Church School
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them down on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9)
Children's Formation & Education Goals
Promoting the study of the Bible and Episcopal Church traditions
Nourishing each child’s spiritual development through prayer and worship
Supporting and educating families in ways to integrate their faith and values into everyday life
Affirming and celebrating each child’s gifts and faith
Proclaiming Christian love within our community and to those beyond
Children's Formation & Education Format
Research shows that children and youth who form connections with church members outside of their own generation are more likely to stay connected to their congregation throughout their high school, college, and young adult years.
As an intergenerational community of Christians striving to pattern our lives in Jesus' Way, we hold communal worship as our principle formation experience. Sunday Eucharist is the heart of our effort to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. To better support this belief, worship services at St. Peter are in the process of growing into a format that is more interactive for all ages and abilities.
Busy bags are available in the narthex (entry way to the church) for anyone who finds they listen better with their ears and hearts when they have something to do with their hands.
During worship, youth in grades 4th - 12th grade are encouraged to serve as acolytes, lectors (readers), and intercessors (leading prayers).
If you desire nursery care for your child, please contact the church office.
In addition to worship, age-group based programming will take place in the form of short, seasonal sessions (1-4 meetings).
@Home seasonal boxes (Advent & Christmas, Lent, Holy Week & Easter, etc) are available for those not able to make it to services and for families who wish to incorporate faith practices in home life.
Confirmation preparation is typically offered every other year for 8th and 9th graders.
Benefits of Intergenerational Faith Formation
Bringing generations together within the church provides benefits and blessings for all ages.
Intergenerational faith formation:
provides a curriculum for the whole community -- Sunday worship, the lectionary and church year seasons, learning, service, ritual and sacraments, prayer -- that is a shared experience in faith and belonging for everyone;
deepens Christian identity and commitment as people of all ages develop relationships through active participation in a community that teaches, models, and strives to live according to Christian traditions and way of life;
strengthens relationships, connections, and community across generations; enhances our sense of belonging in our faith community; and provides valuable adult role models for children and adolescents (in addition to those in their immediate family);
supports families by surrounding them with a community of faith and engaging the whole family in a variety of faith-forming experiences together (caring relationships, celebrating, learning, praying, serving)
provides parents with the opportunity to build relationships with and learn from Christians who are also practicing their faith and raising faithful children;
increases the confidence and competence of parents and other adult family members to: promote the incorporation of religious practices into life at home; be role models of faithful practice; and develop warm, affirming, and supportive relationships between young people and the adults in their family.