Sunday ClassesThese programs are at 9:00 a.m. for all ages, including. Foundation ProgramsNurseryIn the nursery we work on laying the building blocks (both literally and figuratively!) for the foundation for the infants' and toddlers' experience with the church. We do this by providing age-appropriate Christian activities that teach the message of God's love for our children. This year, in addition to time for free play in a safe, healthy and peaceful environment, we are also offering new activities, including stories, songs and games. The nursery is located in the Cloister, and it is available on Sunday mornings during the 8:00 AM service, the 9:00 AM Education hour, and the 10:15 AM service. If you are interested in helping Lizzie with the nursery, please contact Carolyn Patterson, Nursery Coordinator, at carolynj.patterson@verizon.net. Sunday SchoolThis year we will continue with the "Living the Good News" curriculum, which is based on the lectionary. We have two classes that follow this curriculum, one for kids from preschool through kindergarten, and another for first through third graders, and these classes are located on the first floor of the school building. 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. A class for children in grades 4 and 5 meets on the second floor activity space of the school building. Using a self-made curriculum, this class focuses on the New Testament supplemented by games, fellowship and service experiences. 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 Parish House. They use materials that promote conversation and experiences of faith in regard to popular culture and our everyday lives. If you would be interested in helping to teach either the middle school or high school youth, please contact Karen Weber, the Youth Education Coordinator, at weber@paonline.com. 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 almost $1,000 to that end, enough to purchase two calves for farming families in less developed countries. Classes are held between services from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. We welcome your involvement in this rewarding work. Please contact Jim or Bernadette Kaiser, the Children's Education Coordinators, at jkaiser1442@comcast.net f 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. David Haimovich is our new Youth Missioner, and with the assistance of John Harles and Connie Wilson, he has planned new and exciting activities for the year. Please see the Youth Page for more information. If you are interested in helping with the youth group this year, please contact David at dmhkerplunk@hotmail.com. To visit the Youth Ministry Web Site, click here. Sunday Forum Sunday ForumsAt St. Stephen's this fall will feature programs in series (or mini-series) on a variety of topics. On Sundays from 9:00-10:00 AM in the Uppercroft, you can learn more about St. Stephen's various ministries, discuss current issues facing the Episcopal church, and study the Bible. Both parishioners and special guests provide Forum leadership, often incorporating small-group discussions. Forums offer the chance to get to know other participants and begin with refreshments. The Committee likes to have other committees who have a topic they feel would be of interest to the broader St. Stephen's community plan forums, but since the forum schedule is put together months in advance, at least 6 months notification is needed if such is necessary. If you are interested in helping to plan Sunday Forums, please contact Linda Shorey, the Adult Education and Formation Coordinator, at lshorey@kl.com. See below for the Fall 2005 schedule. Enrichment ProgramsChildren's Church This year we are introducing a new enrichment activity for children ages 4 to 9! The catalog description says, "Children's Chapel is a wonderful program to help children connect each week with the meaning of the liturgy and traditions of the Episcopal Church. As children become familiar with the liturgical language of the church, The Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal, they will be prepared to make the transition to the adult assembly." Children's Church will meet at 10:00 AM (whenever Kids' Choir is not meeting) on the first floor of the school building. If you are interested in helping bring liturgy alive to children, please contact Becky Tartline at 728-9326 or rtartline@verizon.net. Kids' ChoirPete Powers works with the Kids' Choir twice a year for six to seven consecutive Sundays at 10:00 AM on the first floor of the school building. All children from ages 3-9 are welcome and wanted. The children learn songs while Mr. Powers accompanies them on the guitar, and twice a year the children perform these songs for the congregation. Don't be shy about participating - there is no such thing as a kid who can't sing! Anyone interested in helping should contact Pete Powers at ppowers@paonline.com. 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: April 04, 2008
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