Saint Matthias Episcopal ChurchYouth Education & Programs
What one will find during the 9 a.m. education hour here at St. Matthias is a spirit of joyful learning. It is a time when children are actively engaged with the lesson materials, with music, the visual arts, and with each other, as they explore God’s word. We have many capable volunteers who have kindly undertaken the roles of teachers, center leaders, and shepherds. Their fine work with the children makes our program something special.
We use a lectionary-based curriculum with the goal of getting everyone “onto the same page.” This adds a level of cohesion to the program and fosters opportunities for intergenerational discussions of the day’s lessons. We use the Living the Good News curriculum as a jumping off point and then adapt it to our own needs. The focus is always on the gospel lesson which helps the children get to know Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our faith.
What follows is a description of the education and formation program for the three youngest age groupings:
The Nursery: ages six weeks through 3 years.
St. Matthias offers a clean, inviting, and well-staffed nursery to meet the needs of our youngest members and visitors. The nursery is staffed by three capable young women on rotation, two of whom are present at all times. Our nursery is a large space with areas for fine motor activity as well as large motor activity. We have a variety of toys that are suitable to the varying ages and developmental levels of the little ones who are in our care.
Preschool and Kindergarten:
The Good News Gang – generally ages 4 through 6.
We have created a program that uses a multi-sensory approach appealing to a variety of learning styles. Thus, our curriculum incorporates movement, music, art and drama, with the goal of making the gospel lesson come alive for each of the children. (The quality, hands-on, materials from the Worship Center are sometimes incorporated into these lessons, as well).
The Good News Gang has a terrific group of team teachers that teach on rotation, many of whom have taught this age group for several years. This provides continuity which keeps the children comfortable and secure, knowing that they are in a safe environment with people who care about them.
Church School – teaching the Saints, the Sacraments, Service, and Scripture: Elementary, Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6.
Our program follows the Workshop Rotation Model of education (though ours is a more simplified version in that we have pared it down to three “workshops”). Each Sunday, the children rotate through three different learning centers. Everyone (including the Good News Gang) begins the hour in the Undercroft, singing praises to God (this is singing with a twist in that we are often jumping up and down while we are singing!). Afterward, the elementary children hear the gospel lesson and respond to a short talk given by the Director of Christian Education and Formation. They then break into two groups (by age) and go to either the “Art Center” or the “Action Room” to further explore the gospel lesson.
Jr. and Sr. High School Church School:
Sunday morning discussion group on the appointed lessons applied to daily life, guided by the Living the Good News curriculum.
Please join us as we continue to grow in the knowledge and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
High School Youth Group:
Youth coming to know and love Jesus in our everyday lives, in our church, and in our world.
High School Youth Group Covenant: We support a common commitment to growing the intellectual, spiritual social, and physical dimensions of the whole person in the Body of Christ.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2:52
Exploring the concerns, issues and challenges involved with our Christian faith journey.
The keystone of our youth program at St. Matthias is a youth group that meets twice a month on Sunday afternoons. The Sr. High teens from St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Waukesha, and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Pewaukee, get together to eat, sing, share, learn and have fun while growing in their commitment to Christ.
Christian formation opportunities round out our offerings for middle school and Sr. High teens. During the school year, a class is held at 9 a.m. to offer an opportunity for Bible study and faith discussions about how we as Christians deal with the challenges life brings us.
If you have a teen or know a teen who has not yet plugged into this community of faith, please encourage them to do so. You (and they) won’t regret it! The risk is low, and the rewards are eternal!
Confirmation classes are a regular part of our high school youth Christian Education program.
