Summer - A Time of Planning

Gretchen S. Jordan, Christian Education Director

Summer often provides us with 3 much needed R's: rest, relaxation and regrouping. The schedules that many families tend to keep during the regular school year ease some from the last day of one school year until the beginning of the next school year. Likewise, some of the committees and groups within the parish slow their pace for much needed rest, relaxation and regrouping. But for others, summer is the primary time for planning and envisioning. The Adult Education Committee, in particular, has continued to meet regularly to develop educational opportunities for the fall. The Children and Family Ministry Committee, while on break for the most of the summer, put together a calendar and schedule of programming in May which called into place subcommittees to execute the plans. There has been a constant buzzing throughout the parish as small groups have met to discuss such topics as stewardship, youth ministry, faith formation, and parenting. Here is a glimpse of some of the work being done:

Adult Education on Sunday mornings will include a three-part series on the whys and hows of engaging in Bible study, led by the Rev. Dr. Richard Pfaff; following this series, the clergy will facilitate a weekly lectionary-based discussion class. A series on how faith impacts political action will be offered in October. "Conversation with the Rector" will be offered quarterly. A committee is working on a schedule and topics for a continuation of the Parent Gathering Class.

Youth and Families: The Youth Inquirers' Class will begin with a dinner meeting on Sunday, August 22. Included in this year's program is an overnight retreat September 25 - 26, in addition to a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. during Lent. Journey to Adulthood (J2A), a curriculum for youth ministry, is being evaluated for use in our parish. A group of youth parents, youth leaders, and staff met in June with the J2A leadership of St. Philip's parish in Durham.

Children and Families: In response to committee recommendations, upper elementary children and youth will include in their worship leadership regular lay-reading responsibilities at the 9:00 service. A new worship education program will be offered to children in the first and second grades once or twice a month during the 9:00 service. A new intergenerational event has been added to the well-received Epiphany, Earth Day, and Advent events: a Lenten program on February 6.

Church School registration will begin in August. A registration form is included on the last page of this Cross Roads and can also be secured in the parish office or dining room. In order to update our rolls, we need all children two years of age and older to register. On August 29 following the 9:00 service, there will be an intergenerational gathering and a visit to individual classrooms to meet teachers and other students. On Sunday, September 5, there will be no Church School, but the following Sunday, September 12, regular Church School classes and adult education begin.

I trust that some of these items will whet your appetites! And when you are rested, relaxed and have regrouped, join us in putting these varied opportunities in place either through leadership or participation!