The Chapel of the Cross parish partners with families to nurture children into faith. At infant baptism, parents and members of the faith family affirm their commitment to guide and support the child along the faith journey.words, music, stories, worship, educational activities, faithful acts of service and witness, we learn and experience the meaning and reality of living into the Christian faith. Seeking to weave the child into the fabric of the parish, we carry out this commitment in a variety of ways:

Thanksgiving Service for a Child

Scheduled with a priest as soon as is convenient after the birth of or adoption of a child, this service is done privately or at a Sunday service.

Sessions on the Covenant of Infant Baptism

Sessions are scheduled during the calendar year for parents of young children to join in a discussion about what it means to rear children in the Christian faith and to prepare for the service of baptism.

Covenant of Baptism

Baptisms for children are offered the Sunday after All Saints, November 6, the Sunday after Epiphany, January 8, and Pentecost on June 4; other dates are scheduled with the clergy.

Guild of the Christ Child

Services and resources are offered to families with newborns including meal preparation, visitations, Parent & Kids Play Group, printed booklets and pamphlets. Contact person is Kesslyn Tench.

Education Classes on Parenting Topics

Throughout the year, sessions are offered during the Church School time on topics of particular interest to parents. Refer to Sunday announcements and Crossroads for dates and topics. This year's program will include sessions on creating space in busy schedules to stay connect to God, developing stewardship practices in the family, what is the Church School teaching and what do I need to teach, storytelling, and issues relevant to the marriage relationship -- division of labor in the home, issues within homes of 2 working outside the home parents, keeping the spice in the marriage when the shaker's empty. Suggestions for topics of interest are welcomed. This group is discussion oriented and offers a space for peer support.

Sunday Childcare

Every Sunday throughout the year, childcare is provided for infants and children up through Kindergarten age. During the school year there is staffing from 8:30 -- 12:30. During the summer schedule, care is provided only for the 10:00 service. Joy Gattis supervises a team of caring, trained persons and is supported by parent volunteers.

Church School

Church School runs from late summer through mid-May for 2 year olds through 12^th graders. This year's dates are August 28, 2005 -- May 21, 2006 Classes meet from 10:20 -- 11:05. Class divisions are determined at the beginning of each year. Listed below are the curriculums being used. All curriculums are endorsed by the Episcopal Church.

2 year olds Toddlers & Twos

3 year olds Living the Good News

4 year olds & 6th Grade All Things New

We are piloting this new Episcopal curriculum with 2 age groups this year. Year 1 covers 78 best-loved Bible stories and Episcopal Basics.

Kindergarten Godly Play: This curriculum was developed by Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, based upon Montessori training. The goal is to teach children the art of using the language of the Christian tradition to encounter God and find
direction for their lives.

1^st -- 5^th Grade Episcopal Children's Curriculum

9^th Grade & Up Youth Inquirers, a course to help youth make a decision whether to be confirmed

High School Topics and materials are determined in consultation with youth, teachers and the youth committee.

Children's Chapel

A Sunday morning worship experience held in the chapel that provides the first liturgical experience for children 2 years through kindergarten age and includes music, stories, prayer, and teaching familiar worship responses. Some parents choose to keep their 2 year olds in the nursery.

Youth Saint

A leadership opportunity for youth in 3^rd & higher to assist with Children's Chapel. Training will be offered on September 8 from 11:15 -- 1:00.

Worship Participation

Children and youth participate in leadership primarily at the 9:00 service serving as lay readers, greeters and ushers. For the All Saints Sunday Eucharist, children are invited to learn about a saint and either dress as that saint or create a shield reflecting the life of the saint. Children process in the 9:00 worship on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday; children carry palms and flowers respectively.

Worship Education for 1st & 2nd Graders

Children transition from Children's Chapel to corporate worship as they enter the 1st Grade. This course is offered during the 9:00 worship service once a month October-May.

Choirs

The Junior Choir consists of children in the third grade and above. They sing at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service during the academic year and on special occasions; rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m.; older girls and boys will rehearse at alternate times as announced. Children in first and second grades comprise the Cantus Choir and sing service music on Sunday mornings and rehearse on Wednesday afternoons.

