Year 2 [Unit 2/c] 7 hours

This unit is about what Christians do when they go to church. It should include a church visit.

• Why do Christians go to church?
• What do Christians do when they go to church?
• What might we expect a church to be like?

The Visit
The website www.educhurch.org.uk is an excellent resource which compares three very different churches, looking at the buildings, interiors and ways of worship. It is good for a ‘virtual’ church visit if a real one proves difficult. See also our Year 3 pages on Churches.

The book ‘The Path That Runs by the Church’ by Lois Rock has been given to Primary Schools in the Watford area in 2002.

We have prepared a series of 7 lessons using this book. We have copies of the book available for loan on request.

A church visit is suggested for Week 6 - this needs to be planned in advance.

Week 1
Ask the question ‘what is a church?’ What might it look like? Have any of the children been to a church? Why did they go there?
Read a poem such as ‘The Church’ by Liz Lunn or ‘Build the Church’ by Marjorie Frances (available from us).
Watch the video ‘Sarah and Paul’.
Think back to Harvest and look at ‘The Path That Runs by the Church’, chapters 2-5. Chapter 5 talks about using a kneeler for prayer. Click here for a picture of a kneeler or borrow one to show if possible.
Think about the church as a place to PRAY.

Week 2
Think back to Christmas and look at chapters 10 and 11 of ‘The Path...’.
Look at items found in a church such as stained glass, banners, pulpit, music and talk about the church as a place to WORSHIP.

Week 3
Chapters 13-15 of ‘The Path...’ are about Lent and chapter 15 in particular includes an infant baptism. You could enact a baptism with a doll (see Year 1 on ‘Belonging’).
Read a poem such as ‘Our Church’ by Maggie Barfield (available from us).
Look at a font and a Bible on a lectern.
Think about the church as a place to MEET THE CHURCH FAMILY & LEARN.

Week 4
The chapter on Easter Sunday (chapter18) covers Holy Communion and the altar. Look at the BBC’s ‘Pathways to Belief’ video clip. Show a chalice or a picture of one. Talk about the bread and the wine and the church as a place to SHARE.

Week 5
The church is also a place for happy and sad occasions. Chapter 20 looks at a wedding (and chapter 6, a funeral). Show a wedding dress. Look at ‘My Christian Faith’ Big Book (available for loan).
Think about the church as a place to CELEBRATE.

Week 6
Arrange to visit a local church this week. Some suggested activities:
Look at old and new aspects of the building.
How is the church used in the week?
Meet the vicar/minister.
Look at the vestments (if used).
Perhaps take some photos.
Sit in silence.
Draw some of the artefacts already discussed in previous lessons.

Week 7
Plenary session.