Like women, children and youth are the most vulnerable in our society. Many children are raised by single mothers, leaving the kids with no father role models. The modern culture that promotes individual autonomy also puts such children at a disadvantage, as they grow into responsibilities before they are fully ready. Grace Chapel is committed to mentoring youth through the curriculum of the Boys and Girls Brigade, an international interdenominational Christian organization, with the goal of building future leaders and supporting at-risk youth in our community.
Our Sunday Faith Formation Program was designed for children and youth who do not currently have their own home church. Our experience at the Brigade Youth Program has been that children invite their friends to our Sunday worship. When they come, these youngsters are fascinated to see their friends serve as acolytes on the altar, as ushers, and as teachers to the younger kids at Sunday School. Our young visitors watch as their friends sing in the choir, set up the PA system and play their musical instruments as part of the service. Some of our children have invited their friends to witness and celebrate their baptisms or confirmations. Our young visitors often want to return to learn more deeply about our community, and we’d like to encourage them to do so.
Our Faith Formation Program seeks to welcome and nourish these newcomers, many of whom are experiencing a faith community for the first time. We don’t want to neglect their tenderness and curiosity in the midst of complex Church tradition and rituals that may not make sense to the newcomer.
Our Faith Formation classes meet on Sunday between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Students begin worship with us and then join their classes at 10:30 a.m. They rejoin the worship at 11:30 a.m. for the liturgy of the Holy Communion.
The classes are divided into the following sections:
Toddlers/First- and Second-Graders/Third- and Fourth-Graders/Fifth- and Sixth-Graders/Seventh- to Twelfth-Graders
