Christian Education
Our Christian Education Department has a wide verity of program offerings.
Our Nursery is located at the far west end of Canterbury house (adjacent to the Chapel) and is known for its big castle! It serves children from birth through age 5 every Sunday morning from 9:30 until after the 10:00 service. Our dedicated nursery staff includes parents and junion and senior high school students.
Children’s Chapel, for our 4 to 8 year olds, meets in the Library on the main level of Canterbury House. The Children’s Service parallels what is happening next door, including a procession, stories, and hymns. Children join their parents at the Peace, so that families may receive Communion together.
Church School Classes for Children K-12 meet from 11:00 a.m. until noon on Sundays, in age-appropriate groupings, using the Episcopal Children’s Curriculum. About 30 children participate in this Sunday program. This year’s programs begin after Labor Day.
Our Middle and High School classes follow the Sunday lectionary, studying the Scriptures we have just heard (or are learning to listen to) in church. The Middle School class focuses on the Prophets. Middle and High School classes are an integral element of Confirmation Preparation.
The Pre-K - Primary classes experience God the Creator through stories and activities. They learn about Jesus, Son of God -- his birth events and miracles. They learn the good news of Easter. A unit on Baptism helps them understand the work of the Spirit and how God in Christ is at work in our lives. They complete the year leaning about the Church and the books we use for worship, prayer, and praise.
Our children participate in the Diocesan Youth Camp and Choir Camps under the auspices of the Royal School of Church Music. Children are active in worship as Acolytes and Choristers (see details of choral programs on our Choir Page).
Our Christian Education Department hosts several intergenerational programs each year, including an Epiphany Pageant, Epiphany Party, Pentecost Picnic, and camping trip. The Chapel Children host a special Children’s Eucharist on Christmas Eve, with an orchestra composed of our young musicians. Children set up the Crèche and bring a doll or stuffed animal to join the figures at the Manger.
Each year we present a training program, Safeguarding God’s Children, which is required of anyone working with children and youth and recommended for all parents.
Confirmation Instruction is regularly scheduled for children and adults.
Adult Education Programs meet at various times and around various topics through the year. Small groups this year will use an interactive resouce, Living the Questions.
A workshop on Creative Spirituality and a book club are also on the docket.
