Faith Formation for May In this Easter season, we will build upon the Easter assurance that hope is alive by accepting God’s invitation to be part of “nurturing hope.” We will plant seeds of hope in many forms! When the weather is good, we will plant our herb boxes! Sunday, May 4 – Intergenerational […]
Christian Education at Edwards Church
At Edwards Church, faith is a journey, not a destination. Our Faith Formation program is based on the belief that each person is gifted by God. All are welcomed with open hearts and open minds into a safe and judgement free environment. Faith is developed through relationships, (both peer to peer as well as intergenerational), biblical stories, and mission oriented experiences in the church, local, and global community. Our goal: we each develop a faith that will carry us through life.
Children are the representation of God’s Love
One of the most important things to the people of Edwards Church is welcome. In that spirit, children are always welcome in the life of the church, and one way you will notice this is at the communion table. We make sure that children of every age are present at God’s table, fully invited and encouraged to partake in this special meal. The church school program helps children understand the meaning as well as how to participate in this sacrament that honors our Christian heritage.
We are a church of diverse people, living in families of many different configurations, and our shared focus is to help our children experience God’s unconditional Love. We accept children as they are: sometimes sweet and cuddly, sometimes grumpy and temperamental, the bold and outspoken ones will fit in here just as much as the shy and quiet. We welcome children who prefer baseball caps and mermaid fins or anything else their imagination might conjure up, as well as kids who prefer tutus over tuxes, and everything in between. Our mostly volunteer staff are amazingly skilled and passionate about honoring the energy, intelligence, and imagination of children in their care. They use biblical storytelling and open-ended questions to help children find their own meaning, learn how to ask their own questions, and go home with a sense of awe and wonder about God. In addition, our church helps provide families with age-appropriate outreach and service learning opportunities to help children learn the values of love, welcome, kindness and compassion that will serve them throughout their lives.
Children are always welcome in worship, and we celebrate their presence with us. There are many options for families who worship with us, some of those include children’s sermons, Sunday School classes, confirmation classes, and youth forum. We also offer many intergenerational worship services throughout the year that are fun for all ages! If you are new to the church or are visiting, please let a greeter or a deacon know so we can help your family get acquainted with our staff and facilities, or email pastor@edwardschurch.org and we will happily answer your questions!
Our 2023 Annual Report is available, and you will find our latest activities below.
Christian Explorers – April
Faith Formation for April As we prepare for Easter, we continue our Lenten focus on “Deep and Wide: Becoming Beloved Community.” We’ll join our friends for a Palm Sunday parade, search for Easter egg blessings, and reflect on doubt and faith. Sunday, April 6 – Intergenerational Worship with Communion Our young people will participate […]
This Month: Incredible Days Family Service Project Trip!
Faith Formation for March On the first Sunday in March, we complete our winter worship theme, “Faithful Followers,” with an intergenerational communion service. Then we move into Lent, with a focus on “Deep and Wide: Becoming Beloved Community.” Each Sunday we will learn from the early church about the joys and challenges of becoming beloved […]
Faithful Followers
Faith Formation for February Our young people will join the entire congregation in our Sunday morning theme, “Faithful Followers.” Each Sunday we will learn about the life of a faithful follower of Jesus: what can we learn from them about how to face difficult challenges and live with joy and meaning? Sunday, February 2 […]
A Holistic Vision for Faith Formation for Children and Youth
In the three months that Fran Graveson has been our consulting associate pastor for faith formation, we have done a lot of consulting! We have held gatherings for parents; we have welcomed Rev. Debbie Gline-Allen, Conference Minister for Faith Formation, to lead us in worship and talk with us about our emerging vision; we have […]
Christian Explorers – Tending the Light
“Tending the Light” This month, Christian Explorers will join with the entire congregation as we light candles of hope, peace, joy and love, and reflect on how we are called to “tend the light.” On December 1, we will gather for intergenerational worship in the sanctuary, with a special guest, Rev. Debbie Gline-Allen, […]
Reflecting on What Matters
In November, we will join with the entire congregation in our All Saints’ Communion worship service, as we reflect on the gifts we have received from the cloud of witnesses that has gone before us. We will enact our stewardship theme, “What we do matters” by baking cookies for the veterans’ dinner and by putting […]
October Happenings
In October, we will learn about Jesus’ greatest sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon, Jesus taught about God’s kin-dom, how God wants us to live into it, and what it means to be blessed. We will create of Tree of Blessings to share with the whole congregation. On Sunday mornings, Christian Explorers […]
Special Services in September
In September, as we enter a new “school” year, Christian Explorers will have time to catch up with church friends to share about summer adventures. This month we have several special services — our annual Blessing of the Animals and a service to say goodbye to Karen Nell as she retires and leaves Edwards Church. […]
Special Summer Activities
In June, Christian Explorers had fun in the kitchen to bake banana muffins for the World Central Kitchen fundraiser. This summer, we’ll meet two “superheroes” from the Bible – Miriam and Lydia. Who were these amazing women and what can we learn from them? We’ll also spend time outdoors, have fun in several intergenerational services, […]