Manners class had started, and so Elaine Clanton Harpine, its teacher, handed Eliza Williams a place mat.

"Why do we need a place mat?" the 7-year-old asked.

"It's nice. We're going to be fancy," her teacher said.

"Uh-oh," a wide-eyed Eliza replied.

Ms. Clanton Harpine laughed and set about explaining to her six pupils the day's curriculum.

The class, the first of three at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, would focus not just on table manners, but on family time, communication and togetherness, Ms. Clanton Harpine said.

The children colored their mats with outlines of silverware and practiced eating slivers of cake with their new fork and knife skills.

Other classes will focus on telephone and invitation manners. The topics are different, but the focus is the same.

"The church helps us learn to live and function in this world. Manners are a part of that," said Ms. Clanton Harpine, a church member who teaches educational psychology at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

The St. Mark's pastor offered a similar class at his former church.

"A lot of children aren't getting these skills at home or at school," said the Rev. Dane Wagner. "Whatever kind of family they have at home, there's something we can do here to strengthen it."

On Sunday, Ms. Clanton Harpine used a set of questions and answers to test the pupils' new knowledge.

"Should we watch TV while we eat?" Ms. Clanton Harpine asked.

The children responded with a resounding "No."

"Right. Let's turn it off. Let dinner be family time," Mrs. Clanton Harpine said.

Such lessons persuaded church member Angela Hortenstine to bring her daughters: Kristen, 8, and Ashley, 10.

"Manners are important. We don't use our manners enough today," she said. "Anything that helps us get along is something we want to practice."

Ms. Clanton Harpine closed the class with a prayer.

"Thank you," she prayed, "for the opportunity to come and learn about wonderful, wonderful ways to live in your world."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.