Children’s Sunday School

Children’s Sunday School is offered for children in pre-K through 6th grade. Children’s Sunday School takes place in the upstairs Children’s ministry wing during the Formation Hour.

Parents should drop off children beginning at 9:55 a.m. and pick up promptly by 10:50 a.m.

When & Where

Sundays from 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.

We meet in the upstairs Children’s Ministry wing:

  • Preschool - Kindergarten Green Atrium

  • 1st - 2nd Grades Yellow Atrium

  • 3rd - 4th Grades Purple Atrium

  • 5th - 6th Grades Blue Atrium

Leader

Sunday School: What to Expect

A team of Catechists (teachers) prepare the atrium (classroom) as a place where children spend a brief time set aside each week for building a relationship with God. Each age group uses a special curriculum designed especially for their spiritual growth. Details about our program may be found below.

You can support our Sunday school program and the spiritual formation of your child by encouraging regular attendance. We also ask that you remind your child to leave toys at home or in the basket by the door. We keep the children's work in folders. Your child can show you their work and we encourage you to talk with the catechists whenever you have interests or concerns, but please do this after the children's time in the atrium. If you need to stay with a young child the first time or two, please just sit quietly with them and observe. Do not encourage them to participate until they are ready. Some children need to watch for a while and that is fine. They are learning and will do more when they feel comfortable.

We do not allow children to leave Sunday School on their own. Please pick up your child promptly by 10:50 so that our teachers may attend the 11:00 a.m. service if they desire.

 Our Curriculum

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

PRESCHOOL - FOURTH GRADE

We proudly offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children in preschool through 4th grade. The philosophy of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is that even very young children have a religious life. God is present to them in their deepest being and they are capable of developing both a conscious and intimate relationship with God. We provide materials based on age-appropriate Scripture passages and liturgical signs that nurture their relationship with God.

The program balances exposure to our liturgy and the richness of our communal sacramental life with reading the Bible. Our program begins with presenting the New Testament to the children because it is the foundation of our faith. The youngest learn about Jesus and the beauty and wonder of the Kingdom of God through carefully chosen Bible verses that foster a deep love for Jesus. As they grow older, they are encouraged to think about their personal responsibility to maintain this relationship with God and their social responsibility in the world. The oldest group studies the Old Testament in great detail and continues to deepen their understanding of the liturgy. They plan worship services and begin community service.

Each presentation has specific materials designed to draw the child into the Biblical and Liturgical themes. These materials are always available to the children during their work time so they have additional opportunity to absorb the lessons. Each of our atria is dedicated to a different age group. 

Rite-13

FIFTH & SIXTH GRADES

We offer Rite-13 for children in 5th through 6th grade. Rite-13 encourages teens to explore Self, Spirituality, and Society, and learn to connect their faith to all areas of life. Each week children study the Bible, pray together, and engage in both serious and playful activities. The lessons celebrate the individuality of each child and their creative potential, while exploring Biblical stories of God and God's people.

The two years of Rite-13 focus on recognizing the gifts God has given us, celebrating our creative potential, and learning to interact as a community of faith. It is our hope that this program will foster an environment of wholeness and authenticity and help children develop a life-changing relationship with the God who created them.