​Church School, Kindergarten through Youth

Julie Relyea,  Church School Director
julie@kings-chapel.org

The mission of the King’s Chapel Church School is to support families in nurturing the faith and religious identity of their children, and to provide a space for warm and meaningful community.  

Our religious education program is based upon our heritage as Unitarian Christians. We are grounded in biblical wisdom and Christian identity yet free to exercise the individual use of reason to seek our own truth. We strive to nurture in our children and youth the seed of a curious and questioning faith, in the hope that their faith will continue to grow throughout their lives. Church School classes for preschoolers, elementary-age children, and middle and high school youth are offered between Morning Light (Sundays 9AM) and Morning Prayer (Sundays 11AM), from September to June.

Church School Learning Groups

Godly Play (Ages 3-6)

Younger children are invited into a Montessori-style classroom. Each class begins with a Biblical story told by the teacher through creative storytelling and continue with activities that relate to the stories and wider religious themes. Each child becomes accustomed to religious language used in our King’s Chapel community and begin the process of thinking, questioning, and imagining their faith. The Biblical stories follow the liturgical year and cover the events such as Noah and the Ark, The Birth of Jesus, and The Crossing of the Red Sea.

Youth/Coming of Age (Ages 12-17)

Youth are encouraged to learn about other religious traditions via guided discussions, activities meant to develop understanding, and visits to other religious sites. Youth are also led in discussions of current events and social justice issues as they pertain to faith and their own lives. 

Sunday Schedule, Parish House (64 Beacon Street)

9 AM - Morning Light, Little Chapel
9:45 AM - Social Hour
10 AM - 10:45 AM Church School 

Elementary (Ages 7-11)

This class focuses on individuals within Biblical & Christian stories as “Superheroes of our Faith”. At the beginning of the year, we make our own superhero capes that can be worn throughout the Church School year. The stories and themes follow the liturgical year and include both female and male characters such as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Abraham, Elijah, the Apostle Paul, and Jonah, as well as, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, and others. Children will learn specifically about the ways in which these Heroes promoted justice through faith in something bigger than themselves.

Other Church School Activities

During the year, the Church School will participate in various community service projects, an Advent crafts workshop, Christmas pageant, pancake breakfast, Easter egg hunt, and the annual Pet Blessing in May.  In June, the children of the Church School are recognized at the Children's Sunday service at King's Chapel.