Saint Paul Episcopal Church
"Together Building the Kingdom of God"

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Christian Formation, our development and growth into our faith, is a life-long process.  It begins, for many of us, at our Baptism when we are brought into the Christian Community.   The development of our faith life continues during our formative years when we are in elementary, middle, and high school through our parents sharing their faith tradition with us and through Sunday School and Confirmation programs.  And it continues as we progress into adulthood.  It is imperative that we never assume that at some stage we are finished being formed as Christians.  Like our skills and talents and hobbies, the ability to understand, communicate and live the faith of the Risen Christ takes learning, practice and committment.

In the parish family of Saint Paul we take Christian Formation very seriously and we provided many opportunities for all members of the parish, and the wider community, to come to know Jesus Christ better.

Devote some time each week to the deepening of the understanding of your faith, of your relationship to the Risen Christ, of the Scriptures, of your Church, and of ways that we can proclaim the Gospel to a broken and hurting world. Please join us, as Together We Build the Kingdom of God.

Please feel free to contact us to find our more information about our Christian Formation programs or to suggest programs that you would like to see us offer.  We can be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 96, 340 Locust Street, Columbia, PA  17512 or by e-mail at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net or by phone at 717-684-8496.


CHRISTIAN FORMATION

 FOR

YOUNG PEOPLE

Sunday School

A Jubilee Ministry Center

Please call the parish office (684-8496) to register your children / grandchildren.

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

Our preschool and Grade 1 program will be using the Living the Good News Program which uses the Sunday readings and the great stories of the Bible to help our children understand their relationship to God.  Our Grade 2 through Grade 8 program will use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum which uses the Lectionary readings for each Sunday to help our children practice what they learn in Sunday School.  Each Sunday (except as noted below) our young people gather together to pray, sing songs, listen to the Scripture reading, and make their offerings to God.  They then go to their classrooms for instruction, learning, crafts and other activties suggested by the curriculum and / or the teacher.  The offerings that the children make are brought forward at our Sunday worship by the children.

Preschool - ages 3 - 5 and grade 1

Elementary School - grades 2 - 8

The High School program is the Adult Forum Program that is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Sundays.  Please see the Adult Christian Formation information for dates, topics, and times.

Our Sunday School is open to all members of the community.  You do not need to be a member of Saint Paul's to be part of our Sunday School.

Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 12, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.

Call 717-684-8496 to register or e-mail us at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net

Confirmation Program

This program prepares young people for Confirmation to be celebrated when the Bishop visits the parish on Sunday, June 5, 2011.  Parents, in conversation with their children, should make the decision as to when their child should be confirmed.  A reasonable age to begin thinking about Confirmation is when the child is 12 - 16.  Confirmation is a commitment by the individual to a life based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to proclaim his name, therefore some level of understanding of what this means is necessary.  To be confirmed at Saint Paul, the young person must be an active member of the parish for at least six months.  An active member is defined as someone who is a regular particpant in Sunday School, attending church on Sunday on a regular basis, and a member of the parish youth group.  The upper age for Confirmation class is 13.  Young people older than 13 will be part of the adult class (Inquirer's Class) for Confirmation / Reception.  The dates for the 2011 Confirmation Program will be published in mid-February 2011.  To get more information now and / or to register your child, please call the parish office at 684-8496 or at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net


CHRISTIAN FORMATION

FOR

ADULTS

A Jubilee Ministry Center

There are two programs for Adult Christian Formation:  the Sunday / Monday / Wednesday Adult Forum Programs and the Spring Adult Faith Renewal (Inquirer's) Program.  All our Adult Christian Formation programs are open to anyone in the community.  You do not need to be a member of Saint Paul's to attend.

Adult Forum Programs

Those in grades 9 - 12 at Saint Paul's  will particpate in the Sunday / Monday / Wednesday Adult Forums as their Sunday School Program.  Parents / Grandparents should call the parish office (684-8496) to register the young people for this program.  Adults do not need to register for this program.

