Nurturing Faith Through Wonder & Discovery
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Christ Church
Faith Formation at Christ Church is rooted in a contemplative, Montessori-based method that invites children into a deeper, more personal relationship with God called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). You are invited to explore cgsusa.org for a fuller understanding of this unique and effective style of religious education.
The Atrium: A Sacred Space for Children
• At the heart of CGS is the Atrium – a beautifully prepared environment where children experience serenity, joy, and spiritual discovery
• Each Atrium is thoughtfully designed with child-sized furnishings and materials, artwork displayed at children's eye level, and handcrafted elements lovingly made by our church community
• These spaces encourage both independent exploration and communal celebration
• Every element of the Atrium respects the child's natural ability to connect with God in profound ways
Our Approach: Our Story and Our Prayer
• CGS is built upon two foundational pillars: Scripture (our story) and Liturgy (our prayer)
• These essential elements bring biblical narratives to life and engage children with our sacred traditions
• We use a "spiral method" of instruction – revisiting core themes each year with increasing depth and complexity as children grow in their understanding
• Through this gentle spiral of learning, children develop an ever-deepening relationship with God that honors their unique spiritual journey
• At the heart of CGS is the Atrium – a beautifully prepared environment where children experience serenity, joy, and spiritual discovery
• Each Atrium is thoughtfully designed with child-sized furnishings and materials, artwork displayed at children's eye level, and handcrafted elements lovingly made by our church community
• These spaces encourage both independent exploration and communal celebration
• Every element of the Atrium respects the child's natural ability to connect with God in profound ways
Our Approach: Our Story and Our Prayer
• CGS is built upon two foundational pillars: Scripture (our story) and Liturgy (our prayer)
• These essential elements bring biblical narratives to life and engage children with our sacred traditions
• We use a "spiral method" of instruction – revisiting core themes each year with increasing depth and complexity as children grow in their understanding
• Through this gentle spiral of learning, children develop an ever-deepening relationship with God that honors their unique spiritual journey
Age-Appropriate Faith Formation
Atrium I (Ages 3-6 | Pre-K through 1st Grade)
• In this first Atrium, our youngest children discover Jesus as the Good Shepherd who loves and knows each of them by name.
• They explore the wonder of the Incarnation through hands-on geography materials that establish Jesus as a real historical person and wonder together "What did Jesus want us to know?"
• Children encounter the mystery and beauty of our shared meal of the Eucharist – our central ritual that celebrates our love for God and one another, experience the joy of Baptism and what it means to carry Christ's light, and uncover the power of Jesus' parables as keys to understanding God's kingdom.
• Through these experiences, children respond with remarkable joy and insight to these foundational concepts, building the groundwork for a lifelong spiritual journey.
Atrium II (2nd through 4th Grade)
• As children's social awareness expands, they are captivated by the image of the True Vine – "I am the vine, you are the branches."
• This powerful metaphor helps them understand their deeper connections with God, family, friends, and the wider community.
• They examine the unified flow of our Eucharistic celebration, ponder moral parables that offer guidance for daily living, and discover God's unconditional love and mercy through stories of the Found Sheep, the Found Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
• Their growing agility with the concept of time allows exploration of salvation history – past, present, and future.
• Throughout this journey, children create personal journals filled with reflections, illustrations, and prayers, deepening their understanding of and participation in our faith.
Middle School (5th through 8th Grade)
• Our older children still enjoy the atrium environment and instruction rooted in Montessori principles, but the style of instruction takes on a much more conversational approach designed to build relationships and strengthen community.
• Our young people delve deeper into our sacred scriptures and the context and history of God's unfolding plan, focusing on direction rather than speed toward full communion and unity.
• They consider their personal gifts and responsibilities in response to God's generosity and wrestle with profound questions like "What is the Kingdom of God and my place in it?"
• They ponder and discuss topics such as forgiveness, justice, virtue, creation, sacrament, and develop a deeper appreciation for our rich tradition and our dream of transforming the world with the love of Christ.
• These rich explorations lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment of faith and service.
High School Formation (9th through 12th Grade)
• Our teens continue their spiritual journey through immersive retreats at Subiaco Benedictine Retreat House in Oxford, where they can step away from daily distractions and devices to connect more deeply with God and one another.
• Our confirmation program guides them in preparing to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith through meaningful discussions and study within a supportive community.
• Various activities throughout the year strengthen their connections to God, neighbors, and fellow teens, while service opportunities allow them to live out their faith in tangible ways.
• Through these experiences, our teens develop a faith that is both deeply personal and connected to the broader Christian community.
• In this first Atrium, our youngest children discover Jesus as the Good Shepherd who loves and knows each of them by name.
• They explore the wonder of the Incarnation through hands-on geography materials that establish Jesus as a real historical person and wonder together "What did Jesus want us to know?"
• Children encounter the mystery and beauty of our shared meal of the Eucharist – our central ritual that celebrates our love for God and one another, experience the joy of Baptism and what it means to carry Christ's light, and uncover the power of Jesus' parables as keys to understanding God's kingdom.
• Through these experiences, children respond with remarkable joy and insight to these foundational concepts, building the groundwork for a lifelong spiritual journey.
Atrium II (2nd through 4th Grade)
• As children's social awareness expands, they are captivated by the image of the True Vine – "I am the vine, you are the branches."
• This powerful metaphor helps them understand their deeper connections with God, family, friends, and the wider community.
• They examine the unified flow of our Eucharistic celebration, ponder moral parables that offer guidance for daily living, and discover God's unconditional love and mercy through stories of the Found Sheep, the Found Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
• Their growing agility with the concept of time allows exploration of salvation history – past, present, and future.
• Throughout this journey, children create personal journals filled with reflections, illustrations, and prayers, deepening their understanding of and participation in our faith.
Middle School (5th through 8th Grade)
• Our older children still enjoy the atrium environment and instruction rooted in Montessori principles, but the style of instruction takes on a much more conversational approach designed to build relationships and strengthen community.
• Our young people delve deeper into our sacred scriptures and the context and history of God's unfolding plan, focusing on direction rather than speed toward full communion and unity.
• They consider their personal gifts and responsibilities in response to God's generosity and wrestle with profound questions like "What is the Kingdom of God and my place in it?"
• They ponder and discuss topics such as forgiveness, justice, virtue, creation, sacrament, and develop a deeper appreciation for our rich tradition and our dream of transforming the world with the love of Christ.
• These rich explorations lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment of faith and service.
High School Formation (9th through 12th Grade)
• Our teens continue their spiritual journey through immersive retreats at Subiaco Benedictine Retreat House in Oxford, where they can step away from daily distractions and devices to connect more deeply with God and one another.
• Our confirmation program guides them in preparing to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith through meaningful discussions and study within a supportive community.
• Various activities throughout the year strengthen their connections to God, neighbors, and fellow teens, while service opportunities allow them to live out their faith in tangible ways.
• Through these experiences, our teens develop a faith that is both deeply personal and connected to the broader Christian community.
