St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has an active Christian education program for youth and adults that meets 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Sundays during September through mid-June. Additional education offerings are available through the year and are posted on the calendar.
Children age two through four explore and play during Christian education time. In a carefully supervised setting, these children learn that they are loved and that the play room is a safe room. They also learn some very basic theological concepts such as: “Jesus was born” and “God made everything.”
Godly Play (ages 4 to 7)
This Montessori-based method “teaches children the art of using religious language—parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action—helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives” (from the Godly Play Web site).
Godly Play is very creative, and it understands and respects the unique spirituality of children.
Godly Time (ages 8 to 9)
Godly Time invites young people to “wonder about themselves, God, and the world in a way that is meaningful to them. A special space is created for the young people to learn and work together using all of their senses. It uses a careful telling of scripture, church history and liturgy to invite the young people to find their own answers to faith questions with God's help.”
Transition Year (ages 10-11)
The transition years focuses on mission, outreach, church traditions, scripture, creeds, and commandments.
Rite 13 (ages 12 through 14)
The first two years of Rite 13 focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A Celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this.
Rite 13 is also about building community—there’s plenty of fun, but also a lot of learning—and this community of young people remains consistent through the teen years. Leaders change every two years to help the youth community learn to negotiate change and loss.
Journey to Adulthood, or J2A (ages 15 through 16)
The J2A program “engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood.” Young people are preparing for confirmation, as well as for becoming adult participants in the church and in life. The culmination of this part of the program is the J2A pilgrimage, which the young people (with adult guidance) choose, design, and raise funds for.
STARS for Young Adults (ages 17 through 18)
STARS is a “ mentor-based program helping older teens discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community.” Each young adult is paired with a mentor and makes a commitment of time, talent, and treasure. Members of this group also publicly declare their chosen ministry. This part of the program also emphasizes vocation and development of a personal credo/way of life.
For more information contact Nancy Sewell at n.sewell@sbcglobal.net or call the church office (860-628-8486) and leave a message.
Safe Church Policy (Copy of Document)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church follows diocesan Safe Church policy and requires all wardens, vestry members, lay Eucharistic visitors, pastoral visitors, youth leaders, confirmation sponsors, acolyte leaders, choir directors, church school teachers, volunteers working regularly in the parish, and all employees to undergo Safe Church training.
This six-hour training session is designed to:
.- Increase awareness regarding sexual misconduct and abuse of power
- Outline steps toward preventing abuse
.- Offer ways to intervene when misconduct occurs, and
.- Equip anyone in a position of parish leadership with ways of healing and rebuilding the body of Christ.
Highlights of Youth Program Schedule for 2010
Travel Guest Permission Slip form
Chaperone/Driver Travel Information form