Children and Family Ministry
to an interactive Vacation Bibile School model. This hour was set up with rotations of music, scripture, and large and small group activities. The gym is used for large group games and other large motor activities.
This year has been one of growth and celebration. New and expanded staff configurations, coupled with strong parishioner support, have created different expressions of ministry and an expanded sense of community. A few highlights are:
Worship yy Joy, Discover, and Celebration Masses all continued to be services which invite children into the center of our worshiping community. yy Instructed Eucharists provided a place where families could draw closer to the table and learn more about the significance of the Eucharist. yy Pajama Prayers (during Advent and Lent) offered a new way to share our Biblical story and experience age-appropriate Discovery Mass procession Compline services. yy Good Friday for Children created a place for families to come close to the Holy Week story in ways that were engaging and age appropriate.
Christian Formation (Midweek) yy Wednesday afternoons continue to be a place for learning and exploration thanks to experiences such as Faith Lab (science experiments married with Bible principles) as well as Lego My Bible (Bible adventure class). yy Small groups for tweens and women of all ages were a source of inspiration, exploration, challenge and connection. yy Catechesis of the Good Shepherd expanded to partner with Saint Michael Preschool for weekday Faith Lab got into sticky issues enrichment. There are currently three classes that meet on Thursday afternoons. Christian Formation (Sunday Morning) Sunday morning has been reinvented in exciting ways that expand knowledge, foster connections and increase joy. yy 3’s and Preschool – Each week children explore through play and worship. yy Big Tent Sunday School – Kindergarten through third grade experience a large group/small group gathering in the parish hall with storytelling, music, activities, prayer, small group discussions and games. Adults take the role of guide in place of teacher. yy Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children in which adults and children share their faith life together. They meet in a specially prepared room called an atrium where the children use simple, beautiful materials to meditate on the scriptures, liturgy and sacraments. It is based upon the educational principles of Maria Montessori. We have 4 atriums available on Sunday mornings- 2 for 3-6 year olds and 2 for 6-9 year olds. yy Edge Sunday School - All 4th and 5th grade meet in the Edge Room for a large group experience. We moved away from a classroom setting for the Sunday 10:00 hour and moved
Early Childhood Ministry - A renewed commitment to our youngest families Austen Crossley was welcomed onto the staff in the part-time capacity of Early Childhood Coordinator. Her primary role is to create community and connection among our youngest families through:
Catechesis class teaches the youngest about the bible and the church 27