Creativity and thoughtfulness are abundant in the Christian Education community at Waverly. Some of the distinctive programs offered include “desert box stories’ (tactile storytelling in a sandbox), acolyte training, and puppet ministry (the Waverly Wuppets).
The Christian Education program is led by a large team of dedicated and experienced volunteer leaders, including professional educators, parents, and trained ministry professionals.
Click here for our Children and Youth Protection Policy.
For Children through Fifth Grade
Sunday School from age three to fifth grade runs from September to May and includes music, storytelling, visual arts, and drama. The curriculum generally follows the church year and includes activities for all learners.
All children can participate in worship in a variety of ways, including using our tactile worship space, Wiggles and Wonder. They may also participate in the Children’s Message, music, baptisms, and the Christmas Eve pageant. Older children may be given the opportunity to serve as acolytes in worship.
Professional child care is available for infants through first grade during worship and developmentally appropriate programming is provided for all children during special events.
Waverly offers 50% scholarships for all children in first through fifth grades to attend summer camp at Camp Crestfield & Conference Center, a Christian ministry facility established by the Pittsburgh Presbytery near Slippery Rock, PA.
For Youth 6th through 12th Grades
Sunday School classes run from September to May. A wide choice of curriculum is utilized or designed by the teachers based on students’ interests. Confirmation Class is offered every few years for students wanting to join Waverly’s membership. This includes a retreat and self-designed Statements of Faith that are presented to the congregation through writing, drama, music, and other creative outlets.
In addition to Waverly youth activities such as retreats, lock-ins, Sunday School, and creative endeavors, Waverly youth have the opportunity to participate in the East End Youth Group, which is a local youth ministry housed at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Churchill.
Youth participate in all aspects of church life including leadership in worship for Youth Sunday and other special services, performing in the Waverly Wuppets (a puppet ministry), engaging in mission, attending and/or volunteering at special events, and sharing their musical gifts during worship.
Waverly offers 50% scholarships for all youth to attend Crestfield Camp & Conference Center in the summer.
For Adults
Adult Sunday School is led by volunteers and meets on Sunday mornings one hour before worship. The curriculum varies based on attendee interests. Mid-week Bible studies and reflection groups led by the pastor offer alternate opportunities for continued education. Adults may also grow in knowledge and spirit through special speaker series and mission activities.
For Everyone
Waverly has a long tradition of focusing energy on education as a whole community. Events for all ages, age-specific studies, interest-based groups, and intergenerational programs have worked to build connections and relationships that make us stronger in order to make God’s love real.
Caitlin Zeiset, Director of Children and Youth
Caitlin Zeiset graduated from PTS in May 2022 with a Masters in Theology. She is married to Chris and has two children, Judah (6 years old), and Jael (3 years old). For 6 years, she was a middle-school Language Arts teacher to missionary children in Moscow, Russia.
We are happy to speak with you about Christian Education at Waverly! Please contact the church office at 412-242-0643 or childrenandyouth@waverlychurch.org
