What you can expect from our family ministry
Families are central at Resurrection.
We believe parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children, not the church, and we encourage children to worship with their families on Sunday mornings.
The Anglican Church is a unique environment where everyone can experience Christ through all five senses. This allows children and adults alike to experience the presence of God across all learning styles.
We desire for our church’s family ministry to be an environment where children can ask questions, be filled with wonder, and be a part of the community as a whole.
Infant and Toddler
0-2 years old
Our Infant & Toddler atrium is open to our families during our Sunday morning service for the parent & child who need some freedom of movement while still able to listen to the worship.
The Infant & Toddler Atrium is our prepared environment in which the youngest child’s spiritual life is fed by prayer, work, and celebration aided by a catechist.
Parents join in the life of the child while in this prepared environment. The infant or the young child explore and the parent grows in observation skills and interactions with his/her child, while aided by a catechist.
During mid-week Family Formation evenings, we also keep our Infant & Toddler Atrium open while older siblings are in their own Atriums and Formation Groups.
Level 1
3-6 years old
Tuesdays, 9am-12pm
The 3-6 year old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and rose again.
Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child.
The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.
Level 3
13+
Wednesdays, 6-8pm
The older child and teen is given a time of preparation for those wishing to be baptized or confirmed. This is an opportunity for them to discern their own understanding and faith through the studies of Scripture, Liturgy, Catechesis, and book studies.
This community is a place for them to question, debate, and grow in their commitment to the Christian Faith as they embrace these truths as their own.
Level 2
7-12 years old
Wednesdays, 6-8pm
The 7-12 year old child continues exploring the most essential elements of our faith and liturgy—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and rose again.
Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to connect the mystery of faith to the daily life of the child through prayer and contemplation.
FAQ
Why is it called family ministry and not children's ministry?
We believe at Resurrection that parents have the primary responsibility of discipling their children. The term "Family Ministry" signals our heart to support and shape not only the children but also the whole family. We want to equip parents to feel confident in raising their children to love Christ outside of the church and in their own homes.
Where are my children supposed to go during the Sunday service?
During our services at Resurrection, we encourage children to stay with their families in the service. We believe there is nothing more beneficial for a child's faith than to observe her parents week after week cherish Jesus in wholehearted worship. Just like when families sit together over meals at the table, when children worship alongside their parents, they grow up to spiritual maturity and learn the "table mannners" of corporate worship.
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
The CGS website states, "Our mission is to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children."
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the method that we use for our family ministry. This program was originally started by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobi in the 1950's. It aims to use the Montessori learning method to help children understand our worship on Sunday mornings.
What is an Atrium?
The term Atrium refers to the children's worship space that they meet in during the week.
Do you baptize infants at Resurrection?
Yes! Infant baptism is a beautiful picture of how God's grace takes the initiative in establishing a relationship with us. An infant knows he has a special relationship with his mother even though he does not yet possess the ability to say "mommy." In the same way, we believe that infants can know God as their Father in a special way before they can say, "Father."
What about Holy Communion? At what age can my child come to the table?
Anyone who is a baptized, born again follower of Jesus may participate in Holy Communion. As a baptized believer, a child is a full member of our family and able to share in the family meal. We equally honor those parents who prefer to delay admitting their children to Communion until their children have made personal decisions to follow Christ for themselves.