Christian Formation is a wide umbrella that covers all the activities and events, intentional and happenstance at a church, that help form us into disciples of Christ.  One of the most direct activities is Christian Education.  Click the links below for specific information. 

• Children's Sunday School
• Vacation Bible School

Christian Formation is a life-long journey.  God calls to each of us throughout our lives.  Unfortunately, our day to day lives are not always arranged so that we are poised to hear and respond to that call.  In this post modern secular world that we all live and work in, our society is no longer in the business of producing Christians.  The work of forming Christians now falls to the church.  The church must be very deliberate and intentional in creating “a place apart”.  Always in partnership with Our Lord, we seek to offer a foundation and an ongoing set of experiences that allows each of us to respond to God in our own unique way.  Christian Formation is the active response to God's call. 

In this “place apart” everything that happens becomes the curriculum for our formation.  Here at St. Mary's our mission is to provide an inclusive environment where everything, from our surroundings, our worship, our outreach, our fellowship and our education, work together to tell the amazing story of our salvation through the love and grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Knowing our story, and our place in it, is only the first step. It is always the goal of formation to equip Christians to take an active role in bringing God's healing and reconciling word to the world.  We live into our Baptismal covenant when we recognize and put into action our specific gifts to do God's work in the world. 

Christian formation always takes place in community.  At St. Mary's we recognize that each of us begins his spiritual journey at a different stage of his life.  We provide interactive learning communities to meet you wherever you are on your journey.  Whether it is in an activity that is age specific or intergenerational, we hope that you will allow us to walk beside you.  We invite you to join us in this “place apart” where there is always a place at the table for you. 

Here at St. Mary's we value our children as fresh voices of witness.  We believe that every child already has an innate sense of God and it is our job to nurture their sense of awe and wonder.  By providing a supportive environment where their questions and responses are honored, we seek to help them grow in their faith and discipleship.  We endeavor to live into the Children's Charter of the Episcopal Church. 

A Godly Play class is available for children in preschool through first grade.  This Montessori based method surrounds the children with the stories and symbols of our faith in a peaceful awe filled atmosphere.  Children respond to the stories with wondering questions and individually chosen art responses. 

We are currently experimenting with utilizing aspects of the Emilia-Reggio approach.  [See the article in The Bells, September 2011.] The children expressed an interest in learning about everyday life in Bible times.  They also wanted to do more hands on projects.  We are working with a resource called Palestine 30 AD: You Are There.  This workshop method will deepen the children's understanding of the Bible stories they read.  Jesus used examples from every day experience to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven. Having first hand experiences with wheat, leaven, pottery, weaving, etc., will bring these parables and stories to life for the children.  The workshop approach also allows the children to get to know and work with more adults at the church.  [See Palestine 30 AD Schedule below.]

The last Sunday of the month is Children's Worship.  The children serve as Greeters, Acolytes, Ushers, and Readers.  They also work with our Organist/Choir Director to perform a song at the service.  Every child has their own special child friendly hymnal.  During the year the children are engaged in various outreach projects where they learn about a particular region or need and then find ways to lend their support. 

We support the important ministry of parenting.  The last Sunday of the month during our Coffee Hour parents are invited to join Trudy at our Family Round Table for parenting discussions and seasonal tips and resources.  We also offer monthly Family Fun Events. These include seasonal activities, worship and a shared meal [See Family Fun Events Schedule below.]

If you have any questions or needs around sacramental preparation, children in church, or nurturing faith in the family, please feel free to contact Trudy Ardizzone, our Missioner for Christian Formation.  She can be reached at the church 805-733-4400 most Tuesdays and Sundays, or via email ().

Vacation Bible School is an opportunity for children to come together in the summer for a week of faith fellowship and fun.  They learn important biblical lessons while they participate in games, stories, arts and crafts, music and drama around a special theme. 

Vacation Bible School usually takes place in June after school lets out. It lasts for one week and the cost is around $30 per child with family rates and scholarships available.  Summer 2012, our theme will be: “Jesus: The Miracle Man”.  This will be a great continuation of our hands on learning about life in Jesus' time. Children from the community are always welcome to join us.