Chapel of
Saint John the Divine

Christian Formation

Sunday School for pre-k through teens, confirmation classes and adult education sessions are among the opportunities for Christian formation at St. John's.

Adult Education in April 2010

Four Wednesdays in Eastertide: A Brief Study of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. For adult enquirers and confirmands.

Presenter: The Rt. Rev'd Hays Rockwell, retired Bishop of Missouri

• Wednesday April 7th 5.30pm A brief history of Anglicanism
• Wednesday April 14th 5.30pm An even briefer history of the Episcopal Church, USA
• Wednesday April 21st 5.30pm Theology in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition
• Wednesday April 28th 5.30pm The current life and times of the Episcopal Church

St. John's Sunday School

Sunday School meets the First and third Sunday of each month, during the 9:30 service. Classes join the parish in worship at the passing of the peace.

MISSIONARY WORK ALL AROUND US:

"We need to not care so much about our church as an institution and care instead about its people-their needs and concerns, how to serve them." --

Senior Warden John Edwards, pictured here with Junior Warden Jean Bowerman at Convocation 2010

St. John's has two Sunday School groups dedicated to exploring what it means to be a Christian in our daily lives, and what our various holidays, feast days, sacraments, and rituals are all about.

• Pre-readers (3 to 5 years old) play games, make crafts, and sing songs.

• Readers (age 7 and up, mostly young teens) discuss the Old Testament reading, Psalm, Epistle, and/or Gospel for that Sunday; learn to follow the traditional liturgy in order to better participate in the service; and plan future services incorporating their own ideas, with guidance, to create a suitable and engaging liturgy for people of their generation.

More detailed information on lesson plans and attendance is available in a binder labeled "Sunday School" kept in the parish hall.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fund Raising for Haiti

The 2/27/10 Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's run by the Episcopal Parish Youth of St. John the Divine, Church of the Ascension, and St. Augustine's was a big success. Over $2000 dollars was raised for relief efforts in Haiti. Our youths sold over 70 tickets, five of our teens (Olivia Edwards, Kyle Moses, Abby Moylan, Matthew Carter, and Rozie Moylan) helped serve, and dozens of St. John's parishioners attended this fun community event. Parishioners also bought and donated tickets to the North Kingstown food pantry for use by hungry families.

Thanks to one and all for their generosity and hard work!

NON-TRADITIONAL SERVICES
The youth of St. John's orchestrate a Mass in which they choose the music, write the Prayers of the People (with congregational input), and ask questions in advance to influence the sermon about the day's readings. SUNDAY, March 21, 2010, 9:30 a.m.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES
In 2009-2010, eight teenagers from St. John's enrolled in monthly Confirmation classes taught by the clergy of St. Augustine's, Kingston, and Church of the Ascension, Wakefield.

Our children are our future. This fall, we resume Sunday School, building on the past volunteer efforts of parent-teachers, most recently Perry Moylan, Diane Barzaghi, and Caroline Jenckes. Ideas for the 2009-2010 school year have been explored in depth by Julianne Hanavan and Gigi Edwards (both experienced teachers and curriculum builders), in consultation with other parish parents, vestry members, and Susan Stiles, our diocesan consultant. Our largest concentration of students consists of young teens, but there are also many smaller children whom we welcome. We believe that with flexibility and teamwork, we can serve everyone's needs.

Several of our youth have already been confirmed. We invite them to serve as role models for the upcoming youth class, as well as supervisors of our youngest members, the toddlers. Many of our younger teens and "tweens" have expressed a willingness to learn more about what it means to be a Christian, an Episcopalian, and a member of the Chapel of St. John the Divine. These are the issues we will explore.

Some of the students may choose to be confirmed this coming spring. Those who are a bit young for 2010 confirmation will choose a metaphorical "pilgrimage" to undertake for the following year so that they can be confirmed in 2011. All those awaiting confirmation, whether this coming spring or the next, will ask adults from the parish (unrelated to them) to sponsor them. The confirmation process, and Sunday School in general, provide a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational, cooperative faith-building. We ask everyone to take an interest and to take an active role. A vibrant parish rears its youth to carry on its traditions!