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Weaving the Promises of the Good Shepherd
"Little children, let us love . . ." 1 John 3:1
Lenten ProgramOur annual Lenten program for children runs concurrently with the adult program. This year's adult program is entitled, Deep Christianity: Where Manger and Cross Collide. The children's program, led by Stacy Park, will be on the life of Jesus, The Journey from Manger to Cross. The program will take place on Wednesdays in Lent, February 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24. The event will begin with a Taize prayer service at 6:00 p.m., followed by a supper at 6:30 and the presentation at 7:15. On Good Friday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m., we will hold a special Stations of the Cross service for children. This service will run concurrently with the adult program. We will gather at the Centennial Chapel. Easter Egg HuntAfter our 10:00 a.m. Easter service, we will hold a Easter egg hunt in the Bishop's Garden. Children need to bring their own Easter baskets and 12 empty plastic eggs (for use next year). We will gather at the Centennial Chapel. Vacation Bible SchoolBeginning to make plans for your child's summer? Mark off July 12-16. That's when we will hold our annual Summer in the City Vacation Bible School. This year's program will "take place" in Egypt, as Joseph journeys from prison to palace. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade will enjoy the program. For more information, contact Judy Beiring. Overview of the Children's ProgramWe are pleased to offer a Christian Formation program for children, age 3 to 12, which adapts to their needs as they grow. Weaving the Promises of the Good Shepherd utilizes the Montessori process found in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the wholistic methods of Weaving God's Promises,* two nationally recognized curricula used in the Episcopal Church. Each curriculum is structured to nurture a child's relationship with God.
Children learn about events in the Bible and the geography of the Holy Land. They learn about the liturgy and the meaning of Holy Communion. They learn about compassionate and loving service.
By accommodating various learning styles, we are able to support the spiritual development of all children. We build on the belief that children have a special capacity to experience the presence of God. The classrooms are warm, attractive and safe, while the lessons foster a sense of wonder and love for God.
Children meet in one of three classrooms, divided by level pre-kindergarten to kindergarten, first through third grade and fourth through sixth grade. For preschoolers and those in the early elementary grades, we offer the Catechesis curriculum that has proven very successful for young children. For older children, the classes will include the Catechesis curriculum, as well as supplementary materials such as Old Testament stories and more active learning activities. For the preteens, classes use Weaving God's Promises, a Bible-based program rooted in the liturgical year, with a strong emphasis on worship, education and service as the threefold components of Christian living.
The classes run on Sundays, beginning at 9 a.m., September through May. During Advent and Lent, we also offer a weekday evening program that encourages children to explore the mysteries of the season. These classes run concurrently with an adult program.
*We are pleased to report that Weaving God's Promises was written by our own Canon for Christian Formation, the Rev. Canon Joanna Leiserson.
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