ClassesClass Descriptions: Godly Play & SOWhAT
To register: fill out a registration FORM (also available in all our classrooms) and return it to your child's teacher or leader.
SUNDAY Christian Education classes: 10:15-11:10 a.m.
AND on Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 pm: GODLY PLAY for children ages 4-9, rm 103
PRESCHOOL GODLY PLAY...for little ones(ages 3-4, Room 101) Children learn how to work with the materials in the classroom, from the stories on the shelves to the creative materials on the art shelves. Special care will be taken with how to treat the materials and the best ways to work with them for the greatest satisfaction,and so that they will be ready for the next person. Children will learn the best ways to get ready, too, and that when we are ready, the stories can be a beautiful gift to us from all the people who went before us, and especially from God. The Feast time will include prayers of thanksgiving and intercessions. Saying good-bye to the Storyteller is a special time for saying thanks, and to ask a blessing for each child.
WELCOME to Godly Play
BEGINNING the GODLY PLAY YEAR
The 10 BEST WAYS FOR PARENTS
GODLY PLAY (Kindergarten-1st Grade, Room 103) is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction that respects the innate spirituality of children. Godly Play encourages kids to use their curiosity, imagination and creativity to experience the mystery and joy of God's presence around them and in their lives. This unique approach invites children to wonder about themselves, God and the world in a way that is playful and meaningful to them. Teachers share a story each week (from the Bible or another part of our Episcopal tradition), using beautiful materials to tell the lesson. In each session children hear, see and wonder about the story, and then choose either to create a response from a wide variety of art and project materials, or to work with one of the stories themselves. Finally they share prayers and a feast together. Each child says goodbye to the storyteller as parents arrive. WELCOME to Godly Play
BEGINNING the GODLY PLAY YEAR
The 10 BEST WAYS FOR PARENTS
GODLY PLAY for OLDER KIDS (Grades 2-3, Room 107)
As children mature and have experienced the stories in Godly Play for a few years, they build a vocabulary of religious language. Just as with any language, the next steps are to put the words of that language together in new and creative ways. This class will explore in more depth some of the stories that have become familiar to the children, and they will engage in deeper and more complex stories and responses, putting two stories side by side, for example, and seeing what they have to say to one another, or what from one story might belong in the other. IF Sarah and Miriam met near the water one day, I wonder what they would ask each other?
I wonder?
SOWhAT (Story, Outreach, Wonder, Arts & Theology)
(Grades 4-5, Room 204)
SoWhAT is a creative collaboration that seeks to fully engage children in 4th-5th grades, giving them art techniques that are more sophisticated, science projects that spark their imagination, and service opportunities that open their hearts! At this age, children are ready for more: more insight, more activities, more fun! This 2-year class first explores the creation story in great depth, and exposes children to all sorts of activities to help them find deep meaning and joy. The second year begins with a look at our own Cathedral, and explores the concept of sacred space. From discovering the wonders of light through pinhole viewers to considering the deeper questions (I wonder who or what brings light to your life? I wonder what you thirst for?) this class is fun AND meaningful.
View one SOWhAT class' art display of poems and pictures: POEMS & PICTURES
WEDNESDAY CHRISTIAN ED for CHILDREN!
4:00-5:00 p.m., Godly Play for ages 4-9, room 103
Join us for a Godly Play class during the week. Choir members will be escorted to rehearsal, and children may be signed into the nursery in advance for parents attending Wed. YOGA class! See links above for more about Godly Play.