We believe that God is in relationship with even the youngest child. Our desire is to help that relationship grow through a deep exploration of scripture and the worship of the Church. We provide a beautiful prayerful space, called an atrium, filled with materials that allow the children to extend their meditation on the Bible and moments from our worship. Most of the materials are homemade, by members of our parish family.
Examples include:

• A small model altar for the child to set.
• A manger and clay figures of baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds to act out the narrative of Jesus’ birth.
• A tray of flour, yeast and water to mix together and observe as a meditation on the parable of the Kingdom of God and the Leaven.
• Handmade maps of the land of Israel with small flags to label mountains, regions, and cities, as a way of exploring the place where Jesus lived.
• Interactive timelines exploring the History of the Kingdom of God and the history of the Jewish people.

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Our catechists (teachers) have trained for over 90 hours to prepare for this wonderful ministry. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based program, designed to meet the developmental and spiritual needs of children in three age groups: Preschool and kindergarten; first through third grade; and fourth through seventh grade. Children meet in the atrium from 9:15 a.m. to approximately 11:10 a.m., when they join their families in the service at the "Exchange of the Peace" so that they can have communion with our church family.

Time in atrium prepares children for meaningful participation in worship at Christ Church. Children help to lead our worship by serving as acolytes and junior choir members throughout the year. To learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, visit Leslie’s blog, Thoughts from the Sheepfold, or to the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. If you would like more information, please email Leslie Swaim-Fox, Director of Christian Formation, or call the church office.