Children’s Education
St. David’s offers seven spiritual formation classes for children from the time they turn three years old through completion of fifth grade. (For more information on classes and programs for sixth-graders and older, 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 three distinctly different curricula. There are three classes in Godly Play (ages 3 years through 6), two classes in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Level I and Level II and two classes of Rotation for 2nd & 3rd, 4th & 5th graders.
Both Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 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 teaches children the art of using religious language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. 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.
Developed by author, teacher and Episcopal priest, Jerome W. Berryman, Godly Play is offered throughout the United States within denominations as diverse and varied as Catholic, Baptist, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian. Designed for children aged two to twelve, Godly Play has been classroom tested since 1972. Deeply spiritual and highly creative, Godly Play is also used in schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, and retirement centers. Internationally, Godly Play classrooms are found in the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, Canada, Tanzania, Australia, and in Spanish speaking countries.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, for children 3-12 years of age, originated in 1954 in Rome, inspired by the Montessori principles of education. This catechesis soon spread to diverse social environments and, since 1969, to many different countries and cultures as well, including Australia, Argentina, Canada, Columbia, Croatia, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Poland, South Africa, and the United States.
It has been observed that children, even from the earliest age, eagerly seek religious experience and find fulfillment in it only if they are helped to live this experience in its deepest, most essential elements, without any “childish” overtones. When these conditions are present, young children live their relationship with God in enchanted wonder and profound joy which gives them peace in the satisfaction – it could be said – of a deep and vital need. It seems the vital need is for relationship, which the Bible expresses as “covenant.”
It is the joy of the children’s encounter with God that has given birth to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which, always and everywhere, is nourished by this same joy.
It has also been observed that children of the same developmental age respond to certain themes of the Christian message in the same way, through belonging to different cultural backgrounds. So it was that a curriculum gradually took shape, which appears to respond to the child’s deep religious needs according to the various age levels.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not primarily academic in character. Rather, it seeks to be an experience of life and an education in faith, though the celebration of an encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus the one Teacher, and in obedience to the Spirit.
Rotation:
The Workshop Rotation Model began in 1990 and can teach major Bible stories and concepts through kid-friendly multimedia workshops: an Art workshop, Drama, Music, Games, A-V, Puppets, Storytelling, Computers, and any other educational media one can get their hands on. The Workshop Rotation Model concentrates on the major stories of the Bible over and over again – a four week comprehensive timeframe. The model’s philosophy recognizes that kids not only love repetition, but they need it to develop a lasting memory and understanding of content. The multi-intelligences (creative methods) approach in the model isn’t a fad or merely kid-friendly, it is calculated to take advantage of our student’s God-given thirst for multi-modal learning.
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
Los Amigos 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 third 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.
