Our Christian Education and Child Care 
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

Christmas Pageant Pictures 2006

The focus of the church school program is to make every child welcome in a loving and caring community, through the clergy, teachers and parishioners. Watching our children grow into confident young Christian adults is the greatest gift we as a parish can give them.

During and after the service there is childcare, in the nursery, allowing parent's to participate in various programs offered on Sunday mornings. For children under 4 years of age, we provide two nurseries:

Infant Nursery Location Children 0 to 18 months of age. This Nursery is designed, equipped, and staffed with a focus on infant care. Toddler Nursery  Location ( Pictured at left ) Children 18 months to 4 years of age. This Nursery is designed, equipped, and staffed with a focus on the needs of toddlers.

We offer classes for children from 4 years of age through 8th grade on Sunday morning. 
Classes are as follows:

GODLY PLAY 
age 4 through 1st  grade
9:45 am to 10:45am

Using a hands on curriculum called Teaching Godly Play, the old and new testament stories are presented to the children. Beginning with creation and ending with Pentecost they experience the richness of Old and New testaments.

Classes on Sundays at 10 AM. The children come into church at the peace and remain with their parent's for the rest of the service.

ADVANCED GODLY PLAY
2nd through 5th grade
9:45 am to 10:45am

SEARCH 

Junior High Students will meet every Sunday Morning at 9:45am-10:45am for "SEARCH" ( A Sunday School Group based on the needs of youth grades 6-8th) The purpose of this group will be to explore and challenge the life application of biblical principles in a dynamic and fun way. We will participate in fellowship activities and weekly chats to grow in the Christian Faith together. Youth will be able to explore their questions and delve into how faith is weaved into their everyday lives. Join us for a new
Sunday Morning Tradition!

Adult Formation See Pictures from Sacrament Blitz in NYC 2006

Bible Study

Thursday morning Bible study meets weekly in the Conference Room. From 9 - 10:30 am we read and reflect on a section of the Bible. Currently we are reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We use a parallel passage version that allows us to see where these three writers tell the Jesus story using sometimes the same words, sometimes slightly nuanced words, and sometimes very different words. Using a perspective of reading the text for the first time and not knowing what lies ahead we discover there is much detail we usually skip over because we think we already know the story. Come join us when you can. You're welcome to come once a year or once a week. We meet year-round, but sometimes take a week or so off during the Summer. During July and August if you have not heard any announcement during Sunday worship, you should check with the office, Karen Reid, or Eddie Black to be sure the Thursday session is meeting.

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Education For Ministry (EFM)

Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education of the School of Theology of the University of the South offered in the local congregation. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology.

Seminar sessions normally are 2 1/2 - 3 hours long. During a session participants from the four different years discuss their assigned readings and participate in theological reflection. 

Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. Seminars meet once a week during the academic year under the guidance of trained mentors. The University grants a certificate at the completion of the four years. 

We have had a Wednesday morning seminar for over five years. Beginning with Fall 2006 EFM seminar groups also meet on Sunday and Monday evenings.

The Diocese of Pennsylvania is a sponsoring diocese and offers scholarship assistance. Parishioners who are interested should not allow the cost to prevent participation; talk to Fr. Dave for details.

Registration begins in May of each year for the beginning of the Fall academic year. To register or for more information contact Fr. Dave. 

Here is a forum that has been created for Trinity EFM students to discuss chapters and topics of interest.

 

Potluck Classics

The last Wednesday of the month a group meets for a pot luck meal with a presentation and discussion from the Renovare Spiritual Classics. Contact Fr. Dave so that receive the short excerpt prior to each monthly meeting so that you have read it before arriving. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share. We begin at 6:30 p.m. and end promptly at 8 p.m. This group usually starts in October and ends the last Wednesday of May.