Welcome to the Church School at St. Francis!

 

Our church school program uses the "Workshop Rotation Model" to teach children about the love of God through kid-friendly workshops incorporating art, drama, music, games, puppetry, storytelling, cooking and mission/outreach projects. Our lessons are lectionary- based, using Bible stories from the Revised Common Lectionary read during worship services each week.


The program is available on Sunday mornings for children who are in preschool (age 3 by September 1st) through grade 5. Classes begin at 9:45. At 10:45, children return to the service to participate in the Eucharist. Susan Bastardo, a member of the staff at St. Francis, is the Church School Coordinator. Members of our community volunteer to teach or assist in classrooms.  If you would like to volunteer please fill out a Volunteers form, or speak to Susan Bastardo.


Nursery care is available for younger children during the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday mornings.

To register for Church School please complete a Registration form , or fill out one of the forms available at the Church office. You can also reach Susan Bastardo, Church School Coordinator, at (508) 829-3344 x229.

 


Family Connections - Unit 5: January 8 - 29

God used John to announce the beginning of Jesus' ministry with the baptism of our Lord in the Jordan River.  On the first week of this rotation, we will learn about Jesus' baptism and we will prepare some special "wilderness" snacks (like chocolate covered locusts) to commemorate the occasion.  On week two, the lessons for our younger children (PS-1st grade) will focus on their own baptisms and the meaning of some of the objects and customs seen during the celebrations of this sacrament.

For the remainder of the month, we will have fun learning about the reluctant prophet Jonah who ended up in the belly of a whale.  Jonah was the only prophet to carry a message from God directly to Gentilese (Those not of the Israelite nation).  Jonah was not too keen on the idea of going to Ninevah in Assyria (a nation known for its brutality towards Israel), so he ran the other way and ended up getting thrown overboard.  After being swallowed up and then vomited out of a fish's stomach, Jonah did as he had been told.  When the people of Ninevah repented upon hearing his prophecy, he was angry!  Was he worrying about himself and his reputation as a prophet who foretold the city's downfall, but was thwarted by the inhabitants' repentance?  Did this non-fulfillment of his prediction depress him?  Was he worrying about a world where crime and sin go unpunished?  Was he jealous of the easy life and reward the Ninevites received after all the difficulty he had experienced?  Whatever it was, Jonah had to learn (along with us) that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for all.

Baptism

  • Key verse: “And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased'." Mark 1:11
  • Biblical text: Mark 1:4-11, Matthew 3:1-17
  • Learning objectives
    • To celebrate the baptism of Jesus
    • Learn the names of some of the things seen at a Baptism
    • Understand that God's Holy Spirit is always present at Baptisms although we can't see it
    • Hear God's promises made at each child's baptism
    • Understand that in baptism we die to sin (like being "buried" under the waters of baptism) and are raised to a new life with God

Jonah

  • Key verse: “When I was in trouble, I called out to you.  And you answered me." Jonah 2:2
  • Biblical text: Book of Jonah
  • Learning objectives:
    • God loves all the people of the world - and asks us to share His message of love and forgiveness with all people
    • We can reach out to God in prayer whenever we are worried or sad

 

Background information resources:

  • Desoto Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX.  Background for lesson set posted at rotation.org: "John the Baptist: Preparing the Way."
  • "The Storyteller's Companion to the Bible  Volune 7  The Prophets II: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jonah, Malachi, Baruch"  Michael E. Williams

 

 

Sample Lessons

The following are provided in PDF format, which requires the free software Adobe Acrobat Reader.

» Transfiguration: Drama/Art
» The Rich Man (Fool): Treasure Chests
» Object Lesson: The Builder (Music - Choose Wise)
» Born Again: Puppets, Question books
» Go Where I Send Thee (song), click here to listen to Roger McQuinn sing