Faith Formation for Children

Sunday School is offered September – May. Though much of the 2020-21 year will be offered through digital lessons and videos, we will continue to worship God and we will keep you informed of a hopeful return to doing so in person!

*Click HERE to view our 2020-21 Christian Education Booklet with details about education opportunities for all ages!

Classes offered for Children

Traditionally, Second Presbyterian Church has grouped Christian Education programs by age or grade. This year, we are letting parents decide which program is appropriate for their children. If a six-month-old wants to join in on CWW this year, hurrah! If a 13-year-old wants to join the family in the Sunday school video or choir song, the more the merrier!

• Children, Worship, & Wonder (CWW): Young children need a special environment where they can meet and worship God. We hope to help create that space through video storytelling from our own Children’s Worship Center. Each week, volunteer storytellers from Second Presbyterian Church will record beautifully told stories from Scripture using guidance and manipulatives from the acclaimed book Young Children and Worship by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome Berryman. Parents are encouraged to watch along with their children and allow the quiet time and space to explore the wondering questions with each story. CWW stories will be updated weekly on our church YouTube channel. (CWW is traditionally geared toward children ages 4 years old through first grade.)
• Children’s Sunday School & Children’s Music: For this 2020-21 education year, we are embracing a new and innovative format for children’s Sunday school and choir. Using the recently published story Bible Growing in God’s Love, we will explore Old and New Testament stories with the help of our own Youth Group members. Middle and high school youth will contribute weekly storytelling and dramatic play videos for our program. Children’s & Youth Music Director Kristen Smith, along with help from other children’s choir directors, will provide weekly songs and instrumental exercises as a part of each week’s Sunday School video. Complete Sunday School videos will be available weekly on our church YouTube channel, and Rev. Elizabeth Link will provide email updates and lesson response activities for families to enjoy together. You may join in on these lessons and activities during the traditional 10:00 a.m. Sunday School hour, or whenever your family gathers to worship and learn together.

• Children’s Music – Participation in Children’s Music 2020-21 (4 years-5th grade) will be virtual as part of the weekly Sunday School lessons, including a virtual Christmas Pageant. We will continue to worship God together through music and keep you informed of a hopeful return to doing so in person!

Children’s Choir Day-treat: June 5

• “Fruits of the Spirit” 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Braeloch Pavilion
  4-year-olds through current fifth graders joined Kristen Smith, Rev. Elizabeth Link, and the children’s choir directors for a morning of movement, music, and fellowship at Braeloch Pavilion on Saturday, June 5. In this beautiful open-air space, we spent time learning and growing together. COVID precautions were in place and all adult leadership had been vaccinated.

Vacation Bible School (ages 4K* – 5th grade) July 26-28

• Morning VBS “ReNew: Celebrate God’s Creation” 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Braeloch Pavilion
  
  We had such a blast this summer at “Re-New: The Green VBS”—our first ever outdoor Morning VBS! The children had a fun and educational week learning about the Parable of the Sower and how to care for God’s creation through science projects like purifying water, learning about root systems, planting seed pods and pizza gardens, through art projects, song and dance, and more! They even enjoyed storytelling videos featuring our youth. What a blessed time! We thank all our volunteers for helping to make this a memorable event, and to the Hammonds for sharing their outdoor space at Braeloch. May we all continue to learn and be examples of good stewards as we live, love, and share the earth with all of God’s creation!

  

• Child of God with the Rev. Elizabeth Link
  • Rev. Elizabeth Link plans to begin season two of her podcast called Child of God. Each episode shares a story about God’s people and the ways we are a part of God’s family. The episodes are brief, but meaningful, and you can catch them while traveling in your car, while doing chores, or getting ready for bedtime, naptime, or to start your day! You may subscribe and listen to Child of God with the Rev. Elizabeth Link through your favorite podcast platform or by visiting our Podcasts page. Check out the introductory episode below!