Children’s Ministries at St. Gregory’s
The promises we make each time a person becomes a member of the church through baptism guide Children’s Ministries at St. Gregory’s. (See pp. 304-305 in the Book of Common Prayer for a refresher!) While the focus is on our youngest members, we recognize that we are one Body of Christ, all connected, and strive to strengthen our bonds through cross-generational programming. Our goal is for children to know God loves them, and desires for them to love themselves and others.
Children’s Ministry is a big umbrella that includes:
Our excellent Montessori –style nursery with its fully –trained, dedicated staff.
Weekly Sunday School that rotates between creative workshops to dig deep into the sacred stories and connect them to our daily lives.
Children’s Chapel, where children fully engage in the Liturgy of the Word each week through scripture, song, prayer, and discussion.
An ecumenical monthly Rhythms of Grace worship service including Eucharist. This adaptive service is especially welcoming to those for whom conventional worship may be difficult or uncomfortable.
Inreach and outreach projects.
Multiple cross-generational events for celebrations in every season-
Advent wreath making workshop and lunch
Advent calendars for all children and youth
Christmas Eve pageant and Believer’s Band
Epiphany observance
Tactile Lenten meditation stations and take-home materials
Easter flowering of the Cross
Easter egg hunt with scripture-based treats
Pentecost lessons with tactile activities
Blessing of the Backpacks, backpack collection for those in need, and blessing tags for all
St. Francis educational celebration
Special events for All Saints Day
Thanksgiving and Stewardship events
Vacation Bible School for all ages (newborns to nineties!) for four evenings in the summer, including dinner, music, Bible storytelling, cooperative games, creative crafts, and Compline nightly.
Safeguarding God’s Children training to equip all volunteers, leaders, and employees with knowledge to recognize and prevent childhood sexual abuse.
Opportunities for continuing educational experiences for those who work with children.
In conjunction with the grounds department, provide safe, fun playgrounds.
Assisting the rector with preparation for Baptismal candidates. Using funds provided by the Men’s Group, select age-appropriate gift Bibles for those being baptized.
Provide pastoral care for parish children, families, and children’s ministry leaders.
Serve the larger church on diocesan, regional, and national levels.
Your donations to St. Gregory’s provide supplies, equipment, and media needed for all the programs mentioned. Like Jesus, we understand that much that forms us as Christians happens around the table, so we usually include good-quality, healthy, delicious food in our gatherings as well. Some of the funding goes to continuing education for both volunteers and employees. Our nursery staff are paid on an hourly basis, and the Director of Children’s Ministries is a 20 hour/week employee, with pension benefit.
Why do you serve? Why is children and family ministry important to you, and our church?
Our church is a community for our family. It is a community which guides our children, teaches them what love is, and teaches them right from wrong. The ideas from Sunday school and children's church come home with our children, and enter our daily conversations and our prayers. To me, serving the children and family ministry means being a part of children's character development and religious formation, which is so essential to who these children become, and what impact they have in the world. Serving is a way of making the world a better place by investing my time and energy in the children, who are our future. This applies not just to my own children, but to all the children in our church community. –Kate Avinger, Sunday School Teacher
We have families in our church community and our wider community with members for whom conventional worship is difficult. I serve with the Rhythms of Grace folks because I believe we should "draw the circle wide" and provide worship experiences for all of God's beloved ones. – The Rev. Gordon Bienvenue, Rhythms of Grace Celebrant, and fabulous Bible story teller.
Serving those in need is important to my spiritual well-being. There is a contentment that comes especially when it involves children. - Deirdre Murray, Rhythms of Grace and VBS volunteer
I think it is important to share the Bible with children early. Especially, I believe it is important to let children know of our faith and belief. Then, when they feel the need to reach out for meaning in their lives, the Bible will be something they are familiar with, and they will know that other people they know find comfort and answers through their faith in God. Also, the children build my faith. They are so open to ideas, they have insights I miss through over-thinking things, and they have such energy! Finally, this is something tangible that I can do in the body of the Church. – Jenifer Marquardt, Sunday School Teacher, VBS volunteer
I serve because giving my time is a one way I contribute to our church community. I particularly enjoy working with children as they engage with spiritual topics in often unexpected and creative ways and can inspire us as we guide their spiritual journeys. - Tyra Byers, Sunday School Teacher
I like to think or hope that a story told or activity completed in Sunday School by me alone or with others makes a difference in a child's life. Perhaps they are able to remember a Bible story due to the "hands on" approach at St. Gregory's. One hopes that the memories created by us will last them a lifetime. – Jane Armistead, Sunday School Teacher and VBS Volunteer
I think my motivation to serve in this ministry is to extend welcome and fun to children (and their parents). When I first started, Porter Taylor told me that the main thing was to let kids know that they are loved by God and their church community. Being involved in children's ministry is a fun way to explore stories from the Bible and participate in creative projects. It's a great way to meet families I might not interact with otherwise. On top of that it is meaningful to be with the other volunteers and do a little part for love in the world. Asking children what they want to pray for is very humbling. I recommend it! – Jenifer Borg, Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Church leader, Rhythms of Grace volunteer, and all-around Exceptional Volunteer.
Contact Catherine Drewry if you would like more information or are interested in serving with the Children’s Ministries.