Children's Christian Formation
At St. John’s we believe the programs in children’s ministry will help us keep our promise, made in the baptismal covenant, to do all in our power to support those persons in their life in Christ. (BCP, 303) Through our Christian education programs, we hope to relate the Bible to today’s world by providing easy to follow lessons for volunteer teachers.
Sunday School (K-5 grade) Classes
Every Sunday morning from September through May, children ages four through fifth grade are invited to attend Sunday School from 9:15 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. This year we are using “Seasons of the Spirit” for our curriculum. The children hear and read Bible stories during story time. They also rotate through an arts and crafts center and through a science center. Our classes meet on the second floor in class rooms near the elevator. The children are informally grouped by age. All are welcome to attend.
Children's Chapel
St. John’s offers a children’s worship service in the chapel at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Adult volunteers are the leaders. The purpose is to provide a positive worship environment for children who are too old for the nursery but are not quite ready to fully understand the first half of the main worship service. Children from four years old through third grade may attend. Children enter the main sanctuary with their parents. They then join the Chapel leaders behind the Children’s Cross during the procession at the beginning of the 10:30 service. The chapel service is age appropriate and includes scripture reading, prayers, stories and learning basic Episcopal traditions. The children are led back into the main church during the Passing of the Peace to join their parents.
Wednesday Evening Programs
During the school year, each Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., St. John’s offers two opportunities for young children. Our organist and choir master, Patrick O’Briant, assisted by Pawley Shields and Denise Varela, leads a children’s choir for the first half hour and then Mrs. Donnie Winston, our Pre-School Director, leads “Bible Adventures” from 5:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. This program is appropriate for all young children. Family dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Pageant and Vacation Bible School
St. John’s children put on a Christmas Pageant every year on December 24 at 4:00 p.m. The Pageant is the “sermon” of a service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II. All interested children are welcome.
Every summer, generally during the latter part of June, the children of St. John’s and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church join together for four days of morning Vacation Bible School. The themes change each year. All are welcome.