“It’s a tough time to be a parent,” says the Reverend Jerry Racioppi. “With all the violence and intolerance in the world, we need to engender in our children a sense of loving kindness for all our neighbors, regardless of their color, religion, orientation, political parties, or different outlooks on life. The theme for our Christian Education program this year is Love One Another. It’s particularly appropriate with everything that’s happening today, but it’s really been relevant for thousands of years.” At the open house, Racioppi will provide information about the Christian Education program, the Episcopal tradition and what makes it different from other Christian traditions.
Holy Spirit’s Christian Education program is open to children ages 5 and up, although sometimes younger children are welcome to accompany older siblings in the class. Classes take place during the first half of the worship service, which begins at 10 a.m. Children join their parents half way through the service for Holy Communion. The third Sunday of each month, the children participate in an informal and fun Children’s Eucharist.
The elementary-age class is loosely based on a program called Godly Play, where children are encouraged to think about Bible stories and their meanings rather than memorize verses. A classic Godly Play question might be, “where are you in this story?”
Middle school age students are given real-life situations and are asked to think about God and the Bible within the context of that scenario. Taught by a seasoned high school teacher, the discussion may include topics such as bullying or cheating, or more difficult topics such as “where is God when something bad happens?” A one-year Confirmation Class begins this fall for students in 9th grade and will be held jointly with a class from St. Luke’s Episcopal in Montclair.
Because high school students often have many commitments, Holy Spirit is offering a field-trip based class, including a trip to other houses of worship, the Tenement Museum, and soup kitchens. A Mission Trip to Grace House on the Mountain in western Virginia is scheduled for the week of July 16, 2017. Friends are welcome, too.
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit is open, welcoming, and inclusive. All are welcome. For more information about or to reserve a place at the open house, Christian Education program, or Holy Spirit, please contact Father Jerry Racioppi at 973-239-2850.
