Christian Formation

Overview

The mission of our Christian Formation ministry area is the spiritual and religious formation of the Christian community of Christ Church, as well as the personal growth of each parishioner. Our vision is to create opportunites for faith development through formal and informal programs within the parish for children, youth and adults.

Sunday Program Offerings

Church School for Children

At Christ Church we believe that making room for children is one of our most important ministries. In the Gospel stories we read several accounts of Jesus engaging with children and know that without children in our midst, we are an incomplete representation of God’s family. Church School at Christ Church is held on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10 AM on the second floor of the Parish House for children ages 3 through 6th grade. All of our classrooms use the Episcopal version of the Living the Good News curriculum, which is very child-friendly and conveniently follows the lessons and liturgical calendar of the church year. Any and all new students and adult volunteers are welcome to share in our children’s Christian formation program. The Church School year begins on the Sunday after Labor Day and ends the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend. If you wish to enroll mid-year, please telephone the Parish Office, 410.745.9076.

Adult Forums

The Sunday morning Adult Forum is a spiritual formation program covering topics related to matters of faith and Christian living. Topics are drawn from biblical studies, ethics, theology, church history, and contemporary affairs. Forums are held in Etherton Hall from September through May, 9:15 to 10:00 AM. Coffee and refreshments are served. Past forum topics include: Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation; Dietrich Bonhoeffer-The Cost of Discipleship; The Road to Damascus—Traveling through Lent with Paul the Apostle; The Great Schism—East and West; and Awe is the Beginning of Wisdom.

Seasonal Program Offerings

Adult Inquirers Course

Are you new to the church or coming from another denomination? Twice each year—during the fall and early spring—Christ Church offers an “Inquirer’s Class” for adults who would like to learn a little more about Christianity, the Episcopal Church and the traditions and teachings that you may have forgotten or never knew. The Inquirer’s Class is strongly recommended for anyone considering Confirmation—the mature act of affirming ones commitment to his or her baptismal promises—or Reception—the act of publicly welcoming those who were confirmed in another tradition into the Episcopal Church. Both Confirmation and Reception occur during the Bishop’s annual visitation. If interested, please speak with one of the clergy.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

On Wednesday mornings from 11 AM to 12:30 PM the Reverend Paul Winters leads a Bible Study in the Lea Library. Using contemporary scholarship and exegetical methods, participants are encouraged to dig deeper into our sacred scriptures and biblical narratives in order to better understand our faith. Topics: Fall 2007 - "The Hebrew Prophets"; Winter/Spring 2008 - "The Acts of the Apostles"

Disciples Of Christ In Community (DOCC)

DOCC offers a step-by-step journey into the heart and soul of Christianity along with a community of fellow-explorers. Sessions consist of a 20 – 30 minute presentation followed by an hour-long conversation in a small group that stays together for the entire course (18 – 24 weeks). For more information contact the church office at 410.745.9076.

Lenten Book Discussion Groups

During the season of Lent we offer an opportunity for parishioners to come together and read, reflect upon and explore books suitable to the season. In the past few years we have read and discussed: Mysteries of Faith by Mark McIntosh; Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes by Robert McAfee Brown; The Truce of God by Archbishop Rowan Williams and Broken We Kneel: Reflections on Faith and Citizenship by Diana Butler Bass. For more information, speak with one of the clergy.

Youth Confirmation

Young people age fourteen or older who are interested in learning more about making a mature affirmation of their faith and commitment to the church are encouraged to attend youth confirmation classes. For more information, or to sign up, contact the Reverend Abigail Crozier Nestlehutt.