“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 9:45 a.m., when we meet as a complete Sunday 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 Kimberly Kahan has had great success with the Children’s Choir, which practices most Sundays at 9:15 a.m. We are always looking for more teachers for our programs, especially in the infant and pre-K rooms.
Get Sunday School registration form online (coming soon)
Information about weather closings for Sunday School
Sunday School Schedule for 2009-10:
September 12 Registration
September 19 Linwood Service — No Classes
September 26 Regular Classes
October 3 Regular Classes
October 10 Columbus Day Weekend – No Classes
October 17 Regular Classes
October 24 Regular Classes
October 31 Children’s Service
November 7 Regular Classes
November 14 Regular Classes
November 21 Regular Classes
November 28 Thanksgiving Vacation – No Classes
December 5 Regular Classes
December 12 Regular Classes
December 18 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
December 19 Christmas Pageant
December 26 Christmas Vacation – No Classes
January 2 Christmas Vacation – No Classes
January 9 Epiphany Party
January 16 Martin Luther King Weekend – No Classes
January 23 Regular Classes
January 30 Regular Classes
February 6 Regular Classes
February 13 Regular Classes
February 20 President’s Day Weekend – No Classes
February 27 Regular Classes
March 6 Regular Classes
March 13 Regular Classes
March 20 Regular Classes
March 27 Regular Classes
April 3 Regular Classes
April 10 Regular Classes
April 17 Palm Sunday
April 24 Easter Sunday – No Classes
May 1 Regular Classes
May 8 Mother’s Day – No Classes
May 15 Regular Classes
May 22 Regular Classes
May 29 Memorial day Weekend – No Classes
June 5 Last Day of Regular Classes
June 12 End of Year Party