There are many opportunities for children at Emmanuel. Below are the programs offered through Christian Education. The Music program also offers Children's Choir and hand bells.
The nursery program on Sunday morning is for infants to children four years old. The goal of the Nursery program is to provide a safe, healthy and pleasant environment for this age child. Paid professional workers staff the Nursery. All nursery workers have completed the Safe Church training as required by the diocese.
Classes are offered during the academic year – September through May - for everyone from age 3 through adult. Classes are from 9:45 to 10:45. Prior to attending the class, each student should register with the Coordinator of Religious Education. All class assignments are based on the age or current grade placement in school.
Preschool - Godly Play was developed and classroom tested for more than 20 years by Episcopal priest, author, and teacher Jerome Berryman. It is based on the Montessori approach to Early Childhood Education. In Godly Play, we tell Bible stories to children to encourage them to enter into the stories and relate them to their personal experience. For more on Godly Play...
Kindergarten - 5th Grades - The Workshop Rotation Model concentrates on the major stories of the Bible. The model's philosophy recognizes that children not only love repetition, but they need it to develop a lasting memory and understanding of content. Children will hear the same Bible story for several consecutive weeks. The multi-intelligences approach takes advantage of our student's God-given thirst for multi-modal learning. Children rotate by class into a different workshop each week for a five-week period. Workshops include Art, Cooking, Games/Science, Music/Drama and Video.
Stories for 2008 -2009 include:
The Lord's Prayer
Jesus and the Ten Lepers
The Gift of Jesus (Christmas)
Jesus in the Temple
Journey to the Cross
The Good Samaritan
This program takes place at the beginning of the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services. This is planned for children who are ages 3 through 7 years old. It gives children an understanding of liturgy and Bible stories. Chapel lasts for approximately 35-40 minutes. The leaders bring the children to the church at the Passing of the Peace to join their family. Children’s Chapel is an age-appropriate program. Hymns, songs, prayers are part of this service. It meets in the Children’s Chapel across the hall from the nursery.
VBS is a highlight of summer for many children in our community. It is held Monday – Friday from 9:00 – noon with a Family Celebration on Friday. Children from age 3 through Middle School are invited to participate. Besides being a wonderful time for the children – learning, singing, doing crafts, hearing stories, playing games – it’s also a fun experience for the adult and teen volunteers. It’s a great opportunity for our community to pull together and make something wonderful happen. VBS 2008 will be held the week of June 23. Click here for information on VBS. (As of 4/29/08, preschool classes are filled. )
©2008 Emmanuel Episcopal Church
5181 Princess Anne Road * Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 499-1271
