Sunday School

The programming for our children and youth is a vital and lively ministry at CCSM!

We consider our youngest parishioners to be full and valuable members of our church and we strive to offer opportunities for children of all ages to take part in classes and services.

Our Children’s Corner in St. Mark’s Chapel is a safe and child-friendly area for those not yet ready to join a class away from their parents. There is space to move around, art supplies and toys as well as crafts and story pieces from our Godly Play curriculum; parents can stay with their children while still participating in the prayers and the congregation loves to hear the young ones’ excited voices pipe up during the service!

As the children grow more comfortable with a classroom environment, they are welcome to join  more structured lessons. Our Sunday School is held during the 10am service for the first three Sundays of each month during the academic year. Currently, the children meet in the front pew of the church and then after the initial hymn, move with their team of teachers to the library to take part in a Godly Play story. Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum that invites children to explore their faith through interactive storytelling, “wondering” and response time through arts and crafts. It is a unique way for children to enter into and experience the Bible stories. At the end of class, the children rejoin the congregation to take part in the Eucharist, either with their classmates or with their parents.

The fourth Sunday of each month is a very special day! Our Children’s Service invites our children and youth an opportunity to participate in all aspects of the service such as reading the lessons, taking the collection, leading the music and carrying the cross. They are invited to sit on the altar steps to take part in an interactive sermon written especially for them by our rector and to observe the preparation of the Eucharist in the Chancel.

For any children not comfortable with these arrangements, families are always welcome to sit together in the pew of their choice. There are coloring supplies available in the narthex if so desired.

The whole parish at Christ Church San Marcos endeavors to cherish and support our children in their spiritual and daily lives. We send our children back to school in September with a special Blessing of the Backpacks and end our Sunday School year in June with a picnic and awards ceremony. Other highlights of the year include our Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Pageant  – children of ALL ages welcome to join in (tinsel halos provided for all!).

For more information, please call the Church Office at : 914 631 2074.

Some photos from our Sunday School in action!