Education and Formation at
Christ Church Glendale
Lifelong Wonder, Questioning,
and Growing in Faith
Formation asks us to consider the many ways we learn so that we may be informed, formed, and transformed more fully. One of the most fundamental ways we do this is through lifelong play. Play fuels curiosity, sparks creativity, gets us to think and problem solve, and helps us relate to others.
At Christ Church Glendale, our formation is grounded in the conviction that every age has something to teach every other age. Rather than siloing our ministries by age group alone, intergenerational learning provides a way to educate the whole community—bringing all generations together to learn with and from each other, build authentic relationships, pray, celebrate, and practice the Christian faith together.
Explore by Age Group
Children & Family Ministries
Welcoming Spaces for Young Disciples
At Christ Church Glendale, children are a vital part of our worshiping community. We have intentionally designed engaging, safe, and beautiful environments to nurture faith, creativity, and connection for all ages:
The Chapel Prayground:
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A dedicated space in our chapel featuring soft foam flooring and a cozy tented area where our youngest worshipers can move, play, and engage comfortably during worship.
Reimagined Nursery & Play Centers:
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Our updated nursery is organized into developmental learning zones, including a dedicated baby area, art station, transportation play area, and homemaking center.
Children’s Formation Room:
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A hands-on sacred learning space complete with a 180-degree reading tree and a child-sized chapel area with its own altar, credence table, and baptismal font.
Children’s Chapel (Ages 4–4th Grade):
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A monthly service held during the 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist in Classroom 1. Mother Cameron and volunteers lead an age-appropriate service featuring song, sacred story, prayer, and creed. Because the story follows that Sunday's lectionary, parents in church and children in chapel share the same foundation.
Monthly Children’s Formation Series:
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A monthly Sunday morning gathering (10:10 AM) that explores faith, wonder, and sacred story through celebrated literature, engaging themes, and hands-on creative activities.
Family Lenten Series:
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An engaging, all-ages Sunday morning study during Lent connecting accessible cultural and literary works to foundational Christian themes of grace, community, and service.
Family Sacramental Preparation:
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Dedicated baptism and communion preparation classes offered in the fall and late winter for growing families.
Youth Ministries
(Ages 13–18)
Connection, Questioning, and Hands-on Faith
We cultivate a low-pressure, welcoming environment where teens can build authentic friendships, ask honest questions, and put faith into action:
Pizza & A Question:
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Casual quarterly gatherings in the Rose Window Room designed for honest conversation and open discussion.
Active Leadership:
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Youth are central leaders in our parish life. They serve as the Magi at Epiphany, narrate the Passion on Palm Sunday, run the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and serve as candle-bearers.
Service & Retreats:
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Hands-on community service projects across Cincinnati and annual diocesan youth retreats at the Procter Center.
Young Adults
(Ages 18–25)
Belonging, Balance, and Conversation
Designed around the rhythms of early adulthood, our young adult community focuses on connection and genuine friendship through rotating quarterly gatherings:
Rotating Gatherings:
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Seasonal meetups that move between social dinners, thoughtful Lenten reflections on faith and doubt (Ashes & Ambiguity), Easter brunches, and summer fire pit send-offs.
Full Community Integration:
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Young adults are always welcomed across all adult studies, book groups, and fellowship offerings.
Intergenerational
(Ages 1–1,000)
Growing in Faith, Side by Side
At Christ Church Glendale, formation is more than Christian education. It is a lifelong journey of growing in God's knowledge, service, and love. Guided by the rhythm of the liturgical calendar, we believe that every age has something to teach every other age. Whether you are stepping into a church for the first time or seeking deep theological study, there is a place for you to wonder, learn, and belong.
Feast Days & Seasonal Celebrations:
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Throughout the church year, our community marks major liturgical milestones as one family, from the outdoor pet blessings of St. Francis and Michaelmas harvest crafts to Epiphany star walks, Candlemas luminaries, and Shrove Tuesday meals.
Liturgical Traditions & Worship:
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Whether building collaborative tapestries, carrying hand-crafted saint banners on All Saints Sunday, or gathering at the altar rail on Ash Wednesday, our worship invites every generation to participate side by side.
