CHILDREN'S FORMATION

Summer Hours: 9:45am (Liturgy and Nursery)

We believe that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another.

Children’s Formation serves children 3-years-old through 6th grade. We use the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method which is a hands-on approach for children that is rooted in the Holy Bible, the liturgy of the church, and educational principles of Maria Montessori.

A group of children are sitting in a circle on the floor in a room.

ACTIVITY QUICK VIEW

  • Children's Chapel

    8:15am - 9:15am

    Age 3 - 6th Grade

    September - May



    Drop off starts at 8:15am, children will process into the 8:30am service to join their families for Eucharist (Communion). All children under this age go to our nursery. The atrium is located in Husley Hall, down the ramp from the Great Hall.



    *Note: Children must have turned three years old by September 1 and be potty-trained to attend this session on Sunday.




  • Toddler Atrium

    Age 2 yrs (by October 15, 2026)


    We will communicate details about the Toddler Atrium to parents at the Parent Meeting on September 2nd or 9th.

  • Atrium Session During Formation Hour

    9:45am-10:55am

    Age 3- 6th Grade

    September - May



    The atrium is located in Husley Hall, down the ramp from the Great Hall.


    Age 3 - 5K Children may remain in the Atrium after Formation Hour and process into the 11:00am worship service at the Offertory to join their families for the Eucharist OR pick up their child at 10:55 before the 11:00am service.


    1st - 6th grade Atrium meets from 9:45-10-55am.  Parents pick up children by 10:55am.



    *Note: All children under this age go to our nursery

  • Wednesday Evenings

    Three Years Old - Sixth Grade

    Located down the ramp next to the Great Hall

    September - May


    All three atrium levels are normally open from 6:00pm-7:15pm on Wednesday evenings when there is adult programming. Children may be dropped off or picked up at any point during this session.

  • Summer Schedule

    During the summer months of June and July, the church has one service at 10:00am. Children ages 3 years through second grade may be brought to the Preschool, Room 104, starting at 9:45am for Children’s Liturgy (or children’s church). Children 3rd grade and above will attend church.


    Sunshine Room (Room 104) is located downstairs in our Preschool. Use the stairs at the back of the Nave, first classroom on the left. Children will process into the 10:00am worship service at the Offertory to join their families for Holy Eucharist.

Nursery
A blue bible is sitting on a wooden table next to a model of a shepherd and sheep.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method offers a rich sensory experience for children ages 3 years to 6th grade. It meets their vital religious needs. It’s based on the belief that young children can and do experience God. This approach draws from the Holy Bible, church liturgy, and Maria Montessori’s educational principles. Children and catechists (trained adults) use hands-on materials to reflect on the great mysteries of the Christian faith. They ponder biblical passages and prayers by working with specific materials. For example, they place wood figures of sheep in the Good Shepherd's sheepfold, set sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or prepare a small altar with Eucharist furnishings. Older children explore moral and kingdom parables, arrange written prayers from the Rite of Baptism, or label a timeline showing the history of the Kingdom of God. These are just a few of the thought-provoking lessons for children to discover.

Contact Joie Hoke

Children's Formation Director

Contact Jeannie Feldman

Children's Formation Assistant Director

Contact Leigh Rosner

Children’s Formation Support Catechist

This experience for children takes place in a beautifully prepared room called an 'Atrium.' There are 3 different age-appropriate levels:


  • Level 1: ages 3- 5K*children must have turned 3 years old by Sept. 1 and be potty-trained
  • Level 2: 1st - 3rd grade
  • Level 3: 4th - 6th grade


The rooms are located in Husley Hall, down the ramp from the Great Hall. The atria sessions run September until the end of May.

Special Offerings through Children’s Formation

Solemn Communion

The 3rd graders are invited to participate in a Solemn Communion class where they meet for 4 Sunday classes and then participate in a Saturday retreat and a church service on the final Sunday. Children discover a deeper connection with Eucharist (Communion) and receive a Holy Bible. This is offered January-March each year.

Easter Festival

Join us for our Annual Easter Festival that is part of Holy Saturday each year. We will have arts, crafts, and more on the Terrell Commons Lawn! Kids and their families are also invited to bring a picnic lunch with chairs and/or blankets for a picnic on the lawn on April 4th from 10:00am -11:30pm. Lemonade and water will be provided.





Vacation Bible School

June VBS at All Saints is a completely immersive experience. Children “live” in a different 1st century city just as Jesus did. They rotate in a four year cycle of Nazareth, Bethlehem, Galilee, and Jerusalem. Children 4 years old - rising 5th grade are divided into the 12 tribes of Israel: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Judah, Levi, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun. These multi-age tribes live as a family. They spend time in a decorated tent, wear typical tribal clothing, eat food Jesus ate, and spend the day just as Jesus did. They enjoy Family Time, Snack, Music, Jewish dancing, and most of all – Marketplace! The Elder Tribe is made up of rising 6th graders. They participate in Marketplace, take a field trip to a Mediterranean restaurant to taste authentic food, and take a field trip to the Ave Maria Grotto at the St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman to visit miniature replicas of the important cities of Isreal. Learn more HERE

Advent Festival

Kick off the Advent season each December with our Annual Advent Festival. Festivities include making wreaths, paperwhite bulbs, luminaries, prayer cards, calendars, and Jesse Tree murals. Ron May also serves up his famous spaghetti supper! Donations are always appreciated.






Christmas Pageant

December On Christmas Eve, Children’s Formation organizes two Christmas pageants at 11:00am and 4:00pm. The main cast of both pageants attends two practices the week before. There is no rehearsal for the general cast or the rest of the participants. Children in the general cast arrive 30 minutes before the pageants to choose their costumes and practice songs.

Outreach and Service Projects

Our 4th-6th graders participate in several outreach and service projects every year. These include helping at a food bank, collecting goods for overseas soldiers, visiting the Civil Rights museum, touring a local synagogue, and more!