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Children and youth, from birth through high school seniors, are cared for, shepherded and taught by a gracious group of volunteers. On any given Sunday through the school year, young people can be found in classrooms around the church.
Nursery
A team of nursery attendants lovingly care for our youngest members, from birth to age four. There are play areas in the nursery to give little ones special places, including a creative space, enlivened with a colorful mural painted on the walls. Older children may participate in “children’s chapel” during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sundays and children of all ages are welcome to join their parents in worship anytime. The nursery is located just north of the church’s east entry.
Toddlers
Toddlers are introduced to the most familiar Bible stories. Teachers are assigned in pairs and creatively use Bible story books, music and other resources to keep the children busy.The is structured on a modified Godly Play curriculum, using Montessori methods to tell Bible stories, and offering two and three-year-olds a nurturing environment.
Godly Play
In Pre-K through third grades, all of the major Bible stories and stories of Church history are reinforced in “Godly Play,” a Montessori-based method of teaching the Bible. Pairs of teachers rotate through the year, using a format that parallels our worship service.
Children and their teachers have a time of gathering, a story, feast time and closing.
Teacher Barbara Laufersweiler said it’s a way for children, even those who cannot yet read, to experience the stories of our faith. The children have an opportunity to explore classic stories of the Old Testament, parables and New Testament stories, each with a set of physical items connected to the story. In the story of the good shepherd, for instance, children set up the scene, with a shepherd, sheep, fencing and green, felt “grass,” as tangible elements of the story.
After the story, there is a time of conversational response.
“They’re getting the essence of the story and making connections,” said Laufersweiler. She said it’s a very powerful and wonderful experience for the teachers to hear that. Ultimately, she said, this is to give them language to express the relationship they already experience with God.
4th and 5th Grade
“Living Holy” explores Christian living with our 4th and 5th graders. The class looks at the early church, the Episcopal Church, and patterns of life that encompass people, space, time and words. Children will explore special places in the church and engage in theological reflection.
6th and 7th Grade
Young people in 6th and 7th grade enter Rite 13. In addition to their Sunday school class experiences, a special service marks their transition from child to adult. Their peer group in Rite 13 becomes a source of support, along with that of the whole congregation, for the years to come. The Rite 13 group that begins this year will remain together two years, then move on to “J2A.” In Rite 13 they play a lot of games, laugh a lot, learn a lot. While matters are sometimes treated in a light-hearted way, serious matters are discussed. The class considers great stories of Holy Scriptures and their validity in our day, prayer, the ways we see and encounter God, possessions and their importance in our lives, and trust in God on our faith journey together. Rite 13 is experiential, with a hands-on and “hearts-on” focus. Activities are geared to build community and trust.
8th and 9th Grade
The “Journey to Adulthood” continues in the J2A class, a time which may also include confirmation and a pilgrimage. Youth in 8th and 9th grades build skills, knowledge and experience to help the be servants and leaders in the church and community. Those beginning in this year’s J2A class will stay together two years.
They have had ample opportunity to use the many skills they have learned in the program. They return to the community ready to receive the new status of Young Adult.
10th-12th Grade
At this stage, the youth are considered Young Adults in the Church and are in charge of their own program. They meet with advisers to assist them in their continued formation, including Bible study, and in developing their own ministry and service.
Safeguarding God’s Children
“Safeguarding God’s Children,” a program offered through the diocese, gives us a format for education, training and policies to help keep our youngest members safe. Church staff, vestry members, nursery attendants, Sunday school teachers and mentors for our children and youth complete the training. Those trained learn steps to help keep ministries safe, guidelines for interactions, signs of abuse, procedures for monitoring interactions, and recommendations and resources for responding to general concerns and specific situations.
