Preparing the Way
“The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth; not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs; not to bind them by ineradicable prejudices to our particular sect or peculiar notions, but to prepare them for impartial, conscientious judging of whatever subjects may be offered to their decision; not to burden the memory, but to quicken and strengthen the power of thought; not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules, but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment. In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish spiritual life.” –William Ellery Channing
School begins Sunday at 9:40 a.m., when we meet as a complete Church School family for announcements and a short prayer. Children will then be escorted to classrooms by teaching assistants. Children will also be escorted by teachers or assistants over to church before the start of communion.
Messiah’s Sunday School curriculum is based on the principals of Godly Play. Three classes (grades K-1, grades 2-3, and grades 4-5) follow the Godly Play Curriculum, and we also continue to offer a traditional children’s Episcopal Curriculum for the Pre-K class, as well as a middle-school class. Our classes are taught by a core group of wonderful people, led by Tammy DelGiudice. Both children and teachers have been enjoying Godly Play. It allows for a very personal, age-appropriate understanding of God’s word, centered on the telling of sacred stories, parable, and liturgical action. You can read more about the Godly Play curriculum at godlyplay.org.
Sunday School is an important way for our children to grow in knowledge of God’s love. It also provides children with a sense of belonging, knowing the important part they hold in our church family. We ask parents to contribute to our church family in two ways. First, being that it is essential that two adults are present in each class, we ask that parents assist in classrooms throughout the school year. A sign up sheet is available as well as reminder notes. You can, but do not have to, sign up for the class your child is in, you are welcome to sign up for any age classroom. Secondly, as we all – especially our children – enjoy the fellowship of coffee hour, we ask that each family signs up to host a coffee hour. Simple instructions are provided and there are always experienced friends around to help guide you. Again sign up sheets are available. If you have any questions or would like to become involved with our program, please call the church office at 875-3533. Tammy Del Giudice and Tom Heller run our youth programs, and we e are always looking for more teachers for our programs, especially in the infant and pre-K rooms. Church School begins at 9;40 am in the Parish Hall, and runs from September to May, except during school vacations and the first Sunday of each month, which is our Family Service.
Get Sunday School registration form online (coming soon)
Information about weather closings for Sunday School