sunday school
For children aged 4 years old through 5th grade, St. Peter's offers the rich experience of Godly Play. Godly Play respects that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond.
In Godly Play, a special environment is prepared for children to work in with adult guides. Two adults (a storyteller and a doorperson) guide the session making time for the children to do the following:
In Godly Play, a special environment is prepared for children to work in with adult guides. Two adults (a storyteller and a doorperson) guide the session making time for the children to do the following:
- Be greeted individually by name and enter the space when they are ready.
- Get ready for the presentation (a story or lesson). By being "anchored" in the circle, the storyteller models a quiet and calm demeanor so the children can be ready for the story.
- Hear the Word of God through a presentation based on a Sacred Story, Parable or Liturgical Action.
- Respond to the presentation through shared wondering.
- Respond to the presentation with their own self-selected "work," either expressive art (drawing, painting, building with clay or legos), journaling, or working with the other materials in the room.
- Prepare and share a feast. More than just a snack, the "feast" builds community as the children say prayers, learn to serve each other and then wait to eat together. The feast also has an indirect connection with Holy Communion and lessons that will be centered around it.
- Say goodbye with a dismissal and an individual blessing and leave the space to rejoin the church community.
For our Middle Schoolers - St. Peter's offer the Rite 13 curriculum that begins to prepare our teens for Confirmation. The Rite 13 themes encourages rich discussion as the children explore what it means to love God, their neighbors and themselves. Together with adult lay leaders the class will reflect on being made in God's image and what are the implications for them as young people following the way of Christ. People who all their lives long will strive to seek justice, walk humbly and love kindness.
family service
On the first Sunday of the month families are in church for the entire service, affectionately called, "Family Service." On this Sunday the children lead the worship ministries and the rector’s talk is designed to engage them in reflection and conversation.
youth group
Our 8 & 9th Graders prepare for Confirmation beginning in the Fall until the Diocesan Confirmation service in the Spring. Rising 8th graders join our youth group for a week-long mission trip in July. During the year the youth group meets on the 1st Sunday of the month for prayer, faith inquiry, fellowship and fun. Aside from our annual mission trip our youth are involved in other service ministry projects, such as family resettlement, throughout the year.
adult formation
In the Fall of 2021 a series on faith formation ("Got Faith?") was given that lead to the formation of a regional faith community comprised of people from a number of our local parishes. This community is following an itinerary of faith formation through a weekly celebration of the Word, a monthly Saturday night Eucharist and community fellowship together. This initial series of talks of faith discovery will be held again in September and October 2022. Please reach out to our office for more information.