Children's Formation

Download Life at GSL — Winter-Spring 2021 Guide, a comprehensive publication with winter-spring Christian formation, worship, and music offerings.

The Children’s Activity Bag for May will be delivered on May 2. Please ign up here to reserve your child’s bag!

There will be no Virtual Prayer Table on Easter Sunday, April 4. Prayer Table will resume at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 11. 

Children's Formation volunteers needed! As we prepare to resume in-person programs for children, we're seeking Sunday volunteers to serve in the nursery and children's classes, as well as help with other in-person events. If you'd like to help support Children's Formation in this way, please contact Sharon Campbell for details. 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based approach to the faith formation of children that takes place in a specially prepared classroom called an Atrium. Some elements of the child’s Atrium experience lend themselves quite well to at-home use and continue to be available to all families as we enter 2021. Please note: Every family with young children (Toddlers through 5th graders) is invited to enjoy at-home materials. Please see request or sign-up info specific to each material. 

One of the most beloved work choices in the Atrium, the Model Altar is a child-sized altar, where children learn the nomenclature for articles of the mass by preparing the altar themselves. While we follow safer-at-home guidelines, your child/ren can enjoy this experience at home!  

Instructions and all materials will be provided. Please email scampbell [at] gracestlukes [dot] org" target="_blank">Sharon Campbell for more information.

An essential piece of every Atrium is the Prayer Table, where children and catechists gather to sing, pray, and share what’s on our hearts. To help you and your child/ren create a similar space in your home, a Prayer Table Kit can be delivered to your home! Children are encouraged to use their Prayer Table any time they feel drawn to it, and, if desired, may also join our virtual Sunday Prayer Table (see below) each week to help stay connected to their Atrium community.  

To request a kit, or for more information, please contact Sharon Campbell.

Above all else, the Atrium is a place of prayer, contemplation, and community for children. While we observe safer-at-home guidelines, all children are invited to join a 20-minute virtual Prayer Table on Sunday mornings, following the 10:30 service, led by Sharon Campbell. This is a wonderful way to connect and enjoy  

Sundays at 11:30 via Zoom. Link sent to all families on Saturdays, no sign up required. Please contact Sharon to be added to the Children’s Formation email list. 

Children's Activity Bags are prepared with lessons and activities for Toddlers through Kindergarteners and 1st through 5th graders. Bags offer Bible stories, Scripture readings, moments for reflection, coloring pages, and supplies for crafts and seasonal projects conveniently packed up and delivered to your door!  

Delivery dates for 2021 (through Easter): Jan. 31, Feb. 28, and Mar. 28.  

Sign up here.

Given the success of our Drive-Through Trunk & Treat event this past October, GSL plans to take part in a similar event to provide an Easter celebration for the children of our partner congregations and the Memphis community. Date, time, and exciting details TBA! Stay tuned! 

To meet the needs of parents and children to be together ins afer ways, we’re offering outdoor, in-person, socially distanced gatherings, as local conditions allow. These gatherings are held on Anchor Hill (the grassy area adjacent to the Anchor Center at Peabody & Lemaster) and offer time for socially distanced play, conversation, and continued work on our GSL Family Tree, a communal art project begun during Fall 2020. 

In-person gatherings are currently on hold, but as conditions improve, we will schedule more of these fun events! Please watch your weekly eNews for updates.