what is our mission?
We prayerfully seek to provide a loving, welcoming environment where all children and youth are…
…embraced in God’s love and treated with gentleness, kindness, and respect…
…treated as full, participating members of the Body of Christ and of the church now (not just labeled “the future of the church”!)…
…encouraged to wonder about the mysteries of life in Christ…
…introduced to the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, the other works integral for overall Christian formation and the formation of the Episcopal tradition…
…given a solid foundation that will serve them throughout their lives…
…offered opportunities to participate in the life of the church in worship, discipleship, stewardship, and fellowship.
what do we offer?
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
St. Gregory’s offers Sunday School classes for children three years old to 12th grade.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
We offer Confirmation classes for 6th to 8th graders.
NURSERY CARE DURING THE 10 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
Nursery care is available at no charge for younger children during the 10 am worship service.
RISE & SHINE FAMILY SERVICE
Join us for our Rise & Shine family service (typically the first Sunday of the month) as well as other special programs and services).
FOR YOUR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING
the safety and well-being of our children and youth are our top priority.
OUR TOP PRIORITY
The safety and well-being of our children and youth are our top priority at St. Gregory’s. Though we cannot eliminate all risks, we strive to create a loving and safe space for all of our children and youth.
SAFE CHURCH, SAFE COMMUNITIES
The Episcopal Church has developed a program entitled “Safe Church, Safe Communities” to identify, prevent and respond to abusive and/or inappropriate behavior. We require all our teachers and regular volunteers to participate in the Safe Church program,
To find out more about “Safe Church, Safe Communities”, visit the website at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/safe-church or click here.
COVID SAFETY
We continually evaluate Covid safety protocols based on current situations and adjust accordingly. Church leadership (the Rector, our Covid Advisory Team, and Vestry) set protocols and policies. Please stay tuned to church communications for updates.
Our current Covid protocol:
1. All classes meet in person
2. Masks are recommended.
3. Precautions such as hand sanitizing stations in each classroom and full vaccination of all teachers are in place.
4. We request that you stay at home if you or your child feel ill, even if it is minor, to minimize the risk of transmission.
5. We ask that you contact us if you or your child have been exposed to or have Covid so that we may alert those who have been in close contact with you.
FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES 1ST THRU 3RD
First thru third-grade children will continue with our very successful Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. The Catechesis of the GOOD SHEPHERD is a new way of Christian formation for our children, focused on the personal love and presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and the child’s desire to draw near to God. The essentials of the faith are conveyed through Scripture, liturgy, and a prepared environment in a manner appropriate to the child’s development. Pondering questions and working with the materials nurture a conscious and intimate relationship with God.
FOR PRE-K3 , PRE-K 4, KINDERGARTEN
The Godly Play curriculum is based on the principle that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond.
PRE-K3 , PRE-K 4, & K LEADERS
ANNA THOMAS / Godly Play Missioner EMAIL
KRISTEN CHANEY / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
ANITA SHERMAN / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
THE REV. BEN THOMAS / Clergy Liaison for Sunday School EMAIL
2019-2020 TEACHERS / Silvia Hall, Anna Thomas (parent volunteers assist as needed)
THE GODLY PLAY PROGRAM
Curriculum for Children’s Formation
Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.
FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES 1ST THRU 3RD
First thru third-grade children will continue with our very successful Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program.
The Catechesis of the GOOD SHEPHERD is a new way of Christian formation for our children, focused on the personal love and presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and the child’s desire to draw near to God. The essentials of the faith are conveyed through Scripture, liturgy, and a prepared environment in a manner appropriate to the child’s development. Pondering questions and working with the materials nurture a conscious and intimate relationship with God.
1ST THRU 3RD GRADE LEADERS
TERI HEMSTRA-HERNANDEZ / Catechesis Coordinator EMAIL
KRISTEN CHANEY / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
ANITA SHERMAN / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
THE REV. BEN THOMAS / Clergy Liaison for Sunday School EMAIL
2019-2020 Catechists: Teri Heemstra-Hernandez, Karen Cottrell, Diane Prator (parent volunteers assist as needed)
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROGRAM
Catechesis of the GOOD SHEPHERD is a spiritual method of listening and responding to God through the proclamations of the faith, such as the parables, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Mystery of Faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” This is facilitated by unique materials for the children to work, including the prayer table, a model altar, a timeline of the Kingdom of God, and a Maxims cabinet.
FOR GRADES 4 & 5
These grades incorporate the Episcopal Church’s Weaving God’s Promises curriculum along with teacher created and directed activities.
The mission of Weaving God’s Promises is: to teach children and youth how God’s promises of salvation are woven into our lives; to teach children and youth the way of Christ, not only in the church but also in the world as Christ’s ambassadors; to give children and youth a solid grounding for future youth and high-school formation programs, which prepares them for Christian adulthood; and, to foster the spiritual formation and growth of our children and youth in Christ’s love and mercy and to teach the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
GRADES 4 & 5 LEADERS
KRISTEN CHANEY / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
ANITA SHERMAN / Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL
THE REV. BEN THOMAS / Clergy Liaison for Sunday School EMAIL
2019-2020 TEACHERS: Kristen Chaney, Linda MacLaren, Maria Patton (parent volunteers assist as needed)
WEAVING GOD’S PROMISES CURRICULUM
Weaving God’s Promises is one program with a shared scope and sequence as well as common Episcopal content. This curriculum explores the Bible stories in creative ways appropriate for this age group.
MORE ON CHILDREN’S FORMATION?
If you would you would like to learn more about Children’s Formation at St. Gregory’s, please complete the following interest form or contact Anita Sherman by EMAIL or 561-395-8285.