St. Paul’s Episcopal Church lives into our Baptismal Covenant by welcoming, inviting, and including children and youth into our church as integral members and leaders within the Body of Christ. We equip and empower our young people to discern and discover the unique spiritual gifts that God has given them and we commit to walk with them as they discover how they can use their gifts to serve the church, their schools, their community, and beyond. We support and nurture their eagerness to hear how God is calling them and we believe we are called to serve as guides as they explore and articulate their faith as Christians and Episcopalians. Children and youth participate in many events and activities throughout the year. Please explore our programs below, and see how you can get involved. As we grow and expand our ministries for and with children, youth, and their families, we thank you for your prayers, presence and continued support.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church lives into our Baptismal Covenant by welcoming, inviting, and including children and youth into our church as integral members and leaders within the Body of Christ.
We equip and empower our young people to discern and discover the unique spiritual gifts that God has given them and we commit to walk with them as they discover how they can use their gifts to serve the church, their schools, their community, and beyond.
We support and nurture their eagerness to hear how God is calling them and we believe we are called to serve as guides as they explore and articulate their faith as Christians and Episcopalians.
Children and youth participate in many events and activities throughout the year. Please explore our programs below, and see how you can get involved. As we grow and expand our ministries for and with children, youth, and their families, we thank you for your prayers, presence and continued support.
Children from birth through 3 years old are invited to our church nursery during the 10:00 AM service. The nursery is staffed every Sunday by three wonderful people ready to play and entertain the youngest members of our church! Parents are welcome to pick their children up for communion. We ask that parents sign their children in and out of the nursery each week and we ask that parents fill out a family information card for us to keep on file as we get to know your children.
Children ages 4 (pottytrained) through 11 are invited to join us in the chapel on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 service. Children sit with their parents at the beginning of church, leave for chapel at the Collect of the Day, and return during the Prayers of the People.
Our Sunday School curriculum is called Weaving God’s Promises, a Christian education program designed to provide children with basic knowledge of Church teachings in Christian education, worship and service. Classes follow the model of Holy Eucharist in order of activity, gathering together, telling the story, prayer, sharing a snack and dismissal. Our focus this year will be our calling to be God’s people. We will be introduced to many of God’s people by stories told in the Old Testament. After Christmas, during the season of Epiphany to Easter, we will explore the Gospel of John with it’s stories of Jesus.
The Sunday school students also participate in several service projects throughout the year as well as intergenerational events for the whole St. Paul’s community. We ask that parents fill out a family information card for us to keep on file as we get to know each Sunday school student, and we ask that parents sign up to bring snack or serve as Sunday school helpers once a semester during the school year.
The Youth Group is a new ministry at St. Paul’s! The program is open to youth in grades 4-12 and meets once or twice a month during the school year for food, fellowship, and a spiritual activity or discussion. The Youth Group also participates in outreach, fellowship, and worship opportunities throughout the year such as the Crop Walk in September, the St. Paul’s Fall Fest in October, Advent Wreath making in November, and Christmas Caroling in December.
Children’s Chapel is offered every Sunday for children ages 4-11. Children are invited to begin the church service by sitting in the pews with their parents, and are then invited to move to the Chapel for Children’s Chapel during the sequence hymn. They return to the church during the Peace.
Pre-K through 4th grade are welcome to rehearse and sing on Sunday morning! Rehearsals are Wednesdays 5-5:45pm in the Choir Room. Our children will learn about the church year, basics of singing, and have fun times together! They will sing each second Sunday of the month during the introit, just before Children's Chapel.
Beginning in 3rd grade children are invited to participate in the celebration of the liturgy by serving as an acolyte. Any child who can sit through the entire service and follow along with the liturgy in the prayer book and hymnal is welcome to sign up to serve on one of the acolyte teams. Acolytes usually serve once a month and training is offered throughout the year.
To inquire about any of the programs for children or youth please contact Amelia Arthur, Director of Formation, at , or (504) 330-3089.