Our Sunday School program is called Christian Formation. Formation indicates that our learning is a life-long process. Classes are from 9:15-10:15 a.m. each Sunday. Each classroom is designed to be a safe and nurturing environment. To register your children, please contact Ashlee Hooper at 262-1937 or by email at ashlee@stjohnsmontgomery.org.
Children and Worship
- Infants are provided a caring environment in our nursery during all Sunday morning services, 7:00 a.m-12:00 p>m.
- Toddlers will have “Stories in a Box” using materials from the Good Shepherd Program. Volunteers will do presentations, have prayer, and lead song time.
- PK (3-5-year-olds) will be hearing bible stories from SPARK Story Bibles. This curriculum brings to life 150 stories from the Old and New Testament. It’s fun and engaging and easy for children to understand.
- Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade will continue with year 3of the curriculum Weaving God’s Promises. This newly released study was developed and written specifically for the Episcopal church and weaves our tradition and scripture together in every lesson. Weaving God’s Promises provides children with basic knowledge of Church teachings in three elements essential to the practice of our faith: Christian education, worship, and service.
- 6th Grade is our Confirmation Class. These students spend the year learning in preparation for Confirmation.
- Birthday Sundays are on the first Sunday of each month, we gather in the Parish Hall at 10:05 to celebrate that month’s birthdays. We pray for those with a birthday and then share in some delicious cake! Note: because of Labor Day, we will begin Birthday Sunday on September 9.
Worship Materials for Children - In order to make your child’s worship experience enjoyable, we provide various items to help children worship during this time.
Children’s Bulletins - These are located in the Narthex in acrylic stands. There are two different sets of bulletins – one for ages three to six and one for ages seven to twelve. Both bulletins are designed to include the Gospel reading of the day. Wooden golf pencils and crayons are available in this area also so that children can write in the booklets.
Miscellaneous Books - There is a basket located by the table in the Narthex which contains miscellaneous books. While these are not specifically religious in nature, they may serve to assist your child during the worship service.
Depending on the liturgical season, other materials for children are available in this area, especially during Lent and Advent.
Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel is offered during the 10:30 a.m. service. Our younger school-age children (approx. K-3rd grade) leave “big” church after the 2nd reading and follow the cross to the Children’s Chapel on the 2nd floor of the Educational Building. This room is set up around a prayer table, which is covered with a colored cloth to represent the liturgical seasons. Children are picked to set the prayer table with various items available. We discuss the liturgical season and color, offer a simplified morning prayer service of songs, prayer, scripture readings, and children’s discussion. Children re-join their parents in the worship service during the Peace.
Wednesday Night Programs
In conjunction with the weekly Wednesday night programs for adults, there are special classes for children. Programs have a Christian theme and are offered for several weeks in the fall and spring.
Children’s Christian Formation Kick-Off
Each August, on the Sunday one week before Labor Day, the Children’s Program sponsors its kick-off event following the 10:30 a.m. service. This is a morning of fun, food, and fellowship that allows our parish family to come together to celebrate the beginning of the new Christian Formation (Sunday School) year. This is also the day that parents enroll their children in class and learn which rooms and teachers they will have.