Children's Faith Formation

The parish partners with families to nurture children in faith. At infant baptism, parents and members of the faith family affirm their commitment to guide and support the child along the faith journey. Through words, music, stories, worship, educational activities, and faithful acts of service and witness, we learn and experience the meaning and reality of living the Christian faith. We carry out this commitment in a variety of ways:

For the parent:

Thanksgiving Service for a Child

Scheduled with a priest as soon as is convenient after the birth of or adoption of a child, this service is done privately or at a Sunday service.

Sessions on the Covenant of Infant Baptism

Sessions are scheduled during the calendar year for parents of young children to join in a discussion about what it means to rear children in the Christian faith.

Covenant of Baptism

Baptisms for children are offered on the Sunday after All Saints (November 7) the Sunday after Epiphany (January 9) and Pentecost (May 15); other dates are scheduled with the clergy.

Guild of the Christ Child

Services and resources are offered to families with newborns including meal preparation, visitations, Parent and Kids Play Group, printed booklets and pamphlets. Contact person is Kesslyn Tench.

Education Classes on Parenting Topics

Throughout the year, sessions are offered during the Church School time on topics of particular interest to parents. Refer to Crossings or Cross Roads for specific topics.

Nursery Care

Every Sunday throughout the year, nursery care is provided for infants and children up to 5 year olds. During the school year the nursery is staffed from 8:45 to 12:15. During the summer schedule, care is provided only for the 10:00 service. Joy Gattis supervises a team of caring, trained persons and is supported by parent volunteers.

For the child:

Church School

Church School runs from late summer through mid-May for 2 year olds through 12th graders. This year's dates are August 29, 2004 to May 15, 2005. Classes meet from 10:20 to 11:05. Class divisions are determined at the beginning of each year. Listed below are the curriculums being used. All curriculums are endorsed by the Episcopal Church.

2 year olds and 3 year olds - Living the Good News

4 year olds - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Curriculum: This curriculum is based on the well-known Montessori method of education using what is called the Parable Method. It allows each child to enter into a deep relationship with God. Children are introduced to the Bible characters, sacraments and familiar parts of the church service and what is used there. They have opportunity to interact and play with altars, baptismal fonts, liturgical colors and biblical stories. The program is designed to honor the child's autonomy in development and relationship and the activities allow the child to work at his/her own pace.

Kindergarten - Godly Play: Similar to Catechesis, this curriculum was developed by Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, based upon Montessori training. The goal is to teach children the art of using the language of the Christian tradition to encounter God and find direction for their lives.

1st - 8th Grade - Episcopal Children's Curriculum

9th Grade - Youth Inquirers/Preparation for Confirmation

10th-12th Grade - Topics and materials are determined by teachers

Children's Chapel

A Sunday morning worship experience held in the chapel that provides the first liturgical experience for children 2 years through kindergarten age and includes music, stories, prayer, and teaching familiar worship responses.

Youth Saint

A leadership opportunity for 3rd - 5th graders to assist with Children's Chapel. Training is offered in early Fall.

Worship Participation

Children and youth participate in leadership primarily at the 9:00 service serving as lay readers, greeters and ushers. For the All Saints' Sunday Eucharist, children are invited to learn about a saint and either dress as that saint or create a shield reflecting the life of the saint. Children process in the 9:00 service. On Palm Sunday and Easter Day, children carry palms and flowers, respectively. The flowers decorate a wire mesh cross in the chancel area.

Worship Education for 1st and 2nd Graders

Children transition from Children's Chapel to corporate worship as they enter the 1st Grade. This course is offered during the 9:00 service several times a month throughout the year.

Choirs

The Junior Choir consists of children in the third grade and above. They sing at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service during the academic year and on special occasions; rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m.; older girls and boys will rehearse at alternate times as announced. Children in first and second grades comprise the Training Choir and sing service music on Sunday mornings and rehearse on Wednesday afternoons.

Vacation Church School

Held each summer, this one week morning program is offered for 4-year-olds through children having completed the fifth grade. Youth play a vital role as teachers and teaching assistants. Dates TBA.

Children's Library Collection

Our church library has a selection of quality children's books and videos for you to check out.

God & Family

This is a six-session course designed for 4th and 5th graders held in the afternoon during the spring. Frank McBride leads the group. Information will be sent to all eligible students prior to the class commencing.

Bible and Prayer Book Presentations

In the spring of each year, children in the 2nd grade are presented with The Children's Illustrated Bible during the 9:00 service. Children in the 2-year-old class receive The Beginner's Bible. Students in the Youth Inquirers' Class are presented The Book of Common Prayer at the beginning of the year.

For the Family:
Family & Intergenerational Education and Outreach Programs

All ages gather together for learning several times during the year. These Sundays are usually scheduled in conjunction with a Holy Day, at the beginning of a liturgical season, or for a special emphasis. This year's intergenerational programs include the first Sunday of our program year, August 29; the first Sunday in Advent, November 28, for creating Jesse Tree ornaments and Advent wreaths; the first Sunday after the Epiphany, January 9, for engaging in outreach ministries; a Lenten program on February 6 to plan our journey towards Jerusalem through the season; and Earth Day, April 24, to learn how to be better stewards of that which God has given to us. Outreach programs planned for family participation include the caroling to homebound members in December and a cookout at Homestart (shelter off Homestead Road for women and children) in the spring.

Devotional Resources

During the Advent and Lenten seasons, devotional guides for use by children, youth and families are provided by the parish just prior to the season. The parish offers the bimonthly devotional, Forward Day by Day, available in the church office and at other specific locations in the building.

Stewardship

Stewardship education is incorporated into the Church School curriculum at all levels including the stewardship of time and talents, monetary giving, and care of the earth. Parents are encouraged to develop stewardship habits with their very youngest. Programs to assist in this effort include: pledge cards for children and youth, family outreach projects and other outreach ministry opportunities for children, collection of non-perishable food items and hygiene items for the area shelters (collection baskets are located at the entrance to the educational building), biannual collection of toys and clothing forThompson Children's Home, and mite box collections for designated programs during Advent and Lent. Our Advent offering will support children's programs in Bethlehem and the Lenten offering will support the Heifer International Project.