Education Program

Grace Church offers classes for adults, youth and younger children on Sundays from 10:15 to 11:00 AM, mid-September through mid-June.

Coordinators

Jo Belser is the 2008 vestry program coordinator for Education and Mike Jones is the non-vestry program coordinator.

Sunday adult education opportunities

Our offering during the academic year include the following types of classes.

Adult Forums
Sunday morning Adult Forums meet in the Merrow Hall Auditorium and offer opportunities for learning and growing in Christian living. Lay persons and clergy present many different topics. Adult Forum is designed to enable and encourage participants to live their faith in their daily lives.

Adult Inquirers’ classes
Taught by the clergy, Inquirers’ classes provide an introduction to the Episcopal Church and prepare adults for membership. Classes take place in the St. Mark Room and are open to all who are interested in a refresher course in the Bible, sacraments, liturgy, and basic tenets and practices of the church.

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Weekday adult education opportunities

Education for Ministry (EFM)

EFM is a four-year program on the Bible, theology, and church history, with an emphasis on theological reflection on personal experiences. Classes are offered on Monday nights from September through June. Contact Lorna Worley for more information.

Spirituality of Motherhood

The Spirituality of Motherhood group meets on Tuesday mornings from 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM in the church library to socialize, pray and discuss topics related to motherhood. Child care is provided, although infants are welcome to remain with their mothers. Contact Alison Smith for more information.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, September through June, in the church library to discuss and study topics chosen in advance. The only requirement is a commitment to attend and participate. Women and men are welcome.
During the Winter and Spring of 2008, the Wednesday Morning Bible Study is discussing the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).

Saturday Bible study

A Bible Study meets once a month on Saturday mornings, September through June, and includes a basic breakfast. This opportunity is open to all those (men, women, children) who are interested. Breakfast is from 7:30 to 8:15 AM, with Bible study from 8:15 to 9:15 AM, ending by 9:30 AM. Participants make donations to help defray the cost of breakfast. Contact David Crosby for more information.
This Bible study uses the African Model of Reflection (or Praying with Scripture). Using prayer with scripture allows reflection on personal experiences rather than trying to find the scripture's "correct" meaning.
This year, we will consider readings which speak of aspects of Discipleship. (Note: Each session stands on its own; if you miss a gathering there is no catch-up reading to do.
Contact David Crosby for more information.

Parish library

The Parish Library is open to all parishioners, especially between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays. The library committee always needs volunteers to help coordinate activities and the book collection. Contact Barbara Poole or Barbara Biebrich for more information.

Lenten Monday evening simple supper and program

Each evening begins with the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 PM, followed by a simple soup and sandwich supper at 7:15 PM, and the program from 7:45 to 8:45 PM.
 

The 2008 series, "Stories of Our Salvation," featured meditations on five of the Scriptural lessons that are read at the Great Vigil of Easter. The series concluded March 10.
 

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Youth education opportunities

Sunday School

We encourage all children from preschool through twelfth grade to attend Sunday school classes. Lay volunteer teachers and clergy offer classes on the Bible, the sacraments, the history and traditions of the church, and the mission of the church. Classes for youth and children are held each Sunday during the education hour at 10:15 AM, after the 9:00 AM Eucharist.

Children’s Chapel

Grace Church offers Children’s Chapel, a special worship service for children ages three through kindergarten designed to help young children understand and prepare for the regular worship service. We hold Children’s Chapel in the Saint Nicholas Room in the undercroft, beginning at 8:50 and 11:05 AM from mid-September to mid-June, and at 9:50 AM during the summer. Parent volunteers assist parish staff in conducting the Children’s Chapel service.

The children join their parents in church during the service at the time of the Peace. We encourage all baptized children to receive Holy Communion; we ask parents to bring infants and toddlers to the altar rail to receive Communion or a blessing.

Nursery program

The nursery program provides coordinated, cooperative care for infants and preschoolers under age three.

Church staff and volunteer parents provide care during the 9:00 AM service, the Christian Education period from 10:15 to 11:00 AM, and the 11:15 AM service on Sundays during the academic year. We provide childcare during the 10:00 AM service in the summer except on the Sunday of the parish weekend at Shrine Mont.

We also provide childcare during special services throughout the year, such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and The Great Vigil of Easter.

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Youth formation

Youth in grades six to twelve take part in the Journey to Adulthood program, a curriculum for youth designed within the Episcopal Church that offers education, fellowship and Christian formation through both Sunday School and youth group activities. Preparation for confirmation takes place during the middle two years of the curriculum. Rich Kelly is the 2008 vestry coordinator and Chrissie Crosby is the non-vestry Coordinator for the Youth Program.

Vacation Bible School

July 21-25, 2008 — here at Grace, we will be going on a Rainforest Adventure between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon each day. We’ll have classes for ages 3-12, and nursery for the younger ones. We also need adult volunteers, everything from snack makers, to song teachers and game players – all materials are provided. Vacation Bible School is filling up fast. Three and four year olds are now being wait-listed, but there is still space for other age groups (ages five through 12). More information is at www.Grace4Kids.com.

Music Camp — July 7-11
Grace’s Music and Children’s Ministries are combining forces to bring a musical summer camp for Grace rising third to twelfth graders between July 7 and 11 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Come, build a set, learn and perform a musical – all in a week. The performance will take place on Friday, July 11, at 7:00 pm. More details and registration forms are at www.Grace4Kids.com.

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