SUNDAY AM CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Nursery Care

Nursery Schedule:  8 a.m. until church dismissal after the second service

The nursery is available for babies through Kindergarten-age.   Two paid workers are usually in place.  It is our goal to always have two or more people to tend the young children.

Sunday School
​Sundays @ 9:30 am

Note: No Sunday School on October 8

During the Sunday School hour, children in grades K-5  are invited to Sunday School on the 2nd floor - adjacent to the undercroft.  Sunday School provides a chance for children to learn the great stories of our faith and to consider modern-day applications with age-appropriate activities.   In addition, elements of Godly Play (described below) are also being introduced. For more information, contact Maria Hurt, director of Children's Ministries (mhurt@saygrace.net)

Topics Covered:

• The love and peace of Christ
• Peace in ourselves and the world
• The stories of the Bible
• Heroes in history and modern-day world
• Charity toward those in need
• Environmental Stewardship
• Embracing Diversity​

Our Favorite Activities:

• Crafts and Games
• Art with guest art instructors from the congregation
• Rhythm instruments, especially with Mr. Tom
• Sign Language
• Natural world experiences
• Playground time

"Come and See"
Family Sundays

>>>2nd Sundays @ 10:45

This year, 2nd Sundays will feature a special focus on the children of the congregation.  Children will remain in the church during the 10:45 service, which will feature a special children's sermon by one of the staff or clergy.  During the blessing of the communion elements, the children will be invited to gather with the clergy around the Lord's Table.  In addition, children and youth will serve as readers and altar servers as they lead God's People in worship.  Other Sundays, children Pre-K through 2nd grade will be released to Godly Play during the first part of the service.  (Read more below) 

Upcoming Family Sundays

• September 10 - Including a Special Blessing for the New Sunday School Year
• October 8 - St Francis Day Animal Blessing and Outdoor Service - Bring your pet(s) as well as dog or cat food to donate to those in need at Metropolitan Ministries!
• November 12 
• December 10

(Re)introducing...
​Godly Play @  10:45am

A Montessori-based, story-oriented approach to children's faith development for children pre-k through grade 2

As an alternative our traditional children's worship experience,  children Pre-K through 2nd grade are invited to the children's room on the 2nd floor for "Godly Play" during the first part of the 10:45 service. They will have the opportunity to join parents for communion, according to their parents' wishes  Grades 3 and above are encouraged to stay with their parents in the church as they learn to be full participants in worship. 

WHAT IS GODLY PLAY?
The result of a lifetime of research and practice by theologian, author and educator The Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, the Godly Play® method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. The Godly Play curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into—and pursuing us in the midst of—Scripture and spiritual experience. Godly Play practice teaches us to listen for God and to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives.

• ​Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.

• Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.

• Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.

• Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.

• Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.

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• Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.

A Sample Godly Play Lesson