The Spiritual Life of Children and Youth

Nursery care:  The nursery is located off the corridor between Huntington Hall and the Guild Room.  Child care is available from 8:45 – 11:45 a.m.  You are welcome to stay with your child as necessary to help him or her adjust to the nursery setting. Children can be brought to the church for Holy Communion if you wish.

Family Worship Resources:  At the entrance to the church from Huntington Hall there are items families can use for their children during the services.  Crayons, children’s service leaflets (that explain the Gospel reading,) stuffed animals and dolls, paper for drawing, children’s books relating to the liturgical season, copies of articles of interest to families, and Children’s “Books of Common Prayer.” 

9:00 Family Service: This Service was instituted on a trial basis in 1996, and has become a much-loved worship here at All Saints.  It is designed to be accessible to young and growing children, but many adults enjoy it for its comfortable informality and sense of joy.  Children are encouraged to participate at all levels:  to greet people as they come to worship, to read the first lesson, to write or draw their prayers on “prayer cards” (which are collected and read as the Prayers of the People,) and to bake the bread for Holy Communion.  Children in third grade and up can be Acolytes, and Confirmed young people can be Chalice Ministers.  Some children and teens have participated in the sermon as actors in Gospel skits.  The Choir Director, Peter Stolzfus-Berton, chooses hymns with children in mind, and repeats them for several weeks so that they can be learned by heart.

All Saints Church 10 Irving Street, Worcester, MA. 01609
Children’s Spiritual Life Coordinator Celia J. Demers
(508)752-3766 x 22 celia@allsaintsw.org

Sunday, August 31st Outdoor Service & Parish Picnic (Rain or Shine)
$5./person $15. max/family: A GREAT TIME FOR FAMILIES & COMMUNITY- swimming pool & lifeguard, kites, hayrides, barbecue & potluck, basketball, volleyball, board games & more…
No 9:00 Family Service but we’ll have our 10:30 a.m. service outdoors at Storm Hill Farm, in Princeton. Directions are listed in September’s Parish newsletter and on line at www.allsaintsw.org under the ‘Activities and Programs’ scrolling menu at the bottom.
We will also leave copies of directions on the doors of the church.
People wishing to carpool: please meet at the church parking lot, leaving at 9:30 a.m.
The drive takes about 40 minutes. Hope to see you there!

Church School Mission and Content

Church School at All Saints Church consists of activities themed on Bible scripture and/or varied traditions that deepen our relationships with God. We educate the whole child: “hands, heart, and head.” Games, service projects, instruction, stories, acting, discussion, creating and viewing art, sharing, cooking, music, building, moving, dancing, etc. are some of the many things we do in class. We aim to support each learner and teacher to develop in faith as Episcopalian Christians. As such we hope to live compassionately with our diverse and beautiful human family.

We have a lectionary-based curriculum, Living the Good News that brings “the weekly readings alive for all ages.*” The lectionary is an ancient cycle of Bible readings, set up to ensure that most of the Bible is read at Sunday worship over a three-year cycle.

The Revised Common Lectionary has been developed to unify the lectionaries of the mainline Christian denominations, and is the now the official lectionary of the National Episcopal Church. “Living the Good News bridges our everyday stories with the timeless stories of our Christian faith: a celebration of God's unending love and grace!*” (* From the Living the Good News web site at: http://www.livingthegoodnews.com/ .)

Parents are welcome to accompany their children to help them become comfortable, or to “drop in” to class at any time. We encourage children and youth bring friends to class.

Class Times and Structure

9:40 to 10:20 a.m.

  • The Crucifer will lead Church School students upstairs directly after the Family Service ends.
  • Parents of children who attend the 10:30 service are welcome to bring their children directly to the Church School classrooms at 9:40 a.m. Please wait to leave until the teachers have arrived.
  • Boys and Girls in Choir are welcome to attend their grade-level Church School class on the weeks they are not scheduled to sing.
  • Snack will be served in the classrooms.
  • Parents please come to the second floor prepared to pick up your children at 10:20 a.m. so that teachers and students who attend the 10:30 Service will be able to get there on time.

    Classes & Locations
    Nursery- ages 2 & 3 (in the Nursery)
    Preschool/Kindergarten- ages 4 & 5 (third floor, front classrooms)
    Primary- grades 1, 2 & 3 (third floor, back classroom)
    Intermediate- grades 4, 5 & 6 (second floor, Vinton Hall)
    Young Teen- grades 7, 8 & 9 (second floor, classroom # 3)
    High School- grades 10, 11 & 12 (second floor, classroom # 1)

Approximately 10:50 to 11:10 a.m.

Children in grades 2- 6 (in choir or not) who attend the 10:30 Service

  • A short class will be held during the sermon each Sunday in the Choir Room.
  • The Gospel lesson of the day will be explored through games, discussion, service projects or non-messy art projects. We will make every effort to include activities that span the developmental needs of this diverse age-group.
  • The Choir Director will teach choristers how to leave and return to the choir stalls in the dignified manner appropriate for worship leaders.
  • Clergy will make an announcement before the sermon that it is time to go to Church School class.
  • Children leaving the congregation for this class will exit quietly through the front door of the church, lectern side, into the hallway to the Choir Room.
  • Children will be escorted to and from the class by a scheduled parent helper.
  • Children will return to church at The Peace (either to their seats in the choir stalls or to their families in the pews.)

