Mustard Seed Atrium is for children ages 3-6. The 3-6 year old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith - the announcement of God's love, in the person of the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials focus on the person of Jesus, the parables of the Kingdom, as well as on the articles and gestures of the mass. The sacrament of baptism, where we receive the light of Christ is also lifted up. Sessions in the Mustard Seed atrium are approximately 1 1/2 hours weekly from mid-september through Pentecost.
True Vine Atrium is for children ages 7-9. The focus for the elementary child is Jesus, the True Vine: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, bears fruit. Cut off from me you can do nothing." The proclamation responds to the deep need of the older child to know better their relationships with God, family and the larger community. Materials focus on the moral parables, as well as more in-depth work on the liturgy and the sacraments. As the curriculum in the Mustard Seed atrium is foundational for the curriculum in True Vine, at least two years in the Mustard Seed atrium is needed before entering the True Vine atrium. Children who have not had this will need to attend additional sessions in order to participate fully in the True Vine atrium.
Golden Thread Atrium is for children ages 9-12. The imagination and agility with the concept of time which the older child has, allows them to continue their work on the plan of God for Salvation by exploring the past, the present and the future. A third Presentation of the history of salvation focuses on the Plan of God in history as a plan of communion, a plan which links all people together. The emphasis is on our response to this unfolding generosity of God and the responsibilities that come with receiving God's great gifts. Through typological studies of the Old and New Testaments, the children see the unitiy between Scripture, sacraments, liturgy and our lived experience. "What is the Kingdom of God and my place in it?" is a cosmic question, which begins to lay the foundations for a life's commitment. Completion of the True Vine curriculum is needed before entering the Golden Thread Atrium.
