The Episcopal Church of Saint Andrew and Saint Charles

Adult Christian Education

The Adult Christian Education program at St. Andrew and St. Charles seeks to foster a more informed understanding of Christian faith and a more thoughtful appreciation of what that faith means to us in practice. Working with the rector, the members of the Adult Christian Education committee (several of them teachers in their professional lives) offer a varied program of classes on a broad range of subjects. They also invite suggestions for new ways to meet the educational needs of newcomers and seekers as well as those of long-time churchgoers.

Sunday Morning Classes

Experienced volunteers, along with occasional guest speakers, lead an informal class discussion every Sunday at 9am during the school year, from September to June. Each session lasts about 40 minutes, and so can be easily combined with attendance at either the 8am or the 10am service. Refreshments are provided. Classes are grouped into short series of two to five weeks, depending on the theme and the season of the year. No special commitment or preparation is required, although in some cases a particular book may be recommended for those who have the time to read it. Each class is self-contained and combines the presentation of material by the leader with free discussion by the group as a whole.

Classes cover the broad range of Christian scripture, tradition, and spiritual experience. We begin each year with a class by the Rector on issues of basic theology, such as forgiveness. Other classes may focus on:

• A book or group of books from the Bible. Recent examples include the Wisdom books of the Old Testament, and the Epistle of James.

• Guided spiritual reflections related to a season of the liturgical year, especially Advent and Lent.

• Discussion of practical issues such as the role of religion in the work place, or ethical decision-making from a Christian point of view.

• The analysis of a classic work such as C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters or M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Traveled, or a newer and more controversial book by a contemporary theologian or Biblical critic.

• A more meditative approach to spirituality, using the imagery of the Stations of the Cross or the spiritual meaning of the hymns of Anglican and other traditions.

There is something for everyone, and suggestions for new topics are always welcome!

Book Club

We meet 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month (currently on Zoom). Any questions? Please contact Tom Moorman 818.201.7851 for the current list of books, Zoom Info and dates. For details, please see the News and Events page of this website.

Lenten Study Program

Each Wednesday at 7:00 pm during Lent, these programs provide occasions for both fellowship and interactive discussion. Led by the Rector, a theme or book of the Bible is chosen to help make the journey to Easter more spiritually rewarding.

Children's Education

Children's education is offered to children from pre-Kindergarten through the eighth grade. Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 2 is available for children starting at age three. A variety of creative thematic activities are planned for this age group. The children learn Bible stories and Christian morals through active hands-on participation in story-telling, craftwork, artwork, music and play. Snacks are also available at this level and are usually tied in with the lesson of the day.

Children in the third through fifth grades are guided through lessons on Christian history and morals through stories, hands-on activities, and discussion. The children learn Christian history, church vocabulary and what it means to be a Christian in today's world through guided discussion, story-telling, reading and creative projects.

Children's Chapel

Children's Chapel is offered from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. All children meet in the St. Andrew's room for a modified version of the Service. The children, guided by a volunteer (drafted parent or grandparent), run the show, from lighting the candles to reading the Bible passage. The children learn how the "big church" works including when to respond during the Liturgy and how to make the sign of the Cross.

NEW ACOLytES

Are you 10 years old? Do you have a burning desire to come to church and not sit with your parents? Then, being an acolyte is just for you! On the serious side, our worship service is very important to Episcopalians. Central to our worship are acolytes----those young persons who assist at the altar. If you feel so moved by the Holy Spirit to participate in our service more than sitting in the pew, then join the acolyte team. If you have any questions, please contact Rand Nelson 310.650.3182, our acolyte leader.

YOUTH EDUCATION

All young persons between the sixth grade and senior in high school are our youth!  You keep us alive as well as set our cell phone ring tones, DVD players and tell us what podcasts are.  Where would we be without you? I know...I know - driving Park Avenues and thinking Black Eyed Peas are something one eats.  And let's not even mention emos!  For all of you who understand all of this, your class and Youth group, is for you. Youth Group alternates Sundays with Youth Christian Education.  Please contact Fr. Greg Frost if you need any information on either of these great programs.