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 10AM on the second floor of the Parish House for children ages 4 through 4th grade. Our classrooms use an engaging and flexible curriculum called All Things New. 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.

Rite-13/Journey to Adulthood - Youth

Our youth in 5th-8th grade participate in Rite-13 a part of Journey to Adulthood, a faith formation program based on two key concepts: Womanhood and Manhood are gifts from God; and Adulthood must be earned.  Additionally, our youth enjoy monthly community-building events. Rite-13 runs from September through May. 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.

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 Mark Nestlehutt.