Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Just as Christ welcomed all the little children to gather near, we invite all ages to continually learn and grow in faith. All of us are born with inquiring minds, seeking reasons for who, what, when, where, how things come to be.
At St. John’s we welcome all children and their parents to grow in their faith through classroom learning and seasonal events. Importantly, safety is paramount at St. John’s. All of our leaders undergo special training to ensure that our children are learning and growing in a safe environment.
Sunday Mornings
Each Sunday during the academic year we offer grade level Sunday School classes. Our teachers welcome children and design their classes around learning more about who God is and who they are as children of God. We use the Godly Play curriculum for our younger children and in first through fifth grade we study the Bible stories of the Old and New Testament and how we should follow in the way of God’s love. We also provide a full staff on Sunday mornings in our nursery for children five years and younger. We would love to have your child join us on Sunday mornings!
Our fourth and fifth graders not only gather together at morning Sunday School classes, they also gather once a month as a group from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on the fourth or fifth Sunday of the month. At each gathering, we provide a space for these older children to inquire, be silly, and anchor themselves in a safe environment as they discern who they are as they are becoming teenagers and gain more independence. It’s fun -- and sometimes downright goofy -- and it’s a space where all are accepted for who they are.
Our Choristers program is open to all children ages 7- to 18-years old, regardless of religious background. This program offers unparalleled music education, intergenerational learning and lifelong friendships, not to mention it’s a centuries-old tradition within the Episcopal Church. The group meets once weekly and joins the St. John’s Choir for select services throughout the year. We also offer Joyful Noisemakers, a weekly education program for five- to seven-year olds who simply want to have fun with music. We invite you to learn more about these musical programs for young people.
Having a baby is one of the most exciting and daunting events of your life! Here at St. John’s we want to support you in that new beginning. If this is your first child or fourteenth, we always need a community around us. The New Baby Ministry reminds you that we are here to support you in prayer, in meals, and in community. You are not alone, we are here for you.
One week of the year we transform our main Parish hall and classrooms into a science lab, art station, mission space and more -- and of course there is always singing, dancing and snacks! Vacation Bible School is traditionally the final full week of June. This morning offering allows for children aged 4 to 12 to attend as participants and travel through the world of their imagination as the annual themes might take them from Mars to the circus and beyond -- all the while, experiencing the joy of God’s love. This event also invites parents, youth, and grandparents to volunteer their time to lead classes, shepherd the children and interact with all ages as we celebrate the creativity of God’s love for the world.
