Christian Education and Spiritual Formation

Why?

The Book of Common Prayer says that our duty to God includes setting aside regular times for the study of God's ways. How are God's ways communicated to us as a body? The chief means are:

• liturgy,
• scripture,
• the teaching, tradition, and experience of the church,
• reason, and
• the encouragement, insights, and knowledge of our fellow Christians.

Our Christian Education program employs all these sources and offers learning opportunities for Christians of all ages. The program utilizes Corlett Hall, two classrooms and the parlor in Estill House, and five classrooms in trailers behind Estill House. Our next phase of construction will expand these facilities.

Scheduling

For children at grade 3 and up, the program operates on Sundays, 9:15-10:15 am so that families can attend either the 8:00 or the 10:30 worship service. For small children, the program operates during the 10:30 worship service; they join their parents during the service so they can receive Holy Communion. Adult offerings are available on Sundays, 9:15-10:15 am and at other times during the week.

From the end of May until early September, the Christian Education program takes a break. However, the nurseries are available year-round, an informal Sunday School class is offered at 10:30 for ages 3 through grade 1, and a popular Vacation Bible School is offered for one week.

Children are taught by lay persons who love, respect, understand, and enjoy children. Nativity policy calls for two adults to be in each children's class at all times.

Adults

Whether you're new to the Christian faith, someone returning to church after a time away, a Christian educated in another tradition, or a life-long Episcopalian, Nativity aims to meet your needs for education and spiritual formation.

We also offer Education for Ministry, the premier adult education program in the Episcopal Church.

Teens and Almost-Teens

Nativity has implemented the acclaimed Journey to Adulthood program, which attracts, instructs, and nurtures 12-18 year-olds at the ages when they are most likely to drift away from the Church.

• The first two years: "Rite 13" celebrates the gift of gender and creates a safe haven for youth to explore their creative power. Rite 13 starts a new class every other year; the current class has 6th and 7th graders.
• The next two years: "J2A" teaches six basic skills of adulthood and helps youth to understand Christian living.
• A third year following J2A has been added called "Pilgrims". The focus of this important year is to affirm the promises made on their behalf at Baptism with the sacrament of Confirmation. Once confirmed by a Bishop, the Pilgrims will embark on their pilgrimage to Costa Rica in summer 2008.
• The final two years completing high school: "Young Adults in the Church" (YAC) encourages older youth to take on adult responsibilities in all aspects of congregation life and community.

Rite 13, J2A, Pilgrims, and YAC meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15 and often on Sunday evenings.

Younger Children

The Episcopal Church Curriculum is used for:

• a class for grade 5, meeting at 9:15,
• a class for grades 3 and 4, meeting at 9:15,
• a class for grade 2, meeting at 10:30,
• a class for grade 1, meeting at 10:30, and
• a class for grade K, meeting at 10:30.

In addition, at 10:30 there is a class for 3-year olds and a class for 4-year olds, using the Let the Children Come series.

Nurseries

Nativity provides two nurseries.

• Toddlers may use the nursery in Estill House, adjacent to our playground. The toddler nursery is staffed by a care-giver; it opens at 9:00 and remains open until the 10:30 service is over. The toddler nursery is always accessible to parents for you to observe or to assist the care-giver.
• The infant nursery is a self-serve room conveniently located in the rear of the worship building. It is available to parents during the 10:30 service.

The nurseries operate year-round and are also open for some services that don't fall on a Sunday, such as Christmas. Call the church office for more information.