YOUTH AND CHILDREN S PROGRAMS 2016-2017
Christ Church Frederica Programs for Children and Youth We love children of all ages at Christ Church. The old adage says that faith is caught, not taught, which is certainly true. We also recognize the great benefit of passing on our faith stories and our traditions to our younger generations. To that end, we offer many programs and activities for our children and youth at Christ Church where they can catch the Spirit. We have a thriving Sunday School that meets during the school year for all children, preschool through high school. We also have youth groups for grades 3 through 5 and grades 6 through 12 that meet regularly to enjoy fellowship, worship and performing community outreach projects. Our music program for children includes two choirs that regularly perform in worship services. Kidurgy, our children s Liturgy of the Word, provides an environment for some of our youngest children to learn about the life of worship and praise on Sundays. Please look through the information in this booklet to find the right activities and programs for your children. If you d like more information, please contact Ed or Lynne Turner about Sunday School at turner_e@bellsouth.net, Brad Hamil about youth programs at brad@ccfssi.org, Kathleen Turner about the children s choirs at kathleen@ccfssi.org, or Mother Becky Rowell about Kidurgy at becky@ccfssi.org.
Sunday School for Prekindergarten - High School Youth Sunday School at Christ Church begins September 11. We re looking forward to a terrific year of fun and learning! Sunday School will begin at 10:20 and end at 11:05. For younger children, please accompany your child to his or her room and return to pick up your child at the end of class. To maximize our time of fellowship and study, we will have snack time in our individual rooms. Sunday School is a time for our children to study the Bible to hear what God has to say to them. We hope you will participate in their learning by asking them to share what they studied in their class. Often, they will bring home items to continue their learning and reinforce what they have talked about on Sunday. Our team of dedicated teachers is committed to providing the best possible experience each Sunday. Please help us spread the word that great things are happening at Christ Church Sunday School! We need your help in filling our classrooms. We look forward to seeing you and your family on Sunday, September 11. Classes and Teachers Pre-K/Kindergarten: Lynne and Ed Turner First and Second Grade: Louise Bartlett, Laura Brown, Brooke Kneller Third, Fourth, Fifth Grade: Catherine Holt, Peggy Goad, Stephanie Pool Middle School: Jody Bradford, Beth Smith, Beth Varn High School: Brad Hamil Curriculum - Pre-K through 5th Grade Pre-K through 5th grades use the Spark Lectionary Curriculum which can be found at www.wearesparkhouse.org. The lessons correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary, helping children get more out of both worship and Sunday School. Children dive into the Bible at their own level. Prekindergarten through sec-
ond grade explore 150 key bible stories in the Spark Story Bible. Grades three through five use the Spark Bible NRSV to dig deeper into biblical texts. We also have a great nursery staff. They are wonderful with little ones that aren t quite ready for Sunday School. Middle and High School Sunday School Program Youth Sunday School classes are offered each Sunday at 10:15 am. We are currently combining 6-12th grades with the hopes to split the groups in the near future. Lots of learning takes place, and we strive to provide a welcoming space where a variety of ideas and questions are encouraged. Outside of our Sunday classes, we offer many opportunities for students to share the love of God in Christ with those in need. In addition to our summer mission trips, students have opportunities to serve those in need in our own community. We have volunteered at a local assisted living facility, prepared meals for shut-ins, helped prepare and serve lunch at Manna House, assisted with the annual St. Mark s Towers outreach, worked with children at St. Athanasius during the summer library and food program, etc. Special Activities Throughout the year, our Sunday School classes are involved in a variety of fun and enriching activities like Homecoming, the Blessing of the Animals, the All Hallows Eve Carnival, Advent Wreath Making, the Christmas Lights Trolley Ride and Caroling, the annual Christmas Pageant, the 12th Night Service, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and more. Watch for news of upcoming events in the weekly News You Can Use e-mail. If you aren t already on the mailing list, please contact Julie Hancock at julie@ccfssi.org to be added.
