St. John’s Church offers a Christian Education program for everyone from preschool children through adults. Children are invited to attend Sunday School at 9 a.m., then take part in the 10 a.m. family service. The children have a special sermon-period activity that takes them to the Great Hall, returning in time to share Eucharist with their parents.

We are most accepting of the fact that small children become restless. Please do not let that stop you from joining us. For restless infants and young children, we provide loving nursery care in the Sunday School building. This service is available from 9 a.m. until after the 10 a.m. worship service. During the 10 a.m. worship service, in order to assist older children who wish to remain in the church to be quietly occupied, we provide books and art supplies near the front door.

THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR ON SUNDAY AT 9 A.M.

Preschool – Grade 5

For children in preschool through 5th grade, we use the "Godly Play" curriculum. "The goal of "Godly Play" is to teach children to use religious language – parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action – to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives." (www.godlyplay.com)

Grade 6-12

For 6th through 12th graders, we follow the "Journey to Adulthood" curriculum, a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core messages: 1) manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God, and 2) adulthood must be earned. (www.leaderresources.org/j2a_youth)

Adults

For adults, we offer a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth. Bible study, book study, or adult confirmation classes are typical offerings, taught by the rector, the seminarian, or a lay person.

Other Opportunities for Adult Spiritual Study

There are also ongoing Bible study groups that meet in the evenings during the week. The Women’s Bible Study group meets twice a month on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a men’s group focusing on service, study, and prayer. It is open to all male parishioners. It meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m.

Education for Ministry is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet regularly in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. (www.sewanee.edu/EFM/EFMhome.html)

Remember, on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, during the school year, and 10:00 a.m. to Noon, during the summer months, we offer loving nursery care for infants and toddlers.