The South Carolina Department of Mental Health selected the Woman’s Missionary Union of First Baptist Church, Columbia, as Volunteer of the Month in November.
Mary Dutton (coordinator of the group), Jan Buckliew, Julia Colson, Nell Detreville, Diane Gill, and Sandra Tapp have become familiar faces in the children’s unit at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. Each Sunday, a volunteer from the church’s Adults on Mission group comes to teach them about Jesus.
The children’s ministry began as a Sunday school project at Dutton’s church. “We saw the need for a children’s class,” she said.
Each week, between eight to 12 children attend the class. Volunteers supply the children with Sunday school books. The children listen to Bible stories, sing, pray, recite memory verses, play games, and enjoy refreshments.
“The staff members have been so supportive, and they arrange to be there during Sunday school,” said Dutton.
One staff member, James Starnes, said, “Their lessons remind the children that someone cares, and this serves as a powerful medicine.”