Christ Church Children’s Ministry Program
Goals for the Children of Christ Church are for them to understand
that they are known—by God and by their church family.
that they are loved— by God and by their church family.
that they belong— to God’s family and to the family of Christ Church.
BAPTISM
One of the ways we celebrate the blessing of children is through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. At Christ Church Baptisms are typically celebrated on the second Sunday of the month. In the Episcopal Church there is no specific age at which you should have your child baptized, however, we have found that three to nine months of age seems to work well. To plan for your child’s Baptism please call Lin Boyle at the Christ Church office (834-6259 x106). It is wise to call well in advance since it can sometimes take as long as 3 months to get on the calendar. Lin will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding Godparents, times of services, Baptismal preparation, etc.
“Let us welcome the newly Baptized.”
Christ Church Nursery
Nursery and childcare is available from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm. The nursery at Christ Church, located on the first floor of the Baker Wing, provides loving, safe and compassionate care for infants (8 weeks) through four year olds during the 9:00 service and through 2nd grade during the 11:00 service. The nursery is located on the first floor of the Baker Wing. The paid nursery staff is the primary caregiver for the children using the nursery. Parents who have nursery age children are asked to volunteer in the nursery on a rotating basis.
We invite new and expectant parents to meet our nursery staff and to learn more about our nursery at a New and Expectant Parent Coffee in the Parlor on October 16, 2011 and again on February 26, 2012 at 10:00 am.
The Nursery: Who Goes Where?
Infant Nursery: Infants 8 weeks and older until they are walking comfortably.
Toddler Nursery: Toddlers to 2 year olds. Staffed by 1 nursery staff person and parent volunteers.
Two Year Olds’ Classroom: Children who are 2 before August 31.
Four Year Olds’ Classroom: 3 year olds and 4 year olds during the 9:00 service and 3 year olds through 2nd graders during the 11:00 service.
Nursery Procedure
- Fill out registration card for each child.
- Complete the sign-in/sign-out sheet.
- Label all of your child’s belongings. When you arrive at the nursery, please give the nursery staff 1 labeled sipper cup or bottle and 1 labeled diaper. Leave the diaper bag in the hall.
- Hand sanitizer is outside of each nursery room. Please use this on your child’s hands before entering the rooms.
- Pagers are available for parents during the worship services. Please be sure to return them when picking up your child.
- Please be willing to volunteer in the nursery.
- Please leave sick children at home.
Tips for Dropping Off Your Child in the Nursery
- Make your goodbye with your child quick.
- Be positive with your child about the fun things they will do in the nursery.
- Once you have said goodbye don’t come back to check on your child. Frequently children get upset when they see a parent before it is time to go home.
- Relax and know that if there is a problem we will page you!
Sunday School for Children
Christ Church offers Sunday School classes for children ages two through fifth grade.
Location: Classrooms are located on the first and second floor of the Baker Wing. Nursery, two, three and four year olds on the first floor, kindergarten through fifth grade on the second floor.
The Sunday School hour is 10:10am – 10:50am (between the 9:00 and the 11:00 services).
Teachers: We have teams of loving, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who teach our preschool and elementary students.
Sunday School Curriculum:
Updated info for Children’s Ministry Education Webpage – 2011-2012
Sunday School Curriculum:
2, 3 and 4 Year Olds—Our youngest members use a curriculum written for Christ Church by past parishioner Pam Dameron. Preschoolers learn through play time, Bible story-telling from the Old and New Testaments, art, music, prayer and of course, snack! The goal of these lessons is “to help the child perceive church as a pleasant and secure place, to understand the immeasurable greatness of God’s love for His people, and to see himself as a child of God (and the apple of His eye).”
Kindergarten– Godly Play. Godly Play is a method of telling the stories of our Christian heritage using carefully chosen words and lesson pieces which capture the imagination of children. The children have the opportunity to respond to the stories through “wondering questions” and art work.
First through fifth grades– Weaving God’s Promises – This curriculum was developed and written exclusively for the Episcopal Church. It builds faith foundations through lessons focused on
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Holy Scripture: the great stories of the Old and New Testaments.
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The Church: church history, seasons of the church year, church practices, use of The Book of Common Prayer, our Anglican and Episcopal tradition and the principal sacraments: Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
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Christian Living: practices of prayer, outreach and service, Christian ethics and contemporary issues.
First Grade Eucharist Instruction—The first grade also incorporates a study of the Eucharist culminating with First Grade Communion Celebration in the spring.
Special Children’s Ministry Events for 2011- 2012
Rally Sunday—The kickoff for a new year of Sunday School—September 11, 2011
Halloween Supper and Carnival— Wednesday, October 26, 2010
Heifer Project -Children’s Advent and Christmas Outreach—Kickoff - November 20, 2011
Advent Adventure —Intergenerational Celebration — November 27, 2011
An Evening with St. Lucia and St. Nicholas—dinner, carols and storytelling—Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Christmas Pageant—December 18, 2011, 5:00pm service, reception following—(see more below).
Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—February 21, 2012
First Grade Communion Preparation – March 25, 9a service
Staions of the Cross for Children – March 28 – 4 – 4:45p
Maundy Thursday Program for Children and Bread Baking – April 5, 6:30p
Easter Egg Hunt - between services on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
Vacation Bible School—June 18—22, 2011
Christ Church Christmas Pageant
Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant. This is a wonderful event in the life of the Sunday School and the church. Each child has a special role to play in presenting the greatest story ever told. 3 and 4 year olds play the role of angels, kindergarteners are stable animals, 1st graders are Heavenly Hosts, 2nd graders play the shepherds, 3rd graders are the townspeople and Roman guards, with the 4th and 5th graders serve as narrators and lead characters. This year’s Pageant will be on Sunday, December 18 at 5:00 with a reception following.
Anna Smith
Director of Children’s Ministry
(919) 834-6259, ext. 119
Carrie Johnson
Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry
(919) 834-6259, ext. 118