Contemplative Book Club – Wednesdays @ 2pm in Room 209
Braving the Thin Places by Juliane Stanz – Sept 9 to Sept 30
The Great Work by Thomas Berry – Oct 7 to Oct 28
It’s Not Supposed to be this Way by Lisa Terquist – Nov 4 to Dec 2
This Wild and Precious Life Journal by Mary Oliver – Jan 13 to Feb 3, this will include varied poetry selections and writing prompts
Judaism is about Love by Shai Held – Feb 17 to March 17
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis – April 14 to May 5A Book of Seasons by Ron Balthazor – May 19 to May 26
Contact Mary Ann Young for more information.
Wander and Ponder in the Park Walks Fridays Sept 25, Jan 8, Mar 5
Fall Spiritual Writing Series – Thurs Sept 24 to Nov 12 Led by Alicia Bakewell
Fall Forest Contemplative Walk – Sat, Oct 17 Led by Dr Trey Wilson
Candlelight Labyrinth Gratitude Walk – Fri, Nov 20 Led by Deaocn Leila Quinlan
Advent Silent Retreat Day – Sat, Dec 5 Led by Emmie Chase
Women’s Retreat – Fri, Jan 29 to Sun, Jan 31 at Epworth By the Sea
Lenten Silent Retreat Day – Sat, Feb 13 led by Emmie Chase
Writing Your Own Story Workshop – Sat, Mar 6 Led by author Louise Driscoll
Holy Week Labyrinth Walks – Mar 22 through Mar 27
World Labyrinth Day Guided Walk – Sat, May 1
A well-recognized local entertainer, this versatile musician has been playing instruments, singing, acting & dancing since the age of four. She loves teaching both adults & children targeted lessons to meet their individual needs. Her range of teaching experience includes Florida music teacher certification with three years as music teacher for K - 12 students at the Florida Cyber Charter Academy, having also taught private music lessons for 20+ years, ranging in age from 5 to 75. She has recently written the original song, “Believe (Every Day)” and directed her music video including studio musicians, actors, & choreographed dancers. In tune with today’s music scene, she has booked local talent at desirable venues, and helps talented musicians build audience via social media as a digital content creator. She loves to collaborate with talented musical friends, and is adept at identifying perfect pitch, high-quality musicians. Her piano skills range from classical Beethoven pieces to new age Yuruma to modern Coldplay songs. She has been featured as solo & first chair flute in community symphonies since college days, and most recently performed a cappella at the Christ Church Nutcracker held at UNF Lazarra theater to over 1,200 audience members. Her vocal experience includes touring Europe with the American Youth Chorus as well as performing locally with her new fun singing group The Divas. She loves singing in the Christ Church Women’s Ensemble, & playing flute at church services & special events. You’ll find her in local theater productions, or out and about at a variety of music & theatre venues. If you’re looking for a teacher who “gets it“ and has recent performance experience in all of the venues she teaches …then you will love working with Linda! #musicislove #loveiswhatmatters
Stephanie brings warmth, energy, and nearly 30 years of music education experience to her role as the director of Christ Church’s Children’s Choir and private piano and voice lesson instructor. Stephanie earned her degrees in Music Education and Psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and has spent her life shaping children in the music classroom, concert stage, church, and theater. Stephanie is currently the Director of Operations at Christ Church as well as an accomplished singer, director, teacher and pianist. Stephanie designs fun and inspiring recitals, creates opportunities for her students to attend local musical events together, and introduces them to legendary recordings as part of their weekly practice routine.
With over 30 years of experience teaching piano, Maureen holds a Bachelor of Music Education with further study and is pursuing a Masters in Piano Performance at the University of North Florida. Her teaching method is the traditional/classical piano method which emphasizes note reading and basic skills from the outset. She includes a repertoire of jazz and popular music in her curriculum.
Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Florida. Special musical teaching skills include music theory and composition. He has been a church musician for many years. He is currently associate pianist and organist at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, Jacksonville.
Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Washington. I have been teaching private piano for over 30 years to students of all ages. I love working with students from beginner through intermediate levels. When not teaching piano, I teach music at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville and serve in the music ministry at Christ Church. I hold a Florida Teacher Certification.
Jen Schlechte is a dynamic music educator, award-winning choral director and voice teacher, who specializes in developing children’s voices. She performs and teaches a variety of styles, including classical, musical theater, gospel and vocal jazz. She sings at Christ Church and with the Jacksonville Symphony. Jen is committed to providing a stimulating, nurturing and creative environment focused on maximizing the potential of each individual student to foster a lifelong appreciation for music.
