Christian Education

St. Philip's Church offers Christian Formation groups to nurture and strengthen all ages in our life-long journey to become disciples.  As we learn more about the Christian life and our part in it as baptized Christians, we are formed by the Holy Spirit into a loving and caring community that encourages our service in Christ's name to the world. 

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Nursery 

September through May (AY), 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.  (Summer, 9:45 - 11:15)

There are separate rooms (upstairs in the Parish house) for infants and for toddlers.  Supervision is provided by a trained professional, augmented by parent volunteers.

From 10 to 10:50 a.m., children ages three and older are encouraged to join the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Children

Sunday School?

Well, not quite. Many people associate children and church with Sunday School, the education hour that takes place while the adults are in church, or perhaps before or after. But at St. Philip's, we prefer the term 'Christian Formation' for two reasons: It is not exactly school, and it is not limited to Sunday.

Through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd it is our desire not just to impart facts and skills to our children (although we certainly do that!), but to help them understand that Christian faith is a lifetime activity, a continuous journey that never ceases to challenge and enliven us.

And although most our Children's Formation offerings do occur on Sunday, it is hoped that what is presented and explored then will stay with our children throughout the week. And throughout their lives.

September through May (AY), 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.

Children's Christian Formation runs from early September through late May, following roughly the school calendar. On Sunday mornings, formation classes meet from 10:00 to 10:50am, between our 9:00am and 11:00am liturgies.

Children from 2.5 years old to the 3rd grade meet on the 2nd floor of the Parish Hall (use Queen St. stairs) to participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Older children meet downstairs in basement of Parish Hall.

• NEW Toddler Atrium for 2.5 to 3.5 year olds, Nursery Room
• Level 1 Atrium for 3.5 year olds through kindergarten, right side of large room
• Level 2 Atrium for 1st through 3rd graders, left side of large room
• Level 3 Atrium for 4th graders through start of Rite 13, basement of the Parish Hall
  • Pre-Rite 13: Old YAC room
  • All others: Level 3 Atrium across from choir room

All infants and children are welcome in our services, but for parents' convenience there is a nursery and toddler room located on the second floor. Children from infancy to 3 years of age may stay there between 8:45am and 12:30pm (9:45 - 11:30am in the Summer), supervised by a trained professional and supported by volunteers.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presents the most important realities of the Christian faith to the youngest members of the church. This manner of Christian education assumes that young children have religious potential, that God is already present to them in their deepest being, and that they are capable of developing a conscious and intimate relationship with God. The Catechesis gives them the guidance and vocabulary to become aware of this relationship and to give expression to it. This depends on a prepared environment, called the Atrium, and a trained catechist, whose sources are Scripture and liturgy.

The environment also contains materials relating to the proclamation of the faith, such as parables, prophecies, the geography of Israel, and the life of Christ. The Atrium is more like a church than a traditional classroom; less of a place of instruction than a holy ground where Christ is encountered in word and action. The Atrium is a place that "calls forth" the child's response rather than "pours in" information. In the Atrium the child seeks to find out who God is and how God loves us. It is a room of wonder. The adults in the Atrium look at and listen to the children and allow them to lead the way to God.

The Program is divided into three levels:

Level One is for children aged 3, 4, and 5; ages when they are particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential element of our faith - the announcement of God's love, in the person of the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd..."

Level Two is for 6, 7, and 8 year-old children, who are captured by the image of the True Vine: "I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty." The proclamation responds to the deep need of the older child to better comprehend their relationship with God, family, friends, and the larger community.

Level Three is for those in the 4th through the 6th grades. The focus here is on the plan of God in history - a plan of communion, which links all people together. The emphasis is on our response to this unfolding generosity of God and the responsibilities that come with receiving God's great gifts. "What is the kingdom of God and my place in it?" is a cosmic query which begins to lay the foundation for a life's commitment.

Who's in Charge?

All Children's Formation groups are led by dedicated and well-trained volunteers, and overseen by our Coordinator of Children's and Teen Ministries, Molly Reingruber.

Teens

September through May, 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.

