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for Christian Formation Calendar Christian Learning Programs
Christian Learning is a life-long process that involves the deepening
of faith and understanding in every phase of life. As such, our
Christian Learning Programs at St. Andrew’s are designed with the
needs of all parishioners—from the youngest to the oldest—in
mind. It encompasses a wide variety of learning opportunities,
all dedicated to the following goals:
· To
teach how the Word of God in Scripture touches our hearts and minds
· To
strengthen a faith that guides our lives
· To
bring us together in worship
· To
help us learn how to pray
· To
teach us to value and participate in the Anglican tradition
· To
involve parents in the Christian formation of their children
· To
promote ministry to others
· To
involve children in the life of the parish and the parish in the lives of children
Our Christian Learning Programs are ministries of the entire parish,
calling upon the time and talents of many parishioners. They are
coordinated by the Assistant Rector for Christian Learning, the Christian
Learning Ministry Assistant, the Vestry Person for Christian Learning,
and the Church School Committee.
Questions about the Christian Learning Programs can be addressed to The
Rev. Brian Rebholtz.
Christian Learning for Children (Toddlers
through 5th Grade)
Church School: We
are a family-friendly church and we welcome families with children of
all ages to be part of our faith community. Currently there are
over 225 children in 5th grade and younger registered in our Church School
Co-Op. Volunteer parents provide all the teaching, and all parents
(except newcomers) are expected to volunteer for teaching at least every
other year. A Church School Committee, made up of parents, helps
administer this ministry and support its special events each year like
the Family Seder on Maundy Thursday and the Teacher Retreat Day.
On most Sundays from September through mid-June, Church School
classes for these children begin at 9:45 a.m. Elementary
school children join their parents in church at the time of the Peace,
while younger children remain in their classrooms until the service
concludes and their parents pick them up. A schedule is posted
and mailed to all Church School families in August with the schedule
of Church School Sundays – a good rule of thumb is that if it’s
not a holiday weekend, there’s probably church school, but you
can always call the parish office to make sure. New students
are welcome throughout the year. Contact: Susan Jackson Roer
or Brian Rebholtz with questions.
Church
School Information by Age Level:
| Age Group |
Type of Program |
Classroom Location |
| Infants |
While there is no formal program, parents are welcome to
be with their infants in the Toddler Rooms, or to keep them
in the church service. |
|
| Toddlers (age 2) |
Childcare is provided by volunteer parents at no charge. The
Toddler Rooms open at 9:45am and children remain there
until parents pick them up after the service.
|
In the basement underneath
the Narthex (main church lobby) |
Preschoolers
(3 & 4 yr olds) |
Children in this age group attend classes each Sunday from 9:45
a.m. until parents pick them up after the service. This time
includes a weekly visit to the Children’s Chapel for a simple
prayer service with singing and storytelling. |
In the basement underneath
Montessori Classroom
hallway. |
| Elementary |
Children in Kindergarten through 5th grades attend grade level
classrooms most Sundays beginning at 9:45 a.m. They are brought
into church at the time of the Peace to join their families. On
All Parish Eucharist Sundays, these children attend the entire 10:00 a.m. service
with their families. On Morning Prayer Sundays, they are invited to participate
in a special Children’s Chapel program (see note below). |
K – 2nd grade rooms are in
the basement. 3rd – 5th grade rooms are located
on the top floor. |
Children’s Chapel on Holiday Weekends: On
most national holiday weekends, our 10:00 a.m. service is Morning Prayer
and there is no church school for this age group. However, elementary
school students are welcome to attend a Children’s Chapel program
that runs during much of the Morning Prayer service. Children should
begin in Church with their parents, and during one of the first hymns,
they will leave with a member of the Clergy and parent volunteers for
a Chapel program that will include prayers, exploring a story, an activity,
and children’s communion. Children are welcome to bring a
parent with them.
Children’s Communion Preparation: The
Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians of any age to receive
the bread and the wine at the altar during services of Holy Communion. The
mystery of holy communion is something we come to know more and more
fully as we get older, through God’s grace. There is no minimum
requirement of knowledge or understanding to begin participating, and
so it is up to parents to decide when their children are ready to begin
receiving the sacrament. However, we do encourage all children
(whether or not there are taking communion) to participate in the Children’s
Communion Preparation Class, which is offered each year the week before
Mother’s Day in May. Geared to 1st and 2nd graders, this
class need only be taken once, and includes age appropriate instruction
for both children and their parents both about the practical and spiritual
aspects of receiving Holy Communion. Any of the Clergy are happy
to speak with you about your particular family situation.
Children’s Choirs: Children first
grade and above may join the Children’s Choir. For
more information, please visit the Music section of our website.
Christian Learning For Youth (6th
thru 12th Grades)
Rite-13 Middle School Program: All 6th
and 7th graders are invited to participate in the Rite-13 program, a
two-year Christian formation group that combines church school, youth
group, bible study, and fellowship into one experience. With the
goal of creating meaningful Christian community that is fun, informative,
and spirited, this program meets from September through May both on Sunday
mornings and at other times for special events or outings. There
is usually one meeting per weekend (either Sunday morning from 9:45 a.m.
to 11:10 a.m. or a special outing) and the program usually does NOT meet
on national holiday weekends. This program usually has about 30
to 35 active students and is a great time!
