The Christian formation of children is a core ministry at St. James’s.   Church School meets during the school year in the Parish House under the instruction of trained volunteers.  Pre-School through 2nd/3rd grade gather for their worship program at 9.30AM. and join their parents in church following the exchanging of the Peace. All children and teens attend church school at 10.45AM.

Key elements of the church school program include:

• Nursery care, offered each Sunday by professional sitters for infants and toddlers.
• Growing in God’s Love, an educational program mailed to the parents of infants and toddlers.
• Church School classes for all young people from Preschool to Senior High School.
• For preschool children a Montessori-style curriculum called Godly Play, supplemented by the lectionary-based Living the Good News curriculum.
• For grade school children, an innovative new curriculum labeled Workshop Rotation Model.
• For junior and senior high seminars, a curriculum called Journey to Adulthood.
• The Christmas Pageant, an annual retelling of the Christmas story, led by the Church School children at the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

A special Liturgy of the Word for children (Pre-K to 2nd/3rd grade) is offered every Sunday during the 9.30 Eucharist. The children follow the processional cross to the Parish Hall, where they read the lessons appointed for the day and participate in special art projects, music, etc. The children join their parents in the church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist during the exchange of peace.

Visit the Music Page to learn more about this special opportunity for music making for children of all ages.