The Journey to Adulthood

Almost twenty years ago, a dedicated and courageous group of people from St. Philip's began to examine cultural and religious rites of passage for those passing from childhood to adulthood. They were surprised to find very little evidence of a meaningful marking of time during adolescence, and very much in the Episcopal church that might be utilized to develop rites to recognize and mark the major milestones of social, physical and spiritual growth. This exploration eventually led to the development of a curriculum called 'the Journey to Adulthood,' now published and used throughout the country in the Episcopal Church and in other denominations.

The Journey to Adulthood is based on two central ideas: manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God, and adulthood must be earned. Throughout the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, which is available for those from 11 to 18 years of age, these themes are visited from a religious perspective in a variety of ways.
How does it Work?

The Journey to Adulthood is a program of spiritual formation for young people that provides a liturgical frame for their experience of modern culture, celebrates their individuality and creative potential, and instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in church and society.

Each group curriculum includes an in-depth exploration of four areas of development: self, spirituality, sexuality, and society. Through weekly lessons and group activities, those participating in the Journey to Adulthood have a safe space to discover themselves in relationship with God and the world.

The Journey to Adulthood program is composed of three specific groups, defined by age and grade. Each group lasts for two years, and those in it stay with the same leaders and cohort for the entire two year period. Thus, those in Rite-13 will be 6th and 7th graders in year 1, 7th and 8th graders in year 2. Those who become 6th graders during the second year of the cycle will join Rite-13 as 7th graders the following year. In the same way, J2A is for those who are in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades and YAC is for sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. If this seems confusing, please speak to a clergyperson who will explain it in detail!

Rite-13

The Rite-13 program assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their lives. It begins with a liturgical celebration of the gift of manhood and womanhood, based loosely on the concept of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah in the Jewish tradition.

The Rite-13 Ceremony takes place at one of St. Philip's Sunday morning liturgies in order for the whole parish family to take part in witnessing and supporting each young person as they make the move from childhood to womanhood or manhood within the Christian community.

During the two years of Rite-13, the community acknowledges the gift of the changes occurring in these young peoples' lives and celebrates their creative power and potential.

Journey to Adulthood (J2A)

The J2A group is the heart of the entire program, where young men and women begin to prepare for adulthood by recognizing and practicing adult skills. Six adult skills are focused on: active listening, negotiation, assertion, research and information management, partnership and leadership.

J2A members do more than just talk about these skills, they get to put them in practice. Each J2A group undertakes two major projects in their two years together. The first year features 'urban orienteering', traveling to a city and exploring, with minimal adult participation.

In the second year, the J2A group takes a pilgrimage, usually to a foreign country, to learn about the church and the world and to deepen and broaden their own personal spiritual experiences. Both of these activities allow ample opportunity for practicing adult skills, including planning, raising money, and researching, as well as taking the journey itself.

Another part of the journey is the spiritual journey towards making an adult affirmation of faith. After the two years of J2A, members are invited, but not required, to become confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

Young Adults in the Church (YAC)

YAC members are by now seasoned pilgrimage veterans, and the YAC curriculum encourages them to enter all areas of parish life and claim their status as adults in the church. They are challenged to become good stewards of their time, talent and treasure, to share their knowledge and leadership skills, and to reach out to those in need.

The YAC curriculum is much more flexible than the other two groups, and the focus is on transitions in their own lives - leaving for college, work, or other new challenges, becoming independent, and developing their own beliefs and identities in the church.

Who's in Charge?

Each Journey to Adulthood group typically has three leaders, at least one of each gender, and these adults may not have children in the group they are leading. Leaders are amazingly dedicated people, usually with a great deal of energy and a good sense of humor.

If you think you may be called to serve in this ministry as a leader, you would like more information, or to register for a Journey to Adulthood group, please contact our Coordinator of Children's and Teen Ministries, Molly Reingruber.

Adults

Never Stop Learning

"So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." (the Acts of the Apostles 11:26).

Even those who have spent their whole lives in the church still have places to go on their spiritual journeys. And even those who are brand new to the church have 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.

At St. Philip's we offer a variety of Adult Christian Formation classes, aimed to reach people where they are and challenge them to keep moving in the direction that God is calling them.

© 2003, Saint Philip's Episcopal Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218, Durham, NC 27702
Telephone 919-682-5708, Fax 919-683-1857

Webmasters: Jack Mitchell, David Smith