Adults
There are several weekday and seasonal opportunities for adults to participate in faith formation. The Centering Prayer group gathers on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays for prayer and reflection on books by spiritual leaders. The Contemplative Prayer & Worship group gathers on Wednesdays for prayer, meditation, and reflection on readings by contemplatives. The Gospel Co-op group gather to reflect on the upcoming Gospel reading, offers prayers, and shares in the Eucharist.
Lenten Soup Suppers
During Lent, we have offered a simple soup supper followed by a video/discussion session related to the season, such as The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe and Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr; and The Power of Forgiveness, based on the documentary by Martin Doblmeier.
Wednesday Book Groups
Parishioners and community members have gathered to discuss current books such as Virus as a Summons to Faith: Biblical Reflections in a Time of Loss, Grief, and Uncertainty by Walter Brueggemann and Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World, by C. Andrew Doyle.
Children
Children of all ages are welcome to participate in the service with family members. We have small clipboards with drawing paper, crayons and markers, and small toys in baskets near the water fountains at the back of the church. Children are also invited to join the youth in the Parish Hall during the first part of the service. For families interested in discovering more about how our lives are connected with God through the sacred stories of our holy ancestors, we offer Godly Play storytelling and reflection. For more information, contact Rev. Monica through the parish office.
Youth
The youth group is an integral part of the life and witness of St. Andrew’s in the church and our wider community. On most Sundays, the youth group meets in the Parish Hall for fellowship, and to explore relevant life issues from a Christian perspective. On the third Sunday of the month, members of the youth group serve as lectors and assist the priest at the altar. Throughout the program year, youth host fundraisers such as the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, a car wash, a Lenten Soup Supper, homemade treats for the Rummage Sale, a Back-to-School Drive (backpacks and supplies), and activities related to stewardship of the earth. Youth also participate in the Sedona St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and attend summer camp at Chapel Rock, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. For more information, contact the parish office.
Safeguarding God’s People
The Safeguarding God’s Children Online Training Program is the training program that is used in the Diocese of Arizona. Each clergy person and paid employee must complete the training within 30 days of the date of hire. Any church worker that works with children must have the training before they work with any children or youth. This training must be updated every 5 years.
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona maintains a zero tolerance policy of sexual misconduct for clergy, employees and church workers. We believe that the church must be a safe place where everyone can find the love of God and we live into our Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, striving for justice and peace for all people and respecting the dignity of every human being.
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of exploitation, harassment and abuse of any kind in churches, schools and any of its institutions. The Diocese requires that its clergy, lay employees and church workers make the same commitment.
Click here to read The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona’s policy on Safeguarding God’s People.
Racial Reconciliation
Sacred Ground was developed by The Episcopal Church as part of a long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. The dialogue series:
- brings participants’ attention to various key chapters in U.S. history of race and racism, as well some of the latest thinking by scholars and practitioners of racial healing, racial equity, and whiteness.
- focuses on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
emphasizes personal story-sharing and deepening relationships. - invites exploration of how people of color have been harmed by racism, and how white people have been hurt in other ways, creating a shared – if deeply unequal – brokenness that compels us to overcome these legacies in deliberate partnership.
