Methodist Church conduct 3-day workshop on development of syllabi for Religious Education in Methodist-run schools

Chaplains and deaconesses from the 32 Methodist Church-run schools gathered today at the Epworth House to undergo a 3-day workshop on exploring the vital themes of Creation Sciences and the development of syllabi for Religious Education in the Methodist Schools across Fiji.

While opening the workshop, Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma Vice President Jone Vuto says the presence of deacons and chaplains shows their commitment to nurturing the spiritual and educational growth of their students, while ensuring that their teachings align with the mission and values of the Methodist Church.

He says over the next 3 days, they will embark on an enriching journey together — one that seeks to deepen their understanding of Creation Sciences and its significance within the framework of their religious education curricula.

Vuto says in a rapidly evolving world where scientific inquiry and faith often seem to diverge, they hold the unique privilege and responsibility of guiding their students to harmonize their understanding of the world with their spiritual beliefs.

He adds today, as they delve into the intricate relationship between faith and science, they will have the opportunity to reflect on their theological foundations and how they intersect with contemporary scientific knowledge.

The Vice President says they will explore how the narratives of creation not only shape our Christian worldview but also provide a robust context for engaging in meaningful dialogues about environmental stewardship, ethical leadership, and the wonders of God’s creation.

Vuto says their discussions will extend beyond theory as they will collaborate closely to design and refine syllabi for religious education that cater to their students from Year 1 to Year 8 in Primary and Year 9 to Year 13 in Secondary.

He says they aim to equip their students not just with knowledge, but also with wisdom — wisdom that encourages them to ask questions, seek answers, and develop a faith that informs their actions in the world.

The Church Vice President also encouraged participants to actively participate, share their insights, and draw upon their unique experiences because their roles as Chaplains and Deaconesses are invaluable, and the insights they bring will enrich their collective understanding.

Meanwhile, the Methodist Church in Fiji Secretary for Education Kitione Radrodro says this workshop will help school chaplains and deaconesses have some uniformity in what they teach in the classrooms.

He says one of the challenges that these chaplains and deaconesses face was the lack of teaching materials and now they have been provided with all these materials that should equip them to teach religious education in all primary and secondary schools.

Radrodro says from Friday onwards, they should have no problem finding teaching material to take to the students.

Day 1 of the workshop is for creation science, Day 2 is for Year 9 to Year 13 teachings, and Day 3 will be for Year 1 to Year 8 teaching materials.