our purpose
The purpose of our children’s Christian Education program and Youth Group activities is to help our youth develop a closer and more personal relationship with God and to know of Christ’s enduring love for them. Like all other ministries, Christian education encompasses all five functions of the church: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry. We welcome and include all of our children ages three through eighteen who would like to participate!
sunday school and youth
St. John’s is a center of continual Christian formation. We frequently gather in groups to understand better how our relationship with God through Jesus Christ impacts how we engage the changing issues of everyday life. With attention to spirituality and social justice, we grow and deepen our faith by seeking out the wisdom of different authors and speakers. Our teenagers and younger children are deeply valued and nurtured. We offer them opportunities to learn and grow in the Christian faith with their peers, and by joining in fellowships, service, worship, and study with members of St. John’s of all ages.
Sunday School classes are typically held three Sundays per month with the fourth being a group Sunday. Teaching teams instruct the four different age levels about once monthly using an easy to follow a curriculum that goes along the liturgy heard during the service attended just prior to each class. The average time commitment is about two to three hours per month.
Please contact Mairi Graham-Shaw at mairi@stjohnsessex.org or call 860-876-5052 if you have questions about anything related to children’s Christian education!
childcare
We provide childcare in our nursery school on our lower level for young children (birth to 3 years old) from 9 – 11:30 A.M. service. You may ask an usher or greeter for directions to the nursery upon arrival. Paula and Brittany are our nursery school caregivers most Sundays. The nursery also offers the opportunity for the children to still be able to listen to the service from the lower level.
We are also happy to have children in service and offer activity bags that can be requested through an usher or greeter!
sunday school
Sunday school is offered every Sunday except during Blessing of the Animals, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and the Sunday between Christmas and New Years, and no classes during the summer.
youth acolytes
Our youth acolytes assist with and enhance the services as they simultaneously learn more about the Episcopal liturgy. Acolytes serve about once a month and are trained on the job. If your son or daughter would like to learn more about this position, please visit with Allison Fresher, allifresher@gmail.com.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if we need to go over it later.
register for christian education 2022
If you have children 0-18 who are interested in participating in any of our Christian Education programs this year, please register them using our CE Registration Form. This form will allow you to register for nursery care, which is currently available each Sunday, and for Children’s Chapel, which begins on October 17th. It will also allow you to express interest and pre-register for confirmation classes and youth group.
If you have any questions or need a paper copy, please contact Mairi at mairi@stjohnsessex.org or 860-876-5052.
CHILDREN’S CHAPEL
This year, we are be offering a Children’s Chapel Sunday school program for elementary-aged children. Children’s Chapel will begin at 10:15 A.M. and the children will join their parents in the sanctuary for the passing of the peace and the Eucharist. Children’s Chapel is a liturgically based program that invites children to engage with Scripture, prayer, and liturgy in an age-accessible fashion, while learning the story of God’s people through crafts, movement, music, and other fun activities.
We are excited to share this program with your children! You can register for it using the CE Registration Form. If you have any questions or need a paper copy, please contact Mairi at mairi@stjohnsessex.org or 860-876-5052.
christian education volunteers needed
children’s chapel leader
This volunteer position is to lead children’s chapel on Sunday mornings during the beginning of the service, 2-3 times a month. Children’s Chapel will take place at the beginning of the worship service and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Curriculum and activity materials and planning support will be provided for this. This position requires an up-to-date background check and Safe Church training.
children’s chapel assistant
This volunteer position is to assist with Children’s Chapel activities and provide support to the leader and children, 2-3 times a month. Children’s Chapel will take place at the beginning of the worship service and lasts approximately 30 minutes. This position requires an up to date background check and Safe Church training.