Christian Education
Sunday School

The Gospel calls us to teach and learn. While Jesus didn't take attendance as children and adults gathered around him or call such gatherings "Sunday School", his words and actions clearly teach that learning and faithfulness are intertwined. Through baptism we are named and claimed as God's own. Sunday school is a place for children, youth and adults to hear the Bible story and to be reminded of their baptismal identity. It is a place for us to sense our belonging as God's children and to grow in the knowledge of God's love. It is a place where we use and discover our gifts as we learn how to be Christian disciples.

We currently offer the following classes on Sunday mornings:

Ages 3-5: All Things New Level I
A scripture centered Episcopal curriculum that focuses on the best-loved Bible stories and Episcopal basics. It honors a variety of learning styles, as the children explore scripture through age-appropriate stories, art, movement, music, and faith skills. A weekly take-home Children’s Paper helps parents take an informed role in their child’s faith development and provides ideas to continue experiencing each week’s theme at home. Please note that Kindergarten children who turned 6 before the end of 2006 will be placed in Godly Play unless you request that they remain in the 3 to 5 year old class.


Grades 1-2: Godly Play
A Montessori based method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children that is closely tied to our order of worship. We gather in the circle to hear God’s word, respond through wondering questions and art, we pray, share a “feast”, and are blessed. Godly Play teaches children the art of using religious language to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

Grades 3 & 4: All Things New Level III
Focuses on 78 Bible stories over a two year cycle and incorporates Episcopal liturgy and tradition. Through the use of A Children’s Book of Common Prayer, children will learn more than dozen of the most familiar prayers of the liturgy. The curriculum incorporates contemporary and multi-cultural resources into the learning process and honors a variety of learning styles. The class invites exploration of scripture through storytelling, music, art and drama using age-appropriate activities to help children connect God’s word to their daily lives.

Grades 5 & 6: All Things New Level IV
Focuses on 78 Bible stories over a two year cycle and incorporates Episcopal liturgy and tradition. Through the use of A Children’s Book of Common Prayer, children will learn more than dozen of the most familiar prayers of the liturgy. The curriculum incorporates contemporary and multi-cultural resources into the learning process and honors a variety of learning styles. The class invites exploration of scripture through storytelling, music, art and drama using age-appropriate activities to help children connect God’s word to their daily lives.


Grades 7 & 8: Rite 13, Year II
This two-year program brings together Holy Scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, and the life stories of the participants. It is designed to build Christian community and a greater knowledge of who and whose we are through games, study, discussion and service. This is year one. Those who turn 13 during the year will have their Rite 13 ceremony in May 2007.

Grades 9 & 10: Journey to Adulthood (J2A)-Year II
This is a two-year program, which helps prepare our young people for adulthood. Six basic skills are taught from the perspective of life in Christian community. Skills are practiced in the midst of teaching, discussion, Bible study and fun. All teens in these grades are welcome—you need not have taken the Rite 13 class. This is year one.

Grades 11 & 12: Young Adults in Church (YAC)
This is the third section of the Rite 13, J2A program. The goal is to encourage participation in the ongoing life of the Church by discovering gifts, becoming God’s good stewards, developing spiritually, serving Christ in others and having fun. All teens in these grades are welcome-you need not have taken the J2A class.

The Scriptures, Prayer, and Music of the Church's Christian Seasons
The seasonal collects of the Christian Year were created through the ages to lead our minds to prayerful thought about God's divine authority, power, and blessing. The lectionaries of scripture for the "Lord's Day" worship is a wonderful compilation that defines God's beauty and the calling that 4000 years of revelation directs us to share in the holiness of liturgy. Finally poetry and music praising our Lord and our God through the ages has filled the Body of Christ, His Holy Church with the sounds of praise, personal and corporate as we await His coming. Father George, Gary Gordon, Deacon Jennifer and others invite you to participate.

Gospel Takeout with Jerry, Bob & Friends
“Gospel Takeout” is a group of parishioners and guests discussing the Sunday Gospel and sermon. They read the Gospel aloud and then open discussion on a strictly volunteer basis, by sharing what they have heard in the Gospel/sermon message. There are many different insights, but no wrong answers because it is what you hear in the message. Then they discuss how they can take the messages home this week, that is, like take out! The class meets in St. John’s room.

Living Into Abundance
The path to abundance is a deeper awareness of God and of the uniqueness of ourselves and the gifts God has given us to use. This class will look at how to live life more abundantly by maximizing our talents time and treasures. Using resources drawn from Holy Scriptures and contemporary authors, we will move through the liturgical seasons learning more about ourselves and what our particular strengths and talents are, how to use time more effectively so there is room for spiritual renewal and growth, and how to practice stewardship of our resources in ways that bring peace of mind and sharing with a world in need. Tools needed will be curiosity, interest in continuing spiritual growth and a Bible. Deacon Jennifer will provide handouts and readings from various authors for each Sunday, as well as a bibliography for those who wish to read more in the books used as resources.

“20 Something” Bible Study
Anyone out of high school and under thirty is invited to lunch and study after the 11:15 AM service on Sundays -- and bring a friend! This year we will be looking at how Christians throughout history have approached the issues of living a Christian life -- and what that has to do with us today. Contact Kay Sevick if you have questions.

JUNIOR HIGH EPISCOPAL YOUTH COMMUNITY
Sunday nights from 4-6 PM all youth (6th through 8th grades) are welcome to join us.It is a time of games, friends, and reflective thinking about life, God and how we all fit into this world. Friends are welcome!