Education
St. Mark Presbyterian offers classes for every age group and interest.
Children and Youth Ministry
We seek to inspire intimate, joyful relationships with God and one another and to prepare families to do God’s work.
We want children of all ages to see and believe that they are treasured members of our worshiping community, and we welcome their full participation alongside the general congregation. This includes opportunities to serve as liturgists (reading of scripture) and to help serve communion (accompanied by a church Elder), and participating in Advent, Christmas, Lenten and Easter worship services.
On Sundays, they begin worship in the Sanctuary, and following “Time With Young Church,” are led by one of our teachers to Sunday School, located in the Fellowship Hall/Classroom Building across the patio. There, they gather for a short worship led by our Associate Pastor Hayes Noble, before going to their respective Sunday School classes.
Young Children and Worship (Ages 3-5)
Children hear stories about God and God’s people while exploring these stories through music and art.
Elementary Sunday School (grades 1-3)
We are using the Spark Bible Curriculum, which is enhanced with arts and crafts and led by our Education and Nurture Assistant.
Tween Sunday School (grades 4-6)
We use an age-appropriate version of the Spark Bible Curriculum that inspires Tweens to learn about, explore and discuss their faith. Our growing group of Tweens build also relationships in the community through monthly activities such as a local food bank, delivering cards to shut-ins, assembling hygiene kits and raising funds for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
St. Mark Youth Group (grades 7-12)
These are challenging years, and being in a supportive group that offers fellowship, learning and growing together is vital to the emotional, physical and spiritual health of our teens. We offer a safe space for our youth to share openly about their lives and faith, and also participate in community service projects. Recently, members of our Youth Group have attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., equipping them to lobby their representatives about issues of justice. They participated with other Presbyterian church youth at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University.
Adult Education
Our St. Mark adults are an inquisitive group, who seek opportunities for continuing education about theology and on timely topics of the day. All are welcome to attend.
Text Studies
These studies are led by Pastor Mark Davis on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and take a deep dive into scripture for the week’s liturgy.
Adult Forums
Held periodically throughout the year on Sundays at 11 a.m., these forums provide a look at current issues through the lens of faith, and offer expert presentations and discussion about theological and social justice topics.
preschool
St. Mark Community Preschool
Maggie Brewer, Director
Located on our campus is the non-profit St. Mark Community Preschool, established in 1977. It is a non-profit weekday school open to children of all racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds who are between two and a half and six years old. The mission of the school is to provide a multicultural curriculum in an environment for young children and their families that nurtures each child’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
We aim to provide an atmosphere that affirms the importance of every person, encourages the creative exploration of the physical world, interpersonal relationships, and new ideas.