Christ Church continues to visit and develop relationships with Amistad. Parishioners are also "prayer and card pen pals" with the children.
Volunteer opportunities include monthly food donation and sorting, delivering food, working in the pantry, garden, or thrift store.
Help build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Help build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
We pack at Christ Church every Thursday morning during the school year at 8:30. Join us!
Supporting our sister church with clean water for the town, education for the children, laundry for seniors, and Christian affection through mission trips, prayers and fellowship.
Alleviating diaper need in the Northeast FL community by providing low-income families with an adequate supply of diapers in order to keep their babies clean, dry and healthy.
Improving the environment by eliminating food waste and educating young people on nutrition, food preparation and sustainable practices
ERD is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.
The Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment is a faith-based community organization that addresses neighborhood and community-wide justice issues in Jacksonville.
A student-led non-profit that provides services to refugee students who have come to this country under extraordinary circumstances.
Volunteer teams share the love of Christ through annual retreats and monthly visits to Baker County Correctional Facility to be with incarcerated individuals.
Christ Church hosts meetings for both youth and parents. Both spaces are for friendship and resource sharing, rooted in the church’s baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.
Caring for 56 South Sudanese refugee children who have lost one or both parents to war at Amazing Grace Orphanage in Uganda.
Christ Church is a founding member and primary supporter of Mission House. Groups from church prepare and serve food monthly.
A Head Start preschool in Jacksonville Beach founded by Christ Church. Volunteers read to the children and help support their development through art, music and love of learning.
Christ Church provides monthly supplies of food and volunteers to run the food pantry each Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
Medical and dental professionals can volunteer time and skills for the clinic which provides comprehensive healthcare to those in need in the Beaches area. Parishioners also collect hygiene products for home insecure persons and assist with maintenance projects.
All youth (middle and high schoolers) are invited to join youth staff and adult volunteers at the Youth House on Sunday during the school year from 10:15 - 11:00 am for conversation on the Sunday readings and to learn more about scripture, and the ways that God is active in our world today. Donuts are provided!
Together with our Director of Youth Ministries and adult volunteers, we will meet together for fellowship, formation, and fun!
Low Tide: Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8) meets weekly during the school year, on Wednesday, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
High Tide: High School Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets weekly on Wednesday, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Hometown Mission Week will take place the week of June 15-19, 2026. Registration will open online March 1.
Youth Confirmation is for all those in the 9th-12th grades and above wishing to confirm their baptismal vows and make a mature commitment to Christ and the church. During Confirmation, baptized persons are "confirmed" in the Christian faith with the laying on of hands by a bishop. Most years the class begins in late September and takes place on select Sundays throughout the year, ending with an overnight retreat. Click here to learn more!
To register for Confirmation, please click here.
Retreat opportunities are available throughout the year, including Camp Weed weekends, lock-ins and fellowship days.
Sign up for our weekly Youth Newsletter!
Amy Trinidad is a passionate musician and bilingual English-Spanish speaker. Her musical journey began with the violin at LaVilla School of the Arts and continued at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she further developed her skills and love for music. While earning her Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University, Amy expanded her musical abilities to include guitar, as it is a central instrument in the field.
Amy is a dedicated musician at Christ Church Ponte Vedra and an enthusiastic teacher at Beaches Music Together, an early childhood music education program in Ponte Vedra Beach and Nocatee. Her love for music and connection has taken her around the world on mission trips, where she shares her talents with people from diverse cultures.
She believes music should be accessible, approachable, and fun for everyone. Amy's mission is to love God and love others—using music as a powerful tool to spread joy and foster meaningful connections.
Happening #157 8PM Friday, September 18th, 2026- 5PM Sunday, September 20th, 2026
The candidate application deadline is August 23rd, 2026.
These classes are perfect for anyone. Drop-ins are welcome, and the classes have little to no outside reading.
These classes welcome newcomers but are a little more in depth. Conversations and topics may continue from week-to-week. Outside reading may be involved.
These require advance registration. They are perfect for those who want to deepen their faith and move into leadership in ministry. Outside reading is required.
The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in hymn singing, anthems and singing the liturgy for the 11:15 a.m. worship services and for special events, concerts, and services throughout the year. Adults and high-school aged youth are welcome to sing with this choir, which is made up of professional and volunteer singers, and student scholars. The Chancel Choir sings a broad variety of musical styles and genres. In 2018 the choir was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall for the Kings Singers reunion under the baton of two international conductors, Bob Chilcott and Simon Carrington. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Please contact Rachel Root for more information.
