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Christian education is an important part of our life at St. Peter’s. We offer a variety of programs to connect with God’s word and prepare ourselves to serve
Him. The core of our Christian Education program is 9:30 a.m. Adult and Children’s Sunday School. This is complemented by various seasonal programs and programs throughout the week.
Children’s Sunday School
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A message from our Rector:
What does a child need? As parents you spend much of your life answering that question. You work hard to provide love, nourishment, safety, guidance, learning, and
joy for your kids.
As Christians we must add one other essential thing to the list. Children need spiritual nurture, because mature Christian faith does not “Just
happen”, It is the result of years of teaching by word and example, prayer, spiritual formation, questioning and struggling with the realities of
life. That's what Christian education is all about.
When your child was baptized you vowed to ensure that he or she “is brought up in the Christian faith and life” and “by your prayers
and witness to help this child grow into the full stature of Christ” (BCP p. 302). That's what you as Christian parents and godparents have signed
up for – and it is a tall order.
But you are not alone. The entire congregation of St. Peter's is standing with you and our mission is “Building Christians (of all ages) for
Service,” In the baptism liturgy, the church vowed to “do all in our power to support the newly baptized persons in their life in Christ” (BCP p. 303).
At St. Peter's we are doing “all in our power” to support you and your children in spiritual discovery, growth, and maturity. Much of that
effort is focused on our Sunday School program, where our mission is "Building Christian Kids for Life"
The program is carefully designed to provide love, nourishment, safety, guidance, learning, and joy for your kids to help them grow in
Christ. We owe it to your children and so do you, Let's do it together this year in the St. Peter's Sunday School.
- The Rev. Tom Simmons
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Building Christian kids for life.
Goals:
Provide quality Christian education for all children, ages Pre-K to High School
Nurture each child that they may grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Motivate children to keep coming back for more.
Create fun family events for all ages to discover Jesus In new way.
Establish a Children's Library as resource for families.
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Adult Sunday School
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The Christian Education program of most Episcopal churches focuses on educating children in the parish. Children, after all, are the future of a church and it is
our responsibility as adults to raise the next generation to know and love the Lord.
Adults, however, are often left with little or no programmatic education.
At St. Peter’s we seek to offer excellent educational opportunities to both children and adults. After all, continuing education is a critical part
of Building Christians for Service.
Like a garden, our spiritual life needs constant tending, feeding, watering and weeding. We get out of it what we put into it. You gardeners know how nice
it is to have a colorful, beautiful and fruitful garden! The blessings of a well-tended spiritual life are even more satisfying.
So, how are you tending your spiritual life? Every Christian should be doing something to foster personal spiritual growth.
At St. Peter’s we are designing the Adult Education program with a simple goal in mind: Helping People Grow.
Toward this end, we offer a variety of learning opportunities for you to deepen your spiritual life, grow in Christian maturity and develop skills for Christian
ministry and life.
As you consider the educational offerings for the coming year, we hope that you will find an educational format, subject matter and timeframe that suits you.
If you have questions about our adult education program or suggestions on improving it, please contact us.
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“We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the
power of the Lord, and the wonderful works he has done.
He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel, which he
commanded them to teach their children;
That the generations to come might know, and the children yet unborn;
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
So that they might put their trust in God, and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments.”
Psalm 78:4-7
BCP, p.695
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Adults - Sunday Mornings
Theme-based Study will meet in McCray Hall and take up the three focuses of Tom
Simmons’ new ministry at St. Peter’s: Stewardship, New Member Ministry, and Healing in four-week blocks.
These classes are designed to be of interest to anyone in the congregation and will also serve
as training opportunities for people who wish to be involved in ministries of stewardship, new member mentoring and healing.
Quiet Time in the Library If you would like a time of quiet reflection without the
structure of a class, this is for you. We will make available a variety of reading materials and devotional aids in the Library. It will be open throughout the morning (though the door
may be closed).
The Lectionary Bible Study will continue in the Youth Room upstairs. We will discuss the
readings assigned in the Lectionary the following Sunday. What do they mean? What significance do they have for us? What message is the Church trying to convey by selecting
these readings?
Adult Learning Programs During the Week
Midweek Bible Study Join Tom Simmons for an informal, small-group discussion of the
Bible. Each week we gather at 10:00 am, before the Wednesday Eucharist, to explore the lectionary texts for the coming Sunday. Expect rich content, lively discussion and warm fellowship.
On-line Bible Study
Lectionary-based study by email If your schedule doesn’t work well with our in-person
study groups, or you just want an addiditonal opportunity to look at the weekly readings and share your thoughts on them with others, sign up for our on-line study group.
Other Learning Opportunities
For New Members! Adult Confirmation Class Would you like to become a member of St.
Peter’s Church and the Episcopal Church? Here’s your opportunity.
The class is for adults seeking confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church from
another denomination, or for Episcopalians desiring to reaffirm their confirmation. It is an opportunity to learn or reacquaint yourself with the basics of the Christian faith, or take the
next step in enriching your faith.
The format is informal and the curriculum focuses on an overview of the Old and New
Testaments, basic principles of Christian theology, and the history, traditions and practices of the Episcopal Church and its sacraments. If you are interested, please call or e-mail Tom
Simmons, 338-7307.
 Cursillo. This is a popular weekend retreat for spiritual sharing, learning and
commitment. It is an ideal opportunity for those who want to deepen their faith and prepare for leadership in the church. It is offered several times a year in the
Spring and Fall for attendees from throughout the Diocese of Virginia.
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