Sunday School at St. George's

At St. George's we strive to make children an integral part of our faith community. Our goals are to teach the basics of the Christian faith, to expose them to adult Christian role models and to help them develop their relationship with God.

Sunday Schedule

Sunday services for children begin at 10:10 a.m. with Children's Chapel on the 3rd floor of the Resource Center. After chapel we go to Church School classes.

The 1st through 6th grades join their families at the main service during the announcements.

The Pre-K and Kindergarten class stay in the Godly Play room on the 3rd floor until the end of the service.

Note: On the second Sunday of the month, there is a Family Eucharist at 9:15 a.m. There will be no Children's Chapel or Sunday School on those days.

Godly Play

Godly Play is a way to tell the stories of our faith that allows the children to enter the stories and meditate, both verbally and artistically, on their meaning.

The stories are told very simply, with simple props, and without interpretation or moral instruction. After a story is presented, the children and the storyteller wonder together about aspects of the story that draw their interest. For instance, with the parable of the Good Shepherd, they might wonder together how the sheep felt as they followed the shepherd. Or whether the sheep have names. Or how it might feel to be inside the sheepfold.

After exploring the story with wondering, the children choose the art supplies they would like to work with, and they spend some time creating whatever they choose, in response to what they feel is most important in the story, or most interesting. The class ends with a feast.

In Godly Play we meet God along with the children rather than teaching them what we adults think they ought to know. We think it will be a powerful way to present our faith stories, and hope you will visit our Godly Play room on the third floor of the education building.

Guidelines for
Children in Church

In line with the "Children’s Charter" of our Diocese, St. George's welcomes children to all of our services. We echo the "Charter" in our desire to include children in fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant as members and full participants in the Eucharistic community and in the church's common life of prayer, witness and service. We offer these suggestions to help you and your child have a comfortable and spiritually active experience:

1. Begin your Sunday experience on Saturday night. Remind them that Sunday is God's special day, set out their clothes and set aside something for the offering. Keep Sunday morning preparations simple so that you and your child do not feel rushed and can arrive at church in a calm and receptive frame of mind.

2. Sit up front with your child. Your child will be more involved if he or she can see and hear what is happening. If it is necessary to stand on the pew when everyone is standing up that's fine. Help your child join in the responses and prayers and to think rather than just respond like a parrot. Teach your child the responses and the "Lord's Prayer" at home. Help your child find the right pages in the prayer book and hymnal. Try not to fall back on toys and coloring books. Children need to learn to worship, not just to be quiet.

3. Try to avoid bathroom trips during the service, particularly during the sermon and the prayers of consecration. If it is absolutely necessary, the nearest bathrooms are in the choir room, which is forward and to the left. Try to come back as quickly as possible. Since this exit is at the front of the church it's another reason to sit up front! Please do not send your children out alone or let leaving a service become the norm rather than the exception.

4. Listen to the music. Let your child hold a hymnbook and sing along even if it's just "la la la" at first. Often they will pick up a refrain after a verse or two. Let your child imagine a bible story during instrumental sections. When the choir alone is singing anthems and hymns, listen. Perhaps your child could listen for a special word and give your hand a squeeze when he or she hears it. Sing hymns at home!

5. During the lessons, the sermon and the Great Thanksgiving, remind your child to "Listen to this story." Help them to focus on what is being said. Talk about the stories or draw pictures after the service.

6. If your child is in church during the Peace, please keep an eye on her. The Peace at St. George's is a very active time, with many people leaving the pews and circulating through the church.

7. Children are welcome to take communion at St. George's. There are a few conventions that signal your intentions to the Priest and Chalice bearer.

   • If your child wishes to be blessed instead of receiving communion he should cross his arms on his chest. The priest and chalice bearer will know that this means that the child wishes a blessing and they will not offer the wafer and the wine.

   • If your child is receiving communion, she should hold her hands out with the right hand over the left (no penalty for getting that wrong) making a little boat into which the Priest can put the wafer. Then the child should immediately put the wafer in her mouth and eat it.

   • When the chalice bearer brings the wine, your child can cross his hands if he does not wish to receive the wine. The chalice bearer will say the words without actually offering the wine. If your child is receiving the wine she should let the chalice bearer bring it to her lips, guiding it gently with her hand on the bottom of the cup. A small sip is sufficient.

   • After receiving the wafer or the wine, your child should say "Amen". When you have both received communion go back to your pew. If you are in the front of the church you will have time while other congregants are taking communion. Use the time to pray silently with your child or quietly reflect on the experience with him.

Worship at St. George's is an active, if occasionally somewhat confusing experience. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them of any of the "old timers" at the coffee hour, or contact me and let me know your concerns.

Many of these suggestions come from "Parenting in the Pew" by Robbie Castleman, which we recommend highly.