Growing our understanding
Our Projects
The Center for Children and Theology is fortunate enough to have many capable and curious members researching children and building programs. This work is how CCTheo grows the kingdom internally and externally.
Much of this work would not be possible without the support we receive through grants. These generous offers allow us to experiment with new ideas while deepening our understanding. All of our current projects are listed below. For updates, follow us on social media and get in contact to find out how you can get involved in an ongoing grant project. We are honored to offer research avenues to catechists through our generous grant funders.
Catechist Action Research in the Atrium (CARA)
The Catechist Action Research in the Atrium holds the standard of Dr. Montessori’s commitment to scientific observation and research in the spiritual development of the Child. Working with members of the community and with support from our grant providers, CARA investigates children’s connection to God.
Community Atria
Developing creative solutions to atrium challenges through shared spaces that welcome the broader community to share the gifts of the atrium and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Leader: Kay Perdue Meadows
Music of the Atrium for Parents & Catechists
Music of the Atrium offers families music that invites prayer, sparks wonder, and fosters communion with Jesus and creation. These songs are offered through downloadable recordings (vocals, piano, guitar) and sheet music (piano, chords, lap harp, tonal bells).
Leaders: Beverly Sanders,
David Hansen, & Chris Hansen
Together in Difference Podcast
Hosts Anita and Jodi-beth open the series by sharing their journey of listening deeply to children—to their joy and hope, their longing for fairness, their spiritual insights. With stories and reflections from their experience of accompanying children in their deep ponderings of big questions, they invite us into conversations at the crossroads of parenting, faith, and the church’s history of othering.
Leaders: Jodi-Beth McCain &
Anita Vincent
Grace Notes Newsletter
Parents and grandparents need practical, in-the-moment ideas to nurture their family’s faith at home. Each month Allison invites folks to make space to celebrate, to pray, and to read. GraceNotes responds directly to family needs — offering them joy, peace, and encouragement as they nurture their children’s spirituality. With free and accessible resources, GraceNotes meets parents where they are with warm, practical guidance.
Leader: Allison Winter
Parent Toddler Atrium
The Parent Toddler Projects supports the spiritual lives of very young children and their caregivers through sacred spaces, the Montessori method, and parent formation. The spiritual lives of the youngest children are worthy of attention, close observation, and nurture. We also offer a pathway for parents to deepen their individual relationship with God, led by their child. This is achieved through our two projects: the Spiritual Parenting Lab and the Parent Toddler Montessori Album.
Leader: Davette Himes
Autism and the Church
With little research comparing how children’s relationship with God is (or isn’t) impacted by their relationship with their local church community, this project centers research about Autistic children and their families. It offers supports which brings needed training and resources to churches and catechists.
Leader: Elizabeth Vice
Literature Compass
To provide recommended book titles for nurturing the faith of children of all ages, and that represent the diversity of people in our communities.
Leader: Tracy Gaestel
Shared Faith
Shared Faith offers gentle video resources for parents to encounter God, to know Jesus as the children know him, and to recognize the Holy Spirit at work in and through their child and themselves.
Leader: Rebecca Malone
Baptized - Opening The Gift
Baptism is more than a moment, it’s the beginning of a lifelong journey with God. Each child’s baptism is an opening, a sacred invitation into community, grace and wonder. Through prayerful preparation and ongoing support, we help families open the gift of baptism and walk with their children as they grow in faith.
Leader: The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock
Grants Past and Present
Longitudinal Grant
Ten sub-grant project ranging from research into Autistic children to creating a developmentally appropriate collection of music for children to strengthening faith-communities through the sacrament of Baptism.