Christian Formation Begins This Sunday!

It's that time again! Many parishioners have been hard at work preparing for a new year of Christian Formation at Christ Church. This Sunday, September 22nd, atrium and Christian formation classes for all ages will begin at 9:15 am! Here is a quick peek at what we are offering and where to find it:

The Nursery
The Nursery is open from 9:00 am until the conclusion of the 10:30 service (approximately 11:45 am) and is staffed by our two wonderful child care providers - Julie Esmond and Camille Bowers. The Nursery is in room 2 on the second floor, down the hall from the True Vine Atrium.

Atrium 
Atrium runs from 9:15 am - 11:10 am.  Children join their parents in Church at the exchange of the Peace and participate in Holy Communion.

Good Shepherd Atrium (preschool and kindergarten) - led by Deb Schelling, Sarah Gage and Kathleen Nitschke. The Good Shepherd Atrium is at the bottom of the center stairwell in the basement. Children need to have a short orientation before beginning in the Good Shepherd Atrium for the first time, and this group has shortened session for the first few weeks. This schedule will be sent families directly.

True Vine Atrium (first through third grade) - led by Leslie Swaim-Fox and Marilyn Wright. The True Vine Atrium is room 1 on the second floor at the top of the south staircase.

Golden Thread Atrium (fourth and fifth grade) - led by Lynn Winkelman and Dennis Harrison. The Golden Thread Atrium is room 6 located at the top of the center staircase on the second floor.

Youth Classes
Youth classes meet from 9:15 am - 10:15 am. Youth attend the 10:30 service in the sanctuary, and serve as acolytes, choir members, ushers and more.

Rite 13 Youth Class (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) - led by Katie Ong-Landini and Mischelle Lohr. This group meets in room 7 which is the long narrow room down the hall from the Golden Thread Atrium on the second floor.

Journey to Adulthood Youth Class (ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade) - led by Graham Lanz and Amy McKenney. This group meets in room 8 on the second floor at the top of the stairwell by the red front doors.

Adult Forum
Adult Forum meets from 9:15 am - 10:15 am. This Sunday Rev. Peter will be leading a forum called "What I Did on My Sabbatical" in the Chapel.

We can't wait to see you Sunday!

Christian Formation Begins Sunday!

Welcome to a new year of Christian Formation at Christ Church! We have an amazing and dedicated group of adults volunteering to work with children and youth again this year. Our rooms have been spruced up! Our plans have been made! All we need is YOU!!

Christian formation for all begins at 9:15 am this Sunday, September 16th. Please see below for more information about each age group:

• Infants and Toddlers: Our Nursery will resume our school year schedule this week, opening at 9:00 am and closing at the conclusion of the 10:30 service (approximately 11:45 am). 
• Preschool and Kindergartners: Children in the Good Shepherd Atrium will have an abbreviated morning this week. Children who are new to the atrium this year will meet from 9:15-9:45 am. Children returning to the atrium will meet from 10:00-11:10 am and then be brought downstairs to join their families in Church. You are welcome to use the Nursery for the time when your preschoolers and kindergartens are not in atrium. ***
• First through Seventh Grade: Children in the True Vine Atrium (first through third graders) and the Golden Thread Atrium (fourth through seventh graders) will meet in their atria from 9:15-11:10 am, when they will join their families in Church.
• Eighth through Twelfth Grade: Eighth through tenth graders (the youth confirmation class) and eleventh and twelfth graders will meet from 9:15-10:15 am in their rooms on the second floor and then attend Church.
• Adults: Adults will meet from 9:15-10:15 am in the Chapel for Adult Forum. This week's topic is "Open Table, Closed Table" a discussion of inclusion in the sacrament of Holy Communion, led by our Rector, The Rev. Peter Faass.

We'll see you Sunday at Church!

*** Parents of preschoolers and kindergartners who are new to atrium this year: We are planning to see you and your child Saturday morning for the short individual orientations we have scheduled. Questions? Email Leslie at education@cometochristchurch.org. 

The Presentation Schedule

Because the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children rather than a set curriculum, there isn't a specific schedule to follow week by week. Instead, over the course of our Catechesis training, we see and discuss every presentation. Ultimately we have a written 'album page' which describes the theological points, materials needed, and procedures for each presentation. Included with each album page is a recommendation for the age of the child to receive the presentation, the time in the liturgical year to present it, and presentations that should be seen prior to it.

At the beginning of each year, we look over the presentation lists, the records for children in the room, and the calendar, and map out our plans. Catechist Deb Schelling and I generally get together to create the schedule for the Good Shepherd Atrium, and I look forward to it every year. Tea, scones, and sitting outside in gorgeous fall weather are always important parts of our meetings!!

One of the real benefits of the atrium is the flexibility of the schedule. Catechists can change the direction of the group based upon the interest or understanding of the children at any time. In fact, because the materials are always present in the room, the catechist can choose to show a presentation in the moment if a particular child or group of children are pondering a theological question or appear drawn to a material. Our desire is always to follow the spiritual and developmental needs of the child in the atrium and the flexibility of our environment and schedule help tremendously!