Youth Inquirers Group: This group is for 8th
graders (and occasionally slightly older students) and meets about thirteen
times throughout the year on selected Sunday evenings to prepare for
Confirmation. Youth Inquirers attend the 5:00 p.m. service on class
nights and then meet upstairs in the Rite-13 room until 6:30 p.m. for
class. An overnight retreat and several group service days are
part of the program, which is required for Confirmation at St. Andrew’s. A
parents meeting usually takes place in September and the program begins
in October.
“The Good Life”: St. Andrew’s
High School Youth Group for all 9th – 12th graders meets twice per month
on Sunday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students are asked in September
to commit to attending the Sunday nights regularly, which include gathering
to prepare and eat a meal together, hanging out, playing some games, and talking
about what it really means to live “the good life”. This
group also plans the Haunted House, Movie Nights, the January Ski Trip, and
selects the destination for the Youth Mission Trip in the summer.
Summer Youth Mission Trips: Every year,
the High School Youth Group plan a mission trip to learn about other
countries or communities and to offer Christian service to people and
places in particular need. Recent destinations have included: Cuba,
Jamaica, the Gulf Coast, the Dominican Republic. Students having
completed 9th through 12th grades are eligible to attend!
Youth Acolyte Program: Young People in 8th
grade and older are invited to serve as Acolytes, Banner Bearers and
Crucifers during the 10:00 a.m. service. Generally, teens are put
into a set crew that serves once per month. Please contact Cynthia
Scott at 781-293-0223 to sign up. Training and vestments are provided.
Christian Learning for Adults
Christian Learning Series meets from 9:00
a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on most Sundays from mid-September through May in Room
2 (downstairs) for adults seeking to explore the history, theology, spirituality,
and practice of our Christian faith in the Episcopal tradition. We
invite you to come join us whenever your Sunday morning schedule allows. The
subjects we discuss are published in the parish newsletter (The CALL)
and in weekly leaflets. You need not commit yourself to every class
in a unit to participate. We also welcome ideas for future series
topics or guest speakers you’d like us to invite.
Parish Forums are scheduled
periodically after the 10:00 a.m. worship service and usually on the
last Sunday afternoon of each month at 4:00 p.m. Led by outside speakers
as well as St. Andrew’s clergy, staff and parishioners, these presentations,
lectures and discussions focus on a variety of topics.
Intergenerational Lenten Series occur on the
five Wednesday evenings during Lent from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All
are invited to attend a simple potluck supper, followed by hour-long
adult and children’s programs, concluding with brief prayers. Each
year a theme is selected (suggestions always welcome!) and often outside
speakers lead the adult sessions. This is an engaging fellowship
opportunity to help deepen our Lenten spiritual practice.
Education for Ministry (EFM) is a four-year
program of theological study and worship created and administered by
the School of Theology at the University of The South. The goals
of EFM are to explore faith and action, to support each person’s
ministry, and to help people grow in their spiritual lives. EFM
programs have graduated over 11,360 adults worldwide. At St. Andrew’s,
EFM classes take place on Thursday mornings under the guidance of a trained
lay leader. New members may join in September. This is our most
comprehensive adult education program and a wonderful group for those
interested in spending several years deepening their faith through learning.
Bible Circle is an opportunity for on-going
study and conversation about a specific part of or theme in the Bible. This
monthly time of fellowship and learning, geared especially for retired
parishioners, occurs Tuesday mornings from October through May. Sessions
are facilitated by a member of the Clergy, and all are welcome to attend. The
parish office has the exact meeting dates.
Adult Study Group meets on Wednesday mornings
at 9:00 a.m. to read and to study contemporary theological writings. The
group meets for six-week study periods during which time a particular
book is read and discussed. The group is open to all parishioners
and is facilitated by lay leaders.
Men’s Bible Study Group meets on the
first Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Group members select one book
of the Bible to study for the academic year. By examining Scripture,
commentaries, and personal experience, members discern the implications
of God’s Word for work and ministry.
Adult Inquirers Class explores the fundamentals
of the Christian faith as expressed in the Anglican tradition. This
course is offered not only for adults seeking Confirmation or to be Received
into The Episcopal Church, but for any adults seeking to pursue their
lifelong spiritual journey more intentionally. The course meets
as needed based on parishioner interest. Please contact a member
of the clergy if you’d like to be part of the next group.
Quiet Days are held on a selected Saturday
during Advent and Lent. Quiet Days provide a chance to meditate and pray,
alone and in small groups. Led by the Clergy, these mini-retreats
are usually four to six hours long.
Weekly E-Meditation List is an email listserv
that contains a weekly spiritual reflection delivered right to your inbox
by a member of the Clergy. This is a wonderful way to begin (or
deepen) a habit of weekly prayer time away from church. Please
call the parish office if you wish to be added to the list.
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