Sundays at 10:15
Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, beginning Sept. 4 — This group meets each week for a survey of Scripture using “Journey Through the Bible” from Cokesbury. Our fall study will be 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The study period is 922 B.C. to about 300 B.C. and covers the separated Hebrews of Judah and Israel, the exiles into Assyria and Babylonia, and the return from the exiles. Participants should read the Student Guide ($8, available from Tom Snead) and scripture for each session. We learn a lot about the Bible and ourselves in the process. Led by Tom Snead.
Weekly Friday morning study, 10-11:15 am — Join us as we learn about God’s relationship to humankind through scripture, video presentations by biblical scholars, and lively conversation. The study book is available from the group’s facilitator, Elizabeth Lopez.
Monthly evening study, second Mondays, 7-8:30 pm This study group is open to all women who are interested in studying Scripture and its application in our lives today. The group focuses on different parts of the Bible, paying attention to the purpose and mission of God with his people. With the use of study books, DVDs and lively discussion we learn more of God’s word. Many times this opens discussions about our purpose, opportunities and challenges we face in our contemporary world. Facilitator: Stephanie Yucius.
Second Monday of each month at 6:30 pm — This study is a fellowship-oriented look at our faith with lots of discussion and sharing. Men of all ages are invited to look at what it means to be man in search of faith. Each month we meet at the home of a member of the group, contact the church office for the next location.
Throughout a marriage, husbands and wives find themselves evaluating whether or not their relationship is growing the way they want it to grow and the way God wants it to grow. Married couples are invited to Marriage Journey groups to study, discuss and reflect about the journey (contact: Peter and Colleen Morich). Episcopal Marriage Encounter weekends are time away for married couples giving a unique private approach to revitalizing Christian marriage (contact: Ron and Connie Bergeron).
Church members face a difficult task in interpreting the richness of church faith in a complex and confusing world. They need a safe environment to develop their own theology that supports their faith and trains them to express that faith in day-to-day events. EFM is a four-year educational opportunity that meets once a week from September to May. It is a time to study our collective church history and to work toward developing what we believe. Registration is done each year and a charge is involved. Scholarships are available. Contact: Jan Potter, Father Sue.
Stephen Ministry sponsors quarterly educational opportunities for active ministers and any members of the congregation interested in pastoral care issues. These conferences usually are held 9 am to 12 pm on the third Saturday in January, April, July and October. Using speakers from the congregation, community experts, and published materials, these sessions provide an opportunity for continuing education, spiritual development, and fellowship. For information, please contact David Moore, 770-977-8414.
“The Coracle” is a new ministry at St. Catherine’s. The purpose is to encourage and support the development of understanding and exploration of Christian spirituality among churched and unchurched people. Programming will be intended toward opening the participant’s awareness of God in the ordinary and is open to all interested persons. A charge is involved. Information: Deacon Kathy.
Tuesdays in Advent are an opportunity to step out of the hectic Christmas preparation for a time of silence, worship and study. Beginning Dec. 2 we gather at 7:00 AM for celebration of the Holy Eucharist, followed by a brief study, this year using “Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent” by Pamela Hawkins. Worship and study end promptly at 8:00 AM. Join us for either or both.
All adults are invited for a time of teaching, scripture meditation, and reflective sharing. We will take time to “catch our breath” in the middle of the busy-ness of the Advent/Christmas season.
Nursery
care is available for infants through age four. The nursery area is
located downstairs in the Education building and is open at 8:30
am on Sunday mornings.
It remains open through the 11:15 am
service. Nursery care is provided by Shirley Miller and Naomi
Sheppard, two paid and experienced childcare workers. On occasion,
additional assistance is needed and anyone interested in providing
help is welcome.
Nursery coordinator:
Amber Shushan
This program provides a time for children to stretch their legs at the Sequence Hymn during the 8:45 am Sunday Service. The children hear and respond to the Gospel of the day in their own language and skill level. They return to the worship service at the Peace. Children’s Chapel is for all children who are interested, and the age range is usually from two to nine years old.
Adults and Young Adults are needed to lead this group each Sunday. A schedule of leaders is provided once volunteers are identified. Training, if desired, is available. Materials are provided each week and include the story to be presented along with suggestions for interaction. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the youngest members of our Community in Christ. Coordinator: Mary Lou Shannonhouse
A special treat for children, SUNDAY PAPERS provide a quiet activity that offers the stories of the Sunday gospel in easy-to-read words with pictures to color as they experience the service with their parents. Children may pick up crayons along with the SUNDAY PAPERS in the narthex as they enter the worship service with their parents. Also available in Children’s Chapel.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Catherine's offers Christian formation for children ages 2½ through 12. The Catechesis is grounded in scriptural and liturgical study framed by Montessori's principles of education. This allows children to hear the Gospel and absorb its message through the use of sensorially rich materials and the work of their hands. Our mission is to help our children form an authentic, loving, faithful relationship with God.
