Chapel of
Saint John the Divine

Christian Formation

Sunday School for pre-k through 8th grade, confirmation classes (often 8th to 10th graders), and adult education sessions are among the opportunities for Christian formation at St. John's.

St. John's Sunday School LESSON PLANS, 2009-2010

Sunday School meets the First and third Sunday of each month, during the 9:30 service, as indicated below. Classes join the parish in worship at the passing of the peace.

12/20 (4 Advent)

Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant, which will be held at the 5pm Christmas Eve Service.

Teachers: Gigi Edwards, Olivia Edwards, Linda Rockwell
Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Canticle 3 or 15 or Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
Topic: Christmas, the Nativity

1/3

PREVIOUS LESSONS:

9/13 was our organizational meeting.

9/20: Gigi Edwards and Perry Moylan led the older students in a discussion that began to raise the questions: why go to church, why go to this church, why be confirmed? Students wrote private answers in notebooks and shared some of their answers aloud. We read the Gospel of Mark and discussed the OXYMORON of little children being the most important. We agreed to keep looking out for similar oxymorons in the Bible, especially in the Gospels. Question raised by students: Why do we read the first two readings on the altar but the Gospel from the middle of the church? Answer given by Reverend Fratz: To symbolize how we bring the message of Christ out into the world. Olivia Edwards took pre-K/K outside to look at clover (like St. Patrick) as a representation of the trinity, then they started a collage of representations of God.

10/4: Gigi Edwards and Diane Barzaghi led the older students in a discussion of fundamental questions: Why we go to church at all (to remind us of what's important in life and how to treat others), why we go to this church (often a matter of parentage, geography), other faiths we've attended, including Bar Mitzvah ceremonies and their similarity to Confirmation. Students wrote private answers in notebooks and shared some of their answers aloud. Olivia Edwards showed pre-K/K some popular image of God (e.g. Michelangelo's God on Judgement Day) and continued to discuss the nature of God with them. Question: Is God mean or nice? Olivia pointed out that he has been represented both ways. All agreed they prefer the nice God!

10/18: THEME OF SERVICE Caroline Jenckes and Olivia Edwards supervised the older students. Guest speaker Colton Osgood spoke about his exploration of Buddhism. The discussion touched on elements that all major world religions have in common, such as emphasis on kindness and service to others. Gigi Edwards worked with pre-K/K to create a poster of ways we can do nice things for people: hug them, serve them food, hold doors open for them.

11/1:
All Saints' Day
Teachers: Gigi Edwards, Gingee Brewer, Olivia Edwards
Older students discussed Halloween and All Saint's Day as contrasting responses to the reality of human mortality. Tied in to our brick walkway, much of which commemorates the "saints" of our parish, living and dead. Younger students: prepared to sing and process (in costume and/or carrying props) to "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God." All students did so together. Thanks to the older ones for being good sports!

11/15:
Teachers: Gigi Edwards, Barb Tuthill, Olivia Edwards
Younger children talked about Thanksgiving, being thankful, donating food to those who don't have enough; baked cookies to serve at coffee hour. Older children discussed the Old Testament reading, 1 Samuel 1:4-29 about Hannah praying for a son; relative lack of women in the Bible, and how those who do appear are often mothers, often infertile at first; compared Hannah's thanksgiving/song of praise to Mary's; pointed out poetic nature of these and psalms. All children presented nonperishable food donations during offering.

12/6:
2 Advent
Teachers: Gigi Edwards, Ian Cunningham, Olivia Edwards PAGEANT REHEARSAL for both groups.

12/20: 4 Advent
Teachers: Gigi Edwards, Linda Rockwell, Olivia Edwards PAGEANT REHEARSAL for both groups.

Our children are our future. This fall, we resume Sunday School, building on the past volunteer efforts of parent-teachers, most recently Perry Moylan, Diane Barzaghi, and Caroline Jenckes. Ideas for the 2009-2010 school year have been explored in depth by Julianne Hanavan and Gigi Edwards (both experienced teachers and curriculum builders), in consultation with other parish parents, vestry members, and Susan Stiles, our diocesan consultant. Our largest concentration of students consists of young teens, but there are also many smaller children whom we welcome. We believe that with flexibility and teamwork, we can serve everyone's needs.

Several of our youth have already been confirmed. We invite them to serve as role models for the upcoming youth class, as well as supervisors of our youngest members, the toddlers. Many of our younger teens and "tweens" have expressed a willingness to learn more about what it means to be a Christian, an Episcopalian, and a member of the Chapel of St. John the Divine. These are the issues we will explore.

Some of the students may choose to be confirmed this coming spring. Those who are a bit young for 2010 confirmation will choose a metaphorical "pilgrimage" to undertake for the following year so that they can be confirmed in 2011. All those awaiting confirmation, whether this coming spring or the next, will ask adults from the parish (unrelated to them) to sponsor them. The confirmation process, and Sunday School in general, provide a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational, cooperative faith-building. We ask everyone to take an interest and to take an active role. A vibrant parish rears its youth to carry on its traditions!