Grace Episcopal Church
Detail of Christian Education
Children's Sunday School
Journey to Adulthood Youth Program
Grace Church Children’s School for ages 3 through 6th grade meets on Sunday mornings from 9:45am—10:45am during the academic year (September through May).
We continue using "Workshop Cycles", a new curriculum with a new format for
children's Sunday School. Each cycle includes time in a large
group and time in smaller, age-based groupings. The children will
enjoy movies, drama, cooking, music and art projects throughout the
year. Workshop Cycles will include:
Samuel, The Boy who Listened
John the Baptist
The Twelve who Changed the World
Baptism: Marked as Christ's Own Forever
Haiti - Hurting Hearts, Helping Hands
Preschool meets in downstairs in the
Education Building. K - 2nd grade meets in The Children’s School.
Grades 3rd - 6th meet upstairs in the Education Building.
Children's Sunday Calendar
September 12 – October 10
Samuel, the Boy Who Listened
October 17 – November 14
John the Baptist
November 21 – No Sunday
School
November 28
Intergenerational Class – Making Advent
Wreaths
December
5-19
Preparing Christmas Evening Play
December 26 & January 2 –
No Sunday School
January 9 – February 13
Twelve
Who Changed the World
February 20 – March 27
Baptism, Marked as
Christ’s Own Forever
April 3 – April 17
Haiti: Hurting
Hearts, Helping Hands
April 24 – Easter, no
Sunday School
May 1 – 15
Haiti: Hurting
Hearts, Helping Hands
May 22 - Last day of
Sunday School
Intergenerational breakfast and program
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Written for adolescents in grades six to 12, the Journey to Adulthood curriculum provides comprehensive material for study, exploration, service, and play. After completing the 5th grade, youth enter the program and progress through the three successive levels of Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood (J2A), and Young Adults in Church (YAC). The transitions are structured so that youth remain with the same group with which they began, forming and building personal and communal relationships that continue throughout their senior year. J2A Page
Rite 13 (7th to 9th Graders)
The Rite 13 class is an integral part of the Journey to Adulthood program. The Rite 13 curriculum assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. The liturgical centerpiece of this group is the Rite 13 ceremony, which celebrates the passage from childhood to manhood and womanhood. During these two years, the community acknowledges the gift of gender, celebrates the amazing creative power and potential for these young people, and creates a safe haven to explore new ideas, new interests, and new abilities.
J2A (10th to 12th Graders)
The J2A group is the core phase that centers around six basic skills for faithful living: active listening, negotiation, assertion, research/information management, partnership and leadership. At the end of the first year, the class takes part in an Urban Adventure. After two years in J2A, they are given an opportunity for Confirmation and are acknowledged in the community for new levels of responsibility. They are recognized as young adults, rather than children, and are invited to take a holy pilgrimage.
YAC (10th to 12th Graders)
After completing Rite 13 and J2A, the young adults increase their
involvement within many levels of parish life, focusing especially on
service and outreach. YAC participants are encouraged and empowered to
find their particular niche in reaching out to the congregation and to
the society beyond. They are challenged to become good stewards of their
time, talent, and treasure. Guided by adult advisers, they use the
Anglican model of Scripture, reason, and the tradition of the Church to
guide the lifelong pilgrimage in their faith.
The Journey to Adulthood balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person during the treacherous passage from childhood to adulthood. Leaders model the faith and remind young people of the ever-present love and mercy of God.