Teaching Children the Stories of Our Faith

by Jocelyn Smith Busby

 

A claw-footed bathtub sat in the reading corner of my kindergarten classroom in Durham, North Carolina. It was filled with needlepoint pillows whose velvet backings were sumptuous and smooth. Each morning, our teacher gathered us in a circle and wrote one name on the board, the name of the “child of the day.”

 

We all awaited eagerly, hoping that the letters she wrote spelled out our own name. The “child of the day” would be the teacher’s special helper all day long. Tasks included setting out the snack, putting straws into the milk cartons, being the line leader, and carrying the ball to the playground. Given that all children love having a job to do, this system inspired us and brought us much joy and pride. The best perk of being “child of the day” came at naptime, when one was allowed to select three books, climb on a rush-seated step stool, and settle into the needlepoint pillows of the claw-footed tub for an hour of reading and rest.

 

What purposeful planning my kindergarten teacher had done! How enrichingly child-centered were her procedures!  Not only did her work establish important rhythms in our young lives, but it also served to uplift and respect the children entrusted to her care.

 

As we journey together toward our autumn formation season, my thankfulness renews for the opportunity to serve in Children and Family Ministry! As a life-long Episcopalian, I value the opportunity to help children learn the stories of the Bible and the joys of a Christian life. The wider culture in which we live is often one of division and difference, polarization, and we vs. they. At Calvary, we value a different society, one of love and acceptance, one of mutual respect and seeking of common ground. In this blog post, I will outline the ways our children’s programming is designed to promote a worldview of love and community rooted in the stories of our faith.

 

I am blessed to have the support of beloved and stellar volunteers. Each not only gives their time and talent, but also provides a fine Christian example. Our driving purpose is to devise children’s offerings that will achieve the following outcomes in the lives of the children of Calvary: to turn toward a life of being a good neighbor, a concerned citizen, a helpful classmate, a respectful child, and a loving friend. We pursue these outcomes by providing a safe place for all, implementing authentic Episcopal curricula, and being present for families during life’s celebrations and challenges.

 

Our nursery program serves those aged 0-5 and takes place in small groups to foster a sense of belonging and connection. Babies and toddlers are nurtured and deeply loved at Calvary! Soft spaces are filled with enriching materials that stimulate and comfort, while experienced caregivers carry out age-appropriate activities with songs, stories, crafts, and free play.

 

Children’s faith formation (Sunday school) is offered at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays for those in senior kindergarten through 5th grade. Godly Play, a Montessori-based Episcopal curriculum, is taught by experienced leaders who present the sacred stories of the Bible. Godly Play also focuses on the liturgical seasons and imparts their significance in a child-friendly way. Each lesson involves storytelling, discussion, creative reflection, prayer, and a shared snack. Our leaders frequently serve to promote meaningful connections, and classes are grouped by age to cultivate a sense of belonging.

 

Children’s Chapel occurs on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and is geared toward children ages 4-8. Older children are invited to join us to perform leadership roles that facilitate our worship. Each chapel service presents “the liturgy of the word” in a child-friendly and interactive manner. Young children help to set the altar while older children lead the Prayers of the People and the Passing of the Peace. In the past, our lessons have followed the lectionary and been presented from the Spark Bible. However, to promote continuity with the storytelling aspect of Godly Play, we will begin presenting our weekly chapel lesson from Building a Children’s Chapel: One Story at a Time, by Bill Gordh. After a trial period, we will assess how the storytelling is being received by our chapel children. Please reach out to me with any thoughts or observations you may have on storytelling as a forum for teaching the Bible.

 

Fall is an exhilarating season, and for Calvary, it is especially so this year! In our post-renovation era, we have the amazing blessing of fine, accessible, and bright spaces in which to live out our faith journey together. After a long period of adaptive scheduling and programming, our children may now settle in and become familiar with spaces that are fully theirs. It is the job of the whole parish to support our youngest members in their “life in Christ.”  Thank you so much for your support, interest, and prayers as we launch our new season after Labor Day!

 

Although you will not find a claw-footed bathtub brimming with needlepoint pillows in Calvary’s Children’s Wing, each nursery room and Godly Play atrium have a soft spaces to welcome your children and to invite reflection; an old pew covered in cushions, a child-sized sofa piled with stuffed animals, bright bean bags each with an interesting book waiting to be read.

 

We are so excited to welcome your children back to these spaces as we kick off our fall formation season on Sunday, September 7! If your family has been away for the summer or is new among us, please join us for a terrific year as we grow together in faith and fellowship. If you are like me, the changing of the seasons always inspires memories of childhood. I would love to read your own experiences of autumn, back to school, or Sunday school. Please share in the comments!