Sunday ClassesThese programs are at 9:00 a.m. for all ages, including. Foundation ProgramsNurseryIn the nursery we work on laying the building blocks for the foundation for
the infants' and toddlers' experience with the church. We do this by providing
an age-appropriate environment for children from infant through age 5 to play in
close proximity to the church and the service. The nursery is located in the
Cloister, and it is available on Sunday mornings from 8:45 am - 11:45 am. Kate
O'Connor a member of the church, provides child care during these times. Our
nursery also has a supply of useful items such as diapers, wipes, change of
clothes, hand wipes, and a portable potty seat. Sunday SchoolThis year we will continue with the "Living the Good News" curriculum, which is based on the lectionary. Classes meeting each Sunday from 9:00 am - 10:10 am. We have the following classes that follow this curriculum:
The preschool through 3rd grade classes are located on the first (orange) and second (blue) floors of the school building. The 4th - 5th grade class is located in the school teachers lounge on the basement level just past the Undercroft. Lessons from both the Old and New Testament introduce the heart of the Christian faith. Songs, games and crafts make it a fun experience for students and teachers alike. Most of all we want children to know that Jesus loves them and that they are fully part of the St. Stephen's community. In addition, each Sunday from 9:50 am - 10:10 am, children in the Prek through 5th grade classes are escorted to the Undercroft where they meet with clergy to sing, pray and hear stories relating to a specific theme for each season of the church (for example, the Story of Moses during the Pentecost season). This time together allows the children to meet as a group and to expand the curriculum to include stories of the bible in an entertaining way. If you cannot attend the Sunday school program beginning at 9 am, you and your children are always invited to attend this closing celebration each Sunday.
St. Stephen's offers youth education classes for youth in grades 6-12. A class for students in grades 6-8 and a class for students in grades 9-12 both meet in the library, just beyond the community room and are led by young adult members of the Sycamore House, which houses a group of college students and/or young adults who give time to the church as a part of their mission. These older classes use materials that promote conversation and experiences of faith in regard to popular culture and our everyday lives. We continue to encourage stewardship and mission through weekly offerings in support of the faith-based Heifer Project. The Project has been a concrete way for kids to put into practice Jesus' admonition to help those in need. Last year, Sunday School youth-from preschool through high school--contributed approximately $700 to that end. We welcome your involvement in this rewarding work. Please contact Bernadette Kaiser (jkaiser1442@comcast.net) or Lisa Loring (lloring@wssd.k12.pa.us), the Children's Education Co-Coordinators, if you would like to spend some quality time with these young parishioners. Youth MinistryIn addition to our youth education program, St. Stephen's also has a Youth Group for grades 6-12. The Youth Program is run by the Sycamore House and its members: Liz Laribee, Louie Marven, Steve Thompson, Bekah Leeper, and Kevin Markey. Please see the Youth Page for more information. If you are interested in helping with the youth group this year, please contact the Sycamore House at sycamorehouse@gmail.com. To visit the Youth Ministry Web Site, click here. Sunday Forum Sunday ForumsThe first half of the 2008-09 Forum programs will focus on the Bible; how it may be used as a help and guide in our spiritual lives and provide a source of challenge and admonition, beauty and encouragement. October 26 ~ Stewardship Breakfast in the Undercroft The GatheringThe Gathering is a book discussion group that meets monthly to discuss a book that has been selected and read by group members during the month. Come and join us for meaningful discussions about these great books, our faith and our spirituality.
Our Daily Bread Bible Study: Monday, 6:45 p.m. - Chapter HouseWorld famous French archeologist Andre Parrot has said, "How can we understand the Bible, unless we see it in its proper chronological, historical, and geographical setting?" Our goal is to read the Bible as one continuous narrative, the story of humanity in relation to God. We read the books of Scripture, not in the order in which they occur in the Bible, but in a chronological arrangement. The poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament are inserted in the historical books at about the point in the narrative where they are thought to have been written. In like manner the epistles of the New Testament are inserted in the narrative of the books of Acts. We read through the Bible with this approach, no curriculum, no workbooks, no agenda, just reading through Scripture from beginning to end in a historical context. We meet once a week to openly discuss what we learn from reading the Bible as a narrative. You will be amazed to see how much of the New Testament is actually the Old Testament. You will recognize Biblical references in the Book of Common Prayer. You will be able to take the Scripture lessons in the lectionary and place them in their broader context within the Bible story. You will identify Scriptural references in hymns and sacred music. Join us as we read through the Bible as a complete story in its historical context. St Stephen's SchoolThe cathedral founded the school for a diverse group of elementary-school students. Although the school operates independently of the cathedral, it is supported by many members. The school publishes its own web site. Click here for detailed information. Top of PageLast modified: November 07, 2008
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