Children
Education & Formation Programs for Children at All Saints'
The goal of our church school program is to enable our children to learn about the Bible, Christ, and our Church through experiences as part of a loving Christian community beyond their immediate family. We hope to achieve this by offering a curriculum which includes outreach activities, special parties and events, and age-appropriate exploration of our Christian faith. Church School Classes: Church school will begin again in the fall on September 8. Sunday classes are held between the 9:00 and 11:00 services from approximately 10:15 to 11:00. Children 4 to 6 years-old are invited to participate in classes during the 9:00 and 11:00 services as well.
The Preschool/Kindergarten Group
(3 to 6 year-olds)
The Preschool/Kindergarten Group offers a first experience with group activity and religious instruction. The curriculum from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd provides a prayerful approach that focuses on helping each child develop a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Based on Maria Montessori's theories of learning, the "Atrium" is organized to allow the children to independently explore activities that help them to deepen their understanding of God's presence in their world and how we worship.
Activities are chosen which are approachable at a variety of levels. An activity that provides simple "doing" by the 3 and 4 year olds, often takes on deeper meaning and contemplation when done by the 5 and 6 year-olds.
The Primary Group
(6 to 9 year-olds)
The Primary Group continues the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program; using presentations and materials from the second level of the curriculum. At this level children are ready to reflect in more depth about the parables of Jesus and understand more a “cosmic” view of God’s work in the world. This reflective approach invites the students to create their own prayers and responses to God’s word as read from the Bible, and to consider how this is lived out in the liturgy and our world.
The Intermediate Group
(9 to 12 year olds)
The Intermediate Group provides the older children with a place to examine their own developing beliefs within the context of the Bible, liturgy and church traditions. This year this group is also using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum to continue their studies of the Old and New Testament and explore the Episcopal liturgy in greater depth.
Presentations also include exploration of prayer, organization of the liturgy and the Episcopal tradition. The children are encouraged to consider how God’s Plan takes shape in our world and how they contribute to that plan.
Youth Group - 13 and Older
Our Youth Group Program is offered for Jr High and High School youth 13 and older. This program meets during the 10-11 o'clock hour as well as for some special events during the year.
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation is offered for anyone 13 or older. The overall goals of the confirmation process are to equip the students to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism and to prepare them to participate fully in the life of the church. Students participating in the Youth Group are offered the opportunity to participate in Confirmation preparation as part of their program in the spring of every other year. Anyone interested in becoming confirmed should speak to Bonnie Perry to get more information.
Children's Outreach Projects
All Saints' Church School organizes or encourages children to participate in a variety of projects to benefit others. Our children often participate with their families in the food pantry and Community Kitchen especially to help with the preparation of special holiday food bags for the pantry.
In the spring, children plant a vegetable garden with the goal of providing fresh vegetables to the food pantry during the summer. Radishes and tomatoes continue to be the most successful crops. During the summer weeks the food pantry and Community Kitchen often receive fresh produce from our garden.
Nursery and Childcare
The nursery provides free child care for children under 4 during all Sunday services. Clyde Propst organizes and supervises this program with help from paid caregivers and volunteers from the congregation. The nursery provides our younger members an inviting place to be when they are not participating in the service. Clyde has furnished the nursery with attractive toys and art materials that provide an interesting and safe environment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Christmas Pageant
The children are the stars of the slightly non-traditional version of the Christmas story, known in some households as "The Donkey (and Jesus)". This pageant experience allows our children to share with the congregation some of the joy they have in their relationship with God. While the adults take supporting roles, the children portray the main characters of the story. This encourages them to spend time thinking about the Biblical traditions. Children don't have to participate in the church school program to take part in the pageants. Often being in the pageant helps children get started with their involvement prior to joining a church school class or stay connected to the church when they have outgrown church school. A strong tradition has begun; as we now watch children "grow into" roles that they watched someone else do in years past.
Youth and Children's Formation Committee
The Youth and Children's Formation Committee is a sub committee of All Saints'; Formation and Education Committee. Without the hard work and commitment from our congregation, our Church School program would not be able to continually expand and improve. We are very fortunate to have members of the congregation who are willing to make this service their ministry. Teachers and committee members meet quarterly to share expertise and give support to make Youth and Children's Formation a strong part of the life of our church. Special thanks to all who spend time on a weekly basis planning, preparing and showing up to love and share God's word with our children.
For more information about any of these programs contact Polly Tangora (polly@allsaintschicago.org), Coordinator for Youth and Children’s Formation.