Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Nursery-12th grade
At St. Elizabeth’s it is our goal and desire for children and youth to know three things:
God loves them, no exceptions
There are adults—other than their parents—who care for them and want to know them
St. Elizabeth’s is a community where it’s okay to ask big questions and to explore things that matter: doubt & faith, life, relationships, purpose, spirituality, pilgrimage, service, and more.
For the 2024-2025 program year, we are venturing ahead as follows:
Nursery: open for children 3 months - 3 years 9:45-11:30AM.
Level 1 (PK - Grade 1): Weaving God’s Promises
Level 2 (Grades 2-3): Weaving God’s Promises
Level 3 (Grades 4-5): Weaving God’s Promises
Grades 6-12: Journey to Adulthood & Youth Acolyte Program
Schedule for Levels 1-3:
First Sundays of the Month — Children’s Chapel in Justice Library (parents bring children to church at 10AM)— 10AM
October 6, November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1
Schedule all other weeks – Sunday School in individual Atriums - 9:45AM
September 15, 22, 29; October 20, 27, November 10, 17; December 8, 15, 22;
January 12, 19, 26; February 9, 16; March 9, 16, 23, 30; April 13,; May 11, 18,; June 8, 15
On first Sundays, Children’s Chapel will meet during the 10AM service, in the Justice Library in Parish Hall. Children will sit with their parents in worship until the gospel is read. At which time, the children will gather around the Eucharistic Minister as the gospel is proclaimed and when it is finished, process with their teachers to the Justice Library for a story, discussion, and snack. The children will return to their parents when it is time for Communion.
Schedule for Levels 4-5 (Grades 6-8 & 9-12):
R13 (Grades 6-8): Rite 13 curriculum
J2A (Grades 9-12): Journey to Adulthood curriculum
6th - 12th graders, are encouraged to join the community in worship, where they may serve as acolytes, readers, intercessors, ushers, and members of the altar guild and choir. In addition to participating in worship, these two groups meet individually twice a month on Sunday afternoons for fellowship and formation. Dates for formation meetings will soon be released.
Youth Confirmation Classes: Confirmation is the liturgy at which youth take on for themselves the baptismal promises made for them by their parents at baptism. This is also the liturgy at which baptized adults commit to living out their faith journeys in the Episcopal Church. Participation in Confirmation preparation does not obligate one to then be confirmed. Youth interested in Confirmation will be eligible for group classes led by the rector, for a series of six weeks done typically in the fall or when needed. For questions or to sign up, email: Rev. Andrew+ (andrew@st-elizabeths.org)
Children and Youth Formation Registration: please use our online registration form to register your children and youth for our formation programs.
Additional Formation Opportunities:
Students Together Opposing Prejudice (S.T.O.P.) - 6th-8th grades
This program is a seven-week curriculum collaboration among three Sudbury-area faith communities with the goal to middle school students understand the harm of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination.
Youth Mission Trip (ASP)
High School youth participate in a week-long summer mission trip. In even numbered years, youth and their adult leaders join in a home repair ministry with the Appalachia Service Project. During the school year, interested teenagers prepare for the trip by learning how to use hand and power tools. They also study the culture of Central Appalachia so that they understand something of how that part of the US became and remains so poor. For many of our youth the ASP trip is transforming. Some go more than once, and some have even returned, years after their first trip, to participate as mentors and adult leaders.
Creation Art
painted by the children in the Level III Atrium