Christian Formation

Children's Chapel

Children's Chapel is designed for children age 4 years through 3rd grade. This age-appropriate worship is part of the 10:30 service on Sundays. Following the Epistle, children leave the Cathedral and process to Cummings Chapel. Children return to their families at the passing of the Peace.

The children's own Sunday bulletin guides them from the Opening Sentences and Offertory through the reading of and response to the Gospel. Children’s Chapel concludes with the Prayers of the People and the Passing of the Peace. Music is a part of every chapel time with liturgically appropriate hymns and other church songs that are "child friendly".

Godly Play

Sunday mornings, 9 AM

We have chosen Godly Play as the curriculum for our children ages 4 years - 6th grade because it is a wonderful hands-on, interactive method of Christian education and spiritual formation for children.

The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language, parable-sacred story-silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

In Godly Play, we tell Bible stories to children to encourage them to enter into the stories and relate them to their own lives. Each session follows the pattern of the Church's Sunday service, so children will have a deeper understanding and enjoy fuller participation in worship.

4 years old- Kindergarten
Cathedral House, lower level.
Look for Noah in the stairwell.
Room 4

1st grade-2nd grade
Cathedral House, 2nd floor
Room 201

3rd grade-4th grade
Cathedral House, second floor,
Room 202

5th grade - 6th grade
Cathedral House, third floor
Room 302

The ABC's of Shepherding a Young Child in Worship

A - Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Sitting near the front provides young children with a better view of the Sanctuary.

B - Be sure, before entering the church, to pick up a pew bag from the ushers. This bag contains quiet toys, books and drawing materials to enhance children's worship.

C - Clue the children as to what will happen next during the worship service. Children who can read will want to follow the service in the bulletin and find hymns in the hymnal. They like to be ready.

D - Discuss worship at home or on the way to church to prepare children for any departures from the routine, such as baptisms, special guests, intergenerational events or major Feast days of the Church. Allow time to answer questions about their worship experience.

E - Express your gladness at being at church and having your children with you. During the Passing of the Peace, be sure to welcome all the children that sit next to you. Include them in your conversations after worship and let them know that they belong.

F - Free yourself from worry about the child's behavior and be open to receiving their ministry to you.