Margaret Smith, Director of Religious Education
Margaret@sjparish.net

Christian Education includes church school, young people's fellowship,
youth choir, adult education programs, intergenerational programs,
confirmation and early communion classes and child care. The staff
includes Margaret Smith, Director of Religious Education; Cynthia
Lawler, Youth Coordinator; Jane Penfield,Youth Choir Director and
church school musical advisor. The Rev'd Anna Pearson and the
Rev'd Joseph Pace provide adult education and intergenerational
programs (with input from parishioners and staff members), and
conduct confirmation and early communion classes.

Infant and Toddler Care, up to age 3
A nursery is staffed by Vida Razazi. Nursery care is available from 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings.

The Good Shepherd Program, ages 3-5
This program creates an environment where children have the freedom to move about the room, play with a variety of appropriate toys as they grow in love for God and one another.  The teachers use a variety of sensory methods of story telling that allows the children to see, touch, feel and hear stories and characters from the Bible.         

The Episcopal Children's Curriculum, ages 6-10
This curriculum helps children form and affirm beliefs within the tradition and practice of the Episcopal Church.  This curriculum is biblically based and liturgically oriented, drawing children into Bible stories and encouraging them to relate their daily lives to Scripture.

Journey to Adulthood, Grades 6-12
This is a program of spiritual formation for teens, grades 6-12, addressing their concerns and needs in the context of loving leaders (four different parishioners every two years), a loving church community and above all else, a loving God.  Journey to Adulthood has been a successful youth ministry at St. John's for ten years.  There are three two-year programs in the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. 

Rite-13, Grades 6-8
So named for a rite-of-passage that takes place around the teen's 13th birthday, this is a time to forge friendships, learn how to apply scripture to daily life, and learn to live in and reach out to community.

J2A, Grades 8-10
Now on the journey, these teens learn adult skills in the context of scripture, begin to put their faith into practice, work towards confirmation and go on a pilgrimage.

YAC, Grades 10-12
Young Adults in Church, acknowledges teens as young adults who have acquired adult skills, and asks them to help manage their own program, declare a ministry in the church, choose a mission project and write their own credo.

CONFIRMATION IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Classes for youth and adults who wish to become confirmed in the Episcopal Church and make their affiliation with the church are offered in the winter.  Teens prepare for confirmation through the Sunday morning J2A classes (9:30 - 10:15 a.m.), February 3 - March 16.  An opportunity for instruction will be made available in March for adults who wish to be confirmed into the Episcopal Church or received into the church if they have been confirmed as Roman Catholics.  The bishop administers confirmation at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford on Easter Eve, March 22 at 8 p.m.  Please direct questions about confirmation to the clergy.

HOLY COMMUNION FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
The practice of the Diocese of Connecticut is to invite all Baptized persons,
regardless of age, to receive Holy Communion.  Instruction for children and families is offered every other fall (the next time being October 2008).  If you have questions about your child receiving Holy Communion, please speak to the clergy or to Margaret Smith, Director of Religious Education.  Child-friendly booklets about Holy Communion are available for all children.