Grace Episcopal Church
Where Everyone is Welcome.
150 Chapel St, Norwood, MA 02062
781-762-0959
Christian Education
Sunday School
Children at Grace
At Grace Church, children are very important. We believe they are not the future of our church, they are the present of our church - current members of our parish who deserve respect, spiritual nourishment, and nurturing of their special gifts for ministry.
Our Sunday school curriculum for children ages 3 through 5th grade is Godly Play. Sixth graders through Senior High are part of the youth group. Those under 3 are welcome in our nursery during the 10:00 am service. There is also a “children’s corner” with toys, books and a rocking chair in the church for parents who prefer to worship with their babies and toddlers.
Godly Play is a way of teaching children that aims to make religion come alive for children, assist their spiritual development, and help Christianity become part of their daily life.
In the classroom, teachers will tell stories from the Bible and about the sacraments using storytelling sets made out of wood, felt, and other materials to invite listeners into the stories and to connect the stories to their personal experience. Then, they help the children move to wider dimensions of faith with the use of open "wondering" questions. Children are allowed to decide for themselves on a way of responding to the story, which may be learning to re-tell the story by using games, books, maps or puzzles or by doing some artwork. The time and space of the classroom is organized so that it models the Christian community we seek to be. The classroom can then become a peaceful place in which the mystery of God can be experienced.
Once a month our Sunday school worships in the Children’s Chapel. Father John conducts a service specially geared for the children. It helps them understand the structure of the service and they participate in all ways as do adults at the upstairs service – including ushers, acolytes and layreaders!
We invite you to visit our Sunday school to learn more about it!
Youth Group
Teens
Grace Episcopal Youth enjoy Sunday morning time together in class or Youth Chapel and plan fun social activities that occur throughout the year. Teens from grade 6 - 12 are invited to attend and friends are always welcome! Class meets on one Sunday morning a month at 10:00 a.m. throughout the school year in the Fowler Room on the first floor of the church. Youth Chapel is held once a month from September to January at 10:00 a.m. downstairs in one of the classrooms.
The curriculum for this year draws Christian lessons from episcopaldigitalnetwork.com and uses the same readings used in church that week.
The youth are also involved in the community and have supported charitable activities for the Souper Bowl of Caring, the Norwood Food Pantry, Boston's Common Cathedral and other ministries. They assist with outreach activities of the church (fair and Christmas tree sales) and experience Christian compassion through service to neighbor.
And don't forget the fun! Early in the school year, the youth and parents brainstorm and plan activities that occur throughout the year. Activities in the past have included overnights and camping, holiday parties, pool parties, games, fun and fellowship. Meetings and activities are also an opportunity for the youth just to talk with one another and Father John about their concerns. Please stop by on Sunday, or contact the church office if you would like to get in touch with the youth leadership to learn more.
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation, through Christ our Lord, Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Prayer for Young Persons)
Adult Christian Education
EFM- Education for Ministry
Participants in the EfM program study the Old and New Testament, history of the Church and theological concepts. Click here to learn more about the Grace Church program.
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An EFM group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year.
Through study, prayer and reflection, EfM participants gain a new understanding of what Christianity means to them, discover their personal ministry and call to service. A new class starts every September, and we welcome any interested individual from surrounding churches. Contact Fr. John for more information. Click here for additional insight into EfM.
Young at Heart
Our "young at heart" group meets the third Wednesday of each month. The object - to have a little Christian fellowship and discussion over lunch. This lively group is geared toward the Grace Church over-60-set.
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Lenten Series
Each Lent we engage in a special time of prayer and Bible study. The topics vary from year to year. In 2018 we kicked off Lent with a half day retreat on various prayer methods led by Bishop Gordon Scruton. For more information, check out our Lenten Study pages.
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