ADULT FORUM (MONDAYS)

Beginning on the first Monday of October and continuing through the Monday before Ash Wednesday the Monday Adult Forum takes place at 7:00 p.m. at Saint John Lutheran Church (unless otherwise noted).  This program is a joint program of Saint Paul Episcopal  Church, Saint John Lutheran Church, and Saint James Lutheran Church.

Monday, October 4

Saint John Lutheran Church - 6th and Locust (enter by way of the parking lot)

6:30 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. - Program

"Worship and Music:  Differences between Lutheran and Episcopalian Worship and Music"

Every Sunday we gataher in our respective churches to worship the Lord.  Do we really understand how we all do very much the same thing but in different ways.  Our presenter will contrast and compare the Lutheran and Episcopalian experience of the Eucharsit and how music is such an integral part of what we do.

Dr. Karl Moyer, Retired Professsor of Music, Millersville University.  Dr. Moyer has been an organist for both Lutheran and Episcopal congregations

Monday, October 11

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot.

"Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters - Children of Abraham."  What is our perception of Musllim?  Do we allow the media to influence our perspective?  Are the actions of a few the beliefs of many?  Our speaker will share with us the history and beliefs of the Muslim faith - who are children of Abraham as we are.

Chaplain Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Monday, October 18

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"The Church and Prison Ministry - Why We Need To Care"  Those who do wrong need to be held accountable for their mistakes; but how do we punish and possibly rehabilitate offenders in keeping with the Gospel.  Our speakers who both work with the Criminal Justice System will help us understand how punishment, forgiveness, and reconcilation are often connected.

Pastor Sadie Pounder and Pastor Dave Hefner, Criminal Justice  System Ministry of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Monday, October 25

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Who Remembers The Children:  The Karina Association"  This night focuses on the abandoned and disadvantaged children of Eastern Europe.  There are warehouses that have been hidden from the world filled with children who have been abandoned and have had no human contact.  Specifically, Bulgaria has one of the highest rates of abandoned children in Europe and no adequate care for them, so they are warehoused and hidden from the world and forgotten.  Our speaker will encourage us to become involved in the lives of these "lost children."

Biliana Borimetchkova, Karina Association

Monday, November 1

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Stop the Pain!  How  Do We Manage Pain?"  As human beings we experience pain; but how do we cope, manage and deal with pain in our daily lives both the day to day aches and pains and the pain that comes from surgery and serious illness.

Dr. David Simonsk Chief of Anesthesiology, Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center

Monday, November 8

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Why Can't I Remember What I Had For Breakfast? - Normal Aging vs. Memory Disorders"  Our speaker will give us insights into memory and the human aging process

Dr. Beth Mull, Psy. D, Psychologist, Samaritan Counseling Center

Monday, November 15

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Holy Women / Holy Men:  Saints - Why They Are Important To Our Life Of Faith"  Role models are important in our lives and the lives of our families.  Who do we look up to?  Who do we model our lives on?  Who are our heros?

Rev. J. Patrick Peters, Rector, Saint Paul Episcopal Church

Monday, November 22

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

Program to be announced

Monday, November 29

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Prayer:  A Conversation With God"  Our speaker will talk with us about the importance of the daily conversaation with God and how we can make prayer an integral part of our daily life.

Rev. J. Patrick Peters, Rector, Saint Paul Episcopal Church

Monday, December 6

6:30 p.m. - Dinner

7:00 p.m. -  Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols

Saint James Lutheran Church (10th and Manor Streets)

Monday, December 13

7:00 p.m.

Annual Columbia Christmas Walk-A-Mile

Saint Paul Episcopal Church

Columbia Presbyterian Church

Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church

Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)

Saint John Lutheran Church (ELCA)

This annual walk gives the whole community an opportunity to come together to pray and visit some of the most historic churches in our community.

