Children’s Ministry at St Johns

We are worshiping together, in new ways!
As we slowly begin to gather in person again, we are offering a variety of opportunities. Please read our plans for summer here. To watch our most recent virtual service go here. To sign up for St. John’s weekly eNewsletter, scroll to the bottom of this page. To find out more about current children and youth activities, please email Heather Miller.

St. John’s is a part of the Beloved Community of God’s people across time and space. Our mission statement captures our primary values: We celebrate the gift of Christian community and welcome all, without distinction, to share the joy and pain of life’s passages. We commit ourselves to personal and spiritual maturity, both traditional and innovative worship, the healthy nurturing of children, and reaching out, beyond the Church, seeking Christ in all persons. We are a community exploring Jesus’ Way of Love, which centers on spiritual practice, going deeper in our faith, and expressing that faith in love of our neighbors. Children & youth are a vibrant and essential part of our community and ministry. In our welcoming and socially conscious environment, we help children and youth to fulfill our baptismal covenant, which includes seeking and serving Christ in all persons and striving for justice and peace among all people.

Ministry Goals

We encourage lifestyles involving practice, falling down, getting up and deepening in experience of Gods healing, liberating, justice-making love. As children and teens participate from birth through high school, our hoped for outcomes—aligned with church values—for what they know, do and be include:

• KNOW | Children and teens learn who our loving God is through scripture stories, Episcopal tradition, and experiences within community.
• DO | Children and teens engage in opportunities to integrate their faith through action and understand how Jesus’ Way of Love impacts daily life.
• BE | Children and youth welcome all people as created in God’s image and begin to live into who they are created to be through meaningful relationships with peers, adults, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and the earth.

Faith Milestones

• Birth | Baptism
• Age 3 |  Entering Sunday School
• Grade 5/6 |  Entering Youth Group + Becoming Acolyte
• Grades 7/8 |  Pilgrimage Preparation + Trip
• Grade 10/11 |  Confirmation
• Grade 11/12 |  Centennial Fund

Children’s Chapel

We offer a children’s chapel service for little ones. The age range is about 4 through 10, but some younger and older kids are able to participate well. Children’s Chapel includes singing and praying. We are always happy to have parents accompany children to this service. Currently these services are happening when we meet in person. Click here to see what we are doing this summer.

Weekly on Sundays

September – May

We have returned to the following in-person schedule in the Fall of 2021.

• Sunday School meets most Sunday mornings during the school year from 10:10 until 10:50 am.  Sunday school is provided for children ages 3 (by September 1) up through Senior High.

Annual Events

September – May

We have returned to the following in-person schedule in the Fall of 2021.

• Advent Intergenerational Event
• Children’s Christmas Pageant
• Epiphany Intergenerational Event
• Lent Intergenerational Event
• Easter Walking After Jesus service

Children’s Choirs

See the music page for information.