 Christian Education |
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The Epistle Newsletter |
Adult Christian Education at St. Peter's occurs in a variety of formats and times, not just on Sunday mornings. Each year, our capable staff prepares a complete agenda of classes and events, all designed to help enhance the participant's spiritual journey by fostering interaction between parish members while engaging their intellect. The classes include in-depth Bible study, classes on the life of the Episcopal Church and its governing bodies, and opportunities for small group study on weekday evenings. Nursery Care We offer an excellent nursery for our members and visitors with very young children, available during our regular Sunday services and the Christian Education Hour. It is staffed by many capable volunteers of our parish. The nursery is located on the main floor of the church, just outside the sanctuary, providing easy access for parents. The Catechesis of the Good ShepherdThe Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is based on a profound respect for the religious potential of the child and an understanding of their spiritual and development needs. The Catechesis takes place in a beautifully prepared environment called an atrium. This sacred space contains hands-on materials that relate to the parables and life of Christ as well as liturgical models. Specially trained adults known as Catechists prepare the Atrium and serve as both teacher and facilitator, allowing the child to self discover the meanings and mysteries of the lessons. Based on the Montessori educational philosophy, the Catechesis is divided into three-year cycles that mirror the developmental planes of children.
Grades 1-3: Atrium of the True Vine The second cycle continues to encourage the child's relationship with God and explore a developing sense of morality, utilizing many of the parables and maxims of Jesus. Children explore the Bible as one book made of many books and the Eucharist as one prayer made of many prayers The child's increased curiosity, imagination, and intellect are fostered by lessons that present the three great moments in Salvation History: Creation, Redemption, and the Parousia. Grades 4-6: Atrium of the True Vine The child in the third cycle continues to explore the history of the Kingdom of God with a greater emphasis on one’s personal response. The child begins to deal with the advance of the Kingdom and people's opposition to it throughout history. A more thorough exploration of Scripture, particularly the Old Testament and the history of our Jewish roots is offered. Anglican liturgy continues to be examined with a deeper study of the sacraments. Throughout all levels, the child encounters the essentials of the Christian Faith that increase in detail and sophistication as the child matures. However, the role of the catechist as facilitator of the child's own discovery of the meaning of these things for themselves remains throughout. Both the child and the catechist find their faith nourished in this process. Journey to AdulthoodOur older children, grades 6-12, experience a program known as Journey to Adulthood. This program is also Rite 13/Grades 6-7 Rite 13 reflects coming of age and moving from child to adolescent, and affirming that change with the young teen's parents. This change is acknowledged in an annual parish wide service called the "Celebration of Manhood and Womanhood". Adolescence is affirmed as a vibrant and exciting time of life with a balance between lessons and having fun. Each lesson throughout the year focuses on the underlying connection with God and themselves, their spirituality, sexuality, and place in society.
Pilgrims/YACs - Grades 10-12 The "pilgrim" year follows the two years of the J2A cycle, preparation for both Confirmation and their Pilgrimage trip, taken in the summer of their 10th or 11th grade year. Upon return from the pilgrimage, the YACs (Young Adults in the Church) and their leaders use a variety of courses to explore topics critical to the unique pressures of the later teenage years, including discernment discussion and spiritual support and continuity during their college years and early career choices. Fellowship & ServiceOpportunities for fellowship and service occur throughout the year. Guides Fourth and fifth graders gather monthly during the school year for lunch and games in the "Underground" (our basement) and often for activities off-site such as bowling, movies, bike trips, etc.
The Annual Spaghetti Dinner is always a big hit, and the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and the annual Advent Fair are events not to be missed! Our young people are also encouraged to attend the Parish Weekend at Kanuga, an Episcopal conference and retreat center in Hendersonville, NC. This popular weekend fosters the spirit and friendships of our parish family and celebrates the gifts given to us by God. Additionally, teens can participate in a summer program hosted by St. Peter's called Episcopal Outreach Camp. This four day "camp" for middle school aged children includes children from the entire Charlotte Convocation and focuses on providing outreach service for various organizations as well as having fun. We also have an acolyte program that helps teach teens the power and beauty of our church liturgies. Each program has a dedicated and seasoned group of volunteers that teach the children on many levels about corporate worship and their participation in all kinds of services. Please contact Lyn Holt if you would like to know more. |
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Ages 3-6: Atrium of the Good Shepherd The truths that are essential to our faith are presented while the child's relationship with God is fostered, focusing on the primary element of our faith: God's love given in the person of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The child is exposed to selected prayers of the Eucharist and Baptism, the proper nomenclature of the items used and the symbolic gestures. Selected passages of scripture include narratives of the birth of Christ and the parables of the Kingdom as well as geography of Israel. The language of prayer is introduced and liturgical celebrations mark the church year. .JPG)
separated into three distinct parts, each one paralleling the developing mind of the adolescent and teenager. Designed to foster spiritual formation and respect of each individual, participants find accepting, loving Sunday school classes that allow for growth and non-threatening questioning in a forum that uses discussion, projects and activities to instill the concept of service and trips away from home as catalyst.
Our older children can participate in the age appropriate trips that are part of the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. Some of these are our Urban Adventure trip to a major metropolitan area, a snow ski weekend trip and a Spring trip to the NC coast. Pilgrimage trips to other areas and other countries are planned within the Journey to Adulthood classes.