Children’s Ministry

 

Welcome to Children’s Ministry at St. Martin’s!

At St. Martin’s, what guides our Children’s Ministry is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program. CGS is a Christian formation program for children aged 3-12. This Montessori-based method of learning follows the liturgical year and is based on scripture and liturgy. CGS meets Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:30 during the program year (mid-September through mid-May).  

The curriculum is based on the work of Maria Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti and has been developed with respect for the religious potential of the child and an understanding of his or her spiritual needs and inherent relationship with God. It rests on more than 50 years of observation and implementation in parishes around the world. It can be found in Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Orthodox, and Methodist churches.

CGS has a strong scriptural and liturgical component designed to assist the child to come to know and love Jesus, the Good Shepherd, more deeply; and to give children a grounding to understand life in the church. CGS takes place in 3 different atria (classrooms) which are specially prepared environments containing models of liturgical items used in the church and materials used to assist the child in understanding scripture and pondering its meaning for his/her life in Christ.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is divided into three levels:

  • Atrium I: The Good Shepherd (3 years old through Kindergarten)

  • Atrium II: The True Vine (1st through 3rd graders)

  • and Atrium III: The Parousia (4th through 6th graders)

Trained catechists lead each of the three atria. The catechists have participated in more than 100 hours of training at each level to provide the essentials of faith in a manner appropriate to the child's development and religious needs. Catechesis volunteers assist in the atria, working alongside the catechist, to help prepare materials, assist the children in their work, and observe. All adults who work with children in CGS also take mandatory “Safe Church” training offered by the diocese. 

In order to participate in Atrium I, children must turn three by August 31.  Nursery childcare is provided by professional sitters for children during the Christian Formation time and during church services. 

For more information, contact Brittany Bowron, Director of Children's Formation, via this form.   

A further introduction to the spiritual education that children are offered at St. Martin's Episcopal Church through CGS can be found on the CGS-USA website, here.


Other Children’s Ministries at St. Martin’s

Little Red Wagon Sunday – The 2nd Sunday of each month is Little Red Wagon Sunday when we have an ingathering of non-perishable food items for the local nonprofit Nourish Up. The children gather the contributions and process them up the aisle during the offertory to be placed on the altar and blessed. Our contributions go to the Nourish Up location at the Galilee Ministries Center of East Charlotte. We are also collecting donations for our Split Cloak Little Free Pantry located in the courtyard of St. Martin’s.

Christmas Pageant and Good Shepherd Sunday - These two child-led services are held each year on Christmas Eve and typically in late April. The children are responsible for helping plan the liturgy and serve as worship leaders for these services.

Intergenerational Vacation Bible School – In the summer of 2022, we held a week of intergenerational activities throughout the Nave and Parish Hall. A video of the experience is available on YouTube, here. We hope to continue this new tradition in the summer of 2024.

The Sheepfold – Every Wednesday during the school year, we publish The Sheepfold, our weekly email newsletter. If you are not receiving the Sheepfold, please email Brittany Bowron to sign up.