Ideas for Celebrating Open House Month Through the Sunday School
by Carol F. Krau

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
(Colossians 3:16, NRSV)

September is Open House Month in The United Methodist Church. What a perfect opportunity for starting new classes, promoting the Sunday school and other settings for learning and growing as disciples, and inviting members of the community and the congregation to join a class or small group! Here are some ideas to help you plan for fall, using the theme of "Open House" to generate enthusiasm for Christian education in your congregation.

1. Select a date in September to celebrate "Open House."

• Get the date on your church calendar.
• Use your bulletin, newsletter, website, and local media to advertise the date.
• Create posters, banners, balloons, and other "attention grabbers" to post on bulletin boards or distribute to church members.
• Publicize the "Open House" at Vacation Bible School and other summer special events.

2. Plan the "Open House" to introduce members of the congregation and community to the Sunday school classes and small groups available to them.

• Ask teachers and class members to create a booth that exhibits their current study, photos of class members, service projects, and other class activities.
• Serve a meal or refreshments.
• Play music or invite a choir or praise band to provide some music as people eat and visit the booths.
• Create a festival atmosphere that is welcoming and engaging.

3. Encourage members of the congregation to invite friends to the "Open House" celebration and to Sunday school.

• Build enthusiasm for everyone to bring a friend on the same Sunday in September.
• Wear name tags and provide name tags for your guests.
• Use Igniting Ministries resources to prepare members of the congregation for greeting and welcoming guests. (See www.ignitingministry.org.)
• Collect names and contact information for guests. Send a postcard, letter, or e-mail, thanking each guest for participating and inviting each person to participate again.
• Distribute "business cards" and door knockers with the "Sunday School—It's for Life!" logo. (See www.sundayschool.cokesbury.com.)

• Connect with the Igniting Ministries campaign that will focus on "I Believe." The expression packages relate to the Sermon on the Mount, including the Lord's Prayer. Call Curric-U-Phone at 800-251-8591 for resources on these Scriptures.
• Interview members of the congregation and community to determine the focus of new classes.
• Work with your pastor to design and offer a new members' class. In the class, discuss the importance of life-long learning for growing as a disciple of Jesus.
• Offer Beginnings: An Introduction to Christian Faith. Target individuals who are new to the church or new to United Methodism.
• Organize a new Disciple class or a Companions in Christ small group.

5. Celebrate the ministry of Christian education in your congregation.

• Use the Christian Education Week resources available through the General Board of Discipleship to plan a teacher dedication during worship. (These free resources are available as a pdf download at www.gbod.org/education.)
• Display posters for "Sunday School—It's For Life!" (These posters may be purchased through Cokesbury or downloaded free at www.sundayschool.cokesbury.com.)
• Ask your pastor to preach on the Lord's Prayer, on "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors," or on another theme related to Christian education.
• Ask classes to write articles for the church newsletter and/or website, telling about their class. Include photographs of class members.
• Invite class members to share a story during Sunday worship or at a weekday dinner or meeting about what Sunday school has meant in their lives.
• Visit the "Sunday School—It's for Life!" website throughout the year for additional ideas for using the "Open House" theme during Advent, in January, and at other times of the year.

6. Remember that Christian education happens in many settings on any day of the week!

• "Open House" may be on Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, Wednesday evening, or another time when your congregation gathers for worship and study.
• New classes may be offered during the week, as well as on Sunday.
• Consider scheduling some classes at more than one time, so that more people can participate.
• Consider scheduling some classes or small groups in homes or other community locations. Christian education doesn't have to take place in the church building.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Carol F. Krau is the Team Leader for the Congregational Leaders Team and Director of Teacher/Leader Development at the General Board of Discipleship, PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203. She may be reached at 1-877-899-2780, ext. 7171 or ckrau@gbod.org.

Posted 7-12-06

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