Youth Ministry EYC The Episcopal Youth Community is made up of students in 6th - 12th grades and adults who meet regularly for fun, fellowship, food, service, and worship. This year we are very excited about the upcoming fall and spring seasons and plan to repeat many of the activities that we really liked last year, but will also be adding a few new things into the mix. First, we thought the summer drop-ins at the homes of our families were so much fun that we are going to have them regularly throughout the fall and spring, on Sunday evenings for EYC. Second, the service opportunities our students and adults experienced sparked a greater desire to schedule more of them throughout the coming months! If you would like to be on the communications list to know about all of our opportunities please contact our Youth Missioner, Brad Hamil, at brad@ccfssi.org or 912-223-7276. EYC Holy Eucharist Held on the first Sunday evening of the month at 6:00 pm, beginning on Sunday, October 9th, it will be a service led by students and adults. We will fill the parish house with sounds of retuned hymns with a touch of modern worship music and prayers and responsive readings. Come join us and we will see where the spirit leads us in this new EYC sponsored gathering! Jr. EYC This ministry is for students in 3rd - 5th grades and their families. We provide periodic events of fun and fellowship. Participation in our monthly EYC Holy Eucharist is open to this group as well! For more info or to be added to the communication list contact Kim Chitty at kbchitty@gmail.com or 912-222-8126.
Choirs for Children and Youth Come and be a part of serious musical fun with Miss Kathleen this season! Serving as a Chorister, Treble Voice, and Junior Acolyte is a meaningful and important way children can give to their Parish. Choristers Christ Church Choristers rehearse from 4:30-5:00 pm in the Choir Room for children four years and older and/or during Kidurgy on Sunday morning during the 9:15 am liturgy. Songs we learn in Choristers and Kidurgy are shared during communion the first Sunday of the month in the 9:15 liturgy. Trebles Christ Church Trebles rehearse from 5:00-6:00 pm on Tuesdays in the Choir Room. Singers demonstrating dedication and adequate maturity are invited to join this ensemble. We sing for liturgies, special events in connection with Vi Fluentis Children s Choir, and with the Christ Church Choir. For more information about the Christ Church youth choirs or to find out ways you can help with this ministry, please contact Kathleen Turner at kathleen@ ccfssi.org.
Kidurgy Beginning August 14th at the 9:15 am service, our children s crucifer will lead children ages 3 through grade 5 over to the Parish Hall for Kidurgy, our children s Liturgy of the Word. Children and adult shepherds will process out during the opening hymn and return during the peace, so that families can receive communion together. Kidurgy is a wonderful way to introduce young children to the prayers, ceremonies and rites of worship, and we encourage parents to get involved with their children as they participate in this meaningful, child-friendly worship activity. We are looking for a few grown-ups and teens (ages 16 or older) to help shepherd our young children to the Kidurgy Chapel in the Parish Hall, on Sunday mornings, during the 9:15 am service. Once at the Kidurgy Chapel, shepherds assist the children as needed during their own Liturgy of the Word, and then take them back to the church, prior to communion. It s a simple job, but is tremendously important, as it helps our children learn about worship in an environment that is specifically designed for them.
Youth and Children s Calender of Activities and Events Fall 2016 Sunday, August 14th Friday, September 9th Sunday, September 11th Sunday, September 25th Sunday, October 2nd Sunday, October 9th Sunday, October 30th Sunday, October 30th Sunday, November 7th Saturday, December 3rd Sunday, December 4th Tuesday, December 20th Saturday, December 24th Kidurgy Begins Parents Night Out Sunday School Begins Homecoming Blessing of the Animals EYC Eucharist EYC Soup Fundraiser All Hallows Eve Carnival EYC Eucharist Breakfast with St. Nick EYC Eucharist Parents Day Out Christmas Eve Pageant where faith takes root. 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522 www.ccfssi.org 912-638-6863