CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

The mission of Children and Family Ministries at St. Paul’s is to foster a rich inner life in the Episcopal tradition that will accompany our children through both the tempestuous storms and peaceful mountaintops of life. We attempt faith formation that is well-rounded, attending both to the needs of one’s own spirit as well as to the importance of compassionate self-giving in response to the needs of the world. We also strive to forge meaningful bonds among the various families within our community by offering a variety of opportunities for engagement. 


We are sometimes in need of additional teachers or classroom assistants for our Church School, as well as volunteers for the nursery. Teachers and assistants are usually scheduled once a month, while some serve only occasionally as subs.


All classroom helpers receive training in our style of classroom management as well as skills for protecting children from any kind of mistreatment. We work hard to maintain a safe, nurturing environment where children can flourish personally and spiritually.

If you are interested in being part of the Children's Ministry team, please contact our Children and Family Minister, Cassie Lewis, at cassie@stpauls.org.

Church Sch00l

Professional nursery care is available for ages 0-5 during the 9:30 am service (9 am during summer). 


Church school is held during the 9:30 am service (9 am during summer) with an elementary class for Kinder through 5th grade, and a middle school class for grades 6-8. Be sure to have kids arrive at least 5 minutes early to get settled in. 


Goals of Church School:

  • To provide our children with language for expressing and understanding spiritual experience
  • To foster a safe, delightful, loving community in which to explore spirituality
  • To expose them to the tools of the Christian Tradition that can lead to a grounded, satisfying, and consciously-lived life
  • To help them form an ethical way of living • To give them the assurance that they are loved fully by God and can be agents of God’s love in their own world
  • To nurture theological reflection from a progressive perspective, using stories from the Bible as well as other sources  Curriculum

Curriculum

We use a variety of curricula throughout the year for the elementary class, interspersing special lessons from the Montessori-based Godly Play, Illustrated Children’s Ministry, and Progressive Christianity. For Middle School, we use a beautiful, engaging curriculum from Seasons of the Spirit.  


Registration

Please fill out a registration form for each child participating so we can ensure everyone’s safety and well-being while you’re on site with us. The forms can be found in the classroom. 


Joining Parents in Church

Midway through the service, children will be escorted to the sanctuary during the Passing of the Peace. Please watch for your kids at that time and help them find you. They are most welcome to participate fully in Communion. If you have kids in the nursery, you are welcome to retrieve them to join you for Communion, in you like. We look forward to meeting you and your little ones!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS

News from the Pews


Special Family Seating

The sanctuary seating is now set to face the big altar up front this summer, to make room in the back for the many groups who will have to meet there this summer during Parish Hall construction. This configuration makes it pretty tough for kids to see anything, so...beginning this Sunday June 9, families are warmly invited to occupy the first 3 rows on the pulpit-side, giving kids a much better view.


Please don't worry about your kids being a distraction to others - it's truly the opposite! People love to see your lively little ones. 


Seasons Change Tour for Littles and their Parents

Sunday (Pentecost) June 9

Join Deacon Laura in front of the altar immediately after the postlude for a special tour of symbols new and old for the next church season, initiated by Pentecost. 


Also, you can help us celebrate the Holy Spirit on Sunday by brining any wind-driven toys you have, like pinwheels or kites. We'll be making wind socks in church school, too. 

There will be a potluck lunch afterwards! If you're able, all are invited to bring an item from your family's ethnic ancestry to the potluck.


Remember that the summer schedule of 10am for church begins this week!


Summer Church School

Beginning Sunday 6/16, church school will be combining our current two classes and meeting OUTSIDE all summer while the Parish Hall is worked on. The nursery will continue to operate in the Rainbow Room as usual for ages 4 and under.


We've got three special themes planned for the summer, including "Who is My Neighbor," "Eco-justice," and "Interfaith Peace." 


Here's some things to know about summer church school: 

  • The teacher will be waiting by the big tree near the greeters table
  • At 10:05 the teacher will walk any children (age 4 and up) through the parking lot to the Pavilion next to the garden
  • Any kids arriving after 10:05 should be walked by their parents to the garden pavilion directly
  • We'll be in the shade of the Pavilion some of the time, and other times we'll be in the sun (and dirt!). 
  • Please lather up the sunscreen and bring a hat if your child is sensitive to sun! 
  • We hope to get messy and creative most weeks, so if your kid likes to be fancy like mine, keep that in mind. We will hopefully get our hands in the soil of the garden, as well. 
  • Have stuff to give away?
  • Don't forget! Estelle Holder created the following Google Spreadsheet that lists items available to give away. There are some fun things on it already! When you have good items that you want to make available, please consider adding them to this list. This is a beautiful way to create a sharing community among us, as our kids grow out of their things too fast. If you need help contacting anyone from the list, just let me know and I can connect you. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/150sYZGk2-i8zY4NqcCsFwvhuq80CBtN2wNQGSCV2X1w/edit?ts=5caac57f#gid=0


Upcoming Activities in July: Save the Date!

 

Games On the Lawn!

Sunday July 21 from 11:30-1:30pm

It's time to play! Join other families for a picnic lunch followed by some old classics like gunny sack races, parachute games, egg toss, and of course concluding with a water balloon toss.


Moms' Gathering

Saturday July 27, 9:30-11:30am

Join other moms from St. Paul's for warm drinks and light treats as we open our hearts to each other about the challenges and joys of parenting.