 |
||||
|
Teaching Our Children Saint Paul's Elementary Church School Program
MMAt St. Paul's we recognize children as vital members of our church family, and we feel responsible as Christians to educate and welcome them into our worship services. To achieve this goal, we have created a Christian Education Program for our youngest students (age 3) through high school. The motto by which we run our program is, "It takes a parish to bring a child to Christ." MMFamily worship services are held occasionally throughout the year. It is our belief that children benefit greatly when the lessons taught in church school are reinforced during the service, thereby deepening the understanding of the meaning of our liturgy. Children have the opportunity to participate more fully in the service by greeting the congregation and passing out bulletins as well as bringing the bread and wine forward at the offertory. It is always a pleasure to hear the joyous singing of our Children's Choir during Family Worship services.
MMRegular church school classes are held weekly. There are four classes with two grade levels in each for nursery through elementary. By arranging the students this way, we are able to keep class size small and offer appropriate instruction for every child. Currently, we are using - Godly Play and Living the Good News Curriculums. Godly Play is used in the Pre-school program ages 3 and 4. It is based on the Montessori method of teaching and therefore is very "hands on". Our teacher is certified in this method of instruction. Living the Good News is a program in which the children study the same scripture lessons that the adults hear in worship. The curriculum also incorporates formation in the Episcopal Church. MMSeveral times during the course of the year we group the children together as one class and hold Special Events. These classes usually focus on important seasons of the church year. During Advent we celebrate our Savior's birth with a "Happy Birthday Jesus Party." The Christmas season concludes with our annual Epiphany Pageant. During Lent we offer our Good Friday Prayer Walk to the children of St. Paul's and their friends. The church school year ends with Youth Sunday, when we recognize and celebrate the children and youth of our parish. MMA very important part of our Christian Education Curriculum involves participation in Parish Outreach Programs. Throughout the year the children sponsor a foreign child through The Christian Children's Fund. In August, our students bring in school supplies to fill backpacks for children in need for the start of the school year. As Christmas approaches, the entire parish is involved in several toy collections, including the international program "Operation Christmas Child." During Lent, families fill Easter Baskets for needy children. Food items are donated to our local food bank on an ongoing basis. These provide many opportunities for our children to develop compassion, putting their faith "into action!" MMOur church school program runs from mid-September through the second week of June. Although we have a set registration in the fall, new members are welcome to join at any time. With a variety of programs, and our talented team of teachers, our church school strives to carry out the parishes' mission statement " We at St. Paul's Church proclaim the joyous news of Christ, and invite all to belong to God and each other through loving fellowship and glorious worship. Illuminated y the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we become servants of Christ through study and prayer in order to serve the world in Christ's love." ST. Paul's Jr. High Through High School Program
MMIn
the fall of 2003, we began a program new to St. Paul's called J2A,the
Journey to Adulthood. This program begins with a group of young people
grades 6 and 7, named Rite 13. The Rite 13 group has incorporated in
it a ceremony which is a liturgical rite of passage entitled "A Celebration
of Manhood and Womanhood," which each young person experiences when
he or she turns 13. It marks the transformation from childhood to womanhood
or manhood. The congregation affirms that our teens are accepted and
appreciated here at St. Paul's. The group meets each Sunday throughout
the school year, using the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. This time
is spent in many different ways, mostly discussing issues and how to
deal with them in godly ways. They also get together about once a month
for a fun activity outside of the regular meeting time. The next group
includes grades 8, 9 and 10, which is called the "J2A" group. It also
meets weekly using the J2A curriculum. During these years they are also
preparing for confirmation and a pilgrimage. Confirmation is supplemented
by each young person having a mentor program with an adult from the
parish. The pilgrimage is the culmination of four years of study. The
group plans a trip, which will enhance their journey of faith. St. Paul's
will be planning their first pilgrimage for 2007. Other J2A groups have
traveled in the U.S, Canada and abroad. We take pride in our young adults
and hope that they will feel they are important to the life of St. Paul's.
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
©
2005
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 294 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT 06798
•
(203) 263-3541
•
st.paulswoodbury@charterinternet.com
|
