The Kirk Receives the Tolly Thompson Award

January, 2004

Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education annually gives The W. T. "Tolly" Thompson Award for Excellence in Christian Education to the Christian Education Program that best meets these criteria:

Meeting Vital Christian Education Needs

The Kirk's Rotation Workshop model provides active learning opportunities for children to participate. Drama, puppets, art, journaling, cooking, games, music and more involve students in the Bible stories they are learning.

Participation of Church Members / Personal Growth for Teachers and Participants

This ministry is lead and operated by Kirk lay people who write the entire curriculum. We estimate that 175 different church members have served as writers, shepherds, workshop leaders, guides or coaches.

Effective Outreach Beyond the Membership

All the lesson plans are copyrighted and posted at the Kirk's web site for use by other churches at no cost. In the first year, over 21,000 visitors have been to the lesson plan page.

Church's Relationship to the PC (USA) Christian Education Program

When needed, the Kirk requests assistance from our Presbytery's library personnel.

Teacher / Student Participation in Local, Regional and National Training Events

The Kirk leaders provide input to a national Christian education web site, http://rotation.org. One of the leaders has presented workshops in our Presbytery and others.

Spirit of Sharing and Creativity in the Program

Our lesson-writing process spurs a creative spirit throughout the Kirk. Watching children throw sock "rocks" at a 10 foot Goliath generates creative thoughts of "how can we teach the next lesson and have this much fun, too?"