records. The Teachers and Officers were all in agreement that the word “Perfect” can only mean one thing attendance every Sunday from the first Sunday in October to the last Sunday in June (even illness disqualified a pupil). This Perfect Attendance did not apply to anyone who stopped being a pupil and became a teacher. To qualify, pupils had to attend the Church Service from 11 to 11.30 a.m., then down- stairs for Sunday School. It was felt that this introduced the full meaning of Church attendance and sharing in Church Worship. If a pupil was away, he could attend church or Sunday School wherever it may be and thus be credited.

One incident that will never be forgotten happened when a little boy (4 to 5 years of age) had only one Sunday left to complete his perfect attendance record. His Grandma could not find him by 11 o’clock (Mrs. White had him at the playgrounds). Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, feeling “Sick” when Craig did not appear at Sunday, School called on Grandma Dunn and arranged for them to attend Ninga Church, which was‘held later in the day. This enabled Craig to qualify for his perfect attendance and the day ended much happier for everyone.

For first year Perfect Attendance, the reward was a Bible, for second year, name in Gold, and 3. Scroll for third year with seals for every year thereafter. Presentations were made on Rally Sunday. Jimmy Musgrove was presented with a 7 year pin, Wilfred (J o) McDonald was presented with a plaque for 8 consecutive years and Lucille Pratt for 7 years.

By this time the attendance had increased to approximately 130 and teaching space in the Basement of the Church which was becoming more and more cramped was diminished even more when the ladies decided the need of a larger kitchen, thus eliminating one more room. However. everyone managed quite cheerfully the teachers’ voices sometimes had to be raised to drown out the lesson being taught to another class, separated by curtains or screens. With very little help from the Lesson Books, Many Saturdays were spent in the Bible House in Brandon or Winnipeg, hunting for material (bought by the teachers, themselves). What a Blessing, the New Curriculum! With the scarcity of funds, papers and Lesson Books were cancelled for the quarterly of July, August and September. This made a difficult task for the teacher to find enough teaching material for the month of September. The Senior Girls and Boys usually reviewed the formation of the United Church and the meaning of the Church Seal.

Specs] Events

White Gift Sunday was celebrated the first Sunday in December with pupils and parents sharing the Worship Service. Teachers decor- ated the Choir Loft with white sheets covered with cheesecloth and tinsel and a large basket covered in white was at the front of the Church. The Junior Choir was in attendanca and appropriate Christmas Carols were sung as children filed past the Basket with gifts. The little ones had a special part in this service as well as the Mother’s Day Service.

Special stories were told by Mr. McDonald on Mother’s Day, Rally Day and White Gift Sunday.

Picnics were held every June at the Fair Grounds for the Sunday School and Congregation with refreshments supplied by teachers and parents and the lemonade supplied by Dr. and Mrs. Studd using Mrs. Studd’s favorite recipe. Highlighting these picnics was the prize of a package of life savers to all winners and every little one received a sucker.

Every November 11th, for 14 years, Dr. Studd, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and usually one or two teachers attended the annual Sunday School meeting attended by representatives from Sunday Schools in this Presbytery. Some of these meetings were as boring as some were interesting.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS presented a problem as the attendance grew larger. Every pupil had to take part. Sometimes the measles, mumps or chicken pox spoiled many a drill or play. However, when Chatelaine Magazine published a Christmas Pageant that enabled so or more pupils to participate, the teachers decided to undertake this instead of the usual Christmas concert. With no money available,

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