Children and Youth
Sunday School
Sunday School classes are offered during the first part of our 10 a.m. service. We have dedicated volunteers who teach our children using the Godly Play curriculum (pre-schoolers through Grade 5). Godly Play is a drop-in program where you sign your child in each Sunday before the 10 am service starts. and rejoin their families and the congregation in the pews in time for sharing the Peace and the Eucharist. The Fourth Sunday of the month is "Come 4th Sunday" where we offer a special Children’s service in which children and their families participate in the entire service which has been especially created and prepared for them.
If you would like to get involved with children and youth programming, adults and older teens are invited to assist with Godly Play on a rotating basis. Several opportunities await our parish children and youth and families on Come 4th Sundays (and other Sundays as well).
Godly Play for Everyone (Preschool Through Fifth Grade)
Godly Play is a Montessori-based method of Christian formation and spiritual direction for children based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. What they need is the appropriate language to help them identify and express it so it can be explored and strengthened. Godly Play teaches the art of using Christian language—parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action—in a way that involves the creative process and all the child’s senses as a means to know God and to make meaning in their lives. A Godly Play worship experience invites the children into the liturgical rhythm of greeting, storytelling, response, prayer, feast and sending out. In the Godly Play room, we are surrounded with materials that help us discover the whole story of God.
Godly Play for Everyone resumes Sunday, September 17in the Godly Play room in the lower level of the Parish Hall.
A Soft Space for Little Ones
If they prefer, families with infants or toddlers are invited to sit in our soft space on the carpet on the right side of the church, where there are soft toys and coloring pages. Wiggles welcome.
"Come 4th Sunday"
Our children, youth and families are invited to “come forth” to take on new roles in worship in our Come 4th Sunday liturgy, on the fourth Sunday of each month. On Come 4th Sunday, everyone stays in church rather than be dismissed for children’s programs. Songs are simple and upbeat so that all can sing without reading music. Special scripture translations and prayers allow children to serve as lectors and lead the prayers of the people. Entire families can help usher, take the collection and bring up the gifts. Come 4th Sunday is a liturgy for everyone, inviting our children, youth and families to “come forth” to share their gifts.
Come 4th Sunday is also a time when we welcome and introduce new members with a special litany of welcome.
Youth and Teen Second Sunday Gatherings
After a great pilot meeting last spring, youths and teens ages 13 and up are invited to come to St Peter's for dinner (we'll all make it together) and an activity on Sunday Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Rev. Barb and a small team of adults will facilitate the programs, which are scheduled for the second Sunday of each month. In October, we'll plan activities for the rest of the year. We generated a great list last spring, and welcome new ideas. Rev. Barb would like to gather for some "Trash Talk" in the near future, where we make cool stuff out of recyclable items and talk about whatever. So please put it on the family calendar and tell your resident young person about it.
Children's Communion Preparation - Bread Day Retreat
Families of elementary-aged children are invited to learn about the Sacrament of Eucharist, make Communion bread and fashion Sacrament stoles during Bread Day on Saturday, April 6 from 10:30 am to noon. This activity would work best for children in first grade and up. But littler ones are invited as well since all ages are invited to receive Communion. The goal is to better understand what Eucharist is, and why and how we receive it. This is for families, so parents or adults are asked to attend with your kids. Click HERE to register.
All of this is in preparation for a special Awesome Communion celebration on Sunday, April 28 as part of Come 4th Sunday. Kids can dress up in any color they like and wear the stoles they made on Bread Day. They'll bring up the gifts at offertory and gather around the altar for a closer look during the Eucharistic Prayer and help break the bread. If your child would like to make an "Awesome Communion" but can't attend Bread Day, Rev. Barb can provide you with materials to help you do the activities and have the conversation about Eucharist at home as a family.