Our Children’s Ministries program serves children from birth to 5th grade and their families.  Our goal is to provide quality programming that encourages children to develop their relationship with God, the church community, and the world around them.

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Footprints

Monthly News From Children's Ministries - ​February 2018

​Sunday, February 4th – Join us for Children’s Chapel at 10:30.  We will explore a kid-friendly version of the Liturgy of the Word and then join the congregation at the Peace.  THERE IS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON THIS SUNDAY.

This month in Sunday School we are exploring stories of Compassion in the Old Testament and preparing for Lent.

​Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14th.  There are several options for family Lenten Disciplines on our website under ‘Resources.’  http://www.stchristophers-mn.org/family.html . 
I do want to highlight two particular Lenten resources:
Make Room, A child’s Guide to Easter and Lent, by Laura Alary.    This is a great book that helps families look at Lent as a time to Make Time, Make Space, and Make Room.  The book is readily available online and in bookstores.  Unfortunately, it is not available at Ramsey County Libraries. 
 
An Illustrated Lent for Families -  see Marion for a printed copy (or she can send you the PDF).  The seven weeks of devotions are meant to be done over a family dinner, or before bedtime. Each devotion is just one page and includes a scripture, some questions (a few very accessible ones and some Going Deeper questions as well), a suggested activity/practice to focus on during the week, and a short prayer. Also included are weekly signs that correspond to that week’s devotions. On the sign will be a space for the family to write in what they decide to try and work on during the week, based on the activity/practice from the week’s devotion. Then the sign can be placed somewhere visible in the home, so everyone remembers what they are working on.  There is also a coloring sheet each week. You can use as much or as little of the devotion as you like.
 
Looking Ahead!  Vacation Bible School  July 23-27, 9am-noon
Mark your calendars and invite your friends!  This program is for age 3 – 5th grade.  Details and registration will be available after Easter. You can see information and pictures from previous VBS programs here:  http://www.stchristophers-mn.org/vbs.html
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Click Here To Email Marion Hunner, Children's Ministries Director

Children in Liturgy

 We encourage families to sit near the front of the church so that they can see what is happening throughout the service.  We welcome children of all ages, and we understand that this means a little more noise and commotion.  We welcome families to sit on the left side of the church up front where we have a special family space.  Here the children can see what is happening at the altar.  You will find some quiet activities of children of  all ages, and there are also worship bags that you may pick up in the Narthex.  We do ask that families clean up the space before they leave.

​At the end of each service the Deacon invites all children to join her at the baptismal font for the dismissal.  In addition, we encourage children to sign up to be Gift Bearers and Acolytes

• Gift Bearers—Children in Kdg—8th grade are invited to bring forward food that has been donated to the food shelf when the ushers present the offering. 
• Acolytes – Children in fourth grade and older are invited to serve as acolytes.   They process with torches and help with the Liturgy of the Table.

Sunday Mornings
Our program year runs from mid-September through mid-May.

10:30am First Sunday of the month (Oct-May)
On the first Sunday of each month we offer Children’s Chapel for children Age 3-5th grade.  On that Sunday we will not have regular Sunday School Classes – instead, families will come to the 10:30 liturgy, and the children will meet in the small chapel for a Children’s Chapel experience.  They will then join their families in the pews at the peace.    This will offer families one Sunday per month where they are only at church for the one hour liturgy as well as provide a different presentation of the Liturgy of the Word for the children.  

9:30-10:15 a.m. Sunday School (K-5th)
NOT FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
We have a team of dedicated volunteers who bring the Stories of the Bible, Episcopal Traditions, and Love of God to life for our children.  We use the Godly Play Montessori model while also incorporating lessons from other resources.  The children work on projects to reinforce the stories and traditions as well as the importance of outreach.

10:20-11:40am  Nursery Care
Our nursery, for children age 0-4, is staffed by a team of volunteers during regular Sunday Services.  Volunteers are scheduled in pairs, and they arrive in the nursery 10 minutes prior to the service.  If there are no children in the nursery 10 minutes into the service, the volunteers will join the liturgy in the sanctuary.  

Special Events

We offer several special events throughout the year that encourage community building and outreach.  Some of our most popular are the Hayride, Putting Away Alleluias,   Episcopal Church Homes, Bowling, and Pizza,  and Easter Activities.  Over the summer we offer Vacation Bible School. ​