Education
Christian education is on summer vacation and will resume September 6.
Christian education at Church of the Servant takes many forms. Each encourages spiritual growth through questioning, searching, discussion, reflection. Learn here about Adult Christian Education, Young Servants, Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood (J2A), and the Young Adult Leaders in Church (YAC) programs.
Sunday morning Christian Education (adult): Series are lectures or facilitated discussions on various topics ranging from ranging from books of the Bible to environmental concerns to images of Mary in art. Bible Workbench explores various themes and patterns in the biblical story while trying to answer what is happening in the text, how the story or text is happening around us, and how this story is our story.
Education for Ministry (EFM): Those interested in finding out about EFM are asked to contact Bates or Ed Toone (686-5035). The cost, which can be put on a charge card, is $340 per year. You can Google "efm episcopal church" to find out more about the program. Bates and Ed will meet with interested persons after the 11:00 AM service on Jan. 3 with the intent of starting a group in mid January.
We're building a children's library at COS! Please consider donating a book from our wish list.
Preschoolers. This past fall we phased in the Atrium program (also called The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) for 3-and 4-year-olds. Children were oriented to their new, specially prepared area during October. To learn more about this approach, you can read this article written by our rector, Catherine Powell, as a contribution to a book on children's spirituality. New preschoolers are welcome to join at any time.
Young Servants are children in grades K-5. During the school year, this vibrant group of servants gathers from 9:30 - 10:30 on Sunday mornings in two groups, K-2 and 3-5. Professional caregivers watch over the nursery (birth to 5 years) beginning at 9:30 throughout the entire year.
Our children’s curriculum, designed in-house, is based on stories from each Sunday's Bible readings. Lessons include games, crafts, and art activities. Some Young Servant creations then become part of the main worship service. On All Saints Day, children joined the procession carrying pictures of saints they love and admire. Recently they helped bless the new playground by sprinkling it with water from the baptismal font.
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here to see more pictures of the playground dedication ceremony. |
Several times a year, the church offers special seasonal activities. These have included: Halloween activities and sleepover, Advent wreath and Easter Garden making, and an end-of-the-year picnic.
Young people in sixth grade and older participate in the Journey to Adulthood program. It has three parts:
First, Rite 13. The students discuss spiritual and practical issues are recognized in a worship service at approximately 13 years old. This service marks their movement into adolescence and offers the support of their peers and the whole congregation.
The J2A program is for 8th to 10th graders. At the end of the second year, the group goes on a "pilgrimage" to a carefully chosen destination. Through the process of building a group, planning together, and fund-raising, the young people learn to be increasingly independent and practice working cooperatively in a group. On the pilgrimage itself they experience a culture unlike their own, serve others, and reflect on their personal spiritual journeys. In 2010 they went to Cody, WY.
The final step is Young Adult Leaders in the Church (YAC). After the pilgrimage, the young people continue to learn about themselves and their faith while offering leadership in various adult roles and serving as models for the younger groups. In 2009 the YAC group worked with the Rector to choose Confirmation class topics; they were confirmed in June 2009.
Click here to see pictures of the confirmation service.