Christian Formation | Children & Youth

Children & Youth Formation

St. Paul's gives Christian Formation to children from ages 3 through 12th grade. Each group level allows our children to learn, share, and investigate their individual growth within a safe environment of peers and caring guidance. If you have questions about Children's Christian Formation at St. Paul's please contact: Fr. Nathan Humphrey at 202-337-2020 ext. 11 (Humphrey@StPauls-KSt.com).

For infants and toddlers we staff a nursery where you may leave your child during any Sunday morning Mass or Christian Formation class, or Prayer Book Holy Day Mass.

From age 3 through grade 6, we give a Catechism of the Faith in three different groups. Each group is given an age-appropriate Catechism in a hands-on presentation to allow for a reinforced learning environment. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori approach to spiritual development and growth for young people. These groups are:

CGS I	3* - 5 years (*must be potty trained)
CGS II	Children in grades 1 to 3
CGS III	Children in grades 4 to 5
Middlers	Children in grades 6 to 8 work from a lectionary based curriculum to connect the class with the scriptural focus in our Sunday worship.
Seniors	Children in grades 9 to 12 (Ponticus Group, our Youth Christian Formation group) use a program derived from the Episcopal Children's Curriculum that builds community through Biblically based lessons reinforced through hands-on activities.

In the event of inclement weather: Weekday Christian Formation events for adults and children will be cancelled when Washington, D.C. Public Schools are closed or cancel evening events. Additional details: Cancellation Policy

Welcome to a new school year and another year of our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). We will meet on Sundays in the lower level of Pillsbury House, immediately after the 9:00 Mass. The children will have a snack together before going to their age-appropriate groups.

Important CGS Dates

September 9, 2007	Registration
September 16, 2007	CGS classes start
October 7, 2007	No CGS classes — combined Masses at 10:00 am
November 25, 2007	No CGS classes — the Sunday after Thanksgiving
December 23 & 30, 2007	No CGS classes — Christmas & New Year
March 16 & 23, 2008	No CGS classes — Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday
May 11, 2008	Pentecost Sunday, and last day of classes

Ponticus is the high school Christian Formation Group. It's goal is to build community through shared experiences learning, working and having fun together. It is also the normal preparation for confirmation in this parish. Past classes have focused upon a catechism-based overview of Christian faith and church history, as well as looking at contemporary issues from a Christian perspective. We've also put on a parish brunch and a ski trip to WhiteTail.

Important Ponticus Dates

September 9, 2007	Registration
September 16, 2007	Ponticus starts
October 7, 2007	No Ponticus — combined Masses at 10:00 am
November 25, 2007	No Ponticus — the Sunday after Thanksgiving
November 30 to December 1, 2007	Cathedral Lock-in
December 23 & 30, 2007	No Pontiucs — Christmas & New Year
March 16 & 23, 2008	No Ponticus — Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday
May 11, 2008	Pentecost Sunday, and last day of Ponticus (tentative)