MY BLOG - Please check it out.
https://stchristopherscatechism.tripod.com/blog/
August 2007 – May 2008
I have drafted
this curriculum to teach the younger children what we do and why we do it within the Episcopal Church. My eldest daughter attended Sacred Heart Catholic
School in Warner Robins
from kindergarten to second grade. Those years were very formative for her and
within the regular school curriculum she also learned about the Catholic Church and the rituals within it. When I saw her practicing what she had learned in our worship service and how the older congregants enjoyed
watching her, it became apparent to me that it was not just important to teach my Sunday School class the Bible stories and
how to treat one another, but how to incorporate themselves into the regular worship service by their verbal and active gestures.
These responses and rituals make us a part of the service rather than just passive
listeners.
St.
Christopher’s is high church – which means that you will see many of the rituals and responses that are also found
in the Roman Catholic Church. Those who are not cradle Catholics or Episcopalians
often feel uncomfortable and self conscious performing these gestures or, like me, they love and embrace them, but they
do not always understand why they are being done. This program is meant to address those issues through the young children
in our church. Each class will address a particular part of our service or church
calendar and why we do what we do. Parents are more than welcome to attend the
classes and will also received a “Parents’ Sheet” that explains what we learned in more detail. There will also be lessons for the teenagers in the church, as well.
I have included
a page for the Syllabus for the program. If for any reason your child cannot
attend a particular class, the lessons will be available on this site or from me directly at church. We will be making a notebook to keep at church until the entire program is completed. In May of 2008 each child will receive their notebook and a certificate of completion for the program. We will also be assembling a Children’s Altar in the Sunday School room for
the children to have their own special place to pray.
If you have any questions
or comments I can be reached at 478.397.9269 or by email.
There is nothing so
special as seeing a child be a knowledgeable, active participant in our Eucharistic Service.
Kelly Sullivan Joyner
