The image of God that is presented is Jesus, the Good Shepherd – the one who leads his sheep, knows and calls each one by name and is always ready to protect and nurture them. Very young children focus on building relationships with their parents and family and learning about the words and way of life of the culture in which they find themselves. We extend that to include their parent God, their family at church, and the words, symbols and way of life in the Episcopal Church of St. Bartholomew’s.

The space for this exploration is a room called the Atrium (named after the place in the early church where the catechumens were prepared for baptism). Catechesis was the process of preparation, the catechists led that preparation. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has chosen these new/old words to show that this is different from the usual school model of Christian education. The Atrium is a place for religious life, for community, worship and meditation – not a classroom for instruction. The child will learn through story, scripture, discussion and his or her own exploration of the materials. The low shelves offer puzzle maps of the holy land, miniature figures and environments representing key periods in Jesus’ life, his parables, and prophecies of his coming.

There are materials to help children better understand the movements, symbols and words of Baptism and Eucharist. The liturgical colors and calendar situate the child within the church year. A prayer corner offers a quiet place for private conversation with God. Each week, the catechist will present new materials to the children as they are ready. Then, they will have time to work with materials in the room – to explore their own thoughts and feelings, quietly or with the catechist. Children learn by listening and watching a presentation then by re-enacting it in their own way, moving the figures for the story, re-telling the words, perhaps singing a song or drawing a pictures or tracing symbols or words. In this way, we believe the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is led by God’s spirit and the child’s response. We trust this new program will give our young children a lively spiritual life as a firm foundation for the years to come.