Table of Contents Introduction Children Youth Adult Sunday Adult Study Special Programs Baptism Commission Members	CHILDREN  Task Group Chair: Carrie Shuping Back to St. Mark's Home Introduction Children Youth Adult Sunday Adult Study Special Programs Baptism Commission Members

"I like the stories, the Feast, and talking about the stories the best."

- Ryan McKimmon (age 6), when asked what he likes best about Godly Play

INFANT & TODDLER NURSERY

Our nursery is located in Room E-4 of the Education Building and is available beginning at 9:15 AM until the time of Communion for children up to age 3. Many parents bring their children into the Eucharist from the nursery at the Peace – others just at the time of Communion. Please feel free to contact Vanessa Kling, our Staff Nursery Coordinator, at (919) 414-3698, if you have any questions regarding our nursery. Vanessa’s staff assistant in the nursery is Lauren Rosenberg. Our nursery staff maintains current CPR certification.

WIGGLE WORMS NURSERY

An extended nursery is offered for our wiggliest wiggle worms ages 3 to first grade. Parents may drop off Wiggle Worms children in E-4 anytime after 10:15 AM, and they should pick them up at the Peace and escort them to the service. St. Mark’s welcomes children for the entire worship service, but we offer Wiggle Worms nursery to those children needing some wiggle time before joining the congregation for Eucharist. Parents should be aware that this nursery is non-instructional and is not “Sunday School.” The older children enjoy helping out with the little ones. Again, please feel free to contact Vanessa, our Staff Nursery Coordinator, at (919) 414-3698 if you have any questions.

CHILDREN-IN-CHURCH RESOURCES

Sitting and listening for long stretches can be difficult for some of our youngest ones, and we offer a variety of church-related coloring activities and books for their use. These items can be found in the Concourse on our “Resource Cart.” Also each Sunday we provide the “Children’s Worship Bulletin,” which provides lectionary-based picture and word activities. These bulletins are located in the Concourse next to the main entrance into the Centrum. At any time, adults can accompany very restless younger ones to the Concourse where they can view the service through the glass doors and hear the service over the sound system.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN (Age 3 through 5th Grade)

General Information:

Our Sunday School year will begin on September 13, 2009, and continue through May 23, 2010. Sunday School or an Intergenerational Event will be held each Sunday, with the exceptions of December 27, 2009; January 3 and Easter Day, April 4, 2010.
Sunday School begins at 9:30 AM and ends at 10:25 AM. Parents should escort young children to and from Sunday School (and to Wiggle Worms). An older child may walk over to the worship service without a parent if his/her Sunday School teachers have been notified of this arrangement by the parent.

Children's Classes:

Godly Play I Class (Preschoolers - ages 3 & 4)

Teaching Team: Wendy Burgess, Chris Chiavacci & Carrie Shuping

Godly Play II Class (Kindergarteners, 1st & 2^nd Graders)

Teaching Team: Denise Davis, Stacey Hodges, Tracy McKimmon & Leila Wheless

Godly Play III Class (3^rd, 4^th & 5^th Graders)

Teaching Team: Beth Barkley, Merribeth Bizzell &, Kat Hardy

“Godly Play” is a Montessori-based method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children.
In Godly Play, we enter into parables, silence, sacred stories and sacred liturgy in order to discover God, ourselves, one another, and the world around us. Godly Play helps us interpret what happens in our daily lives.
Godly Play was developed and has been classroom-tested since 1972 by Episcopal priest, author and teacher Jerome W. Berryman. Godly Play is used in churches, schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, retirement centers and other settings. Godly Play is also used internationally, especially in the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, Canada, Tanzania, Australia, and in Spanish-speaking ministries in many locations.

Super Sundays!

Five Sundays have been designated as “Super Sundays.” All three (3) Godly Play classes will meet together for a very special lesson.

Who is Saint Mark? – All Saints Sunday – November 1, 2009

We’ll learn about “All Saints Day,” make special shields and participate in the 10:30 Worship Service Processional.

Chrismons with Mr. Chris – Advent II - December 6, 2009

Chris Chiavacci will share with us his knowledge of Chrismons, and we’ll each create one of these special ornaments to take home.

 Who is Saint Valentine? – February 14, 2010

We’ll hear the wonderful Godly Play story of Saint Valentine, and we’ll each make an old-fashioned Valentine to take home.

Last Supper Experience – Palm Sunday – March 28, 2010

We’ll hear the full Godly Play story of “The Faces of Easter” and experience the sights, sounds & tastes of the Last Supper.

What is Pentecost? – Pentecost Sunday – May 23, 2010

We’ll hear the Godly Play story of Pentecost – and we’ll make flame hats to wear in the 10:30 Worship Service Processional. Don’t forget to wear red everyone!

SPECIAL EVENING PROGRAM – LENTEN SUPPERS & STUDY GROUPS

Wednesday evenings – February 24; March 3, 10, 17 & 24

St. Mark’s will have five (5) Wednesday night Lenten suppers for all ages. After supper, there will be separate activities & programs for children and adults. The children’s Lenten program will consist of an original five-part series entitled Sacraments & Sacred Moments. The five sessions are as follows:

The children’s program is appropriate for Preschoolers through 6^th Graders. We welcome older youth as helpers (they have lots of fun). We hope your family will join us for our Lenten Suppers & Study Groups.