MaryAlice Donaldson, Coordinator of Christian Education

MaryAlice Donaldson, a longtime MLUMC member, accepted the position of Coordinator of Christian Education in late summer 2011.

Her parents joined MLUMC in 1957. MaryAlice was confirmed in the church and an active member until my marriage and move to Alaska in 1981. She received her batchelor’s degree in cello performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 1975 and a masters in Music Education from Miami of Ohio in 1977. MaryAlice taught strings in Mt. Lebanon from 1977 to 1981. During her career in Alaska she taught both orchestra and general music. She helped develop a music curriculum for special needs students in Anchorage and presented teacher training workshops in the Orff Schulwerk process throughout the state and at several national conferences.

Throughout her adult life she has been a volunteer in our church and community. She has served in nurseries and Sunday School programs K-6 and has actively participated in small-group Bible studies. Following her retirement from teaching in Alaska in 2008 she and her huisband David relocated to Pittsburgh to be closer to family. She has enjoyed working with the children of MLUMC the past three years. Sharing the love of Jesus through every avenue possible continues to be a driving force in her life.

Christian Education at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church takes a variety of forms involving a Sunday School curriculum chosen by the pastors and taught by clergy and lay volunteers. Programs children, youth and adults are held each Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. from September to June.

During the summer months, Sunday School for children and youth goes on hiatusand is replaced by Kidz Faith, an extension of our adult Faith for Today (FFT) series. FFT Features speakers from the church and community on a variety of contemporary issues, replaces adult Sunday School sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays in Asbury Center, the MLUMC social hall.

Vacation Bible School, an interactive experience for children with a Christian theme, takes place one week each summer, usually in July or August. VBS is open to children from the community as well as to MLUMC members' children.