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Christian Learning
The
education program at St. Andrew’s Church is 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
The
education program is administered jointly by the Director of Education and
by the Vestry person for Education, with support from the Education
Committee.
Church School Committee
The Church School Committee develops policies, reviews curricula, designs programs, and coordinates educational offerings in the parish for
children and families. These include a variety of on-going adult study groups, guest lectures, intergenerational activities and the Children’s Chapel worship services.
Care
of Infants and Toddlers
Each Sunday from mid-September to mid-June, children under the age of three are in the Crib Room or Toddler Room.
Both rooms are run on a cooperative basis by parents and volunteers.
Children's Chapel / Preschool Program
Children
aged three and four attend classes each Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Staffed by parent
volunteers, this class time consists of a curriculum based on the Sunday
lectionary, play time, singing, snacks, and worship in the Children’s
Chapel. This chapel is
located across the hall from the Transept Chapel.
Worship in this space with preschoolers consists of a simple prayer
service with lots of singing and storytelling.
Church
School
There are
over 350 children and youth registered in the Church School at St.
Andrew’s. With the
exception of the All-Parish Eucharist,
children in kindergarten through seventh grade meet in class, beginning
at 9:45 a.m., from September to June.
The curriculum for kindergarten through second grade is
lectionary-based, focusing on the seasons of the church year and Bible
stories. During the course of
their Church School experience, third through eighth graders become
acquainted with the Old and New Testaments, the worship and traditions of
the Episcopal Church, the life and ministry of Jesus, and the meaning of
discipleship.
Worship
and music are integrated intentionally into every level of the Church
School. Children learn,
through experience and direct teaching, that singing and praising God are
one and the same. Music that
is a regular part of the Sunday worship service is taught to children in
class and in chapel services.
On Holy
Eucharist Sundays, children in kindergarten and up join the adults in the
church at the time of the Peace. On
Morning Prayer Sundays, these children participate in a special
Eucharistic liturgy in the Children’s Chapel.
This is a more informal service that teaches children how to set up
for worship and to participate in the readings and Prayers of the People.
On
All-Parish Eucharist Sundays (once a month),
kindergartners and older are in church with their families for the entire
worship service.
Teaching
in the Church School
The Church
School at St. Andrew’s is staffed by volunteers who bring a wide variety
of gifts to their ministry with children.
Interested parishioners need not be parents themselves or have
children in the program to in teach in the Church School.
Rather, a desire to share one’s faith with others and to witness
to the love of God in a patient and flexible way is all that is required.
Numerous opportunities for involvement exist—teachers, teaching
assistants and coordinators, special events coordinators, substitute
teachers, chaplains, musicians, and administrative helpers.
The Church
School year is divided into two semesters (September through January and
February through June). Usually
a team of two or more teachers has responsibility for a class for one
semester. Teacher training
and support sessions are offered throughout the school year.
Past teaching experience is not required.
Youth
Groups
The
program for young people at St. Andrew’s Church offers opportunities to
have fun and to make friends while exploring questions of faith with adult
mentors in a safe and confidential setting.
Participants also try to find ways to put their Christian faith
into action, by reaching out to others in need.
Activities are open to those in middle school and high school and
their guests.
Middle School Youth Group:
Several afternoon and evening events are planned each fall and
spring, including lock-ins, pizza parties, service projects and trips.
Senior High Youth Group: Coordinated
by a team of adults and young people, this group offers fellowship
opportunities and activities to all ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth
graders.
Communion
Preparation
The
Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians of any age to receive
the bread and wine at the altar rail during Holy Eucharist services.
It is up to parents to decide when their children are ready to
begin to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
Clergy and staff are always available to talk with parents and
guardians about their decision. Communion
preparation classes are open to children of all ages, especially first and
second graders, including those already receiving communion.
These classes are usually held in the spring.
Quiet
Days
Held on a
Saturday during Advent and Lent, Quiet Days provide a chance to meditate
and pray, alone and in small groups.
Led by the professional staff, these mini-retreats are usually four
to six hours long.
Adult
Education
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.
Bible Circles
offer opportunities for on-going study and
conversation about a specific piece of Scripture. Bible Circles meet monthly at the church from October
through May. These sessions
are taught by the Director of Education and the clergy.
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.
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.
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