Communion Preparation Workshop

The clergy offer a workshop for children and their parent(s) to deepen understanding of the Holy Eucharist. This can be done in preparation for a first communion or, for children who have been receiving communion, to enhance the child's understanding and participation. To be scheduled.

Vacation Church School

Held each summer, this one week morning program is offered for 4 year olds through children having completed the fifth grade. Youth play a vital role as teachers and teaching assistants. Dates TBA.

Children's Library Collection

Our church library has a selection of quality children's books and videos for check out.

Bible & Prayer Book Presentations

In September each year, children in the 2 year old class receive The Beginner's Bible, children in the 2nd Grade are presented The Children's Illustrated Bible during a 9:00 service and students in the Youth Inquirers' Class receive The Book of Common Prayer.

God & Me, God and Family

Each four session course is designed for elementary aged children. Offered in the spring. Frank McBride leads the group. Information will be sent to all eligible students prior to the class commencing.

Bible & Prayer Book Presentations

In the spring of each year, children in the 2nd Grade are presented with The Children's Illustrated Bible during the 9:00 worship. Children in the 2 year old class receive The Beginner's Bible. Students in the Youth Inquirers' Class are presented The Book of Common Prayer at the beginning of the year.

FOR THE FAMILY:

Family & Intergenerational Education and Outreach Programs

All ages gather together for learning several times during the year. These Sundays are usually scheduled in conjunction with a Holy Day, at the beginning of a liturgical season or for a special emphasis. This year's intergenerational programs include the 1^st Sunday of our new year, August 28; the 1^st Sunday in Advent, November 27, for creating Jesse Tree ornaments and Advent wreaths; December 18 to carol to homebound parishioners; January 1 for caroling with parish musicians accompanying; pre-Lent preparation on February 26. The Social Ministry Committee will offer an event to learn about local programs our parish supports and engage in service to their clients and residents.

Little Parishioners is a new outreach program for our youngest, ages 35, and their families. Co-coordinator, Sarah Shapard, has planned several events for hands on experience in the importance and value in sharing and serving. The first event will be October 18 at Charles House in Carrboro from 3:304:30. Families will visit with the adult daycare clients and plant pansies. Watch for detailed information in Sunday announcements and sign up for the event. For additional information or if you have questions or activity ideas, please contact Sarah Shapard at 960-5992 or by email at Rsshapard@cs.com.

Devotional & Educational Resources

During the Advent and Lenten seasons, devotional guides for use by children, youth and families are provided by the parish just prior to the season. The parish offers the bimonthly devotional, Forward Day by Day, available in the church office and at other specific locations in the building. A series of booklets Talking with your child about. (Worship, the Bible, Sexuality, Feelings, Dreams, Fantasy, Prayer, Change) and other pamphlets and articles on first communion, baptism, death, faith development and other pertinent topics are available from the educator.

Stewardship

Stewardship education is incorporated into the Church School curriculum at all levels inclusive of the stewardship of time & talents, monetary giving, and the care of the earth. Parents are encouraged to develop stewardship habits with their very youngest. Programs to assist in this effort include: pledge cards for children and youth in conjunction with the parish annual giving campaign, family outreach projects and other outreach ministry opportunities for children,collection of non perishable food items and hygiene items for the IFC and other area shelters (collection baskets are located at the entrance to the educational building), biannual collection of toys and clothing for The Thompson Child and Family Focus , Trick n Treat for Unicef on Sunday, October 30, and Advent mite box collections for Episcopal World Relief & Development programs. This year we will offer our own shoe box collection for children at the local Project Homestart program and for children at Princess Basma Clinic and Hospital for disabled children in Jerusalem. Our first stewardship project is Heifer International which will be kicked off on August 28 and completed on October 4 at the Blessing of the Animals. Our goal is to purchase an ark -- 2 of each animal -- costing $5,000. While attainable, this is a high goal.