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| Street evangelism stirs up all kinds of images – a lone preacher shouting the word of God on a corner. But how about pie-eating contests and plays? That’s the route the folks with United Methodist Sidewalk Sunday Schools are taking. They’re working in hard-to-reach communities by bringing the church to kids, on the streets where they live. Allysa Adams has the story. | |||
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“Hi, what’s new?”
Billie Fidlin is gathering her flock ...
“Are you coming out tomorrow?”
… making sure the kids of this Phoenix neighborhood get their weekly dose of United Methodist faith in action – the Sidewalk Sunday School.
Billie Fidlin / Sidewalk Sunday School: “The phrase that we like to use is ‘street evangelism,’ with the point of entry being children.”
This isn’t your average Sunday school. First of all it’s Saturday, and the classroom is a big truck.
Billie Fidlin: “We’re outside in a very accessible spot so that folks who are unchurched for whatever reason – maybe they’re afraid to walk through the doors of a traditional worship service – so we’re out here where it’s free.”
Natsound: “Love and hope … Love and hope … ”
The kids get it – learning about the Bible through games and songs, and a cadre of silly adults who show them they care by being here every week.
Marilou Zavala / Sidewalk Sunday School Student: “It’s fun and you learn about God in the easiest way that we can understand. Like, we play and it’s cool.”
But it’s about more than learning a few Bible passages.
Billie Fidlin: “Our hope is that we come together to know each other as a community.”
There are weekly visits to all the families who participate, and help with everyday problems.
Natsound: “Let’s talk tomorrow. If we need to go downtown together, we can do that.”
And in a neighborhood where uncertainty and instability are everyday challenges, it’s enough to know that, next week, the truck will be back.
Billie Fidlin: “There’s no promises in this. We tell them, ‘Is this going to make your life perfect? Absolutely not, but is it going to give you a tool to cope with some of the hurts in life? You bet it will.’”
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So far, there are 15 sidewalk ministries on the road in Arizona and Nevada, with more than 700 volunteers. The sidewalk Sunday school also encourages other United Methodist churches to participate by providing lunch after the service, donating money to support the project or making home visits to families.