Christian Education

Spring 2008 - Confirmation!

Members of the confirmation class stand with Bishop Patrick Yu after confirmation on May 11th.

We laughed, we cried, we threw balls out of windows, fell off couches, set prayers on fire, and wondered “Why God?” and “Why, God?” Confirmation at St. Clement’s this year was an adventure for everyone involved. Confirmation can be a very special turning point in a person’s faith, no matter what age it is undertaken. If you know a young person, in grade 7 or higher, who is interested in confirmation, please note that our classes for next year will be on Tuesdays, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. beginning November 4 th . We will also be running a ‘Discovering World Religions’ class for all recently confirmed teens and high school students, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning in September.

Building a Child Friendly Church
St. Clement's Parish has a wonderful history of Christian Education and Children’s Ministry. A child friendly church is a place where children’s ministry is an integral part of the whole life of the church. Children are capable of worship and intimacy with God, and needing and capable of ministry. A child friendly church aims to incorporate children into the fullness of its life for growth and discipleship in both receiving and giving. Our goal is to disciple young people into the fullness of life in the community of faith.

A child friendly church is a place of welcome for children and their families, for outsiders and insiders, for familiar people and strangers. A child friendly church is a place where children engage with faith in a way that is appropriate to their age. That means being lectionary based in our curriculum and using liturgies and styles of music that resonate with a child’s xperience of life. Culturally engaging and appropriate worship and teaching are the key hallmarks of what we should do. The center of a children friendly ministry is relationships, not programs. The starting point of Gospel values is always relationship – about how we love God and our neighbour – and the program elements are always subservient to that basic value.

For more information, contact The Rev'd. Erin Marriott, Education Coordinator,  Heather Ervin,  Children's Ministry Co-Ordinator, or Jenny Salisbury, Youth Co-Ordinator.

Baptism
Baptism is a key sacrament in our church life. It is also lovely introduction for new families into the life of the parish and a great beginning for children into our Christian Education Program. Contact Rev David Montgomery

Educational Programmes
St. Clement's enjoys a rich life of educational programs and series for adults. These are always advertised and described on the What's New page. Look there to see what is being presented in the 2008 - 2009 season.