Here is what is available to Sunday School Students by grade:
KINDERGARTEN TO SIXTH GRADE-

• classes are every Sunday starting at 9:50am in the lower level; students join their parent(s) for the second half of the service.
• Ms. Kathleen and Ms. Sunovia will once again be leading this class and assisting this year is parishioner Ms. Chrystine Gaffney and Ms. Melanie Balestro.
  

SEVENTH TO TWELFTH GRADE-
We will once again have several options for these grade levels:

• once a month class on values, current events and life-lessons led by Mr. Pensiero at 9:55am in the lower-level kitchen.
• once a month class on Scripture led by Momma Jane at 9:55am in the lower-level kitchen.
• on Sundays when there is no formal class, these students may assist with the lower grades class (discussing this with Ms. Kathleen) OR participate in the worship service as acolyte, banner carrier, etc. If participating in the service is of interest, the student(s) *must* arrive to the Sanctuary by 9:45am and report-in to Father Jerry or Reverend Katherine.

Spring 2026 Semester Information & Sunday School Guidelines

Dear Sunday School Parents: I wanted to highlight a few events (see below) for the upcoming semester that might be of interest to you and your family. I wanted to also say THANK YOU to our dedicated Sunday School Teachers: Ms. Kathleen Gentile, Ms. Sunovia Scudder, Ms. Chrystine Gaffney and Ms. Melanie Balestro. If you have any questions about any of these events, reach out to me or one of the teachers (also copied on this email).

And, some reminders about our Sunday School Guidelines:

• Teachers will be ready to greet students at 9:45am every Sunday in the lower-level; classes start promptly at 10am. Having your child arrive early helps the teachers plan better knowing who will be in class. If your child (K to 6th grade) is going to miss a Sunday, a text to Ms. Kathleen would be appreciated; please text your name and the child's name until she has everyone saved in her cell phone.
  
• All personal belongings (jackets, toys, etc.) should be kept with parents in the pew upstairs; this includes any beverages or snacks (unless provided by the teachers).
• Students are encouraged to use the bathroom before or after Sunday School class. If a child needs to use a bathroom during class s/he will be encouraged to wait, but if an emergency situation comes up, only one child at a time may be in any one restroom. A teacher or teacher's aide will remain outside the bathroom until the child is finished. 
• After the 10am service, students should remain in the Fellowship Hall. No student should be in the lower-level unattended at any time. Adult supervision is required in the lower-level, Chapel or Sanctuary at any time for the safety of all. 

Our Junior / High School classes meet twice a month as advertised. On the weeks when no classes are being offered, 7th to 12th grade students may:

• help with the lower aged Sunday School class.
• acolyte (carry a cross, torch, banner, etc.) during the service.
• sit with parents.

Upcoming Dates:
Tribute to The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Sunday, January 18 at 8am and 10am
Classes will be themed to the legacy of this great man and civil rights leader.

Children's Eucharist - Sunday, January 25 at 10am 
We will have a Children's Eucharist about once a month, but it does move around a bit. Check our website for the next date.

Annual Meeting & Potluck - Sunday, February 8 at 10:45am
On Sunday, February 8 we will shorten the 10am service and by 10:45am we'll be sharing in our potluck meal. The students will attend Sunday School at 9:55am as usual, and then after eating some food will gather in the Fellowship Room with our teachers for an additional activity to allow parents to attend the Annual Meeting in the lower-level.

Pancake Supper (Shrove Tuesday) - Tuesday, February 17 at 6pm
This is a family-fabulous event -- pancakes and activities for kids. We'll be serving from 6 to 7:30pm so bring your family and bring your friends. It promises to be great fun!

Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 18
There will be a Sunday School Meet-Up at 3:30pm during which we will talk about the Season of Lent **and** burn the palms from last year to make ashes. If this time is not good for your schedule, there will also be Ashes to Go on Gould Street from 7:30-9am and 2-3:30pm.

Burying Alleluia Banner - Sunday, February 22 at 9:55am
On Sunday, February 22, during Sunday School, the students will bury the "Alleluia" Banner -- typically outside on the front lawn -- so we'll see what the temperature is like that morning.

Holy Week - Palm Sunday - Sunday, March 29 at 10am
This service begins with a grand palm procession (outside if weather allows); it's very memorable for kids. After several laps around the Sanctuary singing "All Glory Laud and Honor" the kids go downstairs for their class. After Eucharist (when the kids return upstairs), we'll share in the reading of The Passion and end the service in silence; also a very powerful experience for all.

Kids' Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, April 3 at 10am
Around the campus the students will visit stations that explain Jesus' story. This is a very kid friendly service and has attendees carrying a wooden cross from station to station and touching a crown of thorns and nails. Invite your neighbor's children too!

Easter Egg Hunt - Sunday, April 5 around 11:30am-ish
After our one 10am worship service on Easter morning, students gather on the front lawn for an Easter Egg Hunt. Always great fun!

Flowering the Cross - Sunday, April 12 at 10am
This service is a highlight of the year; parishioners bring fresh flowers and greens to decorate a wooden cross at the start of the service. Sunday School classes begin after the "Flowering of the Cross" which stands at the front of the Sanctuary for the service and then on our front porch all week.

Confirmation Commissioning -Sunday, April 19 at 10am
After the Announcements, we will bless our Confirmands ahead of their Confirmation Service with Bishop Hughes, scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at 10am in Upper Montclair.

Red Coffee Hour -  Pentecost Sunday, May 24 after 10am Service
Another great event of the year! Everyone brings something to share that is red. Think strawberries, red velvet cake, jello, bruschetta, tomato salad, radishes, etc. This potluck is our Coffee Hour after the service.

We will also be hosting a Parents' Night Out once again; a date is yet to be determined. More information will follow soon.

Always check our website and/or the website calendar for additional/future information.

Be well,
Jerry

The guiding philosophy of our Sunday School

 At Holy Spirit, we encourage children to develop their spirituality. As they grow, their classes change and they spend more time discussing what the Bible is saying to them and how to use its teachings to guide them. They also explore other ways to connect with God; as acolytes during the worship service, through Communion and Confirmation classes, by cooking for homeless shelters, through Vacation Bible School, and by being a community of friends who worship together.

​What they do

At Holy Spirit, children and youth can get involved in Sunday School, special services for children, Lenten Programs, Vacation Bible School, Youth Groups, Confirmation classes, serving on the altar, outreach activities, and more. We currently have two classes: Kindergarten to 6th grade which meets every Sunday (September through June) at 9:55am, and a 7th through 12th grade class that meets twice a month (as of the Fall of 2024) on Sunday at 9:55am (see our website calendar for when they next meet). On weeks when the Junior/High School Class does not meet, these students may serve as acolytes, assist/lead Sundays School classes or join their parents for the entire worship service.

All children are welcome and may begin at any time during the year!

Next Children's Eucharist is Sunday, April 19 at 10am

We will host another of our Children's Eucharist on Sunday, April 19 at 10am with our Sunday School students assisting Father Jerry at the altar (he needs a lot of help, you know). The 10am Service is sure to be VERY interactive with Father Jerry asking our students questions before the start of the Eucharistic Prayer. It is great fun for children and those young at heart!

Be sure to join us in-person OR via Zoom to participate, pray and probably laugh.

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