Monday, December 20

No Class - Christmas week

Monday, December 27

No Class - New Year's Week

Monday, January 3

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Evangelization For The 21st Century:  How Do We Invite Others To Share In The Good News In Christ"  Our speaker will talk about the various ways we can share the Good News with others.  No longer can we rely on the "open the doors and they will come" model.  The 21st century demands news ways.

Rev. Anthony Krisak, Roman Catholic Priest, Diocese of Trenton, NJ, Director of ENVISION Services, Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association

Monday, January 10

7:00 p.m. - Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church (5th Street)

Annual Community Prayer Service in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. Katherine Rose, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, York will be our preacher

Monday, January 17

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

Program to be announced

Monday, January 24

7:00 p.m. - Saint Paul Episcopal Church (340 Locust Street)

Celebration of the Conversion of Saint Paul.  This is our Annual Joint Episcopal / Lutheran Eucharist celebrating the Conversion of Saint Paul

Rev. J. Patrick Peters, Main Celebrant and Preacher

Monday, January 31

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Temple Mount In Jerusalem"  Our speaker, who has been to the Holy Land numerous times will share insights and perspectives on a piece of ground that is claimed by the three great relgions - all decendants of Abraham.

Rev. Richard Geib, Retired Pastor, Saint John Lutheran Church

Monday, February 7

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

Program to be announced

Monday, February 14

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

Program to be announced

Monday, February 21

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Rites of Christian Initiation:  Past, Present, And Future -Part I"

The presenter will explore over three sessions how our Rites of Christian Initiation developed in the first four centuries of Christianity; how we have reshaped those rites over the years; and how we could imagine them for our present context.

Dr. David M. Mellott, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Ministerial Formation, Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Monday, Februay 28

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Rites of Christian Initiation:  Past, Present, And Future -Part II"

The presenter will explore over three sessions how our Rites of Christian Initiation developed in the first four centuries of Christianity; how we have reshaped those rites over the years; and how we could imagine them for our present context.

Dr. David M. Mellott, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Ministerial Formation, Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Monday, March 7

7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust Street - enter by way of the parking lot)

"Rites of Christian Initiation:  Past, Present, And Future -Part III"

The presenter will explore over three sessions how our Rites of Christian Initiation developed in the first four centuries of Christianity; how we have reshaped those rites over the years; and how we could imagine them for our present context.

Dr. David M. Mellott, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Ministerial Formation, Lancaster Theological Seminary.

ADULT FORUM (WEDNESDAYS)

This program is held on the Wednesday evenings of Lent and is a joint effort between Saint Paul Episcopal Church and several Lancaster County-based Episcopal Churches (The Western Rim of the Lancaster Convocation).

Our Wednesday Adult Forum has ended for the year.  It will begin again in Lent 2011

ADULT FORUM (SUNDAYS)

Begins on the Sunday after Easter and runs through the Sunday before the Memorial Day weekend.  It is held at 9:05 a.m. in the Rector's Office.  Come join Father Patrick in a lively discussion on a variety of topics that are critically important to us as a parish family and a member of the Body of Christ.  Confront, challenge, lean, pray, discern, and grow.

Our Sunday Adult Forum has ended for the year.  It will begin again on the Sunday after Easter 2011

ADULT FAITH RENEWAL

(Inquirer's Class)

This program prepares our young people and adults (14 years of age and older) who would like to become a member of the Episcopal Church and need to be Baptized, Confirmed and / or Received when the Bishop visits the parish on Sunday, June 5, 2011.  For an adult person to be confirmed or received they must be an active member of the parish for at least six months.  To be an active member means to attend church on Sunday on a regular basis, particpate in the prayer, educational, and social life of the parish, and to contribute to the ministry and mission of the parish through their time, talent, and treasure.  High school students must also be attending the Adult Forum (the high school Sunday School) and be an active part of the parish youth group.  Current members who would like to renew and deeped their understanding of the faith are also welcome.  The class schedule for 2011 will be published in mid February 2011.  To get more information or to register, please contact the parish office at 684-8496 or at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net




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