Children's Education

Sunday School (Pre-K)

Sunday School (1st - 6th Grade)

First Communion

Presentation of Bibles to 2nd Graders

Easter Story Walk

Ice Cream Social

Vacation Bible School

Games

Godly Play

Time:   Sundays 9:00 - 10:15

Godly Play is a creative and playful approach to Christian education for young children to support, challenge, nourish and guide their spiritual growth.  The curriculum translates parables, Old Testament stories, the life of Jesus, church seasons, and the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion into manipulative objects, so children will have something concrete on which to focus.

The key to this teaching approach is creating a worship context for telling and working with Bible dstyories, so that children experience the essential parts of worship in an experiential, oral, tactile and visual way.  The story circle becomes a sacred place "to be with God, to talk with God, and to hear the stories of God."  Interwoven into the storytelling are silent spaces to wonder and internalize the learning.  The exciting result is that children become deeply involved with each story.

The children may do a creative activity to express their thoughts and feelings, or they can retell a previou story ("theological play") using the story materials.  This allows for repetition, reinforcement, and evalutation of their learning.

Snacks and informal conversation take place in an atmosphere of joy, thanksgiving, and fellowship, as an indirect prparation for Holy Communion.  A personal good-bye to each child serves as a benediction.