Our church school program!
Contact the Director of Christian Education:
Click on one the links below to
- Church School Curriculum
- Spiritual Journals
- Church School Procedure
- Church School Schedule
- Participation
- Offertory
- Nursery
- Confirmation
- Children's Choir
- Vacation Bible School
- Safe Church Policy
- Other Links
Church School Curriculum
We celebrate our children. We understand that children have a variety of talents, interests and abilities. That’s why our Children’s Ministry incorporated a new approach to Church School. It is called The Workshop Rotation (WRM); the new and exciting educational approach that promotes the development of multiple intelligence and spiritual gifts and equips the children for ministry. It has been recognized that children learn best when all their senses are stimulated and they are busy enjoying their studies and connecting them to real life.
For our elementary and middle school children we use the curriculum from Potter’s Workshops; Bible story lessons are presented in four-six week units with children rotating to different workshops each Sunday. Each workshop will involve children in different learning activities, which might include storytelling, drama and puppetry, games, cooking, arts and crafts, science, videos and more. We have created rooms that move the hearts and minds by designing “themed” rooms for multiple intelligence learning. All workshops give children hands-on participation that enhances their learning potential. Most importantly, a child’s ability to understand and retain the stories of the Bible and their meaning are greatly increased. Why does this rotation model work? We repeat the Biblical Stories over a series of four-six weeks so that the children experience the same story through different modalities over a short period of time. Reminding ourselves of the percentages for retaining information, we can understand how the rotational model helps faith development. We retain:
- 10% of what we read
- 20% of what we hear
- 30% of what we see
- 50% of what we see and hear
- 70% of what we say
- 90% of what we say and do
- 100% of what we experience
Click here to return to top of page.
Spiritual Journals
Journaling is the intrapersonal component of the workshop rotation model. Writing in journals is a way for children to reflect on what they have experienced. As children journal, they can make valuable learning connections that enhance their faith development. Journaling is an integral part of the workshop rotation model. Research has discovered that children who journal in all areas of the curriculum increase learning connections and relevancy. A registered binder of journal collections are kept on file and distributed at Confirmation.
We are fortunate to be able to use this new model of teaching the Biblical story so that our children, and the adults that work with the children, “say, do, experience.” The lessons become real to them, they own it and it’s there to stay!
For our preschoolers and older youth we offer the “Seasons of the Spirit” curriculum published by Logos Productions and distributed by United Church Press. Seasons of the Spirit “theological foundation has a vision which provides God’s people with a lectionary-based ecumenical resource that empowers all ages to be transformed in Christ as they: explore meaning and mystery in the Bible; celebrate in worship, sacrament, education and service; engage in ministries of love, justice and witness; and live in communities of faith, shaped and led by the Holy Spirit.”
Preschoolers enjoy songs, group activities and simple craft projects. Bible stories are explored through interactive storytelling, using puppets, art and drama. Teens also engage with biblical content through art, drama and contemporary story. Their activities promote the development of leadership skills and serving in the local and global ministry of the church. Go to www.spiritseasons.com, link to Action Zone and you will find a place for children of all ages to have fun, interactive activities that enhance our curriculum.
Click here to return to top of page.
Church School Procedure
Children may register throughout the year with the Director of Christian Education. Registration provides the faculty with information about the child and the family that will make the child’s Church School experience as meaningful as possible. During church school volunteer teachers and personnel instruct and supervise the children under the guidance of the Christian Education Director. The teachers are responsible for their students from the time they arrive for Church School until the worship service ends. After Sunday School parents are responsible for their children. Refreshments are provided for adults and youth after the worship service during the Fellowship/Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall. The Church provides no supervision during this fellowship time. Because God’s Garden shares space with Kidspace and The Payson Park Nursery School (Monday-Friday) parents must be with their child if they play in a classroom after Church School ends.
Click here to return to top of page.
Church School Schedule
Church School meets every Sunday morning from Labor Day until the end of June. Children enter with their parents or guardians into the sanctuary at 10:30AM and then are dismissed to God’s Garden, Growing in Faith after the Children’s Message or Moment. Children are always welcome to spend the entire time in worship service with the adults, and are invited to take part in the Communion service if their parents desire. A typical Sunday schedule for a child includes:
- Spending about 10-15 minutes in the Sanctuary for the Church Worship Service, then to be dismissed to the Chapel and Church School with the director, teachers and shepherds
- Participating in Children’s Worship Time in the Chapel, ranging from 5-10 minutes, including an Acolyte time, review of unit’s lesson, offertory collection, and announcements
- Attending age-grouped church school for about 25 minutes
- Spiritual Journal entries
- Joining parents at Fellowship/Coffee Hour after classes and the worship service
- Attend Children’s Choir rehearsal
Click here to return to top of page.
