Children’s Education
St. David’s offers seven different spiritual formation classes for children from the time they turn two years old through completion of the fifth grade. (For information on classes and programs for sixth-graders, please go to the youth ministry page). Classes for all ages meet from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. All children’s classes meet on Level 1, one floor below the main entry level.
Classes are offered in two distinctly different curricula. There are five classes in Godly Play (ages 2 years through grade 5) and two classes in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Level 1 is for children ages 3-6 years and Level 2 is for children ages 6-9 years. Children who have completed Level 2 join the older elementary Godly Play class for the remainder of their time in the Children’s Department.
Both curricula use techniques from the Montessori tradition and share the Montessori philosophy that the child can lead the way for other children—and even the teacher. However, there are important differences between both content and structure of the teaching time.
For more information on these and all children’s programs, please contact , Children’s Ministry Coordinator at 472-1196, ext. 123.
Godly Play
GODLY PLAY is deeply rooted in ancient storytelling and worship. It draws on the methods and philosophy of Maria Montessori, including the use of an open classroom and a deeply respectful approach to the child. Core stories from the Bible and liturgy are available to the child at all stages of development so that the child can make connections and find meaning throughout his or her lifetime.
The creator of Godly Play, Dr. Jerome Berryman, is an Episcopal priest who has researched and tested both his method and materials over a period of 30 years working with children and adults. He has authored several books on the subject including Godly Play: An Imaginative Approach to Religious Education, and Teaching Godly Play: The Sunday Morning Handbook. Lessons and teaching helps are now available in a series of books entitled The Complete Guide to Godly Play. These books are available at St. David’s BookShop.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD more closely follows the traditional Montessori model. While both Godly Play and Catechesis employ an “open classroom” (meaning all materials are available to the child all of the time), the Catechesis classroom (the “atrium”) is set up to be a very meditative environment. The Catechesis curriculum is also stepped—certain subject matter is taught at each level—whereas Godly Play employs a spiral curriculum that returns to certain core stories each year (just as we do in worship). Catechesis lessons are primarily taken from the New Testament or liturgical actions of the church. There are also practical life lessons which help children learn to take care of their special space—often these activities take on the quality of meditation. The teachers (catechists) develop their own presentations according to the instruction manual they receive during training. Presentations may be made to the entire group or to individual children.
Catechesis classes are multi-age classes—Level I for ages 3-6 and Level II for ages 6-9.
Summer Classes
During June, July and August, classes run on a more relaxed schedule. Regular teachers and curricula take a break, and we organize classes into three, multi-age groups—Pre-school (ages 3-4), Younger Elementary (ages 5-7), Older Elementary (ages 8-10). Themes vary each week but we follow the Godly Play order, including Prayers and Feast Time.
Sunday Services
Our contemporary 9 a.m. family service in Bethell Hall offers children many opportunities to participate. Children are invited to come close to the priest during the sermon time, and illustrations are used that are child-friendly. Children also help with many of the hospitality jobs such as greeting visitors and passing out bulletins. This is a lively and interactive service—a great place for children to learn how to worship with the greater community.
Our 9 and 11:15 a.m. traditional services in the Historic Church offers a children’s sermon during the adult sermon time. During the sequence hymn, an adult carries a special cross up the aisle from the back of the church. Children follow according to their readiness, and the procession exits out through the doors at the front, right side of the church. The group then goes downstairs to the children’s chapel (room 119) on the first floor, where they receive their own special sermon. After about 20 minutes, the children return to the church in order to share holy communion with their families. Please contact , Children’s Ministry Coordinator , if you would like more information.
In all services, we provide simple activities which can help children during the times when it’s hard to be still. Baskets with paper, crayons, etc. can be found out in the space between Grace Chapel and the rear steps up into the church, as well as just inside the entrance into the church from the foyer on the 3rd floor. Activities for the Bethell Hall service are on a table in the gathering area outside of Bethell Hall. If you have trouble locating these baskets, please ask an usher for assistance.
Los Amigos, a new youth group, was formed in 2007 to serve 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at St. David’s. This vibrant group builds community through friendship, worship, service, formation and LOADS of UPROARIOUSLY FUN activities! Los Amigos meets monthly throughout the school year – typically, the 3rd Sunday of the month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Planned activities vary monthly – check the latest Looking Ahead for the activity schedule. For more information, contact , Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
