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St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Christian Education

{Adult} {Children}

Adult Education Offering

Education for Ministry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Article excerpts by Margaret Reimer 

Would you like to deepen your understanding of what the Gospel’s good news is?  Ever wonder why the Old Testament includes all those genealogies or instructions on how to make a very large tent?  Would you like to learn more about how Christianity came to be?  Do you know what others are talking about when they mention church patriarchs or use terms like “liberation theology”? Are you seeking discernment on how you fit in and how you can better fulfill the part you are meant to play in the ministry of the baptized?  If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, Education for Ministry (EfM) might be the program for you.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will sponsor an Education for Ministry group this fall, beginning Monday, Sept. 8.  This extensive course of Bible reading, spiritual reflection, and group building is a four-year program, offered in 4 nine-month increments, created by the University of the South for use in Episcopal churches nationwide.  This is NOT a program designed to lead participants into the ordained clergy, but it will help those who attend to understand how ministry is something that all of us do. Margaret Reimer, who along with her husband, Terry, graduated from the program in 1990 and mentored a group for two years in Anchorage, will serve as the mentor for this group. 
For those who would like to see a sample of lessons, the EfM website offers four lessons from Year One: http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm .
Those who are interested in enrolling are asked to make a commitment to attend for the full nine months, as group cohesiveness is a vital part of the EfM experience.  Those who have begun EfM elsewhere and would now like to complete their experience, may sign up, as the course is designed to integrate multiple years of study simultaneously.
There is a $360 fee for this course.  Please note, there is a scholarship program available through the Diocese and the Vestry has pledged to provide some additional assistance to those for whom this fee would be an excessive strain.  Scholarships will not cover the entire expense, but please do not let money be the reason you do not explore this important resource.

Children’s Christian Education

Children's Education Program

Nursery Supervisors, Godly Play Teachers and Teen Mentors will be in the classrooms to receive the children for Sunday programs at 8:45 AM. This gives families time to prepare for Church Liturgy in the sanctuary.

Healthy snacks will be available for your child before the class begins as we know the time is early. 

After the Peace at the Eucharist, all children will process into the sanctuary to join their families for the Eucharist.

Nursery:
Children birth to age three (3) have the opportunity to play in the Noah's Ark Nursery Room during most of the service. Many activities include movies, coloring, story-time, pretend kitchen and creating crafts. All children process into the church after the Peace for family time during Eucharist.

Godly Play:
Written by Jerome Berryman, Godly Play is a creative interactive way to teach the children the many lessons Jesus has taught us. This marvelous program leans toward the Montessori approach of teaching spiritual lessons. Children age 4 to 10 are invited to experience God's word through story, then create their own interpretation through creative arts such as painting, drawing, clay, making a craft. Our youth will also start to learn the Lord's Prayer, Confessional and post Eucharist Prayer during their own worship service. This will give them confidence in participating in the Eucharist Service with you. Please praise their progress and they become proficient.

Teen Discussion Group:
Youth entering 6th -12th grades arewill meet to talk and learn about God's word to them on many subjects that of concern this age group. Discussions will include various human emotions, loving self, and neighbor, growing to adulthood and family relationships. Very special members of the parish have been selected to lead or facilitate this program, members who have many years of teaching, counseling and/or preaching experience with teen youth. Teens will have the ability to develop a positive safe relationship with these wonderful Mentors. We are sure that they will be excited about this new teen program.