Participation
Children are the future of the church. Children participate in religious celebrations throughout the church calendar year, including the weekly Sunday Children’s Message and the Children’s Musical Offering during regular worship and in special events.
Music too plays an important part in our children’s expression of faith. Participation in the Children’s Choir is one way the children are engaged in worship. The songs they learn are sung approximately once a month from October to June.
Other special events featuring children’s participation:
- Sunday Greeters and Acolytes
- Donating gifts and talents when contributions are made to our church outreach programs
- Worship Before Worship*
- Annual “All Saints Day Fall Celebration”
- Lighting of the Advent Candles, when families join in the worship ceremony
- Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper
- VBS also known as Summer Church Camp
*Worship Before Worship is held on the first Sunday of each month at 10:15AM in the Nursery Chapel, second floor, directly left off the elevator. Please join our church leaders each month for a unique time of worship, sharing and singing.
Click here to return to top of page.
Offertory
The children in God’s Garden, Growing in Faith give generously in their weekly offering collection. They give to help end world hunger. They give to Heifer International. The offertory envelopes are provided at registration time. The Heifer organization believes and is dedicated to ending hunger. They have helped millions of poor family’s worldwide move towards self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training, from honeybees to water buffalo. Heifer also believes in another very important part of their work. This is educating the public! Heifer operates three learning centers where you can go for hands-on hunger education. All centers offer guided tours, mission opportunities and a chance to interact with Heifer animals.
Click here to return to top of page.
Nursery
Nursery care for infants, from birth to two years of age is provided every Sunday from 9:15 to Noon under the supervision of an experienced and qualified staff member. The church nursery is located on the second floor, directly left, off the elevator and provides a Christian environment as well as a joyful safe space.
Click here to return to top of page.
Confirmation
We believe that God calls us to study his word. As Christians, infants are baptized before they truly understand God’s word, so as older youths they enter a specific program called Confirmation. The Confirmation program is designed to provide the means by which youth may come to know God fully and make the Christian faith their own. It offers an opportunity to encourage youth in their questions and to 
wrestle with their relationship with God. Payson Park Church sees our Confirmation Program as our opportunity to influence the lives of these maturing youth and provide a faith-based preparation for life’s decisions. After a period of study, the youth confirm their faith by reading their own faith statements.
Confirmation Requirements
- Students participating in Confirmation are expected to attend each session
- Students will be given a journal and a list of Bible readings to be completed periodically
- A Group Retreat will be attended by all
- Students are expected to attend at least five worship services during the year (one communion, one ordinary service, two other community churches and of course the Confirmation Sunday Service.
- Participation in at least one Payson Park Church related Mission and Outreach opportunity is expected.
- Confirmands will prepare a presentation on their ‘Faith Journey” for Confirmation Sunday
Click here to return to top of page.
Children's Choir
Children, ages two and up have the opportunity to sing in the Children’s Choir. This musical experience is appropriate for all age levels as they learn about singing and performing for worship services. Rehearsals are held during the week and the children sing periodically throughout the year during the worship service. If your child is interested in joining the choir, please contact the Children’s Choir Director through the church office.
Getting Involved
Parents and Friends of the Church School have many opportunities to get involved as:
- Teachers, volunteer with a minimal three week commitment
- Assistant teachers and shepherds
- Serving on the Christian Education Committee
- Nursery room volunteers
- Volunteer offering Children’s Messages in worship
- Volunteer as a photographer
- Create Power Point Presentations
- Cook for special occasions
- Sharing music, art, or other talents
Click here to return to top of page.
Vacation Bible School
Our Summer Church Camp Program provides fun, memorable Bible learning activities for children of all ages. Each day the youth will sing catchy faithful songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble on munchies, take on a daily challenge to let Jesus’ love grow into their homes, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible memory buddies to remind them of God’s Word, and create Bible point crafts they’ll take home and play with all summer long. We typically study stories about the life of Jesus. Plus, the youth participate in a mission project for the local food pantries by daily contributions of dry or canned goods. We conclude each day with a worship finale that gets everyone involved in celebrating what he or she has learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join the group daily for this special time. Our prayer for our program is to lift up Jesus’ love in our community!
Click here to return to top of page.
Safe Church Policy
The church observes a Safe Church and CORI reviews are required in order to insure the comfort and safety of every child. Click here to return to top of page.