Service, Fellowship & Wonder
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Hands-on service projects, parish retreats, and communal celebrations provide welcoming, low-pressure spaces where children, youth, adults, and seniors can connect naturally and share stories across life stages.
Adult Formation & Spiritual Depth
Curiosity, Conversation, and Contemplative Practice
From introductory drop-in discussions to four-year theological studies, we offer multiple entry points for adults seeking deeper spiritual connection:
Coffee and Conversation:
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A relaxed, drop-in weekly Wednesday morning lectionary discussion in the CCG Library. (No advance prep required.)
Seasonal Bible Studies:
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Multi-week thematic studies on weekday evenings exploring scripture, parables, and sacred traditions.
Adult Book Group:
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Quarterly evening discussions exploring thought-provoking, literary fiction that opens theological reflections naturally with the liturgical season.
Lunch & Learn Series:
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Monthly midday gatherings in the Parish Hall pairing fellowship and lunch with diverse presentations and guest speakers.
Education for Ministry (EFM):
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A rigorous, small-group theological certificate program from the School of Theology at Sewanee, offered Wednesday mornings.
Quiet Days & Contemplative Liturgies:
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Guided silent retreat days at CCG and Procter Center, alongside contemplative services like Taizé and Tenebrae.
Senior Saints (Ages 60+)
Fellowship, Reflection, and Wisdom
Our senior community meets regularly to share wisdom, reflect on life transitions, and anchor intergenerational life:
Monthly Senior Saints Brunch:
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Gathering on the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 AM in the Parish Hall for fellowship and seasonal reflections led by lay facilitators.
Intergenerational Storytelling:
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Active participation in community celebrations, from sharing faith stories at Pentecost to building remembrance altars at All Hallows.
Seekers & Newcomers
A Warm Welcome on the Journey
If you are new to the Episcopal Church or simply exploring faith, we offer low-barrier, welcoming on-ramps:
Inquirers’ Series:
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Multi-week introductory gatherings offered in early fall and winter covering Episcopal basics, prayer book liturgy, and questions about faith in a relaxed, quiz-free setting.
Community Hospitality Events:
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Festive, open-door parish gatherings throughout the year. This includes the Blessing of the Animals, harvest festivals, and community dinners.
Explore our calendar to find upcoming dates, speaker series, and formation gatherings for the 2026–2027 season.
Have questions, or wondering where to begin? We’d love to connect with you. Send a message to Education@christchurchglendale.org or join us this Sunday, all are welcome.
2026–2027 Season Spotlight
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A Year with Tomie dePaola: Monthly Sunday morning sessions (10:10 AM) exploring saints, prayer, community, and God's presence in ordinary life through the beloved author and illustrator's stories, songs, and hands-on crafts.
The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss: A five-week family Lenten series diving into grace, humility, and faith using classics like Yertle the Turtle, Horton Hears a Who!, and The Sneetches.
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Q1 (Advent/Dec): Christmas Dinner, White Elephant gift exchange, and reflection on ordinary joy.
Q2 (Lent/Feb): Ashes & Ambiguity—an honest conversation about doubt, faith, and intentional practice.
Q3 (Easter/Apr): Easter Lunch exploring the present meaning of resurrection.
Q4 (May): Outdoor summer send-off and fire pit fellowship.
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Fall Study — The Short Stories of Jesus: A six-week Tuesday evening series in the CCG Library and on Zoom exploring parables using Amy-Jill Levine’s book.
Adult Book Group Selections: Four seasonal evening book discussions paired with the church calendar:
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (Fall / Generations & Faith)
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Pre-Advent / Secrets & Wilderness)
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Advent / Conscience & Courage)
Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie (Eastertide / Self-Examination)
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Gathering monthly at 10:30 AM in the Parish Hall with rotating lay facilitators.
Monthly Themes: Autumn of the Spirit (Oct), Gratitude as Spiritual Practice (Nov), Advent as Longing (Dec), New Year, Ancient Faith (Jan), Love in Action (Feb), Lenten Release (Mar), Resurrection Stories (Apr), and What Has This Year Grown in You? (May).