Christian Education

Adult Forum is our primary adult formation opportunity. The adult forum is led by our priest. We have read books together, written our faith stories, discussed political turmoil and social injustice, discussed racial reconciliation, worked our way through the Nicene Creed, and described our understanding of God. Parishioners of various ages and genders attend the adult forum. It has become, for most attendees, a safe space to talk about difficult topics without judgment or ridicule from others who have varying viewpoints. This sacred space has provided the space for our parishioners to dig deep and brought us closer to understanding the Holy Trinity.

A weekly Bible study class is held on Tuesday afternoons to study the readings for the upcoming Sunday. This group is led by a layperson and has proven to be an additional safe space to study the Bible.

Before the pandemic, we had a Centering Prayer group that met weekly. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.

Mindfulness practice teaches us to learn to control our attention. It Focuses on restoring balance and well-being through increased awareness and focus on the here and now.

This Montessori-based approach to Christian formation invites children to wonder together in a safe, nurturing community. Children, ages 3-6, have Godly Play before our Sunday Service. Our younger children enjoy the wonder of the stories told. The Godly Play Sunday school class often continues their “work” and “wondering” among the property’s oak trees.

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 gather for on Sunday mornings before the worship service for Sunday school. We use a lectionary-based Sunday school curriculum to help the reading of the week come to life for the children. Sunday school also includes music and a feast of their own. The children sing songs in church once a month.

In addition to the Sunday school classes, our children participate in an annual Christmas Pageant. Our Christmas Pageant is typically beautiful chaos with younger children roaming the church building as livestock or angels.

EYC is our youth group for children and young adults between 5th and 12th grade. We are part of the Episcopal Coast Convocation EYC that includes youth from across the gulf coast.