Trinity Episcopal Church - Teaching & Learning

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251 Danielson Pike • North Scituate, Rhode Island 02857

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Adult Education Committee
After a hiatus for a few years, the Adult Education Committee has been reformed to help explore and develop ways for adults to learn more about their faith. Programs initiated by this group include Centering Prayer, Lenten Home Services, Book Study Group, video discussions, an adult version of J2A, and Parenting Classes.

Nursery
The Nursery is a cozy room under the church for little ones under the age of 4. There are plenty of toys and books for busy little hands!

Young People's Christian Formation & Education

Activities To Date

Children's Liturgy of the Word is a recent addition to the church school program. It is geared toward children 3 years of age through the second grade, but we have not set any maximum age (some of our older kids participate and assist). It takes place in the open area of Graham Hall (the second floor of Aldrich Hall) at 9:30 AM. Children can participate as greeters, as readers of lessons and the Prayers of the People, as acolytes (extinguishing the Christ Candle on the altar with supervision), and as Offertory Presenters. The aim of the Children's Liturgy is to introduce children to both the structure of liturgical worship and the experience of worship. The sections of the service are identified to show their meaning, for example, "We greet one another" ("the Lord be with you"); "We talk to God" (Opening Song); "We remember God's Word" (The Lesson). In place of the sermon, the adult mentor may "act out" the Bible lesson with the visual aids from the Godly Play curriculum in a way that invites children to place themselves in the story and to wonder about it. The calm, attentive and worshipful attitude the children display is remarkable. At the end of the Children's Liturgy the children join their families in "the big church" for the celebration of the Eucharist (the same time the church arrives at The Peace). The child Offertory Presenter brings up the offertory basket with the ushers when the offertory plates are brought to the altar. The Young People's Christian Formation and Education teachers and students receive Communion before the rest of the congregation and then proceed immediately to their classes in Graham Hall. Classes conclude at 11:15 AM.

The New Curriculum has been written by Rev. Pam in response to a conversation with Young People's Christian Formation and Education teachers last spring and the opinion of many parents as well as students. The new curriculum (a work in progress) addresses the questions "Why do the hangings keep changing colors?" "Why is the Easter candle sometimes up by the altar and other times by the organ?" and much more. The students also participate in many of the church events. The Advent Event is the time of celebration when they demonstrate how to make an Advent Wreath and explain the Advent Calendar. They also decorate the Jesse Tree with ornaments made by them during class and explain the significance at this service. They perform a Christmas Pageant, playing the parts of Mary, Joseph, Wise Men, Angels, Shepherds, and if we are lucky enough to have a new baby in the parish, we have him/her as Baby Jesus! Soon after the children choose a theme – depicting a biblical image of Jesus – and design a banner based on their interpretation of that theme. On Palm Sunday, there is a procession of the palms with the banners. The children also participate in group projects such as Sock Sunday, various Outreach programs, and creating cards for the shut-ins and a "7 cents buys a pound" Food Closet program.

The Journey To Adulthood Program serves as the curriculum for our 7th-12th grade classes, and as the basis for our Rite 13 (6th-8th graders) and J2A (9th-12th graders) Youth Groups. A minimum of two years' participation in this program is required for Confirmation, which usually takes place at the end of 10th grade. The Youth Groups for both Rite 13 and J2A meet twice a month, with activities that reinforce and enhance the Journey To Adulthood Program curriculum.

At the end of the school year we gather for a celebration!

The Coordinator and Assistant Sunday Coordinator oversee the Young People's Christian Formation and Education program. Adult and Young Adult parish members volunteer their time to teach.

ACTIVITIES TO DATE

Advent Event: The Young People's Christian Formation and Education classes presented the ADVENT EVENT on December 2. Grades Pre-K through 5 made the ornaments for the Jesse Tree and several volunteers from the higher grades presented the introduction to advent, the advent wreath, the meaning of the Jesse Tree and the advent calendar. The children did a fantastic job!
Sock Sunday held on Sunday, December 15 was a complete success again this year. All grades participated in wrapping socks stuffed with a candy treat for the homeless. One hundred and two (102) pairs of men's socks, one hundred and thirteen (113) pairs of women's socks and fourteen (14) pairs of children's socks – totaling 229 pairs of socks. That is 82 (pairs) more than last year!
The Christmas Pageant: The Christmas Pageant was held on Sunday, December 29 this year – moved up from January during Epiphany. The volunteers did a fantastic job! Thank you to all those who were willing to volunteer at the last minute as replacements for those who were unable to make it - we thank you for your spontaneity!
"Food Closet Penny Collection" Program 2001-2002: It costs only 7¢ for the Trinity Food Closet to buy a pound of food at the Rhode Island Food Bank. Young People's Christian Formation and Education began the "Food Closet Penny Collection" program again. How it works: Each child is asked to bring in 7¢ each Sunday, and place it in their classroom "collection jar." wice during the year, on a Youth Sunday, we will collect the pennies and present them to the Outreach Committee. Our goal: to raise the children's awareness of hunger in the community and what we can do to help. Just 7¢ will buy a pound of food for the Trinity Food Closet! The Food Closet is just one of the many programs that the Outreach Committee has in place to help those in need. At times, the food closet is at its bare minimum, especially around the holidays. This is one of the ways in which Young People's Christian Formation and Education reaches out to those in need.

*1st Sunday of each month. All gather in church at 9:30 am. No children's Liturgy of the Word.
Trinity's Annual Meeting. Immediately following our Liturgy, all are welcome to join together in Aldrich Hall for our Annual Parish meeting to review and celebrate the past year and plan for the future together. Pot Luck lunch immediately follows. No formal classes; however, there will be supervised and fun activities for our children. There will be more information and dates of special Liturgical Events to follow. The remainder of the calendar will follow, as well.