While exploring the files in the church archives, I came across some interesting Religious Education historical items. There were three religious education pamphlets – from 1916, 1963 and 1964.
The first was a “Prospectus for 1916 – 1917 of the May Memorial Sunday School”. There was a motto:“Be Faithful” and a good photo of the James Street church on the cover. The program description on the inside indicated four departments covering ages 4 through 17. Each department handled four school grades, with two grades taught in each of the two groups in the department. Each group taught two courses – one each year. Courses included God the Loving Father, Jesus’ Way of Love and Service, Old and New Testament stories, Paul of Tarsus, Work of the Apostles and more. The program also included an emphasis on service, with contributions to The Syracuse Boys Club and the Syracuse Women’s and Children’s Hospital. In addition, each class undertook some actual work of service. During 1916-17 they also maintained a scholarship at Tuskegee. The stated hope of the May Memorial Sunday School was to “train the spirit, the mind, the heart.”
Next came a pamphlet from the 1963 – 64 May Memorial Unitarian Church, School of Religion. The church was still at 472 James Street, with the Church School office at 466 James Street. Mr. Robert Burdick was chairman of the Religious Education Committee, and Mrs. (Mary) Burdick was a member of the committee. William Chaffee, MD is listed as the doctor for the school. Mrs. Lawrence was listed as the School Director, Bob Coye was a fifth grade teacher and Mrs. John Fuller was in charge of worship. There was a class for every grade from Nursery 3’s through tenth grade and a special class for 11th and 12th graders. The Beacon Press book series was extensively used.
The following year was the first year in our new building at 3800 E. Genesee St. The 1964-65 May Memorial Unitarian Church School of Religion pamphlet included a nice drawing of the new church by Miss Joanne Ashley. In addition to describing the courses, it also shows a floor plan of the original Sunday School room assignments. Grade 9 and the class for grades 11-12 met on the upper level. The Beacon Press series was apparently only used through grade 5.
It is interesting to note the changes in Religious Education over the years. Some of the changes parallel changes in the attitudes and beliefs of the congregation. Other changes result from changes in curriculum and teaching philosophy and changes in youth perceptions. In spite of these continuing changes the statement about “our new building” in the 1964-65 pamphlet still holds true today: “Here young and old will gather as a family under one roof. The arrangement of space and the simplicity of adornment permit emphasis upon the process of becoming which is education. Here we establish anew, for ourselves and for our children, a church that shall be a house of friendship … of freedom … of truth seeking …of beauty … a cradle for our dreams and a workshop for our learning and doing together.”
George Adams, History Committee Member
Written February 15, 2009
