Sunday School is offered for all ages between Sunday services

from 10:10-10:50, September – May.

 

We believe in life long learning!

 

Adult Education Offerings

St. Margaret’s has many wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth and development for adults.  They include Traditional Sunday School, EfM and Via Media.  To learn more about any of them, click on the name of the program for a more complete description, or call the church office to get specific contact information for the current leaders of these programs 770-832-3931.

 

Traditional Sunday School:  This group is lead by members of the class and meets in the church parish hall.  They are currently studying the life and writings of C. S. Lewis through and audio series taught by Professor Louis Markos from the Houston Baptist University.  Our program includes listening and discussion of the lesson and how it relates to traditional Christian teachings.

 

Education for Ministry: We are proud to offer this four-year extension course through The School of Theology of The University of the South.  EfM as it is known includes independent study and weekly seminar groups were members discuss their weekly readings and engage in group theological reflection.  Participants commit to one year of the program at a time. Classes follow the traditional 9-month academic calendar year, beginning in September and running into early June.  If you would like more information about how to register for this class at St. Margaret’s, contact the church office. For more in depth information, please refer to the EFM website: http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm.

 

Via Media: Throughout the year the rector hosts Wednesday evening programs, usually on a seasonal basis to explore a particular theme.  This fall, an eight-week program Via Media will be held beginning September 27th, 2006 from 6 – 7 pm.  Following a light dinner we will view a video presentation exploring different aspects of Episcopal Theology - followed by small group conversations in response to the weeks topic.  It is a class for anyone – newcomers or long-time Episcopalians who desire to know more about “our peculiar way of life” as John Westerhoff has described it.  The topics are intriguing; however, the class is ultimately about relationship.  Please email Julie at stmargarets@charterinternet.com or call the church office 770-832-3931 to reserve your place.

 

Offerings for Children and Youth

Sunday School classes are offered to children aged three years through high school on the Sunday School Hall located above the Rose Parish Hall from September - May.   Children younger than three are lovingly cared for by our nursery staff.  The primary goal of our programs is to share the love of God, by learning and teaching the stories of His people as told in the Old and New Testaments, the stories of Christ, and our own liturgical traditions.  We seek to create and nurture the faith of students and teachers in safe, subject-centered communities of learners.  We consider or classrooms to be sacred, holy space and treat them accordingly.  Over twenty-five caring adults volunteer in our six Sunday School classrooms.  For a map of our Sunday School hall, please click here.  If you would like to learn more about our Sunday school programs, follow the links below, or contact Laura Lenaeus, Director of Children and Youth or Amanda Reynolds, Sunday School Superintendent through the church office 770-832-7909.

Godly Play – Children age 3 - 2nd Grade

When they first hear of Godly Play, many people ask – what kind of plays to the children perform in this class?  Godly Play is not about performing drama, or games, it is a way of entering into religious stories with the heart, not just the head.  Developed by noted Episcopal priest, teacher and author Dr. Jerome W. Berryman, Godly Play seeks to teach children the art of using religious language, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence around them and in their lives. Stories are told in a small circle using hand crafted manipulative which reinforce the action of the lesson visually and physically.  We have two Godly Play classrooms, one for 3 year olds – Kindergarteners, and one for First through Second graders.

From Time to Time – Third through Fifth Graders

Our Third through Fifth graders go a step further with Bible stories, learning how they relate to each other chronologically and placing them in context with secular historical events.  The curriculum is broken down into four segments of time; Creation to Judges, Kings to Prophets, The Life of Jesus and The New Testament Church.  Each week, fun and interesting activities reinforce the lessons.  Then students put what they have learned to work using a giant floor mat game that tests their memory of the weeks time line.  To conclude, they discuss the significance of the weeks events, and talk about how they relate to Jesus.

The Journey to Adulthood – Sixth through Twelfth Graders

 The Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th - 12th grades. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core principles:

1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God.

2) Adulthood must be earned.

There are three two-year segments of the program.  Students begin the program with peers who they remain in class with for the duration of their J2A experience. We have found that this allows our teens to form strong friendships within their class groups that last long after they have moved on to college and beyond. A testament to its success is the fact that our teens stay engaged in the life of the church and their own spiritual journeys through their High School years. 

This fall, we are in the first year of all three segments of the curriculum.  Classes are broken down in the following age groups; 6th & 7th Graders: Rite 13, 8th & 9th Graders: J2A, and 10th – 12th Graders: YAC.

The three segments of The Journey to Adulthood are:

Rite-13: The first two years (6th & 7th or 7th & 8th graders) that focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this. 

J2A: The middle portion of the program (8th & 9th or 9th and 10th graders), engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment.

YAC (young adults in church): A mentor-based program helping older teens (10th – 12th & 11th & 12th graders) to discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized.

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