The Common Ground vocal ensemble leads the congregation in hymn singing, anthems and singing the liturgy for the 9:00 a.m. worship services and for special events, concerts, and services throughout the year. Contact Dr. Rachel Root for more information.
Created for kids age 4 to 5th grade, our children's choir has a blast singing songs, playing musical games, and learning a lot about singing! The choir sings monthly at our 9:00 am traditional service. We also sing to the Vicar's Landing residents at Christmas and sing in the family Christmas worship service.
Rehearsals are Wednesdays during the school year from 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Contact: Stephanie Murray
Leading our contemporary worship services at 9:00 and 11:15 am, the Jordan Band is comprised of talented musicians that bring uplifting worship to our congregation. The band plays an array of music both modern and more traditional.
If you need support or encouragement, the Shepherd Ministry can connect you with Christ Church’s resources. Every parishioner at Christ Church has an assigned Shepherd whose role is to link those facing challenges and changes with relevant Caring Connection ministries that offer support and encouragement during difficult times. Shepherds have extensive training and observe absolute confidentiality. Find Your Shepherd.
Contact: Wendy Waller
[email protected]
Whether you’re actively caregiving or caregiving from a distance, you are not alone. Join Caregivers Connect Group for support and spiritual rest with fellow journeyers. This gentle, non-lecturing space is designed to offer companionship and a place to seek refuge during these demanding times. Quarterly gatherings will be offered.
Contact: Candice Tiner
[email protected]
If you are planning a funeral or memorial service at Christ Church, the Celebration Ministry can provide receptions for your family and friends following the service.
Contact: Meg King
[email protected]
Christ-Centered Advance Care Planning is a gift that can mitigate some of the difficulties that can exist as we transition from this place to our eternal home by making prayerful choices in advance and communicating them to our loved ones.
Contact: Brian Mickley
[email protected]
If you are unable to visit campus to receive Communion, the Eucharistic Ministers are available to come to your location to offer you communion and information on that day’s church service.
Contact: Valerie Gambino
[email protected]
If you are celebrating or in need of cheer, the Flower Ministry may surprise you will a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The Fower Ministry rearranges the weekly altar flowers into smaller bouquets for delivery to hospitals, care facilities, or to private homes.
Contact: Julie McAvity
[email protected]
Begins February 24, 2026
Are you navigating the challenges of divorce or separation? This 6 week class offers a supportive space to process the emotions and thoughts that come with this life change. The class explores strategies for coping with grief, anger, and anxiety while also building self-compassion and resilience. Join a community to share experiences and find hope and strength together.
Contact: Rev. Eric Kahl or Justin and Christina Udelhofen
If you are need of prayer from afar, the Intercessors are a powerful network of parishioners who pray daily for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of those who have requested their support.
Contact: Deb Holton
[email protected]
Are you a mature parishioner looking for opportunities for fellowship, to learn about new topics, and to receive a delicious free lunch? The Joyful Friends ministry is here to literally serve you! We meet 4 times a year and we can connect you with new and old friends in our church community
Contact: Lois Ann Bumgarner or Heather Fouts
[email protected]
This ministry is dedicated to supporting parents who are grieving the loss of a child. It provides a safe and understanding space for parents to share their grief, find hope, and connect with a parishioner who has also experienced the loss of a child.
Contact: Liz McCarthy
[email protected]
Could you use a “friendly face” to pay you a visit at home? The Lay Visitors are available to homebound members who desire anything from a warm conversation, help with a puzzle, or even to just share cup of tea/coffee. We are eager to spend some intentional time with you!
Contact: Valerie Gambino
[email protected]
If you are seeking support as you or a family member struggles with addiction, please reach out to the Recovery Ministry. As representatives of the recovery community (AA, Alanon, Alateen, and ACOA), we provide knowledgeable and considerate support to families navigating the challenges of addiction. We facilitate connections to treatment centers, qualified counselors, and dedicated peer support groups that prioritize compassion and effective recovery. All assistance is provided in strict confidence.
Contact: The Rev. Deacon Priscilla Wodehouse
[email protected]
Has the changing job market created obstacles for you in your job search? The Savvy Job Hunters Ministry strives to inspire hope and help the unemployed by offering free workshops that include employment subject-matter experts, job search presentations, networking opportunities and resources necessary to conduct an effective job search.
Contact: Pam Ottesen
[email protected]
If your daily struggles are making it hard to find time to get a hot home cooked meal on your table each night, the Soup for the Soul Ministry can help. This ministry makes soup in the church kitchen which can be shared with those seeking the comfort of a home cooked meal.
