Nurturing the Gift of Faith

The mission of our Sunday School is to nurture the gift of faith as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each year we continue to fulfill this mission by learning about the Bible, participating in the liturgical services, reaching out to others, and building relationships with new friends at St. Andrew's.

Classes are in session every Sunday from mid-September through July. Children are welcome to join at any time during the year. Classes for all ages begin at 9:45 am with the students joining their families for part of the service and communion (approximately 10:45 am).

The Sunday School is supported by a wonderfully talented and dedicated group of teachers. At this time we have 30+ volunteer teachers and assistants in our program. Clergy, staff and teachers have received the required training in Safeguarding God's Children.

Many families enjoy our new playground at the north end of the building. They frequently meet after church for adults to talk and children to play.

Curriculum

The Sunday School offers an integrated program of faith formation, through worship, lessons, outreach, ministry, and community, providing an environment that truly nurtures the gift of faith in all ages. Our curriculum is framed to help children of all ages know God, instead of only knowing about God.

Preschool (3 - 5 years)

Our youngest members participate in the Godly Play program, which is based on a Montessori approach to the “wonder of worship.” Godly Play® recognizes that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The class sits on the floor and the teacher tells the story with props and wooden characters. “Shared wonderings” help identify, nurture, and guide a young child’s spiritual quest. Prayers, singing and a craft are included. To see a full overview of the Godly Play program, visit godlyplayfoundation.org.

Kindergarten & Young Fives

These children are ready for more serious learning but also need plenty of play time, crafts, and story time.

Elementary Grades (Primary: Grades 1 + 2 | Intermediate: Grades 3 - 5 )

Using the Weaving God’s Promises curriculum, major themes and characters of the Bible are learned, with the Old Testament in the fall and the New Testament in the winter and spring. Late spring also brings church themes as they learn about Creeds, baptism, the Eucharist, the Book of Common Prayer, and other Episcopal customs and practices. Crafts and games are always a favorite way to learn the lesson.

Youth Curriculum

As our children grow into adolescents and become young adults, we want them to know that God is with them wherever they go.

For our teens, we hope to help them understand God’s Word is a powerful force and can be a foundation to help them. The heart of the youth program is in the weekly Sunday School class where a pertinent gospel passage is applied to their everyday lives.

Middle School (Grades 6 - 8 )

Both fun and serious. Lesson time, prayer time, discussion and a game that brings it all home while building friendships and a faith foundation.

High School (Grades 9 - 12 )

Youth explore their faith more deeply as they navigate the challenges of school, extracurricular activities, including sports or possibly a job. Their lives are stressful and we want St. Andrew’s to be a safe, comforting place to learn more about themselves and God working in their lives before they go off into the world. A game is usually part of the lesson.

On the third Sunday of the month, the students volunteer in church as acolytes, lectors, and ushers. Once every two months, they volunteer at the Breakfast Program which means arriving at 7:15 am!

A pilgrimage is planned for every two years where the students can experience God in a new place.

Special Programs

Outreach

During Advent and Lent, each Sunday School student collects coins to support our foster child in Haiti. Classes make cards and write letters to our shut-in parishioners twice a year. High School students volunteer at the Breakfast Program every other month. Other needs and projects come up through the year: older students can join in the CROP walk in the fall; last year the Sunday School made bookmarks for the Breakfast Program's library.

Music

Many children sing in either the Cherub or Junior Choirs or ring with the Junior Handbell Choir, which perform one or two Sundays a month, as well as at Easter and Christmas.

Learn more about Youth Choirs

Theatre

St. Andrews has an active theatre program for both children and adults! In the fall, there is often a short history play performed during the 10:00 am service close to St. Andrew’s Day. A children's Christmas pageant is performed on Christmas Eve. Each spring, the Sunday School joins with parish adults to present a supper theatre musical, with the Sunday School providing the meal as well as many of the actors. Over the summer, there is a drop-in reader's theater program to practice reading and performance skills.

Celebrations

In the fall, Applefest is held at a coffee hour after church with fall goodies to eat, apple games, and crafts. The Children’s Christmas Store is on a Sunday in Advent during the Sunday School time. This is a chance for kids to make gifts for their families or purchase (free) gifts. Older students help them wrap their gifts. Carnivale is held the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, with goodies at coffee hour including games and prizes for kids, mask making, all culminating in a parade while “When the Saints Go Marching In” is played. On Easter there is an egg hunt for kids after both the 9:15 and 10:30 services on the front lawn.

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