Sunday Morning Education Hour Programs
Education Hour programs run September 19, 2010 - May 22, 2011
*All education programs meet the Safeguarding God's Children guidelines for safety as outlined by the Diocese.
Preschool - 1st Grade: (3 years old - 1st Grade)
Geared toward the youngest learning styles, this class will meet in Room 1 in the Undercroft and will follow the Primary Episcopal Children's Curriculum. The program is Biblically based and liturgically oriented. Biblical stories and themes provide the content of teachings and practice while students are also encouraged to learn the words and actions for participation in our community's worship and liturgy. Lessons from Scripture and selections from the Book of Common Prayer are incorporated into every lesson.
2nd - 5th Grade:
With a bit more emphasis on reading practice, this class meets in Room 2 in the Undercroft and is centered around the Elementary Episcopal Children's Curriculum and involves more reading than the Preschool -1st Grade class. Biblically based and liturgically oriented, this class utilizes Bible stories and Scripture. Participants in this class will continue to learn about the structure of the Episcopal worship service and will continue to learn about the Book of Common Prayer for worship practices. A variety of teaching techniques are used in order to accommodate multiple learning styles.
6th - 8th Grade:
This group meets in Room 3 (The Youth Room) in the Undercroft and follows the Episcopal Youth Curriculum which runs through a three-year cycle of Call, Covenant, and Community, and challenges Youth to explore the stories of those who have been called by God, the trials and tribulations of people of faith, and the blessings and challenges of covenant life from the beginning of Scripture through to contemporary times. At the completion of the 8th-Grade year, youth are invited to participate in the "Stepping Up" Seminar which challenges them to reflect on where they have been and where they are going in their spiritual journey. The seminar culminates in a "Stepping Up" Celebration during the 10:30 worship service in May which acknowledges the work and reflections of these youth, and their movement into a more active role in the church.
9th - 12th Grade (High School):
This group meets in the Youth Room in the Undercroft and follows the Confirm not Conform. Participants in this course will be prepared for Confirmation under Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan guidelines but are not required to be Confirmed upon completion. This course teaches youth to understand their faith and gives them tools they need to continue on their journeys of faith formation into adulthood.
Sunday Forum:
This class meets in the main room of the Undercroft and is geared toward issues of importance to adults . The class is set up as a series of topics which will be posted as it becomes available. Topics for Sunday Forum will also be published in each issue of "Grace To You".
