St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

St. Andrew's is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
                           The Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan Baxter, Bishop

With God's help, the people of Saint Andrew's Church will strive to know and accept God's love in Jesus Christ for people of all sorts and conditions and to witness to God's love in word and action.

Christian Education

We believe that Christian education is a lifelong activity and that such education is both formal and informal. In addition to the Sunday morning Church School and Adult Forum, opportunities for Christian growth are offered in classes and small group sessions throughout the year. Note the monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin announcements for themes, times and places.

Children's Education

Sunday morning Church School classes are offered to children from age 3 to grade 5. Classes begin 10 a.m., and the children join their families at the Offertory to receive Communion together. Fall 2007 we will offer Godly Play for the preschool and kindergarten. The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language – parable, sacred stories, silence and liturgical action – to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence on their lives. The lessons elementary classes are from the Episcopal Children's Curriculum. The goal of the ECC is to bring the Bible, liturgy and tradition of the Episcopal Churchto life. Rooted in scripture and incorporating the BCP ans hymnal, it teaches children the traditions and standard responses used during worship. Elementary Classes are grouped by grades (i.e. 1 & 2, 3 & 4 and 5 & 6). Throughout the church year we offer special a Lenten program for children, a communion class for second graders and an exciting Vacation Church School in the summer.

Church School Teachers

St. Andrew's has Sunday Church School all 12 months of the year! Twenty-five volunteers teach the children ages 3 through 5th grade. The children are grouped by age into five church school classes. A classroom for 3-year olds transitions children from the nursery to the church school. The curriculum for 4 and 5-year olds is Godly Play. All of the elementary grades use ECC. Teachers work in teams that teach on a rotation system .They teach two consecutive Sundays then are off for four Sundays to attend Holy Eucharist. We always teach in teams of two teachers in a room at all times. Teachers have quarterly meetings and work together to support each other in their ministry that includes welcoming, listening, caring, engaging, learning, and teaching children about matters of both faith and practice. All teachers must complete Safeguarding God's Children, a training program in sexual abuse awareness for clergy, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, vestry members, and others who work with minors in our churches.

Nursery School

Nursery care is provided for children or infants through age two. Nursery care is provided during services by a paid nursery coordinator and adult volunteers. He nursery is open during the 10:00 a.m. service and adult forums on Sunday, and during special events throughout the year.

St. Andrew's Preschool

Although it is not a formal part of St. Andrew's Christian Education program, the Parish Life Center provides space for the independently-run St. Andrew's Preschool. For additional information on the preschool, please refer to the "Outreach" section of this website.

Youth Ministry

Journey to Adulthood is a six-year program of spiritual formation for youth. The curriculum falls into the following three distinct phases--Rite-13, J2A, and YAC (Young Adults in the Church) --each of which lasts two years. To develop continuity and direction for the program, St. Andrew's introduced one phase at a time. Our first Rite-13 class started in 2004. In 2008, the initial class will become the first YAC group and the Journey to Adulthood program will then be fully functional in the parish.

The Journey to Adulthood program is designed to provide teens a liturgical frame for their experiences in modern culture, celebrate their individuality and their creative potential, and instruct them in the skills needed for successful adult participation in church and in society. The program is based on two key concepts: manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God, and adulthood must be earned. St. Andrew's 9th and 10th graders are in their second year of J2A. The 7th and 8th grade students in our parish are in their second year of Rite-13. Rite-13 and J2A classes meet for Sunday morning lessons immediately after communion at the 10 AM Eucharist.

Rite-13 and J2A classes meet approximately every-other-Sunday for additional activities. Activities include dinner or lunch and social and service activities. Details about youth activities are listed in the Messenger.

Trinity Youth at St. Andrew's is a unique self-directed program of spiritual investigation and social outreach for 11th and 12th graders. Trinity meets for Sunday morning discussions immediately after communion at the 10 AM Eucharist. The group meets approximately twice a month in the afternoon or evening for additional social activities and service projects. Check the Messenger for details.

For more information about Rite-13, J2A, or Trinity Youth, please contact Meredith Kirby, Youth Ministry Coordinator. Newcomers are invited to join youth programs at anytime.

Adult Education

Friday Study Group

Each Friday, an adult study group led by Fr. Hofer meets in the church Library from 11:00 a.m. to noon to discuss scripture and a variety of books. Everyone is invited to attend.

Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of theological distance education of the School of Theology of the University of the South, providing participants the education to carry out their ministry as Christians. Students register for a year at a time for this four-year program which covers Old Testament, New Testament, Church history, liturgy and theology. Students meet regularly in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors.

Forums

St. Andrew’s is fortunate to have versatile and educated parishioners who are willing to share their wide range of interests and expertise in an active, ongoing program of adult forums that address a spectrum of social, environmental, and spiritual topics, ranging from presentations on church art, to theology, global warming, creationism, missionary work, and on any other timely topics of interest. Forums meet from September through May from 9:00 to 9:45 each Sunday morning.

Parish Library

Located in Room 324, St. Andrew’s Parish Library provides a wealth of information for adults and children. We have a wide collection of books on theology, church history, prayer and philosophy, as well as publications on coping with personal problems and life crises. There is also a children’s corner with books suitable for the younger members of the parish. The books and periodicals are further supplemented by a video and audio cassette tape library on a wide variety of topics. Anyone in our community is welcome to borrow from the Library on the honor system. We ask that books be returned within three weeks.