Where were you the last time we had 5 Sundays in February?
by Annette Bender
The Rev. J.N. Howard has two certificates verifying that he faithfully attended Sunday school in February 1948 and February 1976. And he's determined to get another certificate at the end of February 2004. That's because for the first time in 28 years the third time in the last 100 years February has five Sundays in 2004. The last two times that happened, Howard's churches gave out awards for 100 percent attendance for all five Sundays.
Now, as pastor at Signal Mountain UMC in Chattanooga District, Howard is offering a 2004 award to parishioners who don't miss a single day of Sunday school this month.
"I might be the only person alive who will have three of these certificates," said Howard, age 67. He hasn't heard of any other churches, other than the ones he has been involved with, that offered the special awards.
He was 12 years old in 1948 when he received his first award at Ridgedale UMC, which later merged with St. James to become the present-day East Ridge UMC in Chattanooga District.
He was pastor at Wesley Memorial UMC in Cleveland District when he received his second certificate in 1976. The retired pastor hopes that offering the certificate to his current congregation will promote Sunday school attendance.
"So many things are scheduled for weekends now, and people have made the choice to do other things," he said. "Consequently, we're not as knowledgeable about the Bible or Christian teachings as we once were.
"To me, Sunday school has always been important. I have worked to build it throughout my ministry."
Howard's enthusiasm seems to be catching. At Signal Mountain, Sunday school attendance was eight in 2002. On Feb. 1 of this year, 28 people ages 12 to 87 came to Sunday school. Signal Mountain's average worship attendance is 28.
Six months ago, the church put up a big sign on the lawn to promote the emphasis: "Sunday school for all ages: children, youth and adults."
It's only possible for February to contain five Sundays during a leap year when Sunday falls on the first and last days of the month. The next time that churches can offer the unique attendance certificate is February 2032.
Howard expects to be available to receive his fourth certificate, when he is 95 years old.
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