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 / 9005.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

 FOR

YOUNG PEOPLE

Sunday School

A Jubilee Ministry Center

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

Our curriculum is called "Witness" and it tells the story of our faith through wonderful bible stories, prayer, activities, crafts and songs.  Each Sunday (except as noted below) our young people gather together to pray, sing songs, listen to the Scripture reading, and make their offering 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

Elementary School - grades 1 - 5

Middle School - grades 6 - 8

High School - grades 9 - 12 (will be part of the Adult Forum on either Mondays or Sundays.  Please see the Adult Christian Formation information).

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.

The last Sunday School class for this school year will be Sunday, May 18.  Education Recognition Sunday will take place at the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday, June 8, 2008

The first Sunday School class for the 2008 - 2009 school year will be on Sunday, September 7, 2008

Call 717-684-8496 /9005 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 - normally in early June.  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 - 14.  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.  Class normally begin about two months before the bishop is schedule to visit.  Full information will be posted in early 2009.  To get more informaiton, 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 Adult Forum 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.

Sunday Adult Forum

Those in grades 9 - 12 at Saint Paul's  will particpate in the Sunday / Monday Adult Forum as their Sunday School Program.

Sunday, May 18 - 9:05 a.m. - Groome Room

We conclude with Part III and Part IV of Discovering Everyday Spirituality.  Today we will focus on Activity

Sunday, May 18 will be the last Adult Forum until Sunday, September 14, 2008.

Our Adult Forum Program will not be offered during the months of June, July and August.  We will resume in September.

Adult Faith Renewal

(Inquirer's Class)

This program prepares 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 - normally in early June.  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.  Classes normally begin about two months prior to when the Bishop is scheduled to visit.  To get more information, please contact the parish office at 684-8496 or at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net