Christian Education

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12: 2

At Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Christian education happens not only in Sunday morning church school but in everything we do as a community of faith. One of the most important hours of Christian education is the worship hour, a time when the community of faith comes together to glorify God. Through worship, our community is shaped through the Word read, sung and proclaimed. Through our participation in the sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as we gather around the table, we are transformed as the community of faith, fed for our journey, and sent forth to be agents of reconciliation in the world, spreading the Good News to all we encounter. Christian education happens in church school classes which equip the saints of all ages. We take seriously the promises we make at the time of baptism to nurture children, youth and adults in Christian discipleship and servanthood.  Through study together as a community of faith, we grow in the knowledge and love of Christ. Following is a summary of classes that we offer to children, youth and adults at Eastminster. We invite you to participate in the many Christian education opportunities our community of faith has to offer.

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL OFFERINGS

Church School Classes are offered for all ages and in a variety of learning styles.

• Nursery (0 - young 3's):  Our youngest children receive loving care from experienced caregivers in the nursery during the Church School hour and the Service for the Lord's day.
• Preschool/Kindergarten (older 3's - Kindergarten):  Children in preschool and kindergarten enjoy crafts, games, and interactive Bible-based lessons on topics such as diversity, making friends, God's world, and holidays.
• 1st - 3rd Grade:  Our 1st - 3rd graders are currently studying the Fruit of the Spirit, playing games, making crafts, and learning creative prayers that focus on a different "fruit" every week.
• 4th - 6th Grade:  Students in these grades are studying analogies and names for God that help us to understand God's character and relationship to us. Each week, the students create art, compose their own plays, play games, and spend time in personal reflection that contribute to their discovery of who God is.
• 7th – 12th Grade:  The youth group is currently studying poverty and Christ's will for the world in light of this issue. The students each lead a Sunday discussion that focuses on a particular manifestation of poverty in this dialogue-based class.

Eastminster offers four adult classes.

• The Friendship Class uses The Present Word curriculum and will focus on a survey of the New Testament. This study challenges participants to see the New Testament through the lens of community.
• The Gleaners Class continues to study the Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding: series. Islam and Christianity is being presented during November, December and January.
• The Christian Living Class is currently using an ethical study of science versus nature.
• The Searchers Class uses a variety of methods in their study as they explore faith and life as a Christian. All who are interested in learning in different and non-traditional ways are invited to learn with us.

YOUTH AT EASTMINSTER

At Eastminster, we desire for youth to be anchored in Christ. We desire for them to be growing in their personal relationships with Christ, for them to live according to God’s Word, and for them to seek Christ with all their heart.

Junior and Senior High school years are a time when youth are challenged by the pressures of the world. They are at a stage where they are beginning to make choices that will affect their lives and future. The most important choice they will make is to commit themselves to God.

Our Youth Ministry program at Eastminster is designed to teach youth about the love of Christ in the most energetic way possible. We want our young people to know Christ and to commit to God. Then, we want to help further develop that faith. We build our ministry around Junior and Senior High youth by addressing the challenges they face from the world and then by showing them the exciting option of following Christ.

One of the ways we are able to do this is in our weekly youth meetings. Each Sunday our youth encounter God’s word through curriculum that includes music, devotions and video. These provide the foundation that prepares them to face the most difficult transitions of life.

YOUNG ADULTS

The Young Adults seek to grow into a community where they can learn about God and themselves, serve their neighbors and those in need, and grow together as disciples of Jesus Christ. They meet monthly for fellowship times over dinner, mission and service to the community, or other activities throughout the year.

These young adults are a wide-ranging community. They are married or single, parents, college age, or celebrating a 20th reunion, just beginning a new job or established in a fulfilling career, life-long church goers or just beginning to explore our faith, and everywhere in between.

THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERIES

Our Wednesday night programs, scheduled during Lent and fall, offer both a supplement and an alternative to Sunday Church School. A light dinner, for which a freewill offering is received, is offered for the convenience of those participating in Wednesday night activities. Activities are offered for children, youth, and adults beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Our Wednesday Schedule:

• 5:30 p.m. Dinner
• 6:30 p.m. Activities (all classes)
• 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

For example, our Fall, 2010, Wednesday night classes began in September and continued until November 10.  Visitors, new or seasoned members participated in this fall's study as they learned more fully about our reformed faith, and what it means to be a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Topics of discussion, to name a few, included: introduction to Presbyterian history, beliefs and polity; an overview of membership hopes and expectations; an introduction to the theology of worship and music; and a discernment process for recognizing and using spiritual gifts. Classes for children and youth were also offered each Wednesday night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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