Church School

 

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAYS

One Session

  • Lessons begin at 8:45 a.m.
  • Designated grades attend Divine Liturgy, beginning at 8:45 a.m.

 

Vision & Mission

Our vision for every child is a personal love of Jesus Christ and an understanding of his mission to the world. Religious Education at St. Nicholas Church is a formation program for children. It is dedicated to inspiring an intimate knowledge of God and a witness of Christian love. It desires to build an understanding of the basic beliefs of the Greek Orthodox Church, which is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ, and encourages our children to carry those beliefs into the world and apply them in their personal lives.

The mission of our Sunday Church School is

  • to help our children experience the presence of God in their lives
  • to learn who Jesus Christ is, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit
  • to follow the ways of Jesus Christ, as witnessed by the Holy Apostles and lived by the Holy Fathers and the continuing Tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church
  • to creatively engage our children in the learning process
  • to give our children hope in their Salvation.

 

All children age three and older (through High School twelfth grade) are invited to attend Sunday Church School. The basic curriculum and supplemental programs are listed and described below.

 

Of all holy works, the education of children is the most holy.
-St. Theophan the Recluse

 

Church School Curriculum

Toddler  THE WONDER OF IT ALL
Focus on everyday life.

Pre-K  THE ROAD TO JESUS AND NEAR THE LORD

Kindergarten  WHAT WE SEE AND DO IN CHURCH

1st Grade  GOD LOVES US
God’s love and care for all people, especially the child; giving and sharing forgiveness and celebration.

2nd Grade  COMING CLOSER TO GOD
Presents the Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation, and Communion, also introducing students to Sacrament of Confession.

3rd Grade  WE WORSHIP IN CHURCH
Features the first complete introduction to the Divine Liturgy.

4th Grade  JESUS, THE PROMISE OF GOD
The study and teaching of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

5th Grade  OUR LIFE IN THE CHURCH
The description and meaning and practice of the Sacraments.

6th Grade  IN THE BEGINNING
The Old Testament of the Bible is explained. Why the Old Testament? The Law; History, and the Prophets.

7th Grade  THE YOUNG CHURCH
The early years of the Church from Pentecost to the early Fathers.

8th Grade  TEENAGE TEN COMMANDMENTS
A brief review of the Old Testament, which transitions to devoting a chapter to each of the Ten Commandments.

9th Grade  BIBLE STUDY AND DISCUSSION
The life of Christ and contemporary issues.

10th-12th Grades  THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS OF MATTHEW, MARK, AND LUKE

Catechetical Students and Their Conduct

  1. All students receive the Daily Bible Guide to help encourage the reading of Holy Scripture.
  2. Parents can help their children prepare for Holy Communion through
    • prayer
    • fasting
    • Confession this is required for all children ages 7 (2nd Grade) and up
  3. Excepting illness, attendance every Sunday is very important to the children’s growing faith.
  4. All grades attend the Divine Liturgy on a rotational basis.
  5. Children will be taught with the help of parents and teachers to live according to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
  6. Students of our upper classes are strongly encouraged to participate in the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas food and gift drives for needy families.
  7. Children in 9th grade will be asked to participate in the annual Christmas Pageant.
  8. Students are expected to participate in the making of crosses for Palm Sunday, and to participate in the procession of Palms on the day of the feast.
  9. Students are encouraged to learn the importance of stewardship to their church. Each student should present their offering every Sunday. The church school supports the Missions program of our Church throughout the world.
  10. Sunday dress should be modest to reflect appropriate respect and dignity.

Altar Servers

  1. With the permission of parents, boys from 6th grade and up, who desire to serve in the Holy Altar, are welcome.
  2. Young men not scheduled to serve as altar boys on a given Sunday are to attend the Divine Liturgy and church school.
  3. Altar Server programs and other retreats and meetings will be held throughout the year.
  4. Punctuality is very important when serving in the Divine Liturgy.
  5. Cleanliness, impeccable conduct, and respect are required when serving in the Holy of Holies.
  6. A strong prayer life, and a life according to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are expected and encouraged.
  7. Sunday dress should be modest to reflect appropriate respect and dignity.

Awards

At the conclusion of the Church School year, students will receive certificates and Perfect Attendance pins for attending Church School. Perfect Attendance is awarded to students who had only one excused absence. If a student attends another parish, a letter signed by that parish priest must be submitted indicating this.

Notes to Parents

  • Saint John Chrysostom observed that it is parents who are primarily responsible for handing on the Faith to their children. Participation in liturgical worship, in the feasts and fasts, and in the sacraments is crucial to the molding of Christian minds and souls. The lessons learned through chanting the Church’s hymnography and celebrating its rites simply cannot be imparted in a classroom setting.
  • When parents treat their home as a little church, it becomes a holy place and an environment of faith, love, prayer, and fasting. It is a place where parents, by their own good and godly example, teach their children the Orthodox Christian Faith and Holy Traditions, as well as Christian values based on the Holy Scriptures and Canons of the Church.
  • Sunday is the Lord’s Day (Κυριακή). By His sacrifice and commandment, it is a Holy Day, a day of worship—a family worship day. If we are spiritually prepared through fasting, prayer, and the sacrament of Confession, it is a time to receive Holy Communion with the fear of God, with faith, and love.
  • It is helpful for Orthodox parents to be punctual to both worship and Church School.
  • It is important for parents to respect and appreciate volunteer teachers, and to be cooperative and supportive of the Religious Education program.
  • Parents with questions or concerns may contact the parish Priest or Sunday Church School Supervisors.
  • Parents are encouraged to take an interest in the lessons their children are being taught, and to discuss what they are learning in Church School.