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!

Vacation Bible School (ages 4K* – 5th grade)

• Churchwide Staycation Bible School July 2020: “Come to the Table”
  Throughout the month of July we experienced SBS together, although physically apart, focusing on the stories of Jesus at the table and centering around our table life at home. A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who made this church-wide experience possible, and to the Rev. Jenny McDevitt, who led our adult digital classes. Many creative minds helped pull this event together, from crafting youth devotions and drawing up children’s craft projects, to families donning Bible-time costumes and volunteers teaching dance and song. The SBS video playlist will remain available on our church YouTube channel; if you have not yet “Come to the Table,” we invite you to do so at any time.
• Morning VBS 2021 (Dates TBA): “God Calls”
  If [God] calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ –1 Samuel 3:9
  9 a.m.-12noon, Children ages 4k-5th grade are invited to join us as we learn about the ways God called ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Together, we will explore the calls of Noah, the young Samuel, the Woman at the Well, and the Apostle Paul. We will learn the ways God still speaks to us today and calls us as disciples in Roanoke, VA, and beyond!

• 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!