Dear Grace Community,
Sunday, September 11th is Rally Day at Grace - the day when all our Christian formation programming begins for the year! There are some exciting changes in store for the year ahead. To bring cohesion and simplicity to our programming, we will be offering a "Christian Formation Hour for All Ages" from 9:30-10:15.* During this time the halls of the second floor of Grace will be filled with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children, our two youth groups, and our new Adult Forum speaker series! By placing the Formation Hour in between the Rite Place service (moving to 8:45 on 9/11) and the 10:30 Liturgy, we hope that our religious education opportunities can become a part of everyone's worship routine!
Below, you will find more information on each of the Christian formation programs. If you are unsure, feel free to show up and try it out! Please reach out to Rev. Peter or me with any questions. Parental registration for children and youth can be done in person on Sunday, or you can print off the registration form at this link and bring it with you on Sunday (no online submissions this year - sorry!) I look forward to seeing you in two weeks!
-Kendall Batten-Kalantzis Director of Christian Formation
*Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will begin at 9:15, directly after the 8:45 service ends.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - 9:15 in 2nd floor Atriums
We are proud to be continuing Grace's over twenty-year legacy of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd faith formation for children ages 3-5th grade! Catechesis is inspired by the Montessori principles of education and based on the conviction that each child is already in relationship with God. The program is led by adult "catechists" who wonder with the child about the essentials of our faith. Our three atriums are divided by age and filled with beautiful materials for the children to explore. On Rally Day, Catechesis will have an Open House! Parents and children are free to come, meet their teachers, get a tour of their atriums, register, and ask any questions they may have.
Youth Groups - 9:30 in the 2nd floor Red Room (R13) and Upper Room (J2A). At Grace we have a Middle School youth group (Rite 13: grades 6-8) and High School youth group (J2A: grades 9-12). Our youth program at Grace is a fun and safe community for students to form friendships with peers and adult leaders, and to explore in community their personal and spiritual growth. Our curriculum revolves around the five areas of self, society, sexuality, spirituality, and prayer. In addition to gathering every Sunday except the first of the month, we also meet some evenings for fun events. There will be a presentation by the youth that went on pilgrimage on Rally Day after the 10:30 service!
Our new Adult Forum - 9:30 in the 2nd floor St. Columba Room
We are very excited to debut Grace's new adult formation programming! We will draw on the wealth of resources we have in our community to host topical series on issues relevant to a life of faith today. Topics range from historical theology to the Bible to current social issues. We will begin with a fascinating three part series on Mystical Theology: Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, and Hildegard of Bingen - led by our own Medieval scholar Steve Fanning! Additionally, look for an ongoing Adult Forum series on the first Sunday of the month, designed especially for those who are busy in choir or leading children's and youth formation the other Sundays. No registration is needed, just show up!
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