Trinity United Church of Christ
Concord NC
Associate Pastor Marion Rhyne

An Intro from Neil, Sunday Software

Rev. Marion Rhyne has developed computer labs in each of her last two parishes, and has been working with children since 1957.

Marion started experimenting with software in Sunday School back in 1993, and notes that she has always been on the lookout for "new approaches and technologies that excite young people to learn." Marion has been a school principal, music educator, director of children's choirs, youth leader. She is the Associate Pastor for Christian education and Music.

Trinity's Sunday School uses a lectionary-based  curriculum and has a youth worship each week which also reinforces the Sunday School lessons. Their computer lab is used by the younger children during Sunday School and by the older grades towards the end of the youth worship timeslot.  Marion previews the software and teaches in the lab, assisted by computer techie Cathy Teague.

"The children's excitement for learning is contagious. They love working on the computers... (which) keeps me finding the right stories and activities for each week's worship or lesson."

Marion also keeps things structured, ...using a wall chart (pictured right) to track students through Life of Christ CD, for example. "This allows students who aren't there every week to get caught up in their lessons with the rest of the kids, and they will ask to do that!"

It takes a village to raise a child and support a program. Thus Marion notes that none of this would be possible without the support of Senior Pastor Nathan King.

In her own words...

Marion writes: 
I have been writing curriculum for VBS for many years titled "The Story of God through ________(an Old Testament character). We study one person for the whole week. By the time the children have seen the story on video, worked on it through the computer, and studied it in the classroom or in their study pages, they have really learned the story with all its meanings.

In a recent Summer Sunday School class we were reviewing and discussing Elijah (and using the Elijah CD). Our youngest student was so enthralled by the story that he stood right in front of me and told me the entire story. He got it!

Several years ago a developmentally disabled 11 year old would come to the computer room but just stand and look out the window. Eventually he started using a concentration-like game. Then one day he yelled, "I got it!"  and everybody clapped for him. From there he went on to other game activities, like those at the end of Play & Learn Children's Bible CD and Kid Pix. Oh, how he has grown.

I do not pretend to know too much about computers, however, I have a computer tech who helps take care of the equipment and helps me with the teaching. Cathy Teague is indispensable.

What's our favorite program?

Those who like to do art: Kid Pix.
Those who want to play: Bongo.
Those who want to complete their work: Life of Christ.
Those who want to experiment: Let's Talk.

"I have no favorite," writes Marion, "except when it's needed, then it's my favorite." 

Thank you Marion for all your hard work and faithfulness. As one who began exploring the use of software in Christian education back in 1993, and have stayed with it, you are one of the true pioneers in this exciting teaching medium.

<>< Neil MacQueen, Sunday Software