Formation
Formation Mission: All ministries of discipleship through education and understanding, such as church school, adult education, Bible study groups, etc.
- Vestry Liaison: Pam Wertz
The primary purpose of Christian Education in the Episcopal Church is to equip our children to live out our Baptismal Covenant. We are called into a living relationship with Jesus Christ and called to live our beliefs.
What is CHILDREN’S CHAPEL?
Children’s Chapel is an approach to worship and Christian education designed to incorporate those two facets fo Faith Formation within a ‘one-room-schoolhouse’ model, to better serve the spiritual needs of diverse groups of children.
The Spirituality of Children
Children are innately spiritual. They have not yet lost their sense of wonder…. They have not yet lost the sense of the immediacy of God in their lives… they have not yet lost their ability to speak directly to Him, and more importantly, to hear Him.
Their questions about God and worship are not based on skepticism, but rather on a thirst for knowledge and a pre-disposition to love.
Children’s Chapel offers an instructed, ‘kid-level’ Episcopal service, derived directly from the Book of Common Prayer. It comprises the Liturgy of the Word, at the end of which the children rejoin their parents and families a the adult service (at the Peace). They are with their parents and families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the final blessing.
What will our children experience in Children’s Chapel?
In Children’s Chapel, our children will learn:
· The structure of Episcopal worship
· The meaning of prayer
· What it means to be an Episcopalian
· The history of our Church
· The meaning of The Word
· The Seasons of the Church
· How to acolyte
· The construct of the Church building
· What tithing is: Time, Talent, Treasure
· What is Stewardship: Why do we tithe?
· What community service is
· How to behave at the Lord’s table
· How to be a lector/greeter/usher
· How to welcome others into our Church
· What are the Sacraments
· What is a priest/pastor/priest-in-charge/rector
And hopefully…
The Joy of Worship and Praise!
Children's Chapel is held in Hafer House (the big white building) at 10:00AM, and concludes with the children rejoining their families in the Sanctuary at the Peace.
Child Care is available in the nursery on Sunday during most morning services and the rector's Forum.
For information about the Children's Chapel, please contact Cari Panter at 301-8900.
The Youth Ministry at St. Mark’s is dedicated to nurturing confident, Christian individuals who are comfortable with and knowledgeable about their Episcopal heritage, and imbued with a spirit of active worship and a commitment to service. We have used the Journey to Adulthood Curriculum in the past which was developed at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Durham, North Carolina. This curriculum was for youth ages 11 – 18. Journey to Adulthood was designed to form a cohesive group environment that made it challenging to incorporate new youth into the environment based on the structured events and time constraints. We are currently researching new curriculum options based on the changing needs of our youth.
Young Adults in Church, or Club YAC, is open to all youth, from 7th grade and older. This open forum is designed to promote growth and cross the bridge between all the schools in the surrounding areas. Currently there are youth from North and South Medford High Schools, and Crater, Ashland and St. Mary’s High School.
Teachers are a critical component of any robust Youth & Children’s Ministry. If you are interested in participating as an adult leader in any of our Church School Programs, or if you would like to register your child(ren) in any of our programs, please contact the office at 773-3111.
At St. Mark's adults are encouraged to grow in their faith not only by regular worship but also by participation in wide range of educational programs: small book-discussion groups, challenging Wednesday night seminars, a lively Rector's Forum on Sunday morning, annual quiet days and weekend retreats. The St. Mark's Library and the St. Mark's Book Store provide a variety of Christian and other educational reading at no cost, and for purchase at reasonable prices.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church 426 W. 6th Street Medford, OR 97501 Phone: (541) 773-3111 Fax: (541) 772-4375 Email: stmarks@stmarks-medford.org
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Sunday Services 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist and Children's Chapel
Friday Service 11:00 AM Healing Eucharist
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
