Ministries

Children & Youth

Our mission is to provide a safe and caring environment to guide and nurture our children and youth in their relationship with God and realize his unconditional love through Bible stories, worship and prayer. This includes Sunday morning traditional Sunday school, children’s chapel during the service and a children’s sermon. We want to make sure that there is something in every worship service for children. We also have music classes for children and youth through our music academy. Information on that can be found on our Music Academy link.

Christian Formation

Sunday Morning Classes

Classes meet Sunday mornings at 10 in the parish house on the second floor of the Sunday school wing September through May.

Nursery

Children of all ages are welcome to participate during the Sunday services. If desired, we have available a fully qualified and staffed nursery for infants and toddlers which is open for all Sunday services and Christian Education classes, and during most special programs that are offered at the church.

Young Disciples (3-7)

we provide lessons related to the church seasons and holidays. We use a variety of online resources and Godly Play, where we follow the format of a lesson, a response to the lesson with a craft or activity, and ending with a feast (snack) and prayer. This format also mirrors the church service. In conjuction with the older class, we have also focused on God’s creation and stewardship, Super Heroes as they relate to Bilble Heroes, and sharing the light of Christ by decorating bags of toiletries for our Lil Pantry.

Youth (8-middle school)

Our older class uses the Re:form Curriculum, focusing on core lessons about the Bible and Jesus and biblical ancestors. They alternate Sundays with a biblical lesson and a lesson on church life, such as altar guild, music and acolyting, provided by a parishioner involved in that activity. The older class often joins the younger class for a special project, such as making pine cone bird feeders, and they always join for the feast and prayer.

Christian Formation

Sunday Morning During the Service

Acolytes

Children 10 and older are invited to participate in the liturgy as acolytes. Training is provided and it is a great opportunity to see the liturgy up close.

Youth Readers

On the 5th Sunday of the month, our youth are the scheduled readers for the Sunday lessons. Training is provided.

Safety

Safe Church & Background Checks

All staff, leaders and volunteers have completed the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Safe Church Training. Safe Church provides leaders with the training to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our community, which includes our children and youth. All those who work with our children and youth are also required to complete a background check before working with children.