Photo courtesy of Amanda Lee. The group of Sunday school students sing on Palm Sunday at Kensal United Methodist Church. The students are part of a community Sunday School that started this year. 

Kensal United Methodist Church sees an average of 15-17 in worship on Sunday but there are 24-30 kids at Sunday school each week.  How does that happen? All of the kids in the community are invited and they can’t wait to show up each week.

There are 40 students in the elementary school in Kensal, North Dakota (grades preschool-6),  most of them show up for Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Kensal each week.  “I can’t believe all the kids that are coming to the program,” said Pastor Becky Holten, who serves the charges of Kensal / Wimbledon and Edgeley / Ashley.  “We have some awesome volunteers that are making it happen.”

Amanda Lee serves as the coordinator of the program. Lee recently moved back to Kensal from Fargo where she worked as a para legal. “My five-year-old daughter loved going to Sunday school and she wanted to continue going.”

Kensal UMC was Lee’s home church and she wanted to attend there but there was no Sunday school program.  “There seemed to be a lot of younger kids 5-years-of-age and younger around, but none of the churches in Kensal had a Sunday school program.  We thought we may have to commute to 30 plus miles so our daughter could be in Sunday school,” stated Lee.

Lee was challenged by one of the Kensal community members, her insurance agent, to start her own program. She approached Pastor Becky Holten who was very supportive.  Lee did some promotion around town with her sister, Kristina Nicholson and kids began to sign up.

Each week, 24-30 kids show up to participate. “One Sunday I was leaving Kensal to head over to Wimbledon,” said Holten. “I walked outside and there were bicycles, a wagon, a four-wheeler and a dog. The dog got in the church, ran through the sanctuary and down to the basement.  I had to help chase the dog out before I could go onto the next service. But it was worth it.” 

Photo courtesy of Amanda Lee. The preschool Sunday school students take time to pause for a photo during their craft and lesson time recently at Kensal UMC.

Lee said there are at least 12 students in the preschool group each week and 12 students in the elementary group. “We begin with a large group and do some singing. Then we divide into two groups, preschool and elementary. We have crafts and a lesson each week.”

The program is equipped with volunteers that include three high school students and the lone sixth grade student, a boy.  “Our mom, Pam Bredahl, also helps out a lot. She is great at lining up the crafts,” said Lee.

One of the highlights of the year was the Christmas program.  “This is the first time in years that this little church has held a Christmas program,” said Holten. “Catholics, Lutherans and Methodists gathered together to watch the program and then shared fellowship after the program.”

The churches have enjoyed the kids singing throughout the year during church service. “The kids sing at Lutheran church as well as the Methodist church,” said Lee. 

Parents and people around town have commented to Lee that they like the program.  “One person told me their kids couldn’t wait to come each week. Another person said their child keeps asking what day of the week is it, is it Sunday school day? One grandparent told me that their grandchild is always singing the songs they learn in Sunday school.”

Photo: Two elementary students enjoying the craft and lesson at the community Sunday school at Kensal UMC. Photo courtesy of Amanda Lee.

Plans are underway to hold a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in late May. “Things are looking pretty good for VBS so far. We have 24 kids, that regularly come to Sunday school, signed up plus about 5-6 additional. We would like to see 40 kids sign up,” said Lee.

Holten, Lee and Nicholson recently spent time planning for next year’s program. The three participated in a training session held at Wesley Acres as part of the Youth Ministry Cohort.  “We took the concepts that we learned that day and the opportunity to plan for the upcoming year,” said Holten.

Lee sees the community Sunday school as a blessing in her life. “It has helped me connect to the pastor, community and the church. I am reading the bible again. Since leaving Fargo, it has given me a meaningful focus and something to feel good about.”