Church School
Saint Pauls offers comprehensive programming in Christian Education for children from preschool through high school, including 2 years of Confirmation during grades 8 and 9. Nine age-specific classes, each led by a minimum of two volunteer teachers, are held weekly from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM from September - December and February - May. In January, all church school children ages 4 and up participate in the annual Bible Story Theatre workshops and production.
St. Pauls strives for experiential learning in all class levels. Teachers incorporate music and drama, painting and puppetry into the church school programming. In addition to Bible Story Theatre, annual presentations include a Christmas Pageant by the 1st/ 2nd graders, a spring Puppet Show by the 3rd/4th graders, and an Elijah program by the 5th/6th graders. All teachers meet together twice a year to review calendar and curriculum, discuss special issues, and share ideas.
Curriculum
Pre-School through 5th/6th Grade Classes: SPARK
SPARK is a new Bible centered curriculum in a two-year cycle. Focusing on key Old Testament stoes in the fall quarter and New Testament stories in the winter & spring quarters, SPARK offers age-specific explorations of each week's Bible story and encourages a variety of learning experiences. Kids receive a weekly flyer and families are emailed a Family Page to encourage conversation, prayer, and activities relating to the story. The SPARK Story Bible used by the lower grades includes engaging text and delightful artwork. The NRSV SPARK Bible for the older classes is filled with helpful footnotes and highlighted verses as well as thought-provoking comments and questions for discussion. There is plenty of margin space to encourage kids to write in their Bibles or to use stickers to mark special passages. For more information on the curriculum, please visit: www.activatefaith.org
7th Grade Class: Chosen, The Story of God and God's People
The seventh grade class is continuing with this curriculum for its second year. The goal isto give these young people an overview of the Bible in preparation for their two years of Confirmation. The focus in the fall will be on key texts that illustrate the major themes in the Hebrew Bible and in the spring the focus will be on the New Testament. Under the direction of teacher Larry Howell and his program Scripsomime, the class will enact select pieces of Scripture using song and pantomime to share with the younger classes. In the spring, Howell will be leading a Lenten unit based on the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
8th and 9th Grade Classes: Confirmation
Eighth graders embark on a two-year intensive program culminating in being accepted into membership at the end of their ninth grade year. Confirmation I begins with a study of world religions and includes the history of Christianity, the growth of Protestantism, and the structure of the worship service. Confirmation II focuses on the history of the United Church of Christ, the history of Saint Pauls, the current ministries of Saint Pauls, and the challenges of living the faith in daily life. Texts include Affirming Faith, based on the UCC Statement of Faith; How Do You Spell God?: Answers to the Big Questions From Around the World by Rabbi Marc Gellman & Monsignor Thomas Hartman; and Balaam's Unofficial Handbook of the United Church of Christ.
10th-12th Grade Class: High School Forum
For youth in 10th-12th grades, this forum provides time for discussion and reflection on a variety of issues of concern to the class and their facilitators. In the spring, the class plans, prepares, and presents Worship for the 11:00 AM Service.
2011 Youth Sunday Date:TBA
Curriculum Components
Service Component . . . we serve together
Each church school class is responsible for promoting and/or coordinating one or more service project during the year. It may be an effort for the class itself or designed to include the entire church. Please click on: {Volunteer Opportunities for Youth}
Bible Story Theatre . . . we play together
Each January, as has been the custom for the past 30 odd years, Church School Classes are disbanded and children and youth (aged 4 on up) participate in the development of a dramatized story from the Bible. Working with theatre professionals under the direction of Sharon Phillips, the children along with teachers and other church members begin each workshop with physical & vocal warmups and theatre games. Songs are learned, dances are choreographed, and roles are rehearsed while costumes and props are being prepared. Presented during the Sanctuary Service on the last Sunday of the month, the production uniquely blends the elements of story theatre with musical numbers to bring the story to life. BST Date for 2011: TBA
Field Trips . . . we explore together
St. Pauls encourages opportunities to "be the church" outside the church walls. 5th/6th graders annually root for the Chicago Marathon. 7th graders earn chances to hold class at a coffee shop. Confirmation I kids experience other religions in their houses of worship. High School Class annually attends a Sunday Worship at Trinity UCC.
Church School Convocations . . . we celebrate together
To remind us that we are a church together, the entire church school comes together 3 times a year for celebrations in the sanctuary to mark the beginning and ending of the church school year as well as All Saints Sunday. There is also a special gathering for Teacher Recognition Sunday during Lent. In order to develop worship leadership skills, the Confirmation Classes and the 7th Grade Class are each responsible for developing and presenting one of these gatherings.
Youth Chapels . . . we sing & pray together
Kids Chapel
1st-4th graders meet in the Oscar Mayer Room most Sundays from 9:30-9:45AM. While building a repertoire of good old Sunday School songs, this mini-chapel is designed to develop an understanding of the elements of worship. Children take turns leading the call to worship, reading scripture, and taking the offering.
Kids Chapel Leader: Nancy Bingaman.
Kinderchapel
Pre-schoolers join the JK/Kindergartners in the Yellow Room to sing together and share community prayers and to present class offerings. The Kinderchapel Singers appear in 11:00 Worship twice a year -- in Advent and on Mother's Day.
Kinderchapel Leader: Nancy Voigts.
Special Events
Teacher Recognition Pancake Breakfast
To recognize and honor their church school teachers, classes take on specific responsibilities for greeting, serving, cooking and cleaning up at the annual Pancake Breakfast. This event is open to the whole church. Date in 2011: TBA
Related Activities
For a current list of upcoming events, please refer to the Youth Calendar
Additional youth involvement activities are described in the main menu under Worship, Serve, and Connect. Parent related activities are found here.
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