Children and Youth are vital members of the Body of Christ.  We welcome their enthusiasm and wisdom.  We understand them as people of faith.  We want to nurture that faith.

The Christian Formation programs for children and youth at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity provide support for each of us to uphold the Baptismal Covenant.  We want each child to grasp the Good News of Jesus Christ and be empowered to live into the mission of this parish church.

Children and Worship
Children are welcome at all worship services and are encouraged to participate. Children can contribute as acolytes, ushers, lectors, and choristers.

Children and Communion
In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion.  We invite baptized children of all ages to receive communion at any time.  We offer communion instruction in the regular Church School curriculum.

Nursery, infants to 5 year-olds
Sonja Pesavento, Coordinator
Nursery care is provided for any child less than 5 years of age.  The nursery is open from 7:45am to 12:00pm each Sunday and is staffed by trained child care providers assisted by volunteers.  There is also child care during special events and holiday services.
Lower Level of Sayre Hall

Children’s Chapel
Ann Mickus, Lay Missioner for Youth and Children Formation
For children 9 and under, this Service of the Word is offered during the second Sunday Service.  It’s intent is to help young children understand Bible passages through story-telling, song, and play.  It will track the readings of the day, when possible.  It also introduces the prayer book liturgy with young children in mind.
The children begin the liturgy in the Cathedral with their families. During the opening hymn, they follow the children’s cross to the chapel of the Good Shepherd. The children rejoin their families in the main church at the time of the Peace.

Acolytes
Tom Kolepp, Acolyte Coordinator
Young people in fifth grade and up are invited to become acolytes.  Acolytes assist with the liturgy on Sundays and at special Cathedral services.  Training is required and any youth interested in this ministry should speak with the Acolyte Coordinator.

Lectors
Gail Goshert, Church Secretary
Any young parishioner who would like to read lessons during the worship on a Sunday morning is welcome to join the lectors. They must first attend a training session, offered early in the fall.  Excellent oral reading skills and regular church attendance are expected.

Youth Chamber Choir
Becky Berkenstock, Director
Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to join the Youth Chamber Choir.  This group will sing at three Worship services during the year: Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, and Pentecost Sunday.  Rehearsals will take place after the 10:30 am service for three weeks prior to the scheduled service, and will last approximately 45 minutes.

In addition to regular Sunday worship, children and youth are also invited to prepare and lead special services these include:

Christmas Pageant
Pam Bayliss, Director
All members of the Church School are invited to participate in this wonderful dramatization of the Christmas story.   Rehearsals are Sundays in December.

Youth Stations of the Cross
Barbara Iannelli and Mary Ann Lynn
Each Lent, youth in grades 1-12 are invited to prepare a dramatic presentation of the Passion Story for the 5:30 Worship Service on Good Friday.

Church School
In addition to worship opportunities, the Cathedral provides a fabulous Church School program. Our curricula are chosen to nurture the spiritual formation of children and youth. We hope that they will come to know and love God more deeply, to understand what it means to be a Christian, to gain a working knowledge of the bible and bible stories, and to be immersed in the Episcopal teachings and traditions.

Children in grades 1-6  take part in weekly music sessions as part of the Church School curriculum.  These 15 minute weekly sessions include fun sing-a-long type songs, as well as songs from the Episcopal tradition. Grades 1-6 will sing for the parish twice a year at the Christmas Pageant and Pentecost Sunday.

Classes: Classes meet from 9:00am to 10:15am on Sundays during the school year.

Enrollment: Children may be enrolled in Church School at any time during the year by obtaining a student enrollment form from the Sunday School superintendent, by calling the Cathedral office, or by attending class.

Church School Staff

Superintendent
Mary Ann Lynn
610-866-4269
email

Church School Music Director
Becky Berkenstock

Lay Missioner for Children and Youth Formation
Ann Mickus
610-865-0727
email

Classes:

Godly Play  for 3 year olds – Grade 2
Godly Play is a program that teaches religious ideas through bible stories, parables, prayer, and worship during play. Lower Level Sayre Hall

3 year olds – Kindergarten
Tracy Eisenreich, Kimberly Spotts-Kimmel, and Tammy Gordon

Grades 1- 2 Godly Play
Barbara Iannelli and Bonnie Kuronya

All Things New for Grades 3-6
All Things New is a program that encourages children to explore the Episcopal faith through contemporary activities, music, and art. Lower Level Sayre Hall

Grades 3-4
Pam Bayliss and Dana Whedon

Grade 5-6
George Samuelson and Mary Thomas

Journey to Adulthood    for Grades 6-12
The Journey to Adulthood is a 6-year Christian formation program for young people. It is divided into three 2-year phases, Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood (J2A) and Young Adults in the Church (YAC).