Contact: Maura Waller
[email protected]
If you are feeling burdened or overwhelmed, the Stephen Ministry is here to help you. A Stephen Minister is a trained lay person who is always available for you in times of illness, grief, or crisis. In one-on-one meetings they will listen confidentially, offer resources as needed, and pray for you offering Christian love and support.
Contacts:
Mary Ann Reynolds and Kathy Lowry
[email protected]
If you seek some tangible comfort during a time of grief or illness, the Stitchers of Love Ministry is ready to serve. Crafty parishioners create and distribute hand sewn, crocheted, or knitted items as tangible reminders of prayers prayed and love offered.
The stitchers meet every Monday in the Hospitality Lobby from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon. All are welcome to join!
Contact: Helen Tucker
[email protected]
Please reach out to Beaches Dial-A-Ride (904-246-1477 x1) for help with transportation needs. St John Council on Aging can also help with transportation as well as handy-man needs; please call directly at 904-209-3700.
If you have lost a loved one and seek support while you process the realities of your loss, the Walking the Mourner’s Path program can help. It is a Christ centered bereavement and grief support program designed to transform your grief into joyful living by offering the outstretched hand of Christ during mourning. This group meets 90 minutes once per week for 8 weeks.
Contact:
The Rev. Deacon Leila Quinlan
[email protected]
If you plan to hold a wedding a Christ Church, our wedding coordinator can be at your service. Our wedding coordinator will work with church staff and clergy to make sure wedding day goes smoothly.
Contact:
Heather Fouts
[email protected]
North Shores Improvement Association Community Center
120 Meadow Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Improving literacy for over 200 individuals each year at no cost to the student. Improved reading skills leads to better paying jobs, higher levels of education, healthier lifestyles, and a better overall community.
A non-profit maternity home and Christian high school for pregnant teenagers, promoting empowerment through education and strong Christian values.
Engaging those experiencing homelessness to achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and a viable plan for their future by providing a safe, stable environment, access to essential services, and supportive connections.
Provides the opportunity for every person in St. Johns County to enjoy wellness, longevity and quality of life choices within a strong, healthy community.
Connecting people with resources and facilitate long term solutions to problems that affect the lives of the elderly, the poor, the underserved, and the disenfranchised people of our community.
Creating a secure community that will instill in all students a desire for academic excellence, fostering the development of caring, productive citizens.
Planned giving encompasses a variety of ways gifts can be made to the church from your accumulated resources. It can be your legacy of faith in perpetuity; a way to remember Christ Church in your estate plan while still providing for your family.
Planned giving usually involves financial or estate planning; however, it is not reserved for the wealthy. It is a means by which anyone concerned with the wise use of their personal resources makes a considered choice about their ultimate disposition.
The church development office is available to help as you consider the options that may be appropriate for your personal circumstances.
Both research and personal experience affirm that education is vital—not only for career opportunities and earning potential, but also for overall quality of life. Yet, the rising cost of higher education has made it increasingly difficult to access, with student loans now representing the second largest source of household debt.
In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” In today’s world, education is a key part of realizing that abundant life.
This ministry reflects our belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and follow God's calling—whether that be through college, trade school, or hands-on training.
Doug Knowles
Sue Gregg
Karen Hunt
Randy Laco
Leslie Allen
Kathie Seabrook
Duncan Thomas
We provide Florida Prepaid 4 Year Scholarships covering tuition costs for 120 credit hours at universities and colleges in Florida. We also provide grants paid directly to the college or university in the student’s behalf to help offset the cost of higher education or vocational training.
More high school graduates and young adults within our congregation are seeking certifications, apprenticeships, or vocational training programs. We are developing our capability to assist candidates with costs and resources to make informed decisions about their career choices.
For over 30 years, the Christ Church Charitable Foundation has been blessed to support students in pursuing their dreams of higher education. Through scholarships and grants made possible by generous endowments and community fundraising events, our recipients have gone on to become doctors, entrepreneurs, accountants, pharmacists, lawyers, clergy, technicians, and more. Their success is a testament to the power of faith, education, and a supportive church family.
Florida Prepaid 4-Year Scholarships
Covers tuition for up to 120 credit hours at accredited public colleges and universities within the Florida College and University System.
Higher Education & Vocational Grants
Financial support paid directly to the college or vocational program on behalf of the student, helping to reduce the cost of tuition, certification programs, or apprenticeships.
We recognize that many young adults in our congregation are pursuing vocational training, apprenticeships, or certification programs. We are expanding our support to help these students access the resources and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future.
