Growing in Faith Through Education

Children, Youth and Families

Grace Church is blessed to have a vibrant and growing population of young families with small children. Whether you are brand new to church, just coming back after some time away, or faithful Episcopalians looking to continue your walk with Christ in a warm and welcoming community, we would love to have you join us. As you’ll see below, there are many different ways to get involved. For more information on any of these programs, please contact Jess Smith, Youth Ministries Intern. 

Sunday 9:15 a.m. Family Worship with Holy Eucharist

The cornerstone of our offerings for families is this unique worship service, where kids are not only allowed to be kids, they are celebrated. Though shorter in length (about 45 minutes) and aimed at the younger set, adults are also well-fed by this full liturgy with a homily, hymns and Holy Communion.  

Stroller Group (infants and toddlers)

This group for parents of our smallest members sponsors both informal gatherings as well as larger events that combine fellowship and service.   

Sunday School (Grades K-5)

Our formation program for primary school-aged children uses the Storymakers curriculum, and is taught by a team of trained lay volunteers. Our program encourages kids to draw on their unique individual creativity and imagination in order to learn and retell the classic stories of the Bible. By blending visual art, drama and improvisation, students are empowered to see themselves as active and equal participants in God’s story of Love, freedom and justice. 

Youth Group (Grades 6 and up)

Teenagers at Grace Church gather regularly for fellowship, service and learning opportunities. You can find our Youth helping out as volunteers at Red Hook Farm, singing “acoustic Compline” in our garden, engaging in discussion and debate, and staffing our acolyte team.

Youth Confirmation

Every two to three years, the parish convenes a group of adolescents to prepare them for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Candidates spend an academic year learning the fundamentals of Christian history, thought and practice, and can expect to be both challenged and nourished in an open and supportive environment.

Parents’ Book Club

Join other parents as we journey through a book together, meeting every few weeks over Zoom for informal discussion. Previous selections have included Dr. Lisa Miller’s The Spiritual Child and Tish Harrison Warren’s Liturgy of the Ordinary.  

Christmas Pageant

Grace Church’s annual, spectacular presentation of the Christmas story occurs during Advent. Children and their families commit to a small number of weekend rehearsals, where they learn the staging and their parts in the script. The final performance includes costumes, music and lifelong memories for all. 

Family Matters Newsletter

Published every few months, our family ministry newsletter documents all the wonderful things we get up to at Grace Church, and includes regular columns, profiles of our families, and other special features. Check out our most recent issue by clicking on the image at right, or clicking here.

Adult Formation

Bible Study

Rector’s Tuesday Bible Study. Please know that you are invited to join us each Tuesday, from 10:00 to 11:30 am in the Choir Room, for bible study and conversations around interpretation, application, social justice, current world events, or a host of other topics that may surface during our time together. We really do have a lot of fun and we invite you to come and join us! Right now, we are discussing Richard Rohr’s book, The Universal Christ. Each class is independent of others; therefore, you do not have to play “catch up” in order to participate. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! The Rev. Dr. Allen F. Robinson, Rector.

The group breaks during the summer months. More specific information regarding the schedule and study topics can be found in Grace Notes.

Sunday North Room Chats

North Room Chats occur on the first Sunday of each month. We discuss spirituality and Christianity in bite-sized chunks. No need to prepare in advance. No need to have attended a prior chat. Just be open to learning something new, sharing your own life experiences, and, most importantly, growing in the Christian faith. Questions? Contact Brianna McCarty. 

Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a ministry formation and theological education program for lay persons. The four-year program meets weekly, from September to June. Trained mentors lead participants in study and discussion of the Bible, church history and theology.

EfM provides a foundation for theological development through study, prayer and group activities, and guides students in discerning and nurturing their ministries. Sharing this journey supports individual confidence and mutual growth. EfM creates an informed, active and knowledgeable laity. For more information, please use the Contact Grace form or visit the EfM website at www.efm.sewanee.edu.

The Grace Education for Ministry group is now taking names for several openings in September. Participants commit to meet Wednesday evenings for 36 weeks each year to study, reflect and explore lay ministries in the world.

*Learn more about this international program with 80,000 participants since 1975 here.