Nursery | Children’s Chapel | Godly Play | SOWhAT

Nursery

St. Peter’s nursery is a safe, secure place for the smallest of God’s flock to play and learn–a place where they can learn first hand about Jesus’ love through the smiles, hugs and nurture of our caregivers. The nursery is for infants and toddlers through three years old. It is staffed on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings and during special events by loving caregivers who have received special training. Parents are welcome to come and stay anytime to help out or to spend extra time with their child. September-May hours on Sunday mornings are 8:15 am to 12:30 pm. Wednesday evenings from 5:50 pm to 7:50 pm. Summer hours are staffed from 8:15 am to 11:15 am Sundays.

Children’s Chapel

Children’s Chapel is optional for children ages 3 through 5^th grade. It is offered during the 8:45 am service, and during the 10:00 service in the summer. Children begin in the Nave of the church with their family and are invited to the front for a special blessing following the Collect of the Day (just before the First Reading). They leave in procession with chapel leaders and go to the Children’s Chapel (room 101) where they have their own Liturgy of the Word. Parents are always welcome in Children’s Chapel. Young children light the candles, while an older child reads. The Gospel is shared followed by an interactive sermon or activity. A children’s creed, prayers of the young people, and singing are all part of Children’s Chapel. Children have their own offering collected during Children’s Chapel in their unique box and brought up to be blessed at the Offertory along with the other gifts of the people. All but three children return to their families at the Peace. Three children are instructed by the ushers to bring up the bread and wine and their giving box during the Offertory. This is also a good time to bring children into the service from the nursery. Children are full members of the church and are welcome to receive the bread and the wine during Holy Communion. If you have any questions about this, please contact our clergy.

Godly Play

3 year olds through 3^rd grade — 10:10-11:00 A.M. Sunday Mornings

Godly play is a place where every child’s theology is deeply respected–a place where children begin to be comfortable living in the questions. It’s a place where children learn to connect the “Church God” to the God they already know. It’s a place where they can have their own relationship with God. In two specially equipped classrooms, children learn the classic rhythm for living modeled in the Bible–a balance of action and reflection, engagement and prayer. Based on Maria Montessori’s religious education, the heart of Godly Play is to create sacred space, to build and work in community, to learn religious language and to use that language to make meaning. For more information about this wonderful program go to www.godlyplay.org.

SOWhAT? (Story, Outreach, Wonder, Arts & Theology)

Grades 4 & 5 — 10:10-11:00 A.M. Sunday Mornings

Based on Godly Play, SOWhAT? engages older children in extended periods of “wondering” or reflecting theologically, responding through more sophisticated art techniques and acting on the stories of the bible with various outreach projects. By spending several weeks on each story they are given “all the time we need” to explore their own creativity. SOWhAT was created by Kim McPherson, an Accredited Godly Play Trainer, through her work as Christian Formation Director at Trinity Episcopal, Indianapolis and St John’s Cathedral, Denver. Collective experience reveals this approach is so refreshing and personally rewarding that teachers and students can’t wait to come back again and again!

Questions on Children’s Faith Formation at St. Peter’s? Contact Kristina Smith or 261-4293, ext 15.

St.   Peter’s  Episcopal  Church
Atlantic Avenue and 8th Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
(904) 261-4293
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