‘You get a lot out of the position’

Sometimes, all the pieces just fall into place.

Emma Basness grew up attending First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie.

“I went to Sunday school there and I was confirmed there,” she said. “I went to college, then came back, and when I had my kids, we joined – so they could grow up in Sunday school there, too.”

But Basness, a stay-at-home mom and daycare provider, continued her own involvement with the church.

“I was serving on the education board for the last three years,” she said. “That kind of got my toes in the water about the background of the Sunday school program.”

Now, she’s all in.

Since August, Basness has been the new director of children’s ministry at First Lutheran, succeeding Melissa Stoen.

“When we knew Melissa was leaving, (the board) approached me to see if I was interested, and I figured it was kind of exactly where I wanted to be,” Basness said. “I used to work in a non-profit, so it’s giving back. I was ready to take that step and move on into the position.”

Stoen, who was the director for three years, is still involved – and then some.

“I told them I wasn’t going anywhere,” she said with a smile. “I still lead the music time each Sunday during Sunday school hour with Jaclyn Schlicter, and I still lead our Worship Team during worship service” twice a month.

“I definitely miss the role and all of our great kids and families; I’m grateful Emma was able to step in, and I’ll help and support her in any way I can,” Stoen said.

That works both ways.

Stoen was the director of Sunday’s Christmas program at the church, shepherding more than 120 kids through the traditional story of the birth of Jesus.

“I was her helper in that situation,” Basness said. “She did a great job.”

About 90 kids come to Sunday school each week.

“We’ve had a very successful program for the last many, many years,” Basness said, “so I’m kind of sticking with where we are.”

Still, she said, “everyone has different ideas, especially in a new position.”

There may be a curriculum change, possibly bringing some technology into the classrooms with smart TVs, for example.

Piggy-backing off the changes for fifth- and sixth-graders in the Blooming Prairie School District – who will be moving into the high school building next school year – Basness said their curriculum will be a bit more “grown up.”

“We’re just trying to grow with the kids, the way they’re learning,” she said. “We’re finding that fifth- and sixth-graders are in the middle. They’re kind of getting too old for the traditional Sunday school arts and crafts and Bible stories, but not mature enough, old enough and wise enough to be doing confirmation-level of diving into the Bible.”

That may mean a youth group during Sunday school hours.

“It would still be very Sunday school-like,” Basness said, “but doing more discussions with them instead of story-telling and crafts. We want to keep it fun and entertaining, so they want to be there and want to learn.”

She has Stoen’s support in that, too.

“Melissa’s been a huge help with me taking on this position,” Basness said. “She’s always available for me when I need her. She saw there was a change needing to be happening – but this job is something that definitely has to fit your family at that time, and she knew she wasn’t able to spend the time on the change. She’s been great for bouncing idea off of; she knows if something will work or not.”

With her new role as “principal” of Sunday school, the new director has stopped doing daycare.

“I definitely see this as being a part of my life for a while,” Basness said. “Pastor Heidi (Heimgartner) said you give a lot to the position, because you get a lot out of the position. That’s very true.”

Stoen sees it, too.

“Emma has done spectacular these first few months,” she said. “We’re very lucky to have her leading our kids in faith.”

Sunday school at First Lutheran Church starts again on Jan. 8. Classes are from 10-10:50 a.m., and are open to anyone who wants to be involved.