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You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away.
Christian Formation Programming for Children
Welcome to the Christ Church Christian Formation program!
At Christ Church, we believe that it is not enough to know the Word of God; we must live it no matter our age. Our programs integrate the biblical stories and the teachings of the Church with opportunities for fellowship and service. Whether it is filling boxes with cookies to send to our members at college, making Advent Wreaths to share with our homebound parishioners or building a Habitat House, our children and youth learn by doing that response to Christ’s love for us is to serve others in his name.
Formation in the Christian faith is a responsibility shared between the faith community and the family. Our Church School is a place to explore living the Christian journey as families and as an Episcopal worshiping community. It is a place to wonder, to share hopes and joys, and to travel together into the future Christ calls us to. We are delighted to welcome you and your children to our program! Church school begins promptly at 9:45 AM each Sunday morning, except on holiday weekends and weekends coinciding with Needham School vacations.
Children’s Chapel (ages Pre-K-3rd grade)
Our Pre-K – 3rd graders gather in the Christ Church Chapel for Children’s Chapel. Designed to follow the format of the Liturgy of the Word portion of an Episcopal worship service, this church school class introduces children to the traditions of Episcopal worship and encourages them to participate as crucifer, torch bearer, bible bearer, readers, and prayer leaders. We sing, learn to pray with movement, and hear the Gospel lesson of the day – all in age appropriate ways. In place of a sermon, a storyteller leads the children in an imaginative version of a bible story, using the format of Godly Play--a method that emphasizes storytelling with tangible objects and the opportunity for children to ask questions and interact with the story. Following the story, children participate in a fun activity in the Upper Parish Hall. Children join the larger parish community at the passing of the Peace so that children can be with their families for Holy Communion.
Gather Round (4th & 5th Grades)
For our 4th and 5th graders we build on the foundation established in Children’s Chapel by beginning each week’s lessons with the opening prayers of the worship service, teaching the children the specific prayers and responses used in adult worship. Using the Gather ‘Round curriculum, the children read and discuss classic Bible stories each week, and engage in related activities and games. The class will join the larger parish community at the passing of the Peace so that children can be with their families for Holy Communion.
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