NEWS FEATURE: Lessons on the Lake: Boats, Biscuits and the Bible

c. 2004 Religion News Service PELL CITY, Ala. _ As the pontoon boat bobbed back and forth on the ripples of Logan Martin Lake, Sunday school teacher Teresa Harris stood to begin her Bible lesson. First she reached into a picnic basket and began passing out hot sausage biscuits. Teenagers reached into coolers for cans […]

c. 2004 Religion News Service

PELL CITY, Ala. _ As the pontoon boat bobbed back and forth on the ripples of Logan Martin Lake, Sunday school teacher Teresa Harris stood to begin her Bible lesson.

First she reached into a picnic basket and began passing out hot sausage biscuits. Teenagers reached into coolers for cans of soda.


Then Harris began discussing the theology of Methodist founder John Wesley, and his view of God’s creation. She talked about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

“They had one-on-one conversations with God like we’re having today,” she said. “God provided everything they needed.”

After the first sin, the relationship of God to Adam and Eve changed, she said. “They had to provide for themselves,” she said. “God said, `No more.”’

As herons flew against the backdrop of a cloudless sky, students ranging from 11 to 16 years old swiveled quietly in the boat seats, eating their biscuits, sipping their sodas and absorbing the Bible lesson of the day.

So far in the month of August, Sunday school has been a lot more enjoyable experience, they say.

“It’s a lot more relaxed environment,” said Nathan Smith, 16. “It’s kind of a fun thing instead of formal church.”

One of the boat drivers, Robert Rhodes, said summer attendance at Pell City First United Methodist Church’s youth Sunday school had been disappointing in June and July. He offered his boat for a change of venue. Harris, who usually teaches Sunday school for students in grades nine through 12, dubbed it “Lessons on the Lake.” She and Joey Hutto, who leads junior high Sunday school, take turns teaching.


The idea caught on, with other church members who live on the lake offering their assistance.

“Once it got out we may need more boats, a lot of people volunteered,” Rhodes said.

As many as 22 kids now show up for Sunday school on the lake, which began Aug. 1.

“I do think it enhances the classes,” Harris said. “We have a lot more time to talk. It’s hard to deny God when you’re sitting there looking at a beautiful lake and all the surroundings.”

The youth seem to be attentive to the message while enjoying the setting, she said. “The lake’s a lot of fun, but the lesson’s the real core of it,” Harris said.

Keeping Sunday school attendance high in the summer can be a challenge, since youth have vacations and summer camps competing for their time, Harris said. That makes it hard on Sunday school teachers.


“You never know what’s happening,” Harris said. “You don’t know how many to prepare for.”

The youth taking part in “Lessons on the Lake” are asked fo attend the lakeside worship service at Chapel in the Pines, which Pell City-area churches co-sponsor to cater to people spending their weekends at the lake.

Nestled among pine trees, Chapel in the Pines consists of wood benches and a small stage with the lake as a backdrop. The Pell City Methodist youth meet at their church and are transported to the lake for the half-hour service and Sunday school session.

After service, they board their boats, float on the lake during their lesson, then return to dock by 10:30 a.m. They make it back to Pell City First United Methodist Church in time for the 11 a.m. service.

Harris said she contacted the parents of all the youth in the church to get their approval for taking them out in boats.

“There is liability there, having the kids out on the water,” she said. “The parents have been very supportive. Everyone was very enthusiastic about it.”


Sunday school lessons on the lake will have to end soon, since Logan Martin is designated as a flood control lake and its level is lowered in the fall and winter. As the lakes get shallow, it becomes more dangerous to navigate.

“We hope we can go through mid-September,” Harris said.

The Sunday school teachers will have to come up with other ideas for the fall to keep student interest high.

“I think it will be tough to top this,” Harris said.

DEA/JL END GARRISON

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