Office Hours
School Year: 7:30 am - 2:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Summer: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Tuesday - Thursday
Email us: [email protected]
Call us: 904.285.6371
Follow us: @preschoolcec
For enrolled students of the current school year, read our Weekly News message (sent at the end of each school week to the email address on file) for important school year updates, links to forms and other school documents, our Family Directory, and more. Please contact us if you have any difficulty receiving these messages.
The curriculum at Christ Church Preschool provides a variety of sensory activities to stimulate each child’s awareness of the world around them, as well as beginning to engage with their peers through social and communication skills facilitated by our quality staff.
Beginners will experience plenty of one-on-one or small group time with their teachers and peers as they read books, sing songs, cuddle, and share in many other engaging experiences meant to build their knowledge of their world. As our youngest students begin their educational journey, we want them to know they are loved and learning is a fun process!
Program Offerings: Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday, or Monday through Thursday, 8:30-12:00 with Stay and Play extended day until 2:00.
Toddlers become more confident and independent as they mature into two year olds, while our teachers remain responsive to their unique developmental needs. With the expert guidance of our skilled teachers, each child’s development will be enhanced and enriched during this critical period of cognitive, physical, and social growth.
Program Offerings: Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday, or Monday through Thursday, 8:30-12:00 with Stay & Play extended day until 2:00.
Our thematic units foster the young learners’ sense of wonder by providing opportunities to engage in concrete learning experiences that are reinforced through play to lay the foundation as students mature into preschoolers. We nurture and support each area of a child’s development with intentional activities that are fun and engaging. Language skills continue to flourish through exposure to quality literature, emergent literacy skills, and communication with both peers and supportive teachers. The development of fine motor skills are a primary focus of the early childhood experience at Christ Church Preschool, preparing students for later successes in communication, reading, and writing.
During your two year old’s academic year, we are happy to reinforce any potty training you are working on at home, with the expectation that a child will be fully potty trained by the start of the Threes Program at Christ Church Preschool. We understand potty training is a process and accidents will happen when children are engaged or distracted. Some indicators that your child may be ready for potty training include consistently dry diapers (for the morning or after naps), the recognition of the need to go, recognition that their diaper is soiled and requests for the diaper to be changed, and interest in the potty. We are happy to reinforce what you are working on at home.
Program Offerings: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Tuesday/Thursday, or Monday through Friday, 8:30-12:00 with extended day until 2:00 or 6:00 depending on your child’s level of potty training success.
Our enriched thematic curriculum is planned, implemented, and continually revised based on the individual needs of the students. Emergent literacy is fostered through the explicit introduction of letters, sound, and pre-reading skills, while math readiness is developed through activities and games of sorting, counting, classifying, and puzzles. Skills are sequentially introduced and reviewed, helping each preschooler better understand the natural order of the world and enabling them to find their own place within the community. Fine motor development is enhanced through center games, art experiences, and early writing instruction.
Children are expected to be fully potty-trained in the Threes Program, both consistently and independently using the restroom. We consider a child potty-trained when s/he is able to articulate the need to go to the bathroom (i.e., stop playing and go to the bathroom). Though we understand that accidents will happen, we will offer regular reminders to use the restroom while we acclimate to new school routines. If a child needs remediation in their bathroom habits, we will work with the family to ensure a successful transition into the preschool program.
Program Offerings: Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Monday through Friday, 8:30-12:00 with Extended Day extended day until 6:00.
As students begin to receive more directed instruction to prepare them for their Kindergarten experience and beyond, the Fours Program adds Learning Without Tears handwriting and A-Z for Mat Man and Me literacy curriculums to their daily experience, continuing on the foundation they previously gained at Christ Church Preschool. Even though most pre-kindergartners are not reading conventionally, the skilled staff uses a plethora of tools to provide a strong foundation for reading and writing, wherein children take what they already know and pair it with new information, building on their readiness for more complex tasks. This enriched educational program is balanced with ample time for creativity, constructing, imagination, social skills practice, and many other activities essential to the healthy development of young children.
Program Offerings: Monday through Friday, 8:30-12:00 or 8:30-1:00 with Extended Day extended day until 6:00.
These rich offerings, paired with the sensory experiences incorporated into daily routines in the Kindergarten classroom, build on the foundational skills they have accumulated during their time at Christ Church Preschool. These goals balanced with our primary focus of instilling executive functions, such as problem-solving, organizing, conflict resolution, and decision making, through structured, interactive learning experiences, provide students with the tools and encouragement to continue their natural desire to construct meaning in their world.
Program Offerings: Monday through Friday, 8:30-1:00 with Extended Day extended day until 6:00.
