“You have given us the joy and care of children.”
Children’s Formation
Children’s Formation
We are a covenant people, which means children are welcomed and full members of Christ's Body. We love having children of all ages as part of our service at Christ Church, and we welcome families to come to the Eucharist table together. We also recognize that it is important to create a space where growing children can begin to understand who God is in a way that is designed for their appropriate age levels.
Christ Church provides nursery childcare for children aged 1-2 during the Liturgy of the Word, as well as formation classes for children from ages 3 through 6th grade. We use the Anglican Curriculum, God’s Big Story.
“God’s Big Story invites children to enter into the narrative of God’s abounding faithfulness and love for all his beloved children. Our aim is that children and their teachers might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and experience the fullness of new life in Christ as part of His body, the church.”
Sunday Mornings
Nursery
The Toddler Nursery class for 1-2-year-olds is available during service on most Sundays. This room was created to support families who previously had to leave service when their child became more mobile.
What to Expect
Parents sign in their child(ren) at the Family Check-In Table. The nursery room is open at 10:15 a.m. or when two adults are present to accept children.
If your child has difficulty settling down in class, you may receive a text asking you to pick them up early.
Childcare staff and volunteers do not change diapers in this classroom. If your child needs a diaper change you will be texted.
Pick-up from the classroom occurs during the Passing of the Peace. All of our children and volunteers are invited to participate in Eucharist (Communion).
Preschool
The preschool “Little Ones” class is open to 3- to 4-year-olds, along with young 5-year-olds who have not yet started kindergarten.
This curriculum invites our littlest ones to encounter our Lord and Savior and experience God’s abounding faithfulness and love for all his beloved children. The aim of God’s Big Story curriculum is that children are introduced to the person of Jesus as they hear stories of his birth, life and ministry, they come to know him, love him and seek for him.
This preschool curriculum has lots of play built into each lesson. The lessons follow the pattern of worship as we sing our praises to the Lord, hear His word and respond to Him in prayer. The same Bible Story is repeated over three weeks. The first week, it is read from a Bible story book, the second week the story is told using wooden figures and the third week the class is encouraged to engage the story as we act it out together.
What to Expect
Parents sign in their child(ren) at the Family Check-In Table starting 5 minutes before the service.
Please make a stop at the restroom before checking in your child.
Pick-up from the classroom happens during the Passing of the Peace. All of our children and volunteers are invited to participate in Eucharist (Communion).
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
We offer “Children’s Church” for elementary children in kindergarten through 3rd grade, or 5- to 8-year-olds. Children should meet the classroom age criteria by September 1.
Children's Church does not meet on the last Sunday of the month. Instead children join their families in the sanctuary during service. Children also receive formation in the service on baptismal Sundays, such as All Saints Day, Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost.
God’s Big Story (GBS) invites children to enter the narrative of God’s abounding faithfulness and love for all his beloved children. The aim of GBS is that children might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and experience the fullness of new life in Christ as part of His body, the church.
The curriculum is rooted in the incredible truth that God has come to rescue his children from their own sin through his Son Jesus Christ. It explores the biblical narrative from creation and the fall to Jesus’ sacrificial victory on the cross to the promise of a new heaven and earth.
GBS is taught in the context of worship through liturgy, song, scripture memory, story presentation, wondering questions, catechesis (teaching of doctrine and faith), prayer and many reflective and creative responses geared to early elementary aged children.
What to Expect
Parents sign in their child(ren) at the Family Check-in Table.
Children stay in the service with their families until they are dismissed with a blessing and are walked by volunteers to the classroom.
Children can be picked up during the Passing of the Peace so they may participate in Eucharist (Communion) with their family.
4/5/6 Catechism
We offer 4/5/6 Catechism to 4th, 5th and 6th grade students, or 9-12-year-olds. This class is offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month during service. Please check the Christ Church Calendar for an up to date list of classes.
Students will spend three years in a rotation of units: The Lord’s Prayer (piety), The Creed (dogmatics) and The 10 Commandments (ethics). 4/5/6 students have the opportunity to learn more about worship and liturgy by participating as an acolyte.
The class begins with an opening center time featuring games and activities designed to help the children get to know their peers better. This is followed by large-group teaching, small-group discussion and activities, and concludes with a time of reflection and response.
What to Expect
Parents sign in their child(ren) at the Family Check-in Table.
Children are walked to their classroom by a parent or guardian.
After the Passing of the Peace, children will be returned to their families in the sanctuary so they may participate in Eucharist (Communion).
Spiritual Formation at Home
Christ Church provides formation resources for families to use at home, following the liturgical Church Calendar. We hope these resources help your family establish a rhythm with the liturgical year and create meaningful moments together.
Here are a few highlights of ways we have engaged children and families at Christ Church:
Advent Resource Day Join us for an Advent Resource Day, where we will provide information and supplies to create Advent wreaths and explore Jesse Tree traditions.
Saying Goodbye to the “Alleluias!” During Lent, we will bid farewell to the “Alleluias!” and celebrate their return at the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday with a special children’s procession.
Lent Resources for Families We offer resources for families, including suggestions for creating meaningful moments at home focused on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Good Friday Family Service Experience a Good Friday Family Service that features storytelling and hands-on, contemplative activity stations.
Pentecost All-Church Picnic Join us at the park for a Pentecost All-Church picnic, including bubble prayers and a chance to learn more about the Holy Spirit.
Back to School Prayer and Popsicles on the Playground As we say Goodbye to summer, join us for Back to School Prayer and Popsicles on the Playground. This event will include colorful, interactive prayer practices and a Back to School Examen for families as we pray for a new school year.
Home Parish these groups offered during Advent, Lent, and Trinitytide, are intentionally intergenerational and welcome children and families. These groups will help you engage with the liturgical season, delve deeper into your Book of Common Prayer and Evening Prayer, and connect with the parish in homes over food and conversation.
If you would like more information about any of our programs for children and families, please contact our Children’s Ministry Director, Jess Roberts.