Christian Education

Nursery: The nursery, for children from birth to 3 years, is staffed by loving caregivers and is located in Room 1 of the Christian Education building, to the east of the church. Listen for the children having fun while their parents are in church. The nursery is open from 8:30-11:30.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (website): Children at St. Cross from 3 years old to 5th grade enjoy the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m. in the atria (downstairs classrooms). Your children will join you during the Peace and will be in church for the Holy Eucharist.

Rite-13: 6th and 7th graders participate in Rite-13, which is a two year program designed to build faith self-esteem in the context of the Christian community. The main themes of the Rite-13 program are: using creative energy for change in the world, building cross-gender friendships, establishing the church as a “safety zone,” teaching freedom and responsibility, creating shared experience and group memory which will carry into their J2A program, and affirming that the passage from childhood to manhood and womanhood is a gift from God. 9:00-10:00 in Clark Hall.

J2A: 8th-9th graders are members of J2A (Journey to Adulthood), which has four main goals: to celebrate the transition from youth to adulthood; to train young people in the skills of Christian adulthood; to explore the mystery of our faith heritage; and to establish experience in the strength of community and liturgy. The J2A program culminates in a pilgrimage, planned by and for the youth. 9:00-10:00 in Clark Hall.

Confirm not Conform (CnC): Our confirmation program for 10th–12th graders. This is an opportunity for our youth to further explore and develop their faith, helping them to make adult decisions about their spiritual life. Please contact Rev. Rachel if you child is interested in confirmation.

Sunday Jolt: Programs of Bible study, religion in culture, movies and spirituality are offered most Sundays from 9:00-9:45 in the new Adult Ed. Room, Room 5, downstairs in the education building.

EFM (Education for Ministry): This four year program studies Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Liturgy, and Theology through theological lenses. New members are accepted in September of each year, please talk to Susan Tucker if you are interested in joining.