Christian Education
Good Shepherd’s Church School provides opportunities for children and youth in Kindergarten through grade 12 to socialize and nurture essential skills supporting faith exploration and interior growth. Children in K-2 attend the Atrium, a prepared environment where they experience the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Godly Play each Sunday. Upper elementary-age children in grades 3-5 meet together in the Loring Room with the Gather Round curriculum. Middle school kids in 6th & 7th grade engage with re:form, an interactive curriculum empowering youth to discover for themselves what they believe through engaging dvds and a hands-on “anti-workbook” during class time, then prompts kids to make videos, take pictures, and interview people as extended response opportunities during the week. In fall 2010 we begin a two-year cohort of Confirmation Candidates in 8th & 9th grade who prepare to go more deeply to understand and develop their faith; Confirmation is expected to take place in the spring of 2012. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors and their Mentors meet on various Sunday evenings throughout the year for dinner discussions and to take an active role supporting each others’ faith development. These older youth collaborate on the direction they wish to go for a mission trip and other activities and projects throughout the year.
Children's Eucharistic Instruction
All baptized Christians, including the very youngest children, are invited to receive communion. Having children share in the mystery with us reminds us that no one receives because we understand, but because we are loved and accepted at Christ’s table. Eucharistic instruction is an ongoing part of our education program - if you desire this instruction for your child, please let Mary Ann Stewart know. All children are invited to come to the altar with their family whether they receive communion or a blessing. If children will receive, show them how to hold out their hands and how to take the cup and remind them that the bread is to be consumed at the altar. Children who prefer a blessing are asked to cross their hands over their chest; the priest will then give them a blessing.
Acolytes
Young people from elementary school age and above are invited to serve at the altar as acolytes. After training, they may participate by carrying the torches, the cross, incense and censor, and by assisting clergy at the Eucharist. Older youth read the Prayers of the People, which are composed and updated periodically by Church School children. Contact Vivi Leavy to learn more.
Youth Group
Faith is a journey of experience, reflection, and a sense of identity apart from achievement. Throughout the year, young people from fifth grade and above are invited to participate in organized activities and events with parish youth and their friends. The activity may be a service project, such as bagging non-perishables for the Newton Food Pantry or baking for homeless women at Rosie’s Place in Boston. Other times we may meet at Nashoba Valley for an afternoon of snow-tubing, the Milky Way in JP for an evening of bowling and pizza, or in the Parish Hall for dinner and discussion.
Young Families' Forum
Periodically, parishioners with young children (age 5 and under) are invited to leave the care of their little ones to our dedicated, professional childcare staff and join us in a relaxed and informal setting to share the joys, challenges, and chaos of family life. Our conversations take place at the church following a 10:00 AM service. They are loosely structured to enable everyone's comfort and interaction and allow for strengthening relationships among a group of peers.
The Christian Education Committee
The Christian Ed Team seeks collaboration with and assistance from parish volunteers so that we may foster the spiritual growth of our parish children and youth. We meet to review, reflect upon, and discuss our program and offerings. If you would like to serve with us, please contact Christin Gillooly, chair.
To learn more about our education and/or program offerings, please contact: Mary Ann Stewart, (617) 244-4028
“I feel that my children are led in their spiritual growth and can experience God. The
Christian Education curriculuim is relevant and easy to teach with family services and
catechesis."
There is supervised care for infant-, toddler-, and preschool-age children provided by our dedicated and professional childcare staff. Childcare begins at 9:45 AM until fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the 10:00 AM service. Infants should attend with an infant carrier/car seat. There is also a cozy Infant Room with changing table and rocking chair located adjacent to the Choirmaster's office downstairs in the Common Room. Children may attend the service with their family or may remain in the Nursery for the duration of the service; families may also bring their young child into church for Communion or a blessing at the altar, if desired.
