LA PLATA COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Christian Education at CPC

Many Christian Education opportunities have been available for all throughout the years. In the mid-1970s, Sunday School classes held before Worship included Nursery, Preschool & Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Junior High, Senior High, Young Adults, the 5050 Class, the Westminster Gleaners Class, and the King’s Daughters Class. The King’s Daughters’ Class, organized 1913, was the first organized adult Bible Class in La. The class consisted of the elderly ladies in the church and was known for sponsoring money-making projects to aid the church financially, particularly for the church parlor and kitchen. As years went by, membership grew smaller, so in 1986, those in the King’s Daughters’ Class were invited to join the Westminster Gleaners Class. How it is that their former classroom (a small room just off the sanctuary) became a kitchenette, allowing for beverages and snacks for socials held under the balcony in recent years. The Worship Committee prepares Communion there.

In 1952, the Westminster Gleaners Class was formed the union of the Westminster Class and the Gleaners Class. The new class continued providing many benevolent services, as the previous classes did, and also sponsored a child in Korea. They were a key factor in the church supporting the National Major Mission Fund in 1979. The class had monthly family socials in Fellowship Hall. As membership grew smaller, the Westminster Gleaners Class was invited to join the 50/50 Class in 2004. When Rev. Harold Johnson was pastor at CPC in the early 1950s, the 50/50 Class was organized 1951. This class was primarily for young married couples. It was very in various church activities and hosted Valentine parties for the church family, as well as serving refreshments for the Children’s Christmas Programs. The 50/50 Class was honored worship in 2005 for over 50 years of service. The class continued meeting until 9—approximately 68 years of Bible Study and fellowship.

Over the years, there have been several classes for young adults. The Seekers was organized in 1984 while Rev. Tim McClain pastor. The Seekers Class hosted an All-Church Picnic with a roasted pig, a pie auction, ice cream, and volleyball games on the church lawn. The class hosted special events for several years—such as a Sweetheart Event, a Christmas Program, another All-Church Picnic, a box lunch social, and an Advent Festival with tree trimming and caroling followed by a soup supper for all. The Seekers Class continued until 1997.

New classes emerged in 5, including “Parenting” taught by Dr. Terry TenBrink and “Praise” by Dr. Lou Wollenberg. In 1996, Pastor John Carswell began a new group, “Upstairs Fellowship Group” (adult Bible study). In 2000, Pastor John and his wife, Lisa, taught “Home Builders”—a couples group that met for supper and a Bible lesson on marriage building. Other young adult were held from 2005 to 2007.

In 1978, the nursery was redecorated by La Plata R Art Teacher Ann Bullock and ten of her Art II students. The mural was restored in 1996 by artists Ann Bullock, Geri Moore, and Joan Ferry. Here are pictures of their beautiful work.