Spiritual Formation at St. George's

Sunday Formation Offerings

Church School

Church School meets at 9:45 a.m. September-June. Pre-schoolers through grade three use the Godly Play curriculum. Godly Play, a Montessori-based program developed by an Episcopal priest, uses storytelling, beautiful manipulative objects and child-directed work time to teach children Bible stories and Christian tradition, as well as to help them develop a language for their own relationship with the Sacred.

Children in grades four and five use a curriculum which draws on popular stories (like Harry Potter) to learn about the Bible. These children offer a presentation in lieu of the sermon at the 9:00 service several times a year.

Youth aged 11 and up participate in the Journey to Adulthood program.

Journey to Adulthood Youth Program

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 and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core messages: 1) Manhood and womanhood are gifts from God. 2) Adulthood must be earned. There are three two-year segments of the program at St. George's Church:

Rite-13: The first two years (11- to 14-year-olds) focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and his/her creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (a celebration of manhood and womanhood) is the community expression of this.

J2A: The middle portion of the program (14- to 16-year-olds) 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 (Young Adults in Church): A mentor-based program helps older teens (16- to 18-year-olds) to discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized.

Vacation Bible School

Each summer, kids age three through those about to enter fifth grade (from St. George's and beyond) spend a week exploring life in biblical times. In 2005, they recreated a Jerusalem marketplace. In 2006, they visited Bethlehem Village. VBS is in session from 9:00 a.m. to noon for a week in the middle of each summer. Older children and adults are welcome to volunteer as assistants and/or tribe leaders!

In 2008, St. George's children have been invited to join the Vacation Bible School session at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in York.  VBS "Bible Blast" will take place at St. Christopher's the week of July 21-25, Monday-Friday, and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  All children who will be age four by July 21 through those going into the fourth grade are welcome to attend this year's VBS.  St. George's will run a "sneak-peek" of Bible Blast, which will replace our regular church school time on May 11.  This will be a great opportunity for children to experience what the VBS week will be like.  Registration forms will be available as well.  

St. Christopher's has a few more adult and junior volunteer positions to fill in order to make this event successful.  I would love it if we at St. George’s could fill in those spots, as a thank you for inviting us to join them.  Please contact me, Lynn Dube, 384-4741, if you are willing to help out in any way.

Adult Spiritual Formation

Email the Rev. Sudie Blanchard, Deacon

Christian formation is a lifelong, cradle-to-grave process; it's not a "quick fix" program. It begins when we are baptized and lasts our whole life-and beyond. Christian formation as an adult takes place in many ways and in many venues. Even those of us who have spent our whole lives in the church still have places to go on our spiritual journeys. Those who are brand new to the church need specific starting points to help them begin. All of us continue to grow and to learn throughout our lives, and our faith lives are no exception. Adult formation opportunities help us make sense of our lives and inspire us to contribute to this world as active and faithful people of God. We hope that the adult formation offerings at St. George's Church this year, both on Sunday mornings and on weekday evenings, will contribute to that process in your life. We are planning some sessions this year that will inform you and others that we hope will transform you. Browse our currently planned selections below:

Sunday Morning Spiritual Formation Offerings

All Parish Coffee Hour (APCH) 10:00-11:00 a.m.
The All-Parish Coffee Hour occurs every month from September through June, on the first Sunday of the month. Adult Spiritual Formation activities are skipped and Church School time is shorter so that adults and children can join in fellowship and catch up with one another. The Vestry coordinates the set-up and clean-up of APCH. Everyone is encouraged to bring good food to share.

Evening & Saturday Offerings

 
Education For Ministry (EFM)
by Brenda Ervin 439-1205
Mondays, September 2007 - June 2008, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

EFM is a program of theological education-at-a-distance from the School of Theology of the University of the South. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology over the course of four years. Year One covers the Old Testament, while Year Two covers the New Testament, Year Three covers church history, and Year Four focuses on theology. A number of different theological reflection techniques are introduced to help students look for insights and implications as a means of reconciling faith and culture. It's important to note that you sign up for EFM one year at a time! Students meet weekly from September through early June in a small group consisting of no more than twelve members. The small group provides a close-knit setting for students to explore their faith.
     During our Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EFM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to our call. For more information, contact TJ Ballew at 603-431-2144 or tangojulie@comcast.net.

Sacramental Preparation

Baptismal Preparation

Contact: the Rev. Paige Blair 363-7376; Scheduled by arrangement

We will walk through the baptismal covenant, answer some frequently asked questions, as well as any new questions you surprise us with, and discuss the responsibilities of those baptized, parents, godparents, and sponsors.

Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation (for adults and older youth)

Contact: the Rev. Paige Blair 363-7376

Confirmation is a sacramental rite marking a mature commitment to Christ and receiving strength for Christian life through the laying on of hands by the bishop. Bishop Knudsen will be at St. George's on Saturday, April 5, 2008, to confirm and to receive folks confirmed in other denominations into the Episcopal Church. Confirmed members who would like to reaffirm their commitments to Christ may celebrate the rite of reaffirmation with the laying on of hands by the bishop. Anyone interested in being confirmed or received or celebrating reaffirmation should speak with Steve Godfrey right away and plan with a mentor to participate regularly, January-April, 2008, in "Jesus and Joe" on Sunday mornings or "I Will With God's Help" on Monday evenings. Preparation for confirmation also includes a commitment to serve in church as readers, acolytes, ushers, leaders of prayers, and to be present for the services of Holy Week and Easter. Time commitment averages one-two hours each week, in addition to Sunday morning and Holy Week attendance. Please speak with Steve for more information.