St. Mary's Church offers Christian Education for students from age 3 through High School. In session from September to early June, the classes meet on the 2nd floor of the Guild House from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday morning.
The curriculum used for grades Pre-K through 6th grade is the Episcopal Children's Curriculum developed by the Virginia Theological Seminary. Bible based and rooted in Episcopal practice and tradition, this program has three different age levels of instruction (Pre-School/Kindergarten, Primary and Intermediate) , and three different years of material which is used on a rotating basis. Each year is divided into four units. The first unit covers some aspect of the Old Testament. The second deals with our Lord's earthly ministry. The third unit explores one of the sacraments of the church, and the fourth unit presents church history and tradition.
Depending on time and interest, the teacher can select various class activities such as Bible readings, craft activities, discussions, games, and puzzles from the many options suggested in the teacher's guide. This curriculum also provides high quality take-home materials for all the students. Each week a card with an illustration on the front and a brief review of the lesson, a prayer, or some other message on the back will come home with the child. In addition, students in Pre-K through 3rd grade will be bringing home a story booklet at the end of each unit. Grades 4 through 6 students will bring their book home at the end of the year. It is hoped that each child will keep these books and cards and make them a part of the child's personal permanent library.
Students in the 7th grade through High School classes use a curriculum from the publishers of ECC. The Episcopal Curriculum for Youth is also organized into four units of nine lessons each. Mainly biographical in structure, the first two units cover people from the Old and New Testaments and their responses to God's call. Depending on level, the third unit will cover the seven sacraments or spiritual life. The fourth unit will examine the lives of people in post-Biblical times. This curriculum uses Scripture readings, discussions, creative activities, and games to explore the topic and relate it to everyday life.
