Sacred Play (Children and Youth)

Sunday School: A Focus on Scripture and Service

All children and youth, age 3 through high school, are invited to participate in Sunday school, which begins at 9:30 am and ends at 10:30 am. During the 10:45 church service, a nursery is available for children up to age 4; however, children of all ages are more than welcome to join with the larger community during worship. We offer each child a “worship kit” with access to books, games, and other opportunities to “play with purpose” as they absorb the sounds and sights of worship around them.

Godly Play Class for our Children

Sunday School 9:30 – 10:30

Godly Play is an invitation to experience the mystery of God and grow together in our capacity to make meaning out of that experience. The stories of the people of God, Jesus’ parables, and our common liturgical practices are shared using beautiful, hands-on materials coupled with simple but poetic language.

Children and adults “wonder” together about the stories, allowing even the youngest members of the circle time for verbal theological reflection in an age appropriate way. The wondering is followed by a period of individual or small group “work” time where participants are allowed to choose their own way of responding to the story of the day.

This often includes working with art materials or revisiting past stories. A Godly Play session ends with a “feast” and dismissal, completing the Eucharistic pattern of the class. Though regular attendance is helpful, children (youth, and adults!) may drop in as they are able. The only requirements for participation are an openness to play and a respect for deep spiritual work of the children in the room.

Special Events for Youth

Children and youth participate in various special yearly church events as well as parish-wide programs.

• Blessing of the Backpacks at the beginning of the school year
• Parish-wide Blessing of the Animals in the fall
• Christmas pageant
• Parish-wide Shrove Sunday pancake breakfast
• Easter egg hunt
• Outreach programs
  • helping serve dinner to homeless families
  • collecting school supplies for other children
  • raising money for mosquito nets in Tanzania