Rite 13    Grades 7-8
Ed Boksan and Judy Doell
In Rite 13, youth explore their identity within the context of the Christian faith. It is based on the premise that manhood and womanhood are gifts from God, but adulthood must be earned. It includes a liturgical celebration of the young people when they turn 13 years old.  Room 21, Upper Level Sayre Hall

J2A    Grades 9-10
Tori Aitchison and Ron Heneghan
In J2A, the youth continue their spiritual development utilizing lectionary based bible study and discussion. They are invited to participate in the confirmation program during their time in this class. They also prepare to go on a pilgrimage the final summer of the class.  Room 22, Upper Level Sayre Hall

YAC    Grades 11-12
Tom Brandt, Beth Vorosmarti, and Bob Lynn
As they complete their youth formation program, these young adults are ready to take their place in the life of their church community as Young Adults in the Church (YAC).  They meet regularly on Sunday morning as well as participate in the larger life of the Cathedral community. Bishop Gray Room, Lower Level of the Cathedral

Confirmation Program
Laura Drum, Jenifer Gamber, and Bob Lynn
Confirmation is the sacrament that recognizes a person’s adult commitment to the Christian faith. Our teen confirmation program includes regular Sunday worship, commitment to the J2A program and participation in Confirmation classes.  Confirmation for teens will be offered next in the 2010/11 academic year.

Nativity Youth Camp
Ray Arcario, Director, and Chip Montgomery, Assistant Director
Each summer, Nativity offers a week of residential camp for young people who have completed second grade through high school.  Staffed by dedicated Cathedral volunteers and clergy, Nativity Youth Camp offers a unique opportunity for youth to engage in music, games, Bible study, worship and fun in a spiritual environment.  Camp usually takes place late in June at a nearby camp and conference facility.

Vacation Bible School
Southside Ministries KIDS
Each summer, Southside Ministries sponsors an ecumenical Bible school held at the Cathedral.  Meeting twice a week for the month of July, children from pre-K through grade six are immersed in a wonderful program of Bible study, arts and crafts, and music.

Children & Youth Important Dates for  2009-2010

Sunday, September 13    Church School Registration, Blessing of the Backpacks, and Burger Bash.
Sunday, October 4        Choral Evensong for St. Francis – Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 11        CROP Walk Bethlehem
Sunday, November 1        Cathedral Halloween Family Party
Sunday, November 29        Lessons, Carols, and Wreathmaking
Saturday, December 12        Movies in the Cathedral
Saturday, December 19     Christmas Pageant  & Church School Choir
Sunday, December 20        St. Nicholas Breakfast, 9:00 am, No Church School
Thursday, December 24             Christmas Eve, Youth Chamber Choir
Sunday, December 27        No Church School
Thursday, December 31        J2A Fundraiser – First Night
Sunday, January 3        Church School Resumes
Sunday, January 10        Epiphany Brunch and Program after 2nd service
Monday, January 18        Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Youth Service project
Sunday, January 24        Week of Christian Unity
Sunday, February 7        Rite 13 Moving Up Ceremony at 2nd service
Sunday, February 14        Nativity Youth Camp Spaghetti Dinner
Tuesday, February 16        Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Burning of the Palms
Wednesday, February 24    5:45 pm Lenten Program (includes Youth) Begins
Sunday, February 28        Share Care Bowlathon
Wednesday, March 3        5:45 pm Lenten Program (includes Youth)
Wednesday, March 10        5:45 pm Lenten Program (includes Youth)
Wednesday, March 17        5:45 pm Lenten Program (includes Youth)
Wednesday, March 24        5:45 pm Lenten Program (includes Youth)
Friday, April 2            Youth Stations of the Cross
Sunday, April 4            No Church School – Easter , Youth Chamber Choir
Sunday, April 11        Flowering of the Cross
Saturday, May 15        Nativity Youth Camp Car Wash
Sunday, May 23        Pentecost, Youth Chamber Choir and Sunday School Choir
Last Day of Church School
Saturday, June 19 – 26        Nativity Youth Camp
Sunday, June 27        Camp Sunday