For it was you who formed my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works.
— Psalm 139:13-14
Our ministries to children, youth, and their families seeks to:
- Embody the unconditional love of God and the joy of being in Christian community;
- Equip families to practice their faith in their everyday life;
- Inspire a spirit of discovery and wonder for the Bible as the great story book of our faith–and not a simple book of rules and answers.
FAITH FORMATION CLASSES
Faith formation classes for kids takes place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Prayer Stations and Faith Games take place on the 3rd Sunday. On the 1st Sunday we have a church-wide service project. All programs begin at 9:15 AM. Our youngest class, Tiny Sprouts (PreK3-K) use Spark Frolic, a play and wonder-based program. Seedlings (1st-3rd) use the Spark Rotation Program and Saplings (4th-6th grade) use the Submerge series. Each class is rooted in a spirit of play, wonder, and discovery.
Click here to register your child for 2019-2020.
Click here to see the 2019-2020 schedule.
WORSHIP
We encourage children to be a part of our worship services each week. There are activity bags for children 10 and under in the front and rear foyers. Many parents find that sitting near the front helps their children to participate more fully. Don’t worry if your child is noisy. Their presence reminds us of all that is good in the world. Check out an online version of our “Worshipping with Children” pew card.
Worship Bulletin
Children are provided their own bulletin with Scripture readings and activities. Each bulletin has discussion starters for parents and children.
Children’s Moment
Children’s sermons take place on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel takes place on the 1st Sundays during the 10:15 service and provides children ages 5-10 an opportunity to engage in developmentally appropriate worship. This year children are learning about the different sacraments and worship practices of the church.
Worship Ministers
Children and youth ages 8 and older are invited to serve as readers, acolytes, ushers, and musicians. Training is held twice a year.
Nursery
Our nursery is open for children 5 and younger every Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and is staffed by one our caregiver Nettie Arnold and a rotation of volunteers, all of which have received certification in Safe-Child Standards. The nursery is also always looking for volunteers who are willing to serve as substitutes or as extra help on days that have particularly large attendance. Contact the church office if you are interested in signing up.
YOUTH GROUP
After the graduation of many older students, St. Paul’s Youth Group is in a rebuilding stage, with most of our young people in the 6th-8th grades. We are committed to being a welcoming, loving, and judgement-free space for young people to discover who they are, the gifts they bring, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We encourage questions, honesty, and authenticity and are committed to nurturing a holistic understanding of the Christian faith.
Worship
You can find nearly all of our youth taking an active role in worship as acolytes, readers, communion ministers, and Children’s Chapel aids.
Play
Enjoying one another’s company is one of the best ways we build community and build trust. The youth do a variety of things, including camping trips, kayaking, laser tag, and everything in between. Contact Mother Maria for more information.
Serve
Several times a year our youth engage in a project of love and service in our community, such as our county’s hunger walk, serving at the local soup kitchen, and more. The best part is that all youth projects are youth inspired and led. The youth also host the annual Breakfast with St. Nicholas and Gingerbread House Workshop in December and the “Holy Peeps” diorama contest during Lent. Ona the 2nd Sunday in May they lead worship and direct the children’s choir