Christian Education

Nursery Care

The nursery is staffed every Sunday morning starting at 9:15 through the end of the 10:30 service. Parishioners are encouraged to spend some time in the nursery as support for our staff and to get to know the newest generation of Good Shepherders. If you are interested in serving, please let Traci know. 

Elementary School Programs

Two programs are currently available for elementary school aged children at Good Shepherd.

Godly Play 1 is appropriate for children from three years old through about second grade, and for children who are not familiar with the Godly Play stories. Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum that teaches children to engage in theological reflection on the stories of the People of God. Godly Play 1 classes include time for fellowship, a story, an artistic response to the story, and prayers. It ends prior to the beginning of the 10:30 service, so that children may join their parents in the service or play in the nursery.

Godly Play 2 begins at 9:15 and lasts until the Peace during the 10:30 service. It is appropriate for first and second graders who are familiar with the Godly Play stories, and for children up through fifth grade. In this class, children are allowed time for fellowship in the Godly Play 2 classroom, and then proceed to the Chapel to conduct their own Rite II service. Children serve as greeters, ushers, acolytes, readers and choir. In place of a sermon, they are told a Godly Play story that corresponds to the Old Testament reading or the Gospel for the day. Following collection of their offerings and singing the Doxology, children join their parents in the 10:30 service in time to share in the Eucharist.

Middle School Programs

Middle school-aged parishioners share in youth group fellowship and a lectionary-based discussion using Living the Good News every Sunday morning. One Sunday each month, middle schoolers are invited on outings that will include go-cart racing, laser tag, and cosmic bowling.

High School Youth Programs

High school students meet in the Parlor each Sunday for lectionary-based study using Living the Good News.

During the summer of 2009, high schoolers will spend six days in one of the poorest communities in America, in rural Appalachia. In families who must choose between buying food and life-saving medications, even necessary household repairs are too expensive to complete. Typical services include: repairing roofs, building room additions, providing wheelchair ramps, installing or repairing plumbing, updating unsafe wiring, securing foundations, digging drainage ditches, constructing porches and steps, installing insulation and siding, and weatherizing homes. Those who contribute to this trip truly will be ministering "unto the least of these." For more information or to contribute time, money or talents, please contact Traci Elliott.

Adult Programs

The next discussion for the Sunday Morning Adult Class will be: Selections from Messages in the Mall: Looking at Life in 600 Words or Less , by Paul V. Marshall, the Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem Pennsylvania. “Following his editors’ strict 600-word limit , Paul Marshall addresses all aspects of life, from the intimate and complex relationships of couples and families to thorny social and religious issues.” This book will be used for the next six weeks until the first Sunday in Lent.

During Lent, the Sunday Adult Class will discuss the book: The Third Jesus, by Deepak Chopra. “In this intriguing study of the sayings of Jesus, Deepak Chopra gently releases this highly evolved spiritual teacher, light of the world, and son of God from the limitations of dogmatic theology. With profound wisdom and clarity, Deepak offers the amazing suggestions that the same God-consciousness embodied in the human Jesus is present in all of us individually and collectively. In a spirit of human knowingness, Deepak encourages us to look deep into the mirror of our collective souls and ponder the question Jesus continues to ask: “Who do YOU say that I AM?”

2008-2009 School Year

Please visit the Upcoming Events page for the most up-to-date details about our current program and activities. Information is also posted on the bulletin boards in the Christian Education wing of the church.

Classes begin at 9:15 every Sunday and are offered for every age group.

Contact Director of Christian Education Traci Elliott for more information and volunteer opportunities.