Christian Formation

Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church offers an array of Christian Education options for our members and those from the community who would like to study God’s word with us. While Sunday morning classes form the core of our offerings, there are a number of regular classes and special programs that occur outside the Sunday worship setting. We invite you to join us.

Sunday Morning Classes

Location: All classes are held in St. Julian Hall, which is adjacent to the church, unless otherwise noted.

Time: 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. (beginning August 22)

Children
(Pre-K—Grade 5)

Godly Play
Age 3 years – Kindergarten
Guide: Billye Runion

Children cross the threshold into the sacred space of the Godly Play room where they hear the stories of their faith, are invited to discover, explore, and wonder what the stories mean, and express themselves through various activities.

Workshop Cycles
Grades 1-3
Coordinators: Jennifer Tench & Lynda Ann Loring

Children learn in different ways. Some learn by listening, some by seeing, some by doing, and others through a combination of all these avenues. Each Work-shop Cycle lasts from three to six weeks. The bible story or theme of that cycle is then explored through a variety of activities, from art to cooking to drama.

Beginning the Journey Class
Grades 4 & 5
Teacher: Kathleen Johnson

The Lectionary Series from the Episcopal Children’s Curriculum provides les-sons on the readings of the day from the worship service. Students that have been to one of the earlier services are pleased when they recognize the scripture passages they have heard in church and are eager to discuss what they remem-ber from the sermon.

Youth
(Grades 6-12)

The Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is the core of our youth education. It is a complete program of spiritual formation for 6th-12th grades. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries, and both serious and playful activities to underscore its two guiding principles:
Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God. Adulthood must be earned.

Rite 13
Grades 6 & 7
Teachers: Avery Jenkins & Heather Garrett

The first two years of the Journey to Adulthodd focus on celebrating the indi-viduality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite 13 liturgy is the community expression of this and a rite of passage from childhood to-wards adulthood.

J2A (Journey to Adulthood)
Grades 8 & 9
Teacher: Annie Brevard

The middle portion of the program engages our teenagers with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. Participating teens will plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment. This experience is often the spiritual highlight of their youth.

YAC (Young Adult Christians)
Grades 10 – 12
Teachers: Taylor & Jenna Graham

This is a mentor-based program that helps older teens discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and develop-ment of a personal credo are also emphasized. This fall will include preparation for Confirmation for those teens who want to confirm the vows made on their behalf at their baptisms.

Adult Classes
(Ages 18—200)

Serendipity Class
Leaders: Donald Singer & Jim Loring

Serendipity is defined as “..a seeming gift for finding something good acciden-tally.” This class looks at everyday life through the stories of the participants, the Bible, news accounts, books, film and everyday experiences to discover God’s work in the world around us. All this and great conversation keep the members open and prepared for a surprise.

The Lectionary Class
Coordinator: Russell Johnson

Living the Good News guides this class in the discussion of the Sunday readings from Holy Scripture. This class is a wonderful blend of Bible Study, conversa-tion, unhindered opinions and probing questions.

The Adult Forum
Coordinator: Jon Mehlferber
Location: Family Room of Parish Office

This year will feature Lectio Divina, an ancient and re-emerging practice of engaging with Holy Scripture. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray (and even sing) and rejoice from God's Word, within the soul.

All Ages
(Pre-K—Adult)

Intergenerational Advent Program
November 28

As the season of Advent begins, we bring everyone together to benefit from learning and fun through making Advent wreaths for home and Chrismon ornaments for our Chrismon tree.


Classes Other than Sunday Morning

Adult

Adult Inquirers Class
Sundays, August 22 – October 17, 12:30—2 p.m.
Leader: The Rev. Dena Bearl and others

This nine week course is for those who are considering Baptism, Confirmation, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows – and for those who just want to gain a better understanding of the Episcopal Church. We will cover: Worship – Why we worship, how worship shapes us, symbols and ceremonies in Episcopal wor-ship. Faith – How belief is shaped by Holy Scripture and the Book of Common Prayer. Piety – Personal practices of prayer. History & Mission – The early Church, the Reformation and Church of England, the Episcopal Church in America, and the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Begins September 7 and goes from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Teachers: Graham Dellinger & John Howard

Be a part of our Bible Study as we step back into the history of Israel and Judah before, during, and after the Exile (900-500 B.C.). Twelve significant men, called the “Minor” prophets, spoke messages of judgment, repentance, and hope through those crucial centuries. The class involves lively discussions, prayer and a strong sense of community. Questions?
Call Graham Dellinger (706-754-8382) or John Howard (706-754-9481).

