In June 2021, the Shafer (Calif.) MB Church congregation sought a stronger sense of unity, fellowship and discipleship. As a result, Facets of Faith was born, a Sunday school class that today draws generations from fifth grade to senior adults.
“Originally, the goal of the class was to bring everyone together in unity with respect,” says Nancy Neufeld, a member of the class’s leadership team. “We were looking for a class that could be a place to live out our faith through different events, classes and generations. It does not replace a traditional Sunday school class, but it is a supplement for people who like to be in the action of faith. We are all at different places at different times in our faith journey, and we want Facets of Faith to be a working space, available to all on Sundays.”
Over the years, the class has grown in ideas, size and structure, with attendance ranging from 12 to 50 people, says Susanne Franz, another leadership team member.
“We don’t have a set leader but have a leadership team that take turns with each member being in charge of each Sunday,” Franz says. “I coordinate with the church office to put information in the bulletins.”
The class has no set age limit and rotates weekly between four themes: Linger Longer, Resource Sunday, Speaker and Service Sunday.
Linger Longer is dedicated to fellowship, a time that the class comes together for food and games. Following that is Resource Sunday, which involves a class member sharing a helpful resource—like a book, article or podcast—to encourage growth in knowledge. The third Sunday is set aside to bring in speakers to engage the class by sharing testimonies. The fourth Sunday is Service Sunday, where the class serves in projects such as cleaning local parks, organizing and cleaning the sanctuary or making cards for local nursing home residents.
“We enjoy the different Sundays as a way to become more united, as we’d hoped for when we began the class,” Franz says. “It’s especially encouraging seeing our young people feel included and involved.”
With so many ways to serve, class members have many favorite parts of Facets of Faith.
“The things I appreciate the most are the multi-generational opportunities and the opportunity to participate, whether through service or discussion,” says Sharon Wiebe, leadership team member, who also appreciates the fellowship.
John Wiebe, another leadership team member, says the ability for participants to come and go each week depending on their schedules but still feel included is a highlight. It’s a reimagining of traditional Sunday school where different points of view are encouraged so people grow together as a church and closer to Jesus.
An additional element of the class is including and engaging younger generations so they also feel part of the church. Katie Wiebe, a leadership team member, says her kids are engaged with each weekly format as they hear and see personal faith in action.
“As a parent, I just want my kids to feel connected to their church family in meaningful ways, and I think this class has really made that happen for our family,” she says. “I hope that this class will help my boys develop a faith that endures.”
Caitlyn Decker is a 2021 graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, having majored in agriculture with a minor in mass communications. Beginning in high school, Decker has written for local newspapers, small businesses, the university campus newspaper and public relations office as well as freelancing. She and her husband, Caleb, live on a farm near New Hopedale Mennonite Church, Meno, Oklahoma, where they are members. They also serve as youth group sponsors.
