Sunday School

Our Sunday School program is normally offered during the worship service (September through May) for children aged 4-12.

Children take part in Godly Play, a Montessori-style program. Most weeks, teachers will present a Bible Story using dynamic objects and figures.

Our teachers do not tell the children what to think; instead, children are invited to “wonder” about the story and come up with their own answers.

The way the stories are structured and the way that wondering is welcomed allow children to have profound faith experiences while they explore and discover. The children are then invited to work with various storytelling or art materials until they return to worship for communion.

Sunday School Begins August 30th

The 2009-2010 Sunday School year begins Sunday, August 30. The curriculum – for children and adults – is formed around three central questions: “Who do say that I am?” – an understanding of God as revealed through the Bible and the person of Christ Jesus; Who are we? – our identity and heritage as LutheranChristians; and Who am I? – individual identity as a member of God’s family.

Sunday School for Children

A meeting for parents of Sunday School children will be after the service Sunday, August 30. This meeting provides an opportunity to meet the teachers, sign up to help with Sunday School programs and events, and register your children (you may also register them in advance, see below).

There are several different classes available. Inaddition to child care for the youngest children,parents can opt to enroll their children in a Pre-Reader class (approximate ages 4-6), Reader (app. ages 7-9), or Pre-Confirmation (app. ages 10-11). You may decide to register your child based on age, ability, or to keep him or her with a sibling.

The Pre-Reader class will work with traditional Godly Play stories and materials. This process invites to children to imagine themselves in the stories, as part of God’s family, and to wonder about meaning and identity.

The Reader class will open the Bible together and read the stories to each other. The class will be led in Godly Play reflections and engage in reflective work.

The Pre-Confirmation class will spend much of the service in church, but will gather downstairs during the sermon to reflect upon the readings. These children will begin to experience liturgy in its literal sense – as the work of the people of God.

You are welcome to indicate which of these classes would be most appropriate for your child. Please fill out the form at www.sothb.org/sundayschool/enroll.html to register.

Sunday School for Youth and Adults

Youth and adults are invited to engage in Bible Study at 9:00 a.m., prior to worship. This Bible Study is focused on the lectionary readings, using the daily lectionary readings to expand our understanding of the Sunday readings. Additional catechetical elements will be incorporated. Together we will explore our understanding of God, ourselves, and the church year. If you would like to wonder about and discuss the readings, or if you have never read or should reread the catechism, this is a great opportunity.

If you have questions about any of the opportunities available, please contact Christopher Larsen at christian.education@sothb.org