Sunday School at St John's

Sunday School Programme 2009/10

Sunday School 2009/2010 application form

Introduction

St John's Cathedral Sunday School meets at 9:00am during the Sung Eucharist.

Parents are asked to complete a registration form when they begin attendance. Please make sure you fill out the form with your correct postal and e-mail addresses so we can send you any further notices. If there are any changes please let us know by writing to the Sunday school at the address above. If you have more than one child in the Sunday school and only require one mailing please let us know by ticking the appropriate box on the form.

Information given to us is used solely for communication purposes and is not disclosed to third parties. It is helpful if parents can give details of any special areas of note or concern. Specific allergies, for example.

The programme for children and young people is divided into the following sections:

* Creche: staffed by helpers in the Quiet Chapel in the Cathedral. Toys, etc. are available. Parents are welcome to stay with their child or leave them, collecting them after the service.

* Primary Sunday school - for children 2.5 to 7 years: Meets in the Fanny Li Hall for introductory worship and then separates into different classes.

* Junior Church - for children 8-11 years: Meets in the North Transept in the Cathedral for the first part of the 9:00am Sung Eucharist. After the reading of the Gospel the children and teachers leave to go to the Li Hall for classes.

* Discoverers - for young people at Secondary or High School, meets in Purple Lounge / Harold Smyth Room. On the second Sunday of each month, Discoverers help to lead the service by acting as Sidesmen (Ushers), reading the lessons, leading intercessions, taking the collection and presenting the Offertory.

Typically the Primary School has its own service comprising songs, an offering, birthday song, story time and prayer, after which the group breaks up into different groups based on age. At this time the individual teachers will lead the children to discuss a topic, reinforced by reading or craft.

Towards the end of the 9:00 a.m. Sung Eucharist the Verger comes to alert the teachers and children that they need to come into church. At this time (approx. 9:55 am) parents can come to main entrance of the Cathedral, join their child there and receive communion at the main altar while the child receives a blessing. Parents are then requested to escort their child to the Lady Chapel (behind the choir) for the final hymn and prayers. The Sung Eucharist finishes around 10:15am.

After the Eucharist, refreshments are served in the Li Hall. Please do join us there.

The Sunday school is staffed entirely by volunteers who meet once a month to discuss the work of the Sunday school. Please do feel free to assist. We hope that each teacher will be "paired" so that all may have the opportunity for space and time to worship in church. If you can help in any way please complete contact Revd Desmond Cox on dmcox@stjohnscathedral.org.hk.

Parents are of course welcome to stay with their children in the Sunday school.

The School is closed when a T3/T8 signal or Red/Black Rainstorm Warnings are in force two hours before the start of the Sunday Service or any other activity. Please be aware of the warnings and take appropriate action.

We hope that your child will derive great benefit from the Sunday school and learn more about God's love for them. We are delighted to welcome all into the family of the church. We can arrange interviews with one of the clergy if you would like Baptism or Confirmation preparation, or for any other pastoral concern. Staff are always ready and willing to listen.

Just make an appointment on 2523 4157 or e-mail us (marked Sunday school) at: general@stjohnscathedral.org.hk

6th September
Registration for all Sunday School children from 9:00am – 11:30am at Fanny Li Hall.
All age worship at 11:45am.

13th September
Sunday School teacher commissioning at the end of the 9:00am Eucharist.

13th September – 5th October
Please be generous and donate tins, and packets of food, for our Harvest Appeal.

Children can bring food in for our Harvest box between these dates.

11th October – Harvest Festival!
Students would bring tins and packets of food for blessing during the 9:00am service.(Food will be given to Bethune House Shelter for displaced Migrant Workers)

31st October
Michaelmas Fair
(One of the tradition and biggest events of our Cathedral bazaar for charity. It is open for public, too. )

1st November - All Saints' Day
Sunday School at 9:00am, All age worship at 11:45am

6th December - Jesse Tree Service
All age worship at 11:45am
Jesse Tree --- To celebrate this season we use the symbol of the Jesse tree which is the family tree of Jesus. A family tree is one which shows who our relatives who have lived before us are - our grandparents;great-grandparents; great-great-grandparents. We call the family tree of Jesus the Jesse tree because Jesus came from the family of King David and David's father was Jesse. Isaiah the prophet wrote: "From the root of Jesse a sprout shall spring forth, out of his roots a flower shall blossom"

20th December
Sunday School Christmas Pageant at the 9:00am Sung Eucharist service!

24th December (Thursday)
Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at 5:00pm – a lovely service for families to get into the spirit of Christmas.

25th December (Friday)
Christmas Day Family Service at 11:45am

27th December
No Sunday School

3rd January 2010
Sunday School begins a new term with the Epiphany parade of Wise Men(and women) at the 9:00am & 11:45am services!

31st January 2010
Visit to Noah's Ark

7th February 2010
Candlemas - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple during the All age worship at 11:45am

Lent 2010 (21st February - 28th March)
This year the children will be raising funds for St. Christopher’s Home.

14th March - Mothering Sunday
Children will make a display for this Sunday and a posy of flowers are given to all the ladies of the congregation at the 9:00am service.

21st March - Bake Sale for Lent Project

28th March - Palm Sunday
Children take part in our palm procession at the 9:00am service! The Lent Project boxes will be returned on this day and the priest will bless the collection at the end of the service and be given to the St. Christopher's Home.

All age worship at 11:45am

2nd April - Good Friday
A Family Service will be held at 11:00am. All are welcome! Hot Cross buns and Coffee tea and juice are served afterwards.

4th April (Easter Day) - No Sunday School
An Easter Family service will be held at 11.45am followed by the Grand Easter Egg Hunt!  All families are welcome!

23rd May - Pentecost
The Church’s birthday! Come and join the service at 9:00am! The Sunday School will process 12 cakes around the Cathedral and then share them with everyone at the end of the service!

6th June - Book Sunday
Members of our Sunday School, Junior Church and Discoverers are presented with a gift on this Sunday to reward them for all their commitment and hard work!
This happens at the 11:45am service.

27th June - Last Sunday School

If you want to ask more questions please approach a Sunday School Teacher or telephone Fr. Desmond Cox on 2523 4157.

If anybody feels they might like to assist with Sunday School please contact Fr. Desmond Cox.

We are always looking for willing volunteers.

All dates are for Sundays, unless otherwise stated.