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Our Children & Family Ministries team offers Christian Formation through faith-enriching curriculum and community-building events. Our staff works collaboratively with Good Shepherd families to nurture faith journeys from preschool through high school graduation. We welcome all families – whether long-tenured or brand-new to the parish – to join these programs.
Windsor Campus Contact: Elise Jones| Woodland Campus Contact: Sam Hensley
Formation Offerings
GODLY PLAY
Ages 2 - 5 (not yet in kindergarten)
Godly Play nurtures preschoolers’ wonder and joy in a warm, inviting, and fun atmosphere, while their families attend worship. This curriculum cultivates a setting encouraging our young children to explore Bible stories in their own, unique ways. Following their creative responses, participants share in the tradition of The Great Feast, mirroring Communion. Children are dropped off in across from the nursery in the Education building and picked up in the Godly Play room.
HERDS
K5 - 5th Grade
Herds are age-level small groups designed just for elementary kids. Utilizing 252 Kids curriculum, Herds will focus on engaging kids interests, connecting the Bible to their everyday lives, and building relationships. The curriculum is designed to provoke discovery and invite kids into a new understanding of how to grow in a relationship with Jesus. Kids will experience Christ, authentic community, and learn how to live out their faith in the world--all while having fun!
EDGE PRETEEN MINISTRY
4th - 5th Grades
Edge is the new preteen ministry of Good Shepherd Kids for 4th and 5th graders. Preteens will learn how to engage their faith in a way that helps them think critically about everyday issues unique to their age. Edge will be a space that is relationally driven, insanely fun, and faith focused. We have several opportunities for preteen involvement.
CHILDREN'S CHAPEL
Summer: Age 3 – 3rd Grade | Fall: K – 3rd Grade
At the reading of the Gospel in both 10:30a worship services, families may choose for their young children to follow appointed Youth guides to the Children’s Choir Room for a meaningful Children’s Chapel program of movement, music, and story. Children’s Chaplains then lead the participating children’s return to their family’s care at the exchange of The Peace, just before the Eucharistic Prayer begins.
COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
2nd Grade and Older
While we welcome all children receive Communion, our Communion Instruction class empowers our Second Graders (and older) to make worship a home for their faith. With at least one parent present to support their learning, children closely examine the furnishings and layout of the church; the altar and its vessels of worship; and the Altar Guild sacristy. Additionally, participants explore the Sacrament’s meaning, as well as practice the choreography for receiving the bread and wine.
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