Education
SUNDAY SCHOOL
September through June
GODLY PLAY
Godly Play is spiritual play. Young children learn about their world through their play. They pretend to be super heroes and princesses, animals, and astronauts. Through play, children explore experiences that help them grow and develop socially, physically, and spiritually. Godly Play is a Montessori-style curriculum based on great stories from the Old and New Testaments. Preschool through kindergarteners meet in the Godly Play room which is across from the Assistant’s office. Children can remain in the Godly Play room for the Bible Explorers on the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month that is concurrent with the fist part of the 10:15 a.m. service. Begins 9:15 a.m.
BIBLE EXPLORERS
This program is for our younger parishioners up through first grade, for whom sitting in church during the entire service is difficult. The children meet in the Godly Play room during the first part of the 10:15 service on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month.* We sing, play movement games, have a snack, and listen to Bible stories until the exchange of Peace in the church, when the children come in to sit with their families. Begins 10:15 a.m.
LIVING THE GOOD NEWS
A three-year program for 1st-5th Graders that follows the Revised Common Lectionary, LIVING THE GOOD NEWS offers a rich mix of age-appropriate activities centered on the Scripture and Episcopal “basics.” Simple, easy-to-use components with contemporary graphics are both teacher- and child-friendly. There are weekly children’s pages that give an overview of the lesson, as well as questions children can ask their families at home to help extend their understanding of our faith. This curriculum follows the Sunday lessons as read in church. We alternate curriculums to keep the program fresh for our children and teachers. Begins 9:15 a.m.
TEEN JOURNEY
To quote Martin Luther: “The Bible is alive; it speaks to me. It has feet; it runs after me. It has hands; it lays hold of me!” The Bible is as relevant in our world as it was in Jesus’ time on earth. In class, 6th-9th Graders are encouraged to think and express their thoughts about what they read in the Bible, see in the world around them, and know or question in their own hearts. Sunday morning class time is broadened to include a variety of teen actiities, from service to fun. Begins 9:15 a.m.
The Rite 13 Liturgy is celebrated twice a year as the children themselves turn 13. At the end of the four-year Teen Program Cycle, the upperclass students head off on a pilgramage/mission trip. The date for this trip is set with parents in the Fall of the year of the trip. All teens in this class prepare for Confirmation, which is celebrated at the Cathedral in Newark at the end of their freshman or sophomore year of HS.
*We have combined the Rite 13 and J2A groups until class sizes for each group are large enough for dynamic conversation. We use the teen Living the Good News and the Episcopal Diocese of Albany’s Confirmation programs as the backbone for the class.
For questions about youth or children’s activities, please
contact Rev. Audrey at the church, (973) 744-0270.
SUNDAY NURSERY CARE
Infants through Preschool
Provided by experienced caregivers during 8:15 and 10:15 services, as well as 9:15 Adult Education.
DURING THE WEEK
Youth in 4th – 6th grades
FISHER KIDS – Fun, games, friendship and opportunities to help. Meets at church during the school year on the second Monday of each month, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
ADULT EDUCATION
Adult Education at St. James' focuses on topics that include Scripture, spirituality, the Anglican tradition, and the ethical and moral dimensions of our lives as 21st-century Christians. A regular Sunday morning class is held at 9:15 between worship services, supplemented by weekday sessions. During the week (usually on Wednesday mornings and evenings) more extensive studies of scripture and spirituality are scheduled, typically running for four to eight weeks. In addition, a spiritual book discussion group meets regularly. St. James' hosts workshops led by distinguished guest speakers from time to time, and regularly engages parishioners in off-site retreats. For information on Adult Education, contact Rev. John Perris at the church, (973) 744-0270, or Mrs. Melissa Kneuer at (973) 746-4713.
