Learn & Grow
Jesus did not come into this world to launch a religion or rules. He came to invite us into a relationship with the living God who created us and whose love for us never quits. Finding our way into that relationship, into the incredible story of God-With-Us, is a lifelong journey of learning and growing.
Christ Church offers many on-ramps for that journey so that children, youth and adults can find their way into love. Whether you are a seeker exploring spiritual traditions, or a long-time believer in Jesus Christ as Lord, or someone with a whole lot of questions about God, join us as we seek to grow like trees:
- rooted in spiritual practices that give us life and help us find peace;
- with a core of strength to support new life;
- and branches that reach out beyond ourselves and bear abundant fruit.
Find your way here!
Branches: Christian basics (bible, history, theology)
Roots: spiritual growth activities
Fruits: outreach and justice
DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
How do you want to grow with God? Our church offers in-person and online education, study, prayers, and more. Some of these are offered through our church, through our sister church in Wayside, or the diocese of Washington, or even The Episcopal Church. As we transition to calling a new rector, the availability of some of these opportunities may be limited.
Bible Study
BIBLE STUDY – Wednesdays, 7 – 8 p.m.
Each Wednesday evening an international group gathers online for bible study. You don’t need to know anything coming in – and you’ll be surprised at how much wisdom you can share. Join in on Zoom Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. for an hour of bible study, laughter, keen observations and profound questions. We jump off at 8 p.m. for Night Prayers.
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn is a (mostly) in-person gathering at Christ Church Wayside (13050 Rock Point Road, Newburg) each Thursday from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Over a fine lunch of homemade soup, bread, and salad, the group discusses topics at the intersection of spirituality and current events.
Some of our previous topics include the following:
- Bishop Mariann Budde’s book, How We Learn To Be Brave and Diane Rehm’s interview with Bishop Budde about the book, found here
- The Lord’s Prayer
- The book “We Survived the End of the World,” by Steven Charleston
- “The Way of Love” series by former bishop Michael Curry
- An overview of The Book of Common Prayer
For those who cannot attend in person, a Zoom link can be provided; contact Kathleen Jackson.
Faith Exploration For Children and Youth
We want our children to grow up knowing the love of God and the stories of God’s people. We are moving away from formal classes offered separately from other activities and seeking to integrate this learning and experience into our worship time. Once a month, our children are invited to help tell that Sunday’s story in church, and to respond to the story through various activities such as artwork or writing or doing an outreach project with adults. We hope to continue to use these two curricula as we seek a new coordinator of Children’s Ministries.
GODLY PLAY (FOR JR K- 5TH GRADE)
Godly Play introduces children to the Bible and to a relationship with Jesus using rich stories, simply told and reflected on in a variety of ways. After hearing the story, children are invited to wonder about it, and then to respond to what they’ve taken in by playing with the materials for that story or another, or doing art work or some other activity.
RITE 13 (FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS)
Rite 13 invites our young people to encounter Jesus and his Way of Love using their heads and their hearts. The curriculum is part of the Episcopal “Journey to Adulthood” series that helps our youth navigate the complexities of their lives as well as the promise of a rich faith life. It recognizes that a journey is a process, and so is maturing in the knowledge and love of God. Rite 13 will take place in the our Parish building, with two adult mentors with the youth each Sunday.
Faith Exploration for Adults
Thursday Lunch and Learn Join us for soup, salad, and group discussion of topics relevant to our everyday lives. We meet in the Christ Church Wayside parish hall at 11:45 a.m. (See the tab above for more info.)
Bible Study Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. online (See the tab above for more info.)
We seek to offer more classes that people can take on their own time, which you can find on this page.
Alpha – Alpha is a 10-week course oriented around hospitality that is a great way to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith – and to deepen that faith through experiences of God’s love and power.
Small Groups
Small groups are the best incubators of faith. Seeing how God is working in the lives of people we meet with regularly, in whom we find acceptance and love, brings God’s unconditional love home to us. We have one small group meeting every two weeks online, and another that meets every two weeks in person, and are eager to start new ones. If you would like to meet with others women, men, parents, retirees – whatever the common thread, we are happy to put a group together. Please contact our office.
Quiet Days and Retreats
Periodically we offer a “Spa for the Spirit,” half-day retreat online and/or in person, or weekend Retreat for rest, reflection and recharging our spiritual batteries. These are wonderful opportunities for drawing closer to God, and to the community at Christ Church.
Confirmation/Baptism Preparation
Periodically we offer a course to prepare youth and adults for Confirmation or Baptism. Here is what we typically cover:
- Building a Relationship with God (Prayer)
- The Owner’s Manual (Bible)
- What Christians believe (the Creeds)
- How Episcopalians Worship (the Sacraments and Prayer Book)
- How Episcopalians believe and live their faith (History/Polity)
- Being a member of the Body of Christ (Gifts, Ministry, Stewardship, Faith-Sharing)
Please contact our office if you are interested in Confirmation or Baptism.
Training for Ministry
We try to support our leaders (that’s most of the congregation…) by offering training and support for the ministries people undertake. Whether it’s how to teach Sunday School, how to pray for others, or how to run an effective meeting, we are delighted to provide ongoing support.
You can also find excellent resources for parish ministry, both current courses and archived materials, through our Diocesan School for Christian Faith and Leadership.
The Episcopal Church Foundation also has great resources for lay ministry.
Diocesan School For Christian Faith and Leadership
Our Diocese offers wonderful resources for faith development, ministry training and social justice through its School For Christian Faith and Leadership. Check out the many offerings, both live courses and archived materials, here.
Spiritual Assessment Inventories
- Take the Inventory for Confession (pdf for printing) or Inventory for Confession (Word for downloading and writing).
- Pray the Litany of Forgiveness.
- Take the Spiritual Growth Inventory.
- Take the Inventory of Offering (or online).
- Take the Inventory of Priorities (or online).
- Take the Inventory of Spiritual Readiness (or online).
“…we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” – St. Paul, in Colossians 1:9-1
