Sunday School

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Welcoming • Caring • Loving

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14

Since 1936, the St. James Sunday School has strived to awaken and nurture in our students a personal commitment of lifetime discipleship to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We teach Scripture and the faith of the Armenian Church so that they will provide a relevant foundation for daily life and all the moral choices that our children face. There is no registration fee or tuition to families for this program, which is staffed by wonderful and committed volunteers from the parish.

  • Participation in classes, Church services, Gospel reading, field trips and service projects
  • Open to all children and youth from K (must be 5 by December) to 11th grade (Graduation year)
  • Classes meet from 10:00am to noon
  • Curriculum provided by the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern)

Sunday school starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.  Students in grades K-3 attend Worship Service in Mirak Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Following Worship Service students are accompanied by their teachers to their classrooms where they have class until 11:15 a.m.; at which time they will be dismissed to their parents. Fourth through eleventh grade students attend class from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; after which they attend church services. Attendance in church is a very important part of Christian Education in the Armenian Church. Attending and participating in church services reinforces the lessons in faith the children are learning.

BENEFITS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

  • Children become familiar with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures
  • Developing a regular habit of Church involvement, which will carry children through adolescence and adulthood
  • Children develop a true connection with their peers by learning about their faith together
  • Surround children in a positive, spiritual environment where Christian role models help to reinforce the importance of having a lasting relationship with God.

Today, the Sunday School is a well-established organization that has become increasingly progressive, improving and experimenting with curriculum and initiating new programs and events.

Some examples:

  • Poon Paregentan celebration before the start of Lent
  • Lenten program and charity drive
  • Easter Basket drive to donate to Watertown food pantries
  • Box lunches for Fr. Bill’s Place (homeless shelter in Quincy)
  • Participation in church services during Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday (Service of the Maidens), Holy Thursday-Vodunluva (Washing of the Feet) and participation in the Agape Meal representing Christ’s Last Supper
  • Participation in Divine Liturgy as Junior Parish Trustees, Bible and Gospel readers, and as Acolytes

For more information, visit our Contact Us page or stop the Sunday School office on Sunday mornings.