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Church School News:
Returning to The Routine
Just a few days ago 110 cheery church school information packets went out with anticipation to St. John’s families. Enclosed is all the registration information parents need to know for the school year… which is right around the corner. If you did not receive a packet and would like one, please let me know.
September is an especially exciting time of the year here in the church school and for all families in general. New routines begin, and with those new routines a chance to start anew in so many aspects of family life. One routine that can be a challenge for families is Sunday School. The intention to bring the family to church at 9:45a.m. every Sunday morning is not always an easy reality. When children are toddlers and preschoolers, there is the sheer physical effort; rising, feeding, ironing, dressing, and getting all in the car… only to face the inevitable separation anxiety at the classroom door. As kids grow older, sports schedules and sleepovers creep into Sunday mornings. And then the preteen years arrive…the emotional energy exhausted in rousing a less than enthusiastic thirteen year old into the classroom is enough to make any parent consider turning over and going back to sleep.
So why do so many families come to St. John’s Church School? Some are very regular, others perhaps less so, but they certainly have the intention! The reasons are different for every family, but perhaps one or more of them listed below applies to your family: Children should know about themselves: You are welcome. You have value. You are loved. You are respected. You are accepted the just the way you are. You are capable. You are our primary concern at this time. We trust you to make good choices. Children should know about the stories: The stories have value. We love the stories. We can use the stories to make meaning. A different language is spoken here. Children should know about God: We love God. God is present in this place. These are the Unspoken Lessons for Children – goals for the Godly Play program created by Jerome Berryman. At St. Johnʹs these ideals extend beyond the Godly Play classrooms in the kindergarten through fifth grade to all of the children in our church community; babies and toddlers, to preteens, tweens and teens, and the intergenerational Family Service. We hope all of our church school children and families will return this year to support the program…. and many new families as well. Many of our long‐term teachers are returning, but a few have retired as their children have grown…so the need for leadership in the classroom continues. For information about the many opportunities to volunteer in our church school as a lead or assistant teacher, Family Service helper or childcare person, please contact me at the church 978-927-0229 X 14
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