Grace strives to support members of all ages as they grow in the knowledge and love of God through our programs of Christian formation.
Children’s Christian Education
At Grace we work to create a safe, warm environment in which children of all ages can experience the love of Christ and learn and grow in the Christian faith. We offer nursery care for infants to three-year-olds in our nursery, which is available from 9:15-11:45 on Sunday mornings (summer hours may vary). For children 3-11, Grace offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, an approach to Children’s Formation based on the Bible, the church’s liturgy, and Montessori educational principles. Children meet in a lovingly prepared classroom called an atrium where they learn about Scripture and the Sacraments of the Church with trained catechists using hands-on materials. The overall aim is to help children come to know and love Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who cares for them as his sheep.
Youth Christian Education
Middle school and high school-age children meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 during the school year for Bible study, discussion, and games in our designated meeting and activities center in the Carriage House adjacent to the main church building. They also occasionally go out for breakfast and meet for outreach and fellowship events. Our youth also participate in diocesan youth programs like Camp McDowell and Sawyerville Day Camp..
Adult Formation
Christian formation is a lifelong process. Grace provides a variety of educational opportunities for adults to be formed into disciples of Christ. Our primary Sunday morning offering is an adult forum that meets in the parish hall at 9:15 and is led by both lay church members as well as our clergy. Topics include the Bible, the history of the Church, and practicing our faith in the modern world. More recently we have begun a Bible study for women on Sunday mornings, which meets next door in the Arnold House. Grace also offers a course each year on the foundations of the Christian faith and the Episcopal tradition. This course is open to all but serves as preparation for the rite of Confirmation at the time of the bishop’s annual visit to Grace.