Our Mission – Christian education is an integral part of our life together. Our mission is to continue to share the Good News of the Gospel, and to provide opportunities for all people to deepen their foundational understanding of Christianity, mature in their lived discipleship, and share their ideas and experiences through fellowship and mission with others. We believe Christian education should take place in the context of community and offer a full range of programs and activities for children, youth and adults.

Sunday School – We have classes for children in Pre-K through 8th grade, that run from September to early June and are taught by volunteer members of the congregation using Reformed, Bible-based curricula. Teachers rotate weekly or by semester, depending on the class, and are supported by a Sunday School Superintendent. For more details, see our 2024-25 Sunday School Calendar.

Except for the first Sunday of each month (see Chapel Time, below), the children come to the Sanctuary for the first portion of the worship service and are dismissed with their teachers to their classrooms after Children’s Time.

Summer Sundays for Kids, a cooperative one-room class for K-4th is usually scheduled during the remainder of June.

The 2024- 2025 Sunday School programs will begin on September 8th (on Sunday, 9/8/24, children will come to the sanctuary through Children’s Time, then go down to the Chapel for a “Welcome Back!” Chapel Time).  Regular Sunday School classes (following Children’s Time) begin on September 15th:

  • 4’s – 1st grade – Growing in Grace and Gratitude

  • 2nd – 4th grade – Growing in Grace and Gratitude

  • 5th – 7th grade – Old Testament Survey

Details on rooms and teachers will be sent home to families and posted in church.

Many thanks to those who have volunteered to teach in the coming year.  We ask that others give prayerful consideration to serving the church in this meaningful way.

The IPC Nursery (on the lower level in John Knox Hall) is available for infants through 4-year-olds.  Child care is provided by Desdemonia (Desde) Visconti and is offered year-round, during worship and adult education.

Acolytes — Older elementary-age children (usually 4th – 6/7th graders) serve as acolytes in the worship service, lighting the candles at the beginning of the service, symbolizing Christ’s presence with us. The children receive a short training and are guided on Sunday mornings by the Sunday School Superintendent.

Chapel Time – On the first Sunday of each month, Sunday School classes and their teachers gather in the Chapel for their own 30-40 minute interactive worship service, which includes singing, prayer, scripture and a message. The children then join the adults in the sanctuary for communion and through the conclusion of the service.

Special Classes — Children and Sacraments is a one-time class offered yearly for 3rd graders (or others) and their parents, to familiarize the children with the meanings and the liturgy around the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.  The children decorate a cloth that drapes the communion tale at the next Lord’s Supper, which is their “first communion with understanding”.

Children and Worship is offered periodically to children in K-2nd grade, and is intended to help them become comfortable in worship, and to gain a better understanding of why we do the things we do in the worship service.

Confirmation Class – Usually every other year, we offer a Confirmation class. This is a special 6-8 month course of study intended to encourage youth on their continuing faith journey. The program may include a combination of in-person classes, online assignments, and group activities. Confirmands are supported by the Pastor and Director of Christian Education, as well as a team of Mentors, who encourage Confirmands’ exploration and questioning of their own faith. The program culminates, if Confirmands so choose, in a profession of faith and membership in the church. There will not be a Confirmation class during 2024-25.

High school members and friends are encouraged to support the Christian Education program by serving as classroom assistants, co-teachers, Sunday School Superintendents, and helpers in the Nursery.

Fellowship activities are planned throughout the year for children and Youth, usually including events at Christmas and Easter, and periodically at other times.

Adult Education – IPC offers a range of opportunities for adults to engage in exploration of topics related to their faith development that educate and promote discussion, discernment and fellowship. These include Sunday classes, either before worship (9:30 to 10:15 am, in person and on Zoom) or after (12:00-12:45 pm in person); Wednesday morning Bible study (in person); morning and evening book clubs; and other workshops, special classes and events. For more information, see our Adult Education brochure and Book Club schedule (coming soon for 2024/2025).

For more information, please contact our Director of Christian Education, Adam McAllister. ([email protected])