Christian Formation
The Christian Formation program is a growing part of life at St. James. The Christian-Formation Director, a part-time paid position, works with a committee on developing educational opportunities for all parishioners and community members. Classes are available for nursery-age children through adulthood. Sunday school classes take place on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15, with other growth opportunities and courses occurring during evenings or afternoons during the week.
Adults:
Our talented laity and clergy offer a broad spectrum of classes—"Who We are: A peculiar look at Christianity,” “Living the Questions,” and Bible studies—on Sunday mornings.
Two Education for Ministry (EFM) groups meet at St. James during the week, and many of our graduates participate in an informal “Fifth Year Program” with other area alumni. Read more
Cursillo, literally, a “short course in Christianity,” offered two weekends annually in the Diocese of East Tennessee. The weekends are conducted by “cursillistas” (those who have been through a weekend) who desire to give to others the love and joy of the living Christ. Read more
A lay woman organized a Disciple Bible Study (a curriculum following the Bible chronologically from Creation through the New Testament) in September 2008. The response to it was so great that two classes had to be formed, also meeting during the week. Read more
St. James' ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets every week as well. Read more
Children & Youth:
Click here to read more about our Sunday offerings for children
Little Lambs: nursery children ages 2-4
Godly Play: Montessori-style program for children from age 4 through first grade.
ExploreKIDS: rotation-based program for grades 2-5 that focuses on one topic, such as science, drama or music, for several weeks.
Junior High: world religions with several field trips to area churches to observe other denominations.
Senior High: important figures from the Bible.
Youth Groups
Our Christian-Formation Director with volunteer leaders oversees:
EYC: grades 6-12, divided into two smaller groups (Senior High and Junior High). The smaller groups meet every other Sunday and the entire group meets once a month. Monthly planned activities include service projects and fun trips. In previous years, they have gone on mission trips to coal-mining communities in Appalachia and have accompanied an adult group to help Katrina clean-up programs. The EYC hosts various events for the church throughout the year. Read more
Surge: grades 1-5, new this year to St. James. They meet on the third Sunday of every month to eat lunch, have a prayer circle, play games and do an activity. Their theme this year is “Taking Care of God’s Planet.” Read more
Next:
Community Care & In-reach