Sunday School
Sunday School is an integral part of our worship life at Christ Church. We believe that from an early age, children are able to begin their spiritual journey through listening to the stories of the prophets of old, hear the wonderful stories of Jesus, and engage in the worship life of the church.
It is also a place where they develop relationships and learn from others' ideas and creativity.
We offer Sunday School every Sunday, (September - mid June) for all children Preschool through 6th grade, beginning at 9:55 am in the Undercroft with a few exceptions for long holidays. Children join their families in the church for communion.
Additionally, every 4th Sunday, students grade 2 and up, are invited to participate in worship by reading the lessons, ushering, and bringing up the gifts to the Altar.
Nursery care is also available every week for children 0-3. Contact the Sunday School Coordinator Jillian Madocs for more information (children@ccbny.org).
Godly Dialogue
Communion Sunday
Godly Play
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Nursery Care staffed by a professional child care attendant is available every Sunday.
9:30-11:30am
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Godly Play was developed by Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, to teach children the art of using religious language -- parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action -- to become more aware of the mystery of God's presence in their lives.
Children hear sacred stories followed by "their work," in art and crafts, as they integrate the stories into their own imagination and life.
As children hear the stories repeated every year, they engage with it with new levels of understanding and relate this learning to events in daily life.
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Grade 2 children spend the year with an adult mentor learning about Holy Communion using the book This Bread and This Cup. The book explores the Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer with age-appropriate individual and shared activities, prayers and reflections. In addition, children will have a guided tour of the church building and sacristy and an Instructed Eucharist led by a member of the clergy. Children enjoy these experiences designed to help them to join more fully with their peers, the parish community, and the larger communion of saints.
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Weaving God’s Promises (WGP) is a discussion style class that explores the biblical story of salvation as told in the Old and New Testaments. Lessons also connect to the seasons of the church year, with Episcopal prayers, history, sacraments, and traditions woven though out the materials each week. Special sessions are also provided to further explore the Episcopal perspective of reading scripture and worship in community. WGP Includes creative activities for gathering, storytelling, community prayer, multiple theme-reinforcing crafts, drama, and games. A team of adult mentors help facilitate a lively and safe environment for children to deepen their understanding of God and their role in God’s mission.
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The new children's choir program begins in the 2024-25 program year under the direction of new Director of Music David Heinze. Learn more
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The annual Pageant reenacts the events of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. At Christ Church, children are the primary actors dressing in costume as lambs, shepherds, angels, innkeepers, and Mary and Joseph. In December, pay attention to the weekly newsletter to learn how every child can participate.