Christian Education
Sunday School
St. Matthew's provides four classes of Sunday School: Pre-Kindergarten, Primary, Intermediate, and Young Teens that meet during the 10:00 am service on all Sundays except Family Sunday the 2nd Sunday of each month when children attend the service with their parents. Sunday School teachers volunteer in teams and use age-appropriate teachings from the Whole People of God: an on-line curriculum. Lessons are interactive and utilize crafts, music, readings, and art work that engage the children. The Parish House where most Sunday School classes are held is supervised by a Greeter. All volunteers are trained in and follow Safe Church guidelines. See list of Teaching Team* below.
Babysitting: is provided during 10:00 am Sunday services for infants and toddlers.
Summer Kids Classes are provided during the 9:00 am Summer time services. The classes are spiritual in nature but include more art work and play than the Sunday School classes.
*Sunday School Teaching Team
| Pre-Kindergarten: | Primary: | ||
| Jody Auger | Lisa Jukes | ||
| Karyn Battey | Monika Wright | ||
| Heather Meyers | Kelly Nordstom | ||
| Jen Cattin | Jane Doherty & Natalie Sennett | ||
| Intermediate: | Young Teens: | ||
| Happy Beale | Jennifer Gilliand | ||
| Melanie Sherwood | Emily Dutton | ||
| Gail Schwab | Nancy Nichols | ||
| Stacey Edgar | Deb Haines | ||
| Greeters: | |||
| Joan Stevens, Vestry Liaison | |||
| Jill Desrochers, Sunday School Director | |||
| Happy Beale | |||
| Jean Leduc |
Community Spiritual Life Center
To provide opportunities for all who seek to go deeper in their spiritual journey and to be more open to the power of the Spirit. Spiritual, Yoga/Tai Chi, Book Group, Health, and retreat programs are offered throughout the year. Check the website for dates and times: www.cslcgoffstown.org
Toddler/Baby Play Group
Monday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.
Bible Chat
is held on Wednesdays from noon - 1 pm in the Easter Room of the Parish House and occasionally on evenings as announced in Sunday bulletin and weekly Parish Notes.
Other programs including film and book discussions are offered as announced in Sunday bulletin and weekly Parish Notes.
Programs of the Church Seasons
Lenten Program: Between Ash Wednesday and Easter there are evening programs to help parishioners prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus in their own lives. This time of inward refection and contemplation can result in spiritual growth that is quite life changing.
Live Nativity: St Matthew's is famous for its Christmas week live nativity featuring children and adults as Mary Joseph, Shepherd, angel and even a two-person camel. The choir sings carols as donkey and pony quietly eat hay.
Epiphany Play: The story of the birth of Christ is enacted and sung by children in the parish. This is not your grandmother's play, be ready for some belly laughs as current events are interwoven with the sacred happenings of 2,000 years ago.
Spiritual Preparation
Baptismal Instruction: New parents and people of faith of any age are prepared for Baptism and the blessings thus inferred to prepare them for a lifetime of faith.
Confirmation: Young and old(er) are assisted in their spiritual path as they ready for confirmation by the presiding Bishop of New Hampshire. New confirmation classes usually form annually.
Marriage Preparation: Couples are counseled by our parish Priest as they prepare themselves for a life together with the blessing of the church.