The vision for this faith experience began in Rome, Italy in 1954 with Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori-trained educator. Dr. Cavalletti found that children, at the very youngest ages, have vital religious needs. Children desire to draw near to God and need the sensitive guidance of the adult and the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit to nurture this relationship in a sacred space. The adult prepares the sacred space, the “atrium,” for the children. It is there that they are invited to consciously enter into relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd and to hear, perhaps for the first time, the inner voice that is the Holy Spirit. The atrium is a place of community and worship rather than a classroom for academic study. It is a place to be with God, enjoy Him, listen to His Word, to pray, and is designed to reflect the beauty of His creation and abiding love.
The Young Lambs atrium is for children 2½ to 3½ years old. The children will hear the Good Shepherd parable, learn about the Eucharist, work with Infancy Narratives, and enjoy Kingdom parables. The Young Lambs formation is based on the most essential elements of Level I formation with the addition of handwork that hones concentration, encourages contemplative silence, and prepares the child for prayer. Jennifer Cook and Stephanie Yucius lead this group.
The Level I atrium is for children 3½ years old through Kindergarten. Children continue on their journey of faith as they get to know Jesus through geography, parables, Infancy Narratives, Paschal Narratives, Eucharist work, and as they work with the liturgy materials. The credo of this child is "help me do it myself." Children select their own work and are given the time and space to work independently and without interruption. Lisa Cook, Lisa Spessard and Laurie Dirksen are our Level I catechists, Barbara Garner assists.
The Level II atrium is for first through third graders. The older child's thinking becomes more global, conscionable, and more moral. Our focus therefore broadens. We begin to explore the History of the Kingdom of God, its unity and vastness, and see how God has made God's self known since the beginning of time. Through reflection on a variety of scripture texts and presentations of moments from our liturgies of Eucharist and Baptism, the children have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their faith through handwork with the materials and utilizing their developing skills in reading and writing. Barbara Barrington and Mary Lou Shannonhouse are our Level II catechists.
The
Level III atrium is for fourth and fifth graders.
The children continue to explore themes of the History of the Kingdom
of God with an added emphasis on the Plan of God and the gifts of
discovery and inventions by human civilizations which help this Plan
to be realized. This leads to a focus on the kind of work that God
calls each person to do. Scripturally this exploration takes us into
a deeper study of the prophets, Jesus' ministry, virtues, and on the
sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Reconciliation. Karen Maxwell
and Anita
Gardener are our Level III catechists.
On Tuesday afternoons we have Level I and II atria open to children from a local Catholic church.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Hours
Sunday,
10-11:00 am
Young Lambs
Sunday, 10-11:15 am
Level I, Level II, Level III
St. Catherine’s uses the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. The program falls into three distinct phases, each of which is two years in length: Rite-13, J2A (Journey To Adulthood), and YA (Young Adults).
It is a program of spiritual formation for young people that:
Provides
a liturgical frame for their experience in our
modern culture,
Celebrates their individuality and their creative potential,
Instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in church and society.
The program is based on two key concepts: (1) Manhood and womanhood are gifts from God, and (2) adulthood must be earned. It includes in-depth exploration of:
Self Spirituality
Sexuality Society
The Journey to Adulthood balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person during the difficult passage from childhood to adulthood.
The Rite-13 program assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. The liturgical celebration of the gift of womanhood and manhood is an integral part of this group’s curriculum.
Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is the heart of the entire program—it blends action and contemplation in teaching young people faithful living. To prepare them for adulthood, they learn six basic skills: active listening, negotiation, assertion, research and information management, partnership, and leadership. This program also helps them understand and affirm Christian living. At the end of this level, each young adult is given an opportunity to be confirmed and is acknowledged in the community as equipped for new levels of responsibility. They are recognized as young adults, rather than children, and are invited to make a holy pilgrimage.
Building on the foundations of Rite-13 and J2A, the YA class takes a deeper look into the issues of self, society, spirituality and sexuality, as well as works to strengthen the bonds that have been formed over the previous four years. In addition to work in the classroom, the YA class, with the help of their leaders and the youth director, plans a mission trip for the summer after their first year.
The three youth groups come together as part of our “Wednesday Night Live” parish-wide activities on Wednesday evenings for fellowship and spiritual formation. Wednesday night fellowship includes music, discussion, and fun, with an emphasis on relevance for all age groups.
Beginning on September 7 we will offer a Sunday evening youth program titled, “Eat, Work, Play,” open to all youth in Rite-13, J2A, and Young Adults, and will meet each Sunday night, 5-7 PM in the Youth House. We will begin our program with dinner for $5 per person. Participants may pay for the entire semester for $60, or by the month or day. In addition to “Eat, Work, Play,” the Youth House will be open an additional hour each Sunday night, 7-8 PM for fellowship, studying, coffee, etc. For information or if you are interested in providing dinner on a Sunday night for the youth group please contact Youth Director Amelia Arthur.
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