Sunday School as a Way of Mentoring
by Rev. Megan Large

      I began mentoring and tutoring inner city children in Columbus my freshman year in college. The experiences I had as a mentor while in college caused me to change my major, my career aspirations, and ultimately my life. Since college, I have had the privilege of being involved with mentoring and tutoring children in a variety of ways. As I began to get involved with youth and children's ministries, it didn't take long for me to realize that mentoring young people extends beyond those in crisis or impoverished. People of all ages and backgrounds benefit greatly from a mentoring relationship.
      Within the church, I have had the joy of being in mentoring relationships as a youth counselor, pastor, Sunday School teacher, small group leader and much more. Here at HPCUMC there are a variety of ways to be involved in mentoring relationships both within and outside of the church walls. As the pastor to young families, I work closely with the Sunday School and have been amazed with the relationships that form between children and their youth and adult teachers.
      Larry Girdler, father of Candace (10), Mariah (7), and Jackie (6) has been teaching Sunday School most weeks during the school year for 5 years. He is busy raising the 3 girls and with work, but enjoys working with his daughter's classes and has enjoyed getting to know other parents and teachers by teaching Sunday School!
      Phil Crabtree is retired, but has remained busy both inside and outside of the church. He and his late wife Martha have 3 grandchildren; prior to her untimely death last Spring, Phil and Martha were monthly volunteers in preschool Sunday School classes.
     Just knowing that there are adults and youth at there that care about them who aren't a part of their families and don't “have to” be there, makes such a difference in the lives of the Sunday School children. Being a mentor through working with the children and youth of HPCUMC helps them better understand God's love and Christian discipleship.
      For more information on how to mentor children through Sunday School or in UMYF, contact Pastor Megan at 513-979-8181 or mlarge@hpcumc.org .