Classes for Children & Youth

 

Our classes help teach our children the most important stories - the key messages - of our Christian faith.  They will hear how God loves them and how each child and each person is made in God's image.  They will hear that we all have more than enough, and that loving as God loves is the best way to live.

 

All this happens in a loving setting, with dedicated teachers and volunteers.  Our culture teaches us that we are not good enough, that we don't have enough, and that we should look out for ourselves first.  At Christ Church, we seek to practice another way of living.  Children will practice being part of a compassionate community, learning that love is really the only thing that matters - God's love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.

Infants & Toddlers

Infant/Toddler care is available on a weekly basis for children under the age of three, during the 9:15 class hour and again during the 10:00 service. During the 9:15 formation hour, infant care is in the infant room in the Parish House. During the 10:00 service, childcare will be in the upstairs sacristy. Volunteers bring children to their families during the Peace in order for them to be together as a family during communion. Parents who use this service are asked to volunteer one Sunday a month to help supervise the room so that others can enjoy the privilege as well.

Preschool through Grade 5

All of our children's classes this year will be focusing on The Story for Kids, as we explore the entire Bible together as a community. Each week children will hear the biblical story form the assigned chapter of The Story for Kids. Then they will be led in fun activities that thelp them explore the story further, followed by a discussion time where they can make connections bethween the greater biblical story and the stories of their lives.

 

Grades 6 - 10: Rite 13/J2A

This year, for our youth, we will be adapting our traditional Rite 13/J2A program so that the students can join with the entire parish as we explore the Bible together. Classes for this age group will include a telling of the week's biblical story from The Story, as well as discussion and activities to engage with the story more deeply. Students in these classes will still be on the Rite 13/J2A track, and they will pick up all of the necessary components of Journey to Adulthood in the outside of Sunday morning activities as well as in future years.

Eligibility for Confirmation at Christ Church is based on active involvement in both worship and J2A classes and activities in the years prior to the Confirmation date. If your child is interested in expressing an adult commitment to the faith through Confirmation, please have them contact our office.

Children with Special Needs

We recognize that students have diverse learning styles and needs, and will work with families to provide Christian Education to all our young people. We encourage you to let us know how we can best meet thour child's needs. Please speak with our church school teachers.

Safe Church, Safe Kids

This year, Christ Church will implement a sign in system as a means of transferring responsibility of care at the beginning and closure of class. We require that adults escort their students to their classroom so that the teacher volunteer can connect the student and their parents. Because we require adults to be on site during the time that students are in class, we hope to see an end to unaccompanied children crossing the street to get to class (even if they are "old enough"). In line with our parish vision, adult formation is always in session to offer rich and engaging topics to ponder. We extend a welcome to bring along your newspaper and relax with coffee in the parlor, and always invite parents to volunteer in our clasrooms or Church School office now and then. There are many ways to spend this quick hour, all of which will enrich your hour at church.