Christian Education

We believe Christian Formation is a lifelong journey to be shared in community. That’s why everyone at our church – from the little ones hearing Bible stories for the first time to the older adults who have spent decades influencing the enriching Christian education curriculum Saint Mark offers – can find a welcoming environment where they can learn and grow together in Christ.

Sunday school programs and small groups held throughout the school year offer a chance for children and parents alike to sit down in small classrooms to ask big questions about what it means to be a Christian before entering worship together as a family.

Throughout the year, our library stays open and stocked with books for all ages that are available for little ones to use during service or quiet downtime at home. Come, join us as we seek to be disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All are welcome.

View our full calendar of Christian Education and Youth Events.

Ages 3 through Grade 5

Sunday School
During the school year, we use a variety of curriculum for our preschool and elementary classes that focus on teaching the stories of scripture through art, drama, music, games, and stories. It typically follows a lectionary-based curriculum. This means that in Sunday school the kids read and hear about the same passages that you hear about in worship.

We provide free, staffed childcare available for infants and toddlers each Sunday morning during the school year.

Grade 6 through Grade 12

Youth Sunday School
Middle School and High School Sunday School Classes use the Feasting on the Word curriculum, which aligns with the liturgical schedule of the church. Students meet in age-specific classes guided by our adult volunteers to grow in their faith and build relationships with Jesus and each other.

Youth Fellowship
Youth get together on Sunday evenings between 5:00 and 7:00 PM for a meal, conversation, and activities. We typically begin with fun games, followed by a meal provided by parents. After dinner together, we have activities that develop a creative, spiritual space for exciting programs of fellowship, worship, study, and service.

Annual Conferences
Montreat is a private, non-profit, inclusive conference center with roots in the PC(USA) and located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Since 2009, our youth have been participating in the Montreat Youth Conference.

Massanetta Springs is a camp and conference center that strives to provide renewal for guests along with positive programming for a variety of ages. Conferences that Saint Mark has previously attended are Keep Awake, Middle School Conference, and Mission at Massananetta.

Youth Mission and Outreach
We believe that our faith is alive and well at Saint Mark, and one of the ways we live that faith is by serving and learning about people whose struggles are different from ours. During the summer, high school and middle school students take a mission trip or participate in local outreach projects to live out our faith in a tangible way.

Examples of recent outreach activities:

Appalachian Service Project, serving our neighbors in various parts of the Appalachian region by repairing homes to make them warmer, safer, and drier
Rise Against Hunger, packaging meals for global distribution
Manna Food Center, collecting and donating food and other needed supplies

Adult Education

Sunday Morning Education
Saint Mark has Sunday morning adult education classes during the fall and spring. Recent classes have been:

“I’ve been meaning to ask”: A series for curiosity, courage and connection.
The Gospel According to Ted Lasso, U2 and Harry Potter
Celebrating More than One Religion. Can You Do That? How? Why?
Baptism: Comparison of the stories of Jesus Baptism in the Gospels.
The Universal Christ: A study of the book by Richard Rohr.

Bible Study
We have a Bible study series that meets regularly in person and over Zoom.

Recent studies have included:

Overlapping images of Passover and Easter
Apocalyptic Advent: Embracing Hope in the Second Coming of Christ
“Have a Beautiful, Terrible, Day!: Daily Meditation for the Ups, Downs and In-Betweens” (using Kate Bowler’s book)

View our Bible Study page for more information on how to get involved.

If you’re interested in participating in any of these activities, sign up for our weekly newsletter, check out our calendar of events, or get in touch with our Director of Christian Education, Briana Stewart, at christianeductation@saintmarkpresby.org.