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children & youth

  • Nursery Care is available for children and infants through age 5 from 9 am - 12 noon

  • Let the Children Come is a Toddler Transition (2's & 3's) introducing Bible stories told using materials similar to the Godly Play. This toddler time is at 10:30 am during The Liturgy of the Word.
  • Prayer DeskGodly Play gives children a uniquely Episcopalian way of discovering how to come close to God.  In addition to learning Bible stories, children learn how people in a Christian community live and work together.  Their classroom, arranged according to Montessori methods, is a safe and sacred place and their time there is patterned in the same was as our liturgy.  A lesson and wondering is followed by the children's homily or response time.  Then, the children offer prayers of thanksgiving and share a "feast".  Click here for more information.
  • St. John’s Eagles is a program for ages nine through twelve and uses The Episcopal Children's Curriculum (ECC) to help young people to understand the Bible and their Christian responsiblilities.
  • Rite Thirteen helps young people discover and take their place as adults in the church.  We invite young people to live into their Christian faith through service projects and fun events.

  • J2A engages 8th, 9th, and 10th graders with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of year two.

  • Acolytes serve at the Holy Eucharist as crucifers, torchbearers, book servers and assist during communion. This service opportunity is open to young people grades 4-12.

Special Events for Families:

“Undies Sunday” on Feb. 7

The family outreach initiative will collect underwear on Sunday, Feb. 7, in an offering for Covenant House. They are in urgent need of underwear in all sizes including children’s sizes. Covenant House also welcomes monetary donations. Gifts that are unrestricted and can be used towards their operating expenses help them to keep their place staffed and warm. Please give generously – “undies” and green – for our Feb. 7 (first Sunday of the month) offering. The family outreach initiative includes all of us – families with children, couples, singles … all families are invited to participate in this initiative to respond to the needs of our local community. Baskets for donations will be at the back of the church. Envelopes are also on the welcome table.

Guest Preacher Feb. 7 – Amy Weintraub

Executive Director of Covenant House, Amy Weintraub, will be with us at St. John’s on Feb. 7 to offer a children’s homily. On the first Sunday of the month we are offering a children’s homily – a special effort to connect with our young saints of John who worship with us each week.  Covenant House, created by citizen advocates and members of St. John’s in 1981, is committed to helping those with the fewest resources. They are working for justice by offering direct services while creating social change through advocacy and education. Their hallmark program is the Drop-In Center – “the soul of our organization” – a day shelter providing respite for those living on the streets, free showers and laundry facilities, first aid, clothing assistance and referrals. Come meet Amy – if you don’t already know her – and learn more about Covenant House as Amy shares a message of mission and hope with our children.

Alleluia Banner – A Shrove Tuesday Burial Feb 16

Join our children and youth in the tradition of decorating and burying the “Alleluia Scroll.”  This year’s scroll will become our Easter banner decorated with all things spring, new life, new hope, and resurrection. At the Shrove Tuesday Pasta Extravaganza the young of heart (of all ages) will decorate the banner. Then, before the evening is done, in true Mardi Gras style, we will pray, sing and process the Alleluia banner into the church where we will “bury the Alleluias” for Lent.