WELCOME TO CHRIST CHURCH

Registration Form for Christian Education 08-09. It is in a PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to download and print. A free reader can be obtained at Adobe site. Click here for form.

At Christ Episcopal Church the Christian Education with Youth ministries are a welcoming, nurturing, supportive and spiritual community for children birth to eighteen years old where they can explore and develop their relation with Christ Jesus. To meet the needs of our children we are currently using curriculum from Season’s of the Spirit, Living the Good News, Journey to Adulthood and Youth Alpha. Season’s Growing Faith for infants and toddlers helps us to form a loving and safe environment where children will begin to trust in a loving God. Living the Good News curriculum is a lectionary based, learning by doing program for school aged children. For adolescents, Journey to Adulthood that explores the lifelong process of developing your own spirituality by accepting yourself as a gift from God and exploring your gifts to be a successful active participate in God’s plan for your life. Youth Alpha is a ten week program that works with our Journey to Adulthood program for youth. Each program nurtures both the individual Christian and the Christian family. When we celebrate our differences and diverse life experiences we pattern ourselves after God, who delights from creating unique individuals with many talents and gifts to share.

This classroom (traditionally the nursery) is for our smallest children to feel welcomed and comforted. Parents are encouraged to slowly transition their child to the classroom. We our utilizing the Seasons Growing Faith program from the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. Our children learn how Jesus loves them through Christian symbolism and interactive play.

Our preschool class is learning through hands on activities that encourage a relationship with Christ Jesus. Children have a lot of energy and enjoy repetition, dramatic play, singing, musical instruments, building blocks, and art and craft projects. Children develop a sense of independence while keeping parents, family and teachers close by for reassurance.

Children love to dress up and interact through dramatic play. Music and art are some of the hands on activities used as part of the interactive lessons that connect the activity to the weekly lesson. Love, friendship, compassion, truth and forgiveness are a few of the Christian values being learned as the children observe their parents and teachers modeling these behaviors while being involved in ministries throughout the church.

Children in this age group are building strong friendships. They are an inquisitive group who are developing their communication and independence skills. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of self by selecting activities that will help them to grow spiritually. Children learn elements of worship and tradition. “Jesus teaches us to love others as we love ourselves.” We are all unique and God loves us all.

This group will be learning how to acolyte for all church services. They have already taken on many leadership roles within the children’s worship service that takes place just prior to church school in the Chapel. Children begin explore passages of the Bible and engage in group discussions about how the lessons we learn about in the Bible are instructions for life. Activities are planned that incorporate games and simple improvisational drama. Art, music and creative writing help children explore feelings, enhance self esteem and relate to Bible stories.

Youth Education
Journey to Adulthood
The Journey to Adulthood is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th - 12th grades. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core messages of 1) manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God, and 2) Adulthood must be earned. There are three segments of the program:

Rite 13 (11-12-13 year olds)
The first three years (6th through 8th grades) focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this. Youth begin to explore the vision of Christ Church and how they can use their gifts by doing Christ Jesus’ work through a variety of ministries.

J2A (14-15-16 year olds)
The middle portion of the program engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. In addition to the J2A program, youth participate in a 10 week session of Youth Alpha. We are working to equip our youth with tools that will strengthen their knowledge of God and his work in the world. While helping them to communicate and work well with others. Youth explore skills in prayer, bible study, awareness of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and fulfilling their baptismal promise.

YAC (17 and 18 year olds)
A mentor-based program helping older teens to discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized.

Youth Group of Christ Church
All three levels of the Journey to Adulthood work together as the Youth Group of Christ Church.

Teens work together within our church, local community, and worldwide by taking part in Worship, Fellowship, Education, Outreach and Evangelism activities that bring themselves and the world closer to Christ Jesus.

Adult Education:
Alpha - 12 week introduction to basics of Christianity - a time of fellowship, sharing a meal, music, video and small discussion groups. Keep an eye out for the next session.

Book Club - meets monthly to discuss a chosen book providing education and fellowship

Library - access to reference, inspirational, biographic and fiction books for all ages

Cursillo - an active weekend retreat held once a year, brining joy and spiritual refreshment to participant

EFM - Education for Ministry- a four year course designed to help one to formulate their own theology. This course is offered at Christ Church.

Baptismal classes - held for parents and godparents - 2-3 sessions that teach the meaning of and history of baptism

Reception/Confirmation classes - the official receiving into the Church community, performed by the Bishop- 2-3 sessions before for discussion of baptismal vows

Lectures and workshops - Spiritual workshop for adults - one will be held soon on Spirital Gifts. Call the Church for details.

Training for acolytes and Eucharistic ministry. Training to lead compline or evening prayer.

Order of St. Luke - Bible study on Jesus' healing ministry, as well as book study and laying on of hands.