Sunday morning formation for children and youth

We have made a few changes!
Children and youth, according to our recent strategic plan, are our number one priority. In response to that here is what’s happening for our children and youth this year at Holy Innocents’.

We invite your comments, concerns and compliments as we move ahead on the changes.

Want to see pictures of Children's Formation? Click this link!

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For our smallest ones

Teachers: Nancy & Lindsay Binkow Room110
 …2’s
Come for the stories and the fun of knowing that God cares for us

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For our preschool

Leaders:
Todd Broadbridge, Michele Bivens, Laine Kelley, Gretchen Binney, Caroline Hopkins, Denise Wilson, Rebecca and Jeff Seay and Laura Feeley, Rooms 114 and 116

Children ages 3 to approximately 4 ½ are in 114 and children 4 ½ through Kindergarten in 116.
 

Invitation to wonder-Some of the delights are:
 

The use of wonder - Wonder is the greatest expression of a child's understanding of God and God’s hand at work in the world.
 

The Environment - The space we envision for the youngest children encourages wonder. The careful telling of scripture stories, engaging story figures and supporting activities all encourage children to seek and find answers to their faith, relying on their inner teacher – the Holy Spirit. We are working to create sacred space that nurtures the spiritual being within each child. 
  

Presentations and activities - This age child is capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential parts of our faith: the announcements of God’s love, in the person of the Good Shepherd.

Observation and silence - We learn to observe and develop the power of silence. This is in contrast to the world around us. Silence teaches us all to hear God. Silence is a sacred gift and an opportunity to enter into God’s presence.

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For our 1st through 5th grades

Shepherds:
1st grade – Kinser and Ginny Black, Darcie Smith, Room 504
2nd Grade – Jan Stewart, Laura and Michael Rhea Room 503
3rd grade – Greg and Anne Marie Esslinger, Katrina Wilson, Room 502
4th/5th grade – Sharon and Tom Hall, Marti Aaron, Room 501

…Workshop Rotation

Workshop rotations or cycles is an innovative way to experience Sunday School that takes seriously the spiritual development of children while providing exciting activities to engage a new level of learning and retention. “Rotation model” means that children work on the same story or concept for several weeks, using different learning approaches in each workshop room they visit.

Some of the highlights of this model are:

It is fun for children and practical for our busy volunteers
It uses multiple learning styles to appeal to many different children
It offers several weeks to learn & internalize biblical story concepts
It allows MANY adults to interact with children on short-term basis
It affords continuity for children who can’t attend every Sunday
It is an educationally sound teaching method – involving all 5 senses & total spirit of the child

The rotations and dates for 2008 – 2009 are:
Rotation 1: “The Good Shepherd”: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5
Rotation 2:“Samuel, the Boy Who Listened to God”: 10/19, 10/26, 11/9, 11/16

Rotation 3:“When Jesus was a Kid”: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8
Rotation 4:“This is my Body”: 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29
Rotation 5:”Let there be Light”: 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17

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 For our 6th and 7th graders…Rite 13

Leaders:  Elizabeth Harris, Brent Farnham, Jim Langlais, Katie Ray
Location: Middle School Commons

Rite 13 is the first of a 2 year cycle of Journey to Adulthood.  Journey to Adulthood, J2A, is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th - 12th grades. It uses Bible studies, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core principles:
               1. Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God.
               2. Adulthood must be earned.
J2A is based on the principles of relational youth ministry. It assumes that at least two or three adults (of both genders) will be group leaders and that these leaders will only serve for two years before taking a "break." This engages many more adults in building relationships with youth and providing positive role models for them. The traditional youth ministry model of a single youth "guru" (paid or volunteer) depends on the personality of that individual -- and when he/she leaves, the youth program often collapses. J2A is designed to engage lots of adults in nurturing the youth of your congregation and community. It is designed to bring young people into full participation in the life of the congregation so they actually ARE the church of today instead of the church of the future

The first two years 6th & 7th graders focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential in Rite 13. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this and a rite of passage from childhood towards adulthood.

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For our 8th grade…Youth confirmation

Leaders: Christy Beesley, Dave Stockert, Mike Wiemann, Kara and Chris Hill-Protos and clergy
Location: Middle School Media Center

Beginning in the fall using the book, My Faith My Life: a teen’s guide to the Episcopal Church, our 8th graders consider where is my ministry, what are my gifts.  Of course all the while learning about the Christian faith they have been baptized into and the Episcopal Church that offers our spiritual home. This group meets every Sunday morning between the 9:00 and 11:15 am services and will, if that is their desire, be confirmed in the spring, April 19, 2009.  Candidates are required to participate in designated retreats, outreach ministries, Holy Week services, and EYC groups. Each participant will chose a sponsor from our parish to accompany them on their journey toward confirmation.

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For our Senior High… Making it Real and Relevant

Leaders:  Tryggvi Arnason, Lilia Romero, Robert Williams
Location: Youth Pavilion

Making it Real and Relevant, is a curriculum that engages youth in examining a passage of the Bible as each lesson makes use of small and/or large group discussion, activities, and popular music and/or video clips that encourage the participants to discover that God, Christ, the Bible and one's faith and values are all real and relevant to their lives. It is a Lectionary- based curriculum that builds on one of the lectionary readings heard in the Sunday service that day (usually the New Testament or Gospel reading). During the 5 Sundays of Lent and the 4 Sundays in Advent the students have the option of developing and carrying out a special service project of their choosing while they explore themes that are specific to the season of the church year. We chose this curricula because the lessons require a more abstract thought process, are open-ended enough for the class to control the direction of discussion, and address issues from where they are in their lives, mentally and emotionally.

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You are invited to… Dinner on Wednesdays    

Beginning September 10 and on most every Wednesday evening through April we gather in the Inglett Room for a delicious meal and fabulous fellowship.  Sign up in the narthex —or by placing reservation forms [found in each pew and the narthex] in the offering basket. Reservations can also be made to reservations@holyinnocents.org or by calling the church office 404 255 4023 before noon each Monday.

Each week’s menu is posted at the sign up and online. Meals are $6 for adults, $5 for senior adults and $4 for children.

And after dinner ...For adults

The gospel of Mark continues- John Porter leads a lively discussion on Mark’s gospel - Inglett room
Living a contemplative life- Tryggvi and Alison practice being in the moment and finding peace in daily living – Bride’s Room

For youth
Jr EYC (6th - 8th) Bible Study 6:45 pm     Youth Pavilion
Sr EYC (9th - 12th) Bible Study 8-9 pm     Off campus

For Children

Childcare is available for children from 6.45 pm until 8pm.
Quiet activities and homework assistance provided for children from age 6 to 5th grade.
Nursery care is available for those children 5 and under.

**Register for 2008-2009 Christian Formation today!

Click here for online registration, or fill out a form in the Narthex

 and return it to the church office.