Hello there! We want to tell you about us, the people behind the “Sunday School curtain,” if you will. So we’re asking a few silly and a few serious questions to give you a glimpse of who we are! Are you ready?
Let’s go left to right—here we go, starting with Lisa Clark, our Senior Editor of Curriculum. Lisa is a mother of two, a pastor’s wife, and . . . a published author you may have Discovered [1] lately. (Cough. Cough. That was a play on words.) Okay. First question.
Lisa, what’s the emoji that you use the most?
Okay, this may not be the one I use most, but it’s close. And it’s the most important one.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m thankful for the here and now. But in a few decades, I want to be one of those quiet church ladies who smiles at kids and honestly tells people, “I’m praying for you.”
What’s your favorite part of working with the Sunday School team?
I love to see it in use at our church, knowing that I was part of the team that helped teachers share God’s Word that day.
She is a lovely person. Moving left to right, we have Mark Sengele, who has a super long work title: Curriculum Editor, Youth Resources, and My Devotions Magazine. (He is a busy man!)
Mark, what’s your favorite Star Wars character?
Luke Skywalker, because that’s my son’s name, but he’s not named after that Luke. The reality is I relate to Chewbacca because I look and sound like him first thing in the morning.
What’s your favorite quote?
“The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer
And your favorite part of working with the Sunday School team?
Finding new ways to help share the timeless message of salvation in Christ alone in different settings.
Next we have the one, the only . . . (drum roll) . . . Mary Rakoski, Senior Marketing Manager for Sunday School and Curriculum!
Mary, what music are you listening to right now? The best of the 80s, baby.
What’s your favorite part of working with the Sunday School team?
My favorite part of working with the Sunday School team and seeing the materials is knowing that we are creating an excitement for learning more about God’s Word, and I pray that the materials help kids (of all ages) have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Lisa Krenz is an Editor for Curriculum Resources (and a pastor’s wife, and a mother). We are so glad to have her!
Lisa, what is your must-have snack?
Cookies! And caramel popcorn. My sister-in-law packs her mailed packages with little bags of homemade caramel popcorn instead of packing stuff. The presents are nice, but what we really love is that caramel popcorn. It’s delicious! Frankly, she could just send that and I’d be happy. (Edible packaging! Who knew?)
And your favorite part of working with the Sunday School team?
Thinking about the real kids that I know and love in the Sunday School at our church using the materials, and also imagining all the kids that I don’t even know around the world using our materials to learn about Jesus.
Next up is Ray Jones, Graphic Designer. I don’t think any of us can remember a time when Ray wasn’t at CPH! Hardworking and creative, Ray is busy designing our wonderful Sunday School curriculum. (So I won’t bother him.) Go get ’em, Ray!
You would never know it because of her youthful countenance, but Cindy Wheeler, Curriculum Editor, has been at CPH for more than 20 years! When she has free time, she loves spending it with her husband and family (especially her grandkids).
But I have to ask, Cindy, who is your favorite Star Wars character and why?
Chewbacca, because he’s faithful and communicates so well. (Lots of Chewbacca fans on this team!)
Your favorite quote?
“The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
What’s your favorite part of working with the Sunday School team?
Digging into God’s Word and finding ways to connect people to His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus.
Next is our lovely Rachel Hofmann, Assistant Marketing Manager for Sunday School. (Don’t let the “assistant” fool you. She runs everything.)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Someone who assigns the names to fingernail polish and paint colors.
What’s your favorite thing about being part of the Sunday School team?
I love hearing from customers about their unique Sunday School needs. Seeing how the materials we work on influence children’s faith and spread God’s Word is very rewarding.
There’s a couple more people not pictured whom we should mention. First is Lorraine Groth, Editor of Curriculum Materials.
When I asked her what her favorite quote was, here’s what she had to say:
I collect quotes. Way too many to pick just one. I like this prayer by Henry van Dyke: “Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Wise Men. . . .May Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.”
And your favorite part of working on the Sunday School team?
Being able to share about Jesus and His love with teachers and kids!
Our newest Curriculum Editor, also not pictured, is Pete Jurchen (We’re so glad he’s here!). We were relieved to find out that Pete is also a Star Wars fan. When asked who his favorite character is, he tells me, “I’ll always be a Luke guy.” I can appreciate that. It’s hard to not like Luke. When he isn’t at work, he loves hanging out with his beautiful family.
Wow, that’s two reasons to like this new guy.
And why is he excited about being part of our Sunday School team? “I get to help equip Christian households to engage their vocations.”
Also not pictured is our hardworking Lesley Rusick, who designs all things digital for Sunday School! Her favorite quote is, “Every day is a holiday!” Ask her why she likes working on Sunday School and her answer is the kids, of course.
Finally, back to the photo, the last person on the right is yours truly, Sarah Maney. I work as a copywriter. (I write those emails you get in your inbox. And the catalogs you get . . . all with input from the team.) I love being part of this amazing Sunday School team.
In fact, this team goes way beyond just the nine of us. From our award-winning customer service team to the faithful folks in Distribution, many devoted people work to write, design, edit, proofread, package, and ship Sunday School curriculum to you, our amazing customers. While we have fun (think Star Wars answers!), we love serving God and His people. So from the bottom of all our hearts, we want to say, from our family to yours, “Thank you!”