Sundays at 10 am and online · Details

  5450 Churchwood Drive, Oak Park, CA 91377  ·   (818) 991-4797  ·     Give

The Church of the Epiphany
  • EXPLORE
    • Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Our Beginning
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
  • Worship
    • Worship with Us
    • Holy Week and Easter Services
    • Live Stream Service
    • Milestones and Sacraments
    • Sermons
    • Music
    • Flowers
    • Prayer Request
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
  • Families
    • Mission & Guiding Principles
    • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
    • Youth Group
    • Adult Formation
    • a grief shared
  • Ways to Engage
    • Serving the Church
    • Outreach - Serving Others
    • Fellowship
    • OWLS (Older Wiser Laity)
    • PFLAG
    • Partners
  • Music Guild
    • Music
    • Music Guild Events
    • Join the Music Guild
    • Parish Choir
    • Schola
    • Our Organ
  • Red Door Vineyard
    • About
    • Membership
    • In the Vineyard
    • News
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Tell Us About Yourself
    • Leadership
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe to Connections
    • Give
    • Prayers of Thanksgiving
    • Parish Directory
    • Helpful Links
  • Home

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been described as a meeting place of two mysteries: the mystery of God, and the mystery of the children.

This program is highly child-centered and allows children to enter into a relationship with God in their own ways, and in their own time. We meet in the atrium, a quiet, focused place - more like a children’s chapel than a classroom. Everything in the atrium is designed with simplicity, beauty, and dignity, and all items are child-sized.

Catechesis holds that children have a deep capacity to receive and experience the most essential elements of our faith, and offers a place where God is encountered through word and action. The catechist's role is to prepare the environment and to give selected presentations from scripture and liturgy that "call forth" the child's response rather than "pour in" information. The catechist listens with the child and together they ask, "God, who are you? How do you love us?"

Each Sunday, a different presentation is offered in the atrium, for example: the Presentation of the Geography and Land of Israel, where the children locate the very place where Jesus was born, or the Presentation of Liturgical Calendar and Colors, which shows the way our church year is structured.

The first three Sundays of each month, we will meet in the atrium at 9:45 a.m. During the Peace, we bring your children back to the sanctuary for Communion.

The fourth Sunday of each month, the children will be in church; we encourage them to sit in the front pews so that they can see in the church for themselves what they have learned and experienced in the atrium.

All children are welcome to visit our atrium, and anyone can drop in any time they are visiting.


The Atrium: A Prepared Environment

The atrium is one of the most important elements that helps the relationship between God and the child to flourish. After a theme has been presented, the child is free to choose an activity that will make possible the inner dialogue with the "Interior Teacher."

The atrium can be compared to a retreat house facilitating recollection and silence. It is a place for religious life, …

Read More »
Share this page: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Laurie Burns, M.S., MFT
Children's Formation; a grief shared
(310) 948-1484 

    Laurie Burns, M.S., MFT

    Children's Formation; a grief shared
    (310) 948-1484 |

    Laurie has been on staff at Epiphany since 2001 and an active member since 1988. She serves as Lay Eucharistic Minister, Epiphany Youth Group leader, and catechist for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She facilitated the Grief and Loss Group for 13 years - and most recently began facilitating the Epiphany Pulse group. Laurie and her husband, Barry, have loved their time at Epiphany and look forward to many more years in their church home.

    Catechesis of the Good Shepherd The Atrium: A Prepared Environment

    Beginning Tuesday, March 28

    While we are capable of experiencing joy and meaning in ...

    Read More »

    Spam e-mail from The Rev. Jamie Barnett

    A phishing e-mail was sent out on March 8 from jamiebarn...

    Read More »

    SPRING AHEAD

    Daylight saving time begins at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, M...

    Read More »

    Prayers of Thanksgiving 2/22

    Bob and Tina Thomson are grateful that their son Michael...

    Read More »

    How Will We Get to Where We Want to Go?

    The Spiritual Life Inventory Wrap-up is this Sunday, Fe...

    Read More »

    © 2023 The Church of the Epiphany
    5450 Churchwood Dr., Oak Park, CA 91377
    (818) 991-4797

      View Entire Post

    Service Times

    The 10:00 a.m. Sunday service is also live-streamed, and can be viewed here.

    If you would like to access past services, please go to the Epiphany YouTube Channel.

    Location

    The Church of the Epiphany
    5450 Churchwood Drive
    Oak Park, CA 91377

    Contact Us
    (818) 991-4797

    Newsletter Signup

    Our Sunday morning 10 a.m. worship is streamed via Facebook Live. You can watch on Facebook or by clicking below to watch on our website anytime.

    Watch Livestream

    What are you looking for? We can help!

    Are you looking for a spiritual connection? A place to worship? A place to learn about and grow your faith? A place to serve others in the community? A place to get involved? A place for friendship? You've come to the right place!

    We, the members of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, strive to be an open and welcoming spiritual family, committed to sharing in God’s goodness both within and beyond this community of faith. We will serve God through worship, stewardship, learning, involvement and the warmth of holy friendship, walking the way of Christ.
    No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome here.

    Explore Inclusion The Episcopal Shield

    Leadership Our Beginning Clergy Through the Years


    Your ongoing financial support allows all of us to embrace and engage in the mission and ministry of The Church of the Epiphany. We thank you for your generosity.

    Give Online