In some places, you will hear it said that "children are the future of the Church." Here at Saint Mary's, Emmorton, children are not only the future of the Church, they are the living present. From September to June, Christian Education is the center of life. From the sitters in the Cribbery to the Adult Forum, everything has some component of Christian Education. In the school year just finished, we had one hundred and twenty three children who were active in our Sunday School program. Of that number, fully one third received awards for perfect attendance. Children are allowed one absence for the school year. Children who travel with their parents can bring a signed bulletin from another church and receive credit for attendance.

Entry level for the youngest children is Sunday morning child care, which is overseen by three staff members in their own special room located across Saint Mary's Church Road on the lower floor of the Education Building. The child care service is offered year round for both the nine and eleven o'clock services; and during the academic year, this works in conjunction with the Sunday School. We have three paid attendants who are in charge of the facility. All have been through the State Police background checks, and they are CPR trained.

During the academic year, there are graded classes for two year olds through adult using Bible based curricula adapted for use in the Episcopal Church. Thus, the children receive not only a sound Christian foundation, but are also schooled in the traditions of the greater Anglican Church.

From September through November, our First Grade Class begins with instruction on the Holy Eucharist. This segment culminates in a special service on the First Sunday in Advent with The Renewal of Baptismal Vows or, as it is traditionally called, "First Communion." Separate instruction arrangements are made available for older children.

Thanks to the efforts of our Director of Christian Education, all of our classes are supplied with a variety of educational materials from several Christian publishers and an immense diversity of materials for crafts and projects which benefit and complement the learning process. The program reaches its climax at the end of the school year when the children of the Sunday School move the nine o'clock service from the church into the Education Building and take over the order for worship. This service is also their time for awards and recognitions.

Our Director of Christian Education is Mary Jane Shafer, a member of the congregation and a dedicated volunteer. She is assisted by a committee comprised of two members of the Vestry and a large group of volunteer teachers, assistants, and helpers. Under her leadership, it could be well and rightly said, "Our church doesn't have a Christian Education program, our church is a Christian Education program." Whether your calling is to teach, learn, or simply provide transportation for your children or god-children, there is always a place for you at Saint Mary's, Emmorton, a Christian Education Program.

Note, Saint Mary's also sponsors a Youth Group beginning with Middle High students which meets weekly in the Great Hall on Sunday afternoons. Check the Calendar for special activities.

A Summer Vacation Bible School which is run usually in July by the staff of the Sunday School along with additional volunteers. This is an evening program which runs for five days from Sunday through Thursday.

The Thursday Brown-Bag Bible Study meets each Thursday from Noon until 1:15pm in the great hall. Over our meal, we study the Bible, share information, and relate our findings to our present situations in life.