Fall 2008 All Saints Church-School Calendar
September 7 to November 30 (Advent I)

SEPTEMBER
All Church School classes during the month of September will take place on the second floor, while the 3rd floor is prepared for our IHN guest families. They will arrive on Sunday, September 21st, and depart on September 28th.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network is an organization that unites the religious community in an effort to serve and nurture homeless families regardless of income and family structure. Thirty-one congregations, many with assistance from additional congregations, provide meals, shelter and hospitality. Families receive individualized advocacy for housing, employment, and financial issues at the IHN day center. Massachusetts is the 3rd least affordable state in the country for housing and about 20,000 children live in emergency shelters each year. Greater Worcester's IHN has helped over 196 families, over 592 individuals, since its formation in 1997.
For more information the IHN web site is- http://www.ihnworcester.org/index.html

September 7: Church School 9:40 to 10:20 a.m. Students, teachers, and families meet each other. We will play active games and have a special snack (Power Foods.)

September 14: Family Service Participants Training: learn how to bake Altar Bread, be a Chalice Minister (anyone who has been confirmed,) become a Verger (it’s not that hard) and learn how to greet people as they arrive at the service. We will practice in Vinton Hall and the adjoining classrooms.

September 21: Learn about homelessness and what we can do about it.

Friday, September 26: Deadline for Safe Church Training registration.
(See ahead, page 3- October 4th, for more information. Registration form enclosed.)

September 28:

  • Forum (Guild Room at 9:45 a.m.) Building Community through Faith Formation
    (A Children’s Spiritual Life Committee member will help to lead this forum.)
  • Church School: Who are the saints? Can anyone be a saint? Dress up as a saint.

Our Lady of Aparecida Saint Peter Saint Francis of Assisi Saint John Saint Joan of Arc

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 4: Diocesan Safe Church Training held HERE at All Saints Church from 9a.m. to 2p.m. (with lunch.) All nursery care providers, church school teachers, EYC chaperones, Fun/Fab Friday volunteers, Choir parents and those who drive children to and from church-sponsored events are strongly encouraged to attend. Help make our church a safe place for all. All Saints Church will pay your fee, but you must get your registration in on time. Deadline (Friday, September 26th)

October 5: ‘BRING A FRIEND’ SUNDAY- Invite your friends to bring their pets for blessings at 9:00, or to enjoy the Celebration of Creation at 10:30.

Celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved saint who “talked” with the animals. Saint Francis often referred to animals as brothers and sisters to humankind. He rejected material accumulation and comforts in favor of a simple life as a prayerful beggar.

We will be collecting donations of dog or cat food and kitty litter for Sterling Animal Shelter a “no-kill” facility. Please leave your donations on the Huntington Hall stage.
Check web site for more information http://www.sterlingshelter.org/shelter/aboutus.html

9:00 Family Service- Blessing of the Pets Bring your pet, photo of pet, or stuffed animal friend to this service for a blessing during Communion. All live animals must be restrained on a leash or in a cage.
Refreshments will be available for pets and people at coffee hour in Huntington Hall following the 9:00 Family Service. Church School will not be held at 9:40 to 10:20 a.m.
10:30 Holy Eucharist Service- Celebration of Creation with excerpts from Missa Gaia, beloved ‘Earth Mass’ originally played by the Paul Winter Consort at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

October 12: Church School Curriculum
October 19: Church School Curriculum

October 26: All Saints I, or “All Souls” Sunday. We light candles in memory of loved ones who have died. Candles will be set up in the church and there will be an opportunity to light them during all the services.

Children may wear their Halloween costumes to the 9:00 Family Service and receive a blessing for fun and safe Halloween.

Church School Curriculum

NOVEMBER
The word "saint" comes from the Latin word Sanctus, which translates to "consecrated" or "holy." Saints are men and women who have lived and died in such a way as to be very close to God. Saints serve God in the world, thus providing examples for us to follow. "Feast Days" are recognized for each saint. These Feast Days are very often the date on which they died, especially if they gave up their lives for their faith. Saints who have given up their lives for their faith are called "martyrs." Based on the course of their lives and the circumstances surrounding them, some of the saints serve as "patrons" of certain people, places, things, and occupations. It is believed that they intercede for us before God.
November 1st is our church’s Patronal Festival (All Saints Day.)

FALL BACK Saturday Night November 1st :
Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed.

November 2: All Saints II, “All Saints” Sunday. Baptisms will be held today.
Church School Curriculum

November 9: Church School Curriculum

November 16: Church School Curriculum

November 23: Church School Curriculum

November 30: Advent I- Intergenerational Activity in Vinton Hall & Kitchen.
Who was Saint Nick/Nicholas? Become a Saint Nicholas helper. Bake cookies and decorate plates that will be secretlygiven to Fun/Fab Friday families the night before December 6th (Saint Nicholas’ Feast Day.)

(* Next calendar will be available in early November.)