St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Last Updated

Growth & Learning > Children's Formation

Children's Formation
Covenant Classes at St Luke's:
The Covenant Class for fourth through sixth graders meets every Sunday from September through June, following the 10:00 AM Eucharist. St. Luke's uses the Episcopal Children's Curriculum, which is biblically based and liturgically oriented.

Each year of this three year proram cycle, students focus on four units of study: The Old Testament, Jesus' life and ministry, the Sacraments, and Church History. Our purpose is to nurture faith in the hearts and minds of our students.

In the words of the ECC foundation Paper, "together we strive for greater knowledge of, and the ability to share (1) the whole story of God's revelation as we reveie it from Holy Scripture; (2) the lively and continuing tradition of the Episcopal Church's history and heritage; and (3) the practices that are morally and ethically appropriate among contemporary followers of Jesus Christ, New students are welcome to join our program at any time throughout the class year.
submitted by Ellen Sandmeyer.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me.” John 10:14

Children’s formation at St. Luke’s uses the program begun over 40 years ago in Rome. Created by a student of Maria Montessori, Gianna Gobbi, and a Hebrew scholar, Sofia Cavaletti, the program has spread to the United States in Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and other churches. It continues to develop and change as catechists throughout the world work with children and carefully, prayerfully observe the children at their work. At St. Luke’s, we believe that young children:
--Already have a relationship with God
--Need space and quiet time to let that relationship be felt and nurtured
--Need words and names to help recognize and retain that loving relationship
--Deserve and can understand the biggest, most important parts of church life
--Have their own ways of praying and working that must be honored

The program is profoundly formative for the adults as well as the children, as they try to put forward the essentials of each story, for as Sofia Cavaletti says, “Young children are radical—meaning they go to the root of things—in their religious needs.” Adults and children look at stories or the parts of liturgy together, and wonder about them together. Both come away changed. “I am the True Vine.” John 15:1
Our two Atrium programs are divided by age. In the Atrium for younger children, ages 3-6 (or Kindergarten) we focus on the image of Jesus as the loving and protective Good Shepherd. As in any Montessori classroom, there are “practical life” activities including pouring, sorting, polishing, and flower arranging—these help children become focused and organized mentally and physically. We learn the names for various things found in the church, and we hear stories of Jesus’ life and that Jesus told.

In the Atrium for older children, Grades 1-3, the central image becomes that of Jesus as the True Vine. The children begin to see themselves and their own lives as part of God’s plan for salvation, and they begin to consider more morally complex stories and parables. This group has their own little worship service during the congregation’s liturgy of the word, and the return to the Atrium for the day’s presentation, or story. In both Atria, the work is hands-on. Children have many chances throughout the school year to ponder the stories they have heard by using the materials. They can move figures of the Good Shepherd and his sheep, or they can hold a real mustard seed on their fingers and consider the power in this tiny seed. There is also time for gathering together at the prayer table, and offering prayers of thanksgiving or petition. In this reflective time, children often think about their family and friends, drawing them into their religious experience.

The Good Shepherd Atrium Programs meet September-May at 9:00 AM, and the children join the congregation for Eucharist Parents are invited for fellowship in the parlor while awaiting the 10:oo. a.m. service. For more information, contact Becky Strehlow. Email

Home | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | office@stlukesevanston.org |
Warren McKenna Design Group Inc.