Nursery
Our nursery for babies up through age 2 is equipped with age appropriate playthings and well-trained staff. The infant nursery is adjacent to a play room with train track and climbing nest. Nursery care is available for the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday services and during the Christian Education hour (10:20-11:20 a.m.). It is also provided for many of our special services and Bible study classes. For services other than on Sunday morning and weekday classes, please call the parish office to insure that the nursery will be open and ready to care for your child.
Ages 3 & 4
Our 3’s and 4’s use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum that connects stories and crafts with the church lectionary. Children have the opportunity to create something, share prayers, and have a small feast.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Kindergarteners and first graders meet together in our contained Godly Play classroom. They hear the stories of God, complete with small wooden pieces that correspond to the story. Children are invited to work with the story pieces or work with art materials in response to the story. By the end of the year, the classroom shelves are filled with story pieces from all the stories they have learned over the year.
2nd through 5th Grade
The 2nd through 5th graders meet together in our Johnson Room for a tribal council. Starting with drumming and singing, the children hear one of the stories of God told to them with props. They are invited to wonder together about the story before being dismissed by grade level tribes-- in silence-- to go their individual classes. Once in class, they follow the lead of their imagination with maps of the Holy Land and other reference materials, blocks, clay, paint, and drawing materials. Class time ends with group prayers and a small feast.
Disciples (Grades 6 & 7)
The 6th and 7th grade Disciples meet together each week. They begin with large group time during which a theme is presented. The kids break down into small groups to reflect and work with the theme. Themes include: life histories of the disciples, life histories of their role models, personal gifts discernment, decision making skills, and values clarification. This class will get to know the Book of Common Prayer as a prayer tool.
Pathfinders (Grades 8 & 9)
The 8th and 9th graders meet together each week. They too begin with large group time during which a theme is presented. This is followed with small group reflection time. They will be looking at what it means to live a faithful life. They will be looking at clips from movies and magazines to write a “World Covenant” and will contrast this with our Baptismal Covenant. They will be looking at global economics and discerning what God’s call is to them about action in the world. They will be studying the life of David - the good, the bad and the ugly - and looking at five key components to faithful living: a personal relationship with God, a safe community to travel with, awareness of one’s own personal gifts, discernment skills for listening for God’s lead, and courage to act.
Life Workshop (Grades 10 through 12)
Our 10th through 12th graders are meeting together each week as a large group. Their time will be spent two ways. The first part will be contemplative bible study based on that Sunday’s appointed Gospel reading. They will discuss the following: What stands out to me in this reading? What is God’s message for me personally in this reading? What are the implications for this community of this reading? The second part of their time will be spent in a life workshop. Guest experts will come in for a period of weeks to teach the teens some life skill: How to sing a piece of a cappella music; how to plant a garden; how to make five meals they can cook in college; how to do basic car maintenance; basic construction skills.
Eastern Shore Chapel c.1689
is a part of the Episcopal Church USA
and the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
2020 Laskin Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
Phone 757.428.6763 Fax 757.437.8461