Church School for Children
“Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with joy and care of children: Give us calm and strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” – Book of Common Prayer p. 829
The Episcopal Parish of Alton (EPA) welcomes all children, ages 4 thru 18, to visit our Church School held every Sunday morning (Sept thru May) at St. Paul’s Church. Our regular Sunday School session starts on September 11. We will begin our new 9:30 a.m. start time meeting downstairs in our classrooms as always. We will be ending around 10:20 a.m. so we can all be upstairs for worship on time.
As teachers of a lively group of eager learners from Kindergarten through High School, we use the “Living The Good News” study guide that provides a lectionary-based curriculum encouraging children and youth to put Christ at the center of their lives. They learn the Bible tells them how much they are loved by God and have been purposefully made by Him to live a life sharing His love and message of hope with others.
One way our Church School kids share that message with others is through their support of ministries like Heifer International, whose mission is to end world hunger, poverty, and to care for the Earth. Working alongside their teachers, our students actively support this ministry by holding fundraising events throughout the year and donating the proceeds to help feed thousands of starving people in a world far away. And every fall they prepare food, set-up, serve and clean-up for their Annual Harvest Feast and donate the proceeds to the Crisis Food Pantry, a local ministry right in their own backyard. Whether it’s making sandwiches or putting out cookies for the Harvest Feast, helping at coffee hour, or greeting parishioners after worship, our EPA kids can be seen “living the good news” and sharing God’s love with others.
While service to and through Christ is one way our EPA Church School kids share God’s love with others, they also perform in musical and special programs held during the year to the joy and utmost delight of all parishioners blessed to be in attendance. Handbell concerts, performed by students ranging from K through 18, are a parish favorite during the Christmas season and again at the end of each school year. And as our congregation prepares to celebrate the Holy Eucharist on the Holiest of Holy Days, there is no greater message of hope and salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection than watching our kids take part during “Flowering of the Cross” on Easter morning.
So come and visit us any Sunday morning (Sept thru May) to hear more about the Good News of God’s love and the special plan he has for you. There’s a lot to learn and we have a lot of fun along the way… get-togethers like our fall hayride and hot dog roast, family bowling nights, and pizza parties… we hope you’ll visit us soon!
And for little visitors under the age of 4, quality nursery care is provided free of charge during Church School and Sunday worship service. The nursery is also located in Heneghan Hall at St. Paul’s and can be accessed via the 3rd Street entrance. If you need any help, please feel free to ask an usher who will be more than happy to assist you.
God’s Blessings to You!
EPA Church School Director