Children's and Youth Formation
Christ Church seeks to offer a continual source of formation for our children and youth. For children, nursery and Godly Play are offered on Sundays, as well as other special formation opportunities. For youth, there are in-church offerings for every age group, as well as an ecumenical offering that meets during the school year.
Children's Formation
Christ Episcopal Church uses the Godly Play Program for children through 6th grade. The children meet in the Godly Play Room on Sundays at 10:00 AM - Sept through May.
Godly Play is based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. All they lack is the appropriate language to help them identify and express it so it can be explored and strengthened.
Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. Godly Play focuses on understanding how each of the stories of God’s people connects with the child’s own experience and relationship with God.
Nursery services are also offered at Christ Church for the 10 am service and is located in the educational wing of the church.
Holy Hound Dogs
Holy Hound Dogs is a ministry of Rev. Nancy Fees that presents Bible stories and liturgy in a creative way for use in families and Sunday school alike. To learn more and access these materials, visit the Holy Hound Dogs website.
Ecumenical Youth Group
The ecumenical youth group meets every second and fourth Sunday at 5-6:30. The group is a collaboration between four churches (Christ Church, Trinity Lutheran, United Methodist, and First Presbyterian) in the community. For more information, see the calendar, newsletter, or announcements in church.
Youth Formation
The Journey to Adulthood is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th-12th grades. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries to underscore its two guiding principles:
1. Bein a G.
2. Adulthood must be earned.
There are three two-year segments of the program:
Rite-13: The first two years (6th/7th or 7th/8th graders) focus on celebrating the individuality of each person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy is the community expression of this and a rite of passage form childhood towards adulthood.
J2A: The middle portion of the program (8th/9th or 9th/10th graders), engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment.
YAC: This is a mentor-based program that helps older teens (11th/12th graders) discern and carry out a ministry within their church and the larger community. A final rite of passage sends into the world as ambassadors of Christ.