We have five Church School classes. Upstairs: Beulah
Land meets next door to the Nursery, Godly Play meets across the hall from the Nursery and J2A meets across from the parish
office. Downstairs: Seasons of the Spirit class meets in the Undercroft and the Rite-13
class meets in the Memorial Room.
Beulah
Land (PK & K): In this class, using a felt story board, these children will become more aware
of God’s presence through sacred storytelling, wondering aloud with others about the stories, experiencing silence and
responding to the stories and God through art, music and prayer.
Godly Play (1st – 3rd Grades): The children in this
class will be listening to stories from the Bible told by a storyteller, using figures and sets, to engage them in active
learning and play. They will have a chance to wonder aloud and in silence about the meaning of these stories
and to respond through an art or music response, and then pray together before returning for Holy Communion.
Seasons of the Spirit (4th & 5th
Grades): This class will follow the Lectionary and with hands on exploration of the Bible stories through arts, activities
and imagination will harness the enthusiasm of Scripture. Encounters with the Bible through age-appropriate
activities create connections to the whole church. Learning together, this group enjoys games, activities,
and arts experiences. This class begins the process of the youth interacting with the stories to find meaning
for their lives today.
Rite-13 (6th
& 7th Grades): The first two years focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and
their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this.
The core principles: 1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God. 2) Adulthood must be earned. The
curriculum includes in-depth exploration of: self, spirituality, sexuality and society.
* Rite-13 & J2A will also participate in EYC (youth
group) activities.*
J2A
(8th – 10th Grades): During this second two-year stage, the focus is placed on
the acquisition of skills and vocabulary which prepare and empower the young person to participate in the adult community.
There are as many opinions about what it means to be an adult as there are adults, but we have focused on a list of six skills
and six affirmations which provide the backbone of the curriculum. The 2 years of the J2A class will also be preparation for
confirmation which will take place in the spring of 2010 and a pilgrimage which the class will undertake in the summer of
2010.
Church School begins
on Sunday, September 14
and
ends on June 7 with Recognition Sunday.
Church
School begins each Sunday at 10:15 AM. Church School ends at the peace, and the teachers will bring the
children and youth from their classes into the church during the peace/announcements (an acolyte goes and gets the classes
during the peace) so they can take part in the communion.
There will be no Church School on Family Sundays (usually the 4th Sunday of the month)
beginning in October. In late November, the Church School classes will begin to prepare for the Christmas
Pageant that will take place at the 10:15 AM service on December 21. Church School time will be spent rehearsing
for the pageant (except for Beulah Land).
We
are happy to have your child or youth in our Church School. If you have any questions, or would like to
learn more about the class, please speak with the teachers or Rev. Kurt.
