Christian Formation is the path we begin with baptism and hopefully continue all our lives. It is not merely showing up at Sunday School every couple of Sundays or even every Sunday, but it is our Christian formation, our individual journey of faith. It is the walk we walk every day of our lives: The choices we make, the sins we commit, the forgiveness we receive, the fellowship we share, the peace and love we have in the knowledge of Christ’s perfect love for us. At St. Paul’s we invite you to journey with us and grow in fellowship and faith with others.

For questions regarding any Christian Formation programs, please contact our Christian Education Director, Deacon Chris Harpster.

Christian Ed Calendar 2011-2012

Christian Formation Programs

(Click on the program names for links to other pages/schedules)

For Kids

Godly Play

Godly Play, offered  for pre-school children through approximately Grade 2, tells the core stories of the Christian faith. This is done by telling stories and using materials that the children can see, hear, and touch, therefore making the stories come alive. No matter what a child’s primary learning style – visual, auditory, or kinetic – this curriculum addresses the children’s spiritual lives in ways they can understand. All Godly Play teachers have been trained in this technique, which is very child-centered.

Godly Play is a Montessori-related approach to learning which enables children to experience the presence of a loving God and to discover how to “speak the language” of biblical faith. It is a delivery method of learning, which enables young children to encounter God by using both of their critical “gates” of knowing the world: play and language. Its intent is to invite children to experience God’s presence as real and gracious.

Godly Play is the product of many years’ work by the Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman of the Center for the Theology of Childhood in Houston, TX. Godly Play is currently used in more than 700 churches that range in spiritual sensibility from Pentecostal to Mainline to Quaker. Godly Play is also being used in some hospitals, and has contacts in Australia, the United Kingdom, Africa, South America, and Mexico.

Time: 9:00 am Sunday mornings

Place: The Godly Play room can be found up the stairs (past the elevator), to the right, at the end of the hallway. Children are greeted at the door, and families are encouraged to be on time so that children won’t miss the beginning of the story. Schedule can be found here.

Communion Classes

Communion classes are periodically available for young children, to help them understand life in Christian community. This class includes information about Baptism, the Eucharist, the Seasons of the Church Year, Liturgy, and Contemporary Worship. Please contact Deacon Chris if you are interested in your child beginning a Communion class.

St. Paul’s Adventurers

 An open-discussion type of class for older children, grades 3-5, tackling some tough topics with warmth and acceptance of all questions and thoughts from the kids.

Time: 9:00 am

Place: The Godly Play room can be found up the stairs (past the elevator), to the right, last room on the right off of the hallway.

For Teens

Journey to Adulthood (J2A)/EYC

Journey to Adulthood is open to all young people from grades 6 – 12, and meets after the late service on Sundays. We begin with a J2A lesson, followed by lunch and a group activity. J2A programs range from serious to fun, including outreach projects both within and outside the church. J2A sponsors Thanksgiving baskets for the needy and a Christmas gift tree.

Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Sundays

Place: The J2A room can be found upstairs (past the elevator), to the left. Look for couches and a TV!

For Adults

Adult Forum

Adult Forum, sometimes called Adult Sunday School, is one of two Christian Formation programs offered for adults in the congregation. This Forum is led by Father Jay, and discussions center around reading through books of the Bible.

Time: 9:00 am Sundays

Place: Sunday School Hall – Last (3rd) room on right

Adult Forum II

Adult Forum II is a second Christian Formation program offered for adults. This Forum has rotating leaders, and focuses on both a development of Christian understandings and the building of relationships among participants, using discussions and prayer.

Time: 9:00 am Sundays

Place: Annex (House behind our parking lot and Food Pantry)

Cursillo

Cursillo is a community of Episcopalians who work to grow in their faith and following of Christ. Cursillo communities grow together through Cursillo Weekends, with follow-up meetings to continue spiritual growth and support.

Education for Ministry (EFM)

EFM is a four-year course of study prepared by the School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee. This course helps prepare lay people to understand and develop their personal ministries in the church and in the world. The weekly sessions are two hours long and continue for 34 weeks from August through May. Participants explore information from weekly reading assignments and participate in theological reflections designed to help them understand the action of God in their lives. The cost for the course is $340 per year. Both payment plans and scholarship assistance are available. Enrollment is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Christian faith; open enrollment occurs on an annual basis. Please contact the church office for further information.