Families with Young Children
We are called to live in relationship with God and God’s people.
Worship
St. Paul’s provides wonderful opportunities for families with young children. We offer a 9:15 Sunday morning service specifically designed to welcome families with children of all ages. It is a Family Eucharist, with all ages welcome to receive Communion. Occasionally a children’s sermon is provided allowing the children to join the Family Minister at the front of the church.
Education Hour (during the School Season, September to early June)
Directly after worship, children, youth and adults are invited to an Education Hour to encourage growth in their faith. For children, there are graded classrooms through 6th grade with teachers who commit to teaching their classes year-round. Consistency and relationships are of utmost importance in our Education Hour. While our grade school children are involved in learning, a Confirmation class for 7th graders, a Youth Forum class for teenagers, and a wide variety of Adult Education classes also meet.
Godly Play
Our Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders are in Godly Play classrooms. Our teachers have been trained especially to bring this very special curriculum to our congregation. Parents leave their children in the very capable hands of the doorkeeper at the threshold, so the classroom space is clearly a child’s sacred space. The children now know the routine to sit down in their circle to hear the story and be an active part of the community of children that is fostered. They hear the story, wonder carefully with the storyteller about the story, respond to story, and share a feast with their classmates. The structure of the class represents the structure of our worship.
Godly Play was developed and classroom tested for more than 20 years by Episcopal priest, author and teacher Jerry Berryman. It is a discovery method of teaching and learning which engages the whole child – hands, heart, mind, senses and intuition. It has been found that this is the best way for children (perhaps all of us) to internalize what we learn. The children are exposed to the Sacred Stories, Parables, and Liturgical action of our faith tradition. They are invited into the stories by “wondering” where their place is in the story. They are then asked to creatively respond to the story by the use of art materials provided in the classroom.
The classroom itself is considered a sacred space. The shelves in the room hold the stories of the People of God, surrounding the room with the history of God’s people. The materials used to tell the stories are beautiful, natural materials. The structure of the Godly Play experience is truly designed to give children the space to explore their own relationship with God.
Lectionary Based Curriculum
Our pre-school, 4th, 5th and 6th graders are using lectionary-based curriculums to ground them in our special heritage. Our pre-school and th graders are using Seasons of the Spirit. Our combined 4th & 5th graders are using Living the Good News.
Both curriculums give the children, teachers and parents the opportunity to look further into the meaning of the Sunday Bible passages read during worship. Using art, drama and service they are able to see their place in God’s diverse and challenging world.
Child Care Center
We have a Child Care Center for infants – 4 year olds. It is open Sunday morning 9:15-12:15. Our Center is staffed by caring professionals who plan weekly activities.
Children’s Ministry
Included in the opportunities for children and families at St. Paul’s is a Children’s Christmas Eve Service and an exceptional week-long Summer Education program.
Children’s ministry meets the child on many levels. We see the child in a very holistic sense. They are physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual individuals. We at St. Paul’s are very blessed to have the opportunity to share God’s love with all who enter our doors.
Family Ministry
St. Paul's provides support and enrichment for families through a variety of activities. Family, at St. Paul’s, is any specific group of people committed to healthy relationships within the group and the well-being of each of its members. Whether families are nuclear, extended, blended, a church congregation or a family of choice, they share the same common goal: to share a quality of life that encourages the spiritual growth and development of the individuals as well as the whole family.
Family Net is for families with children who gather for fellowship and to build relationships. In the past, families have enjoyed movie nights, picnics and other events for children and their parents. Check the current newsletter for events and activities planned for your family.
Several times a year, intergenerational education brings the young and old together to gain a new awareness of human and spiritual development.
Social groups help to develop new friendships when people gather for wholesome, attractive and fun activities that open the door to building new relationships and often strong, life-giving friendships.
One-on-one dialogue with a member of the church staff is often helpful for those seeking guidance toward membership, baptism, marriage or ways to start a spiritual journey.