Church School
Fall 2018–Spring 2019
Christian education of our children is the responsibility of the whole parish, and so the congregation is encouraged to get to know our young members and to involve them in the life and worship of St. James. From September to May, Christian Education for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade is held at 10 a.m. each Sunday. The children join their parents in church for the Holy Communion.
Programs this year will focus on the theme, “Who is Jesus (really) to me?”. Children will continually reflect on this question in classroom lessons, monthly Bible teachings, and various opportunities throughout the school year. A few project highlights for this year are the children creating a Kindness Garden, collecting change to then give back to the community where there is need, and learning to share their experiences with others in the church community. All are invited to participate in the programs that happen over the course of the year. We all have something to share and learn from each other and the youth is a great place to start. May we have the joy, the openness, and hope to allow Christ to lead the way!
ADULT FORMATION: DISCIPLESHIP
Greetings friends! We are in the middle of another exciting year of discernment and growth in our continuing call to be formed as disciples of Jesus Christ. All are called to try to find a balance in our individual and collective lives to pray, study, and grow in our continuing journey toward God in Jesus. Our focus this year is on discipleship, learning more about, and following more closely, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are going to be using two primary resources in our conversations, both products of Forward Movement, the publisher of Day by Day.
SAFE CHURCH
Safe Church Training is grounded in our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being. This training provides an opportunity to increase and enhance our ability to live out our Baptismal Covenant within our communities of faith and in the world beyond. St.James recommends safe church training on the prevention of abuse and exploitation of both children and adults for all lay ministers in positions of parish leadership, whether paid or volunteer. These educational offerings are strongly encouraged for church school teachers, anyone who sees people in their homes on behalf of the church, e.g. Eucharistic Visitors or parish visitors, Vestries and Officers, and anyone who works with children and youth.
Basic Safe Church Training is designed for ordained and lay ministers who have not yet attended a safe church training in the Diocese of Connecticut. Topics include:
-
Prevention, identification and response to elder abuse
-
Prevention, identification and response to sexual abuse of children and youth
-
The newly revised Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth
-
Power and boundaries in the ministerial relationship with adults
-
The Diocesan response to misconduct within a community of faith
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Guidelines for Ordained Ministry (many of which apply to lay ministry)
Typically Safe Church Training sessions are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at specified churches. However, this year there is a new alternative called Option 2. Option 2 is a single training session in-person (live) component, offerings on Monday–Thursday evenings 6:30–9 p.m. with light supper provided or Saturday mornings 9–11:30 a.m.
The online session must be completed no later than three (3) days prior to the live session. You may register by going to www.episcopalct.org/safe-church-training-option-2/ which will also give you date options for the live session(s). Do not hesitate to contact Father George with questions or to connect with the link to this training.