Children's Programs

Children are vital members of the Trinity community. Special programs for them are offered from September through mid-June. Please know that children are welcome in worship. God puts the wiggle in, God cannot be surprised when the wiggle comes out!

Trinity Church is committed to offering developmentally appropriate educational opportunities for our children. For our youngest members (infant – 3 years) - if parents would rather not have the children in church – nursery care is available from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon each Sunday.

For children ages 3 - 12, the parish offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, with classes beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Catechesis program is divided into three levels: Atrium 1 for ages 3-6, Atrium 2 for ages 6-9, and Atrium 3 for ages 9-12. Children in the first 2 levels remain in their classes until approximately 11:00 a.m., joining the church service at about the time of the Passing of the Peace. Children in Atrium 3 come into church at 10:30 a.m. for the entire service.

About Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a program that honors the spiritual potential of the child. It is based on a synthesis of principles articulated by Maria Montessori, an educator and pioneer in the field of child development; Sofia Cavalletti, a Biblical scholar; and Gianna Gobbi, a specialist in the Montessori educational method. Key elements of the Catechesis program include:

A ‘Prepared Environment’ or Atrium – The atrium is a special arrangement of space and time that facilitates both independence and interdependence as children are taught to care for each other and for their materials.

Liturgy and Worship – A model altar, a miniature chalice and paten, and the varying colors used during the church year (shown, for example, in model vestments) help prepare the child to participate in worship with the congregation in a meaningful way.

Wondering – The child’s natural wonder is honored as the unique gift of their spiritual life. Presentations are followed with ‘wondering questions’ which are open-ended and invite the child into reflecting and integrating scripture and liturgy into their experience.

Prayer and Silence – Children’s natural ability to turn inward and experience God’s presence is valued and encouraged as they are taught to quiet their body and listen for God’s still, small voice. ‘Prayer circle time,’ and presentations help children develop control of movement and center themselves.

Catechists – Teachers, called ‘Catechists,’ learn the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach in an on-going formation process that covers stages of spiritual development as well as content and methods for presenting the material.

Curriculum

All atriums include developmentally appropriate presentations on the sacraments, scripture, geography, the Infancy and Passion Narratives, prophecies, parables and the teachings of Jesus. Presentations increase in detail and sophistication as the child matures. The intent is not to fill the child with information about God, but rather to help the child ‘fall in love with God, all by him or herself.’

Atrium 1, ages 3-6

The central image in this first level of the Catechesis program is Christ the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and gives everything he is for them. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and calls them each by name. The child comes to discover who the Shepherd is and who the sheep are. Children are invited to experience the deep joy of God’s gift of God’s own self to each of us. This is the foundation of further religious insight and moral development.

Atrium 2, ages 6-9

The central image in the second level is Christ the True Vine. This level also introduces the History of the Kingdom of God. The child begins to discover the vast cosmic history of God’s plan of salvation and to glimpse their own place in it. Moral sensitivity and awareness begins here and grows with presentation of Jesus’ sayings (maxims) and moral parables. The child’s desire to carry out the requests of the Good Shepherd naturally flow from the relationship of loving trust that was established in the previous level.

Atrium 3, ages 9-12
The central image of the third level is the Plan of God, as it is worked out in the Bible and in human history. The child begins to deal with the advance of the Kingdom and people’s opposition to it. The paradigm of Creation – Redemption – New Creation (at Christ’s Coming Again, also called the Parousia) guides a more thorough exploration of scripture, particularly the Hebrew Scripture.

For more information about children's programs at Trinity, contact Marge Coolidge at (978) 352-6255.