Education for Ministry (EfM)
Mentor: Ed Taylor

EfM is a four year seminary level program that covers topics such as New Tes-tament, Old Testament, Church History, Theology, and Ethics. It teaches people how to use this foundation in every day reflection and decision making. The outcome is that people are equipped for lay ministry. The program is in one-year segments and meets on an academic year schedule. Call Ed Taylor at 706-754-7403 or Dena Bearl at 706-754-2451 for more information.


Special Events

John Dominic Crossan
God & Violence: The Normalcy of Empire and the Ambiguity of the Bible.
September 10-11
Location: Piedmont College Chapel

For more information and to register go to the EfM webpage at www.tinyurl.com/efmseminar. You may also request information by contacting EfM at efmseminar@gmail.com or 706-754-8036.

Barbara Brown Taylor
Sabbath Practice: The Sacred Art of Stopping
September 11
Cathedral of St. Philip

For more information and to register, visit www.episcopalatlanta.org.

Kathleen Norris
The Search for Hope and Meaning: Spirituality for the Real World
October 23
Cathedral of St. Philip

For more information and to register, visit www.episcopalatlanta.org.


Worship

Sunday schedule

8:00 a.m. Rite 1 Holy Eucharist (Traditional)

9:15 a.m. Rite 2 Holy Eucharist (45 minute family-friendly service with some variety in music and liturgy)

11:15 a.m. Rite 2 Holy Eucharist (with choir)


Special dates to note

August 15—Sundae Sunday
Tracey Herzer, a Christian Educator who specializes in authentic spiritual for-mation for all ages, will be our guest preacher at all three services and will pre-sent a program at 10:15 for the congregation.

September 12—Ministry Fair
Ministries outside our parish that Grace-Calvary supports and ministries within our parish will be featured in St. Julian Hall. This is a great chance to find out more about our parish, how we’re involved in the community, and how you can get involved in the church and our outreach efforts.

September 12—Youth Worship at Church of the Common Ground
Our senior high youth will take a trip to Atlanta to the Church of the Common Ground, a church for the homeless. They will attend the Sunday morning ser-vice and provide lunch. Then, they are off to the Cathedral of St. Philip to at-tend Evensong and tour the cathedral.

October 3, 2 p.m.—Blessing of the Animals
Animals of all sorts will be blessed, and refreshments will be served. During the month of September we will collect food, blankets, and newspapers for the local animal shelter. We hope you’ll bring your pets to be blessed and a donation that will bless the animals at the shelter.

October 24—Bishop’s Visitation
Bishop Neil Alexander will preach and celebrate, baptize and confirm.

November 7—All Saints Sunday
All services will include a special remembrance of family and close friends
who have died in the past year.

Soup with the Saints - After the 11:15 service we journey to Holy Cross Cemetery where the graves will be blessed, followed by a picnic of soups and breads.

December 4—Advent Quiet Day
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join in this day as preparation for Advent. The day includes guided meditations, worship, quiet time for personal reflection, and lunch.


Choir
Director: Sandy Calloway
Music is a powerful and meaningful part of worship and one’s own spiritual growth. The choir welcomes all who are interested in joining this vital ministry. Practices are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room of the Parish Office.


Second Wednesday Program
6—8 p.m.
These monthly programs provide an opportunity for fellowship and learning in a broader sense, often touching upon topics affecting us as individuals, the com-munity, and the region. We start with a meal, which is followed by a special program of interest to a majority of the congregation.

September 8—Labyrinths: Paths of prayer through the ages from pre-historic to Chartre to Grace-Calvary
Presenter: The Rev. Dena Bearl

October 13—Sabbath Journey: A presentation of the rector’s sabbatical
Presenter: The Rev. Dena Bearl

November 10—Our Town
Presenters: Lane Gresham & Justin Ellis

How Better Hometown Clarkesville and yhe Soque River Watershed Associa-tion are growing our community. How does our faith community fit in and con-tribute?

December 8—Old Time Religion: Storytelling and Hymn-singing
Presenters: Pastor Bob Prim and Richard Windham

Two of our favorite friends return for an evening of storytelling and beloved hymns.