Every person who works with babies, children, and teenagers at St. Andrew's is REQUIRED to work in pairs. Attending Safeguarding All God's Children (a child abuse prevention workshop) and background checks are also mandatory.

Sundays with Children and Youth

THE NURSERY Ages Newborn to 3
The nursery is open each Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm so parents can fully participate in the liturgy, fellowship, and opportunities for spiritual growth.


CHILDREN'S CHURCH (10:00 am to 11:15 am)
This multi-age experience meets in the Children's Chapel for ages three through elementary school ages. The youth are wonderful as assistants with the children and as leaders of music. The structure allows the children to participate in simple presentations of the Episcopal order of the service through liturgical stories, music, and drama. Each week we ring our bell, light our candles, and sing joyful contemporary songs to begin. Then we enter into both the Old and New Testament stories on a level that they can understand. The Godly Play materials and props help the children actively enter into the stories. When we take our offering and sing the Doxology together, we are reminded that all we have are our gifts from God (our offerings go to our Compassion International child). We then join the congregation for Eucharist or a blessing each week. We are fortunate to have engaging storytellers in Children's Church and gifted helpers who are great with the kids. Leaders/Helpers: Alison Allman, Margaret Carraway, Rosemary Fowler, and Kathy Lawless. Music Leaders: Margaret Carraway, Bailey Carraway, Talia Blake and friends.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (11:15 a.m. TO 12:15 p.m.)
Younger Children (ages 3-6): This class most currently uses the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum that incorporates a global perspective with the Bible lesson. It is a multi-learning approach that utilizes colorful visuals, lively songs, crafts, and community building games to reinforce the Bible lesson. This is a lively, curious, hilarious group of kids. Though they are not always angels, they do often help their fearless and loving leaders earn their angel wings. Leaders: Jeannie Borsch, Marshall Ferrell, and Jayson Smith.

Older Children (ages 7-9): This class also uses the Seasons of the Spirit. The kids travel back in time with storytelling figures and interactive activities that help them learn about Jesus and that they are all a part of a community called the Church. This is a smart, sometimes silly, and creative group that really benefits from the experience of their leaders, a dynamic duo who really put their hearts and hands into their lessons. Leaders: Donreece Brown and Fran Kerr.

Younger Youth (ages 10-12): This class explores what it means to enter into a journey of faith. Through relationship building activities and discussion, they have an opportunity to search more in depth some of the foundational and covenantal beliefs of the Church and how they can be applied to our lives today. It can be a real challenge to fit Christian Education time in to what for many of our youth is already an overscheduled week. But we are blessed to have three leaders who have great experience with kids as a teacher, a youth leader, and a guidance counselor. They offer invaluable wisdom and humor to this very insightful and dynamic group of young people. Leaders: Jim Morgan, Betsy Scheuer, and Anne Yanson.

Teen Class (ages 13-18): This class has been dealing with the same topical studies as the adult class, The Wired Word, a discussion based on weekly events highlighted in the news and the media. It is an opportunity to investigate world events from a biblical point of view. Our teens really bring a unique perspective to the topics, debating the news items with real wisdom and often incisive wit. They are worthy matches for our excellent leaders who bring a plethora of experience, humor, and intelligence to the class. Leaders: Alison Allman, Rod Malloy, Philippa Phillips, and Paul Scheuer.

YOUTH SUNDAY
The children and youth are very involved in worship with the larger St. Andrew's family by taking part in Youth Sunday once a month as readers and ushers, usually the third Sunday, at the 10 am service. Fr. Reese gives an interactive children's sermon that the kids can relate to.

The children participate in seasonal events such the Easter Egg Hunt, the Flowering of the Cross on Easter, and Vacation Bible School. In addition, the children and youth are involved in the Christmas Pageant during Advent every year as well as the Christmas Eve service.

Acolytes serve as crucifers, torch bearers, and thurifers, assisting the clergy in the conduct of the liturgy. Contact Fred Waters, Acolyte Master

The youth group participates in many events and outings that foster fun, fellowship, and encourage spiritual growth and discovery. In addition to retreats that have their primary focus on spirituality, the youth also participate in such events as sailing and canoe trips, whitewater rafting, bowling, ice skating, a ropes course and labyrinth, amusement park outings, etc.

The youth serve the community through long-term involvement with Angel Tree, Cornerstone Kids, Metropolitan Ministries, St. Francis Children's Daycare, and other outreach opportunities in the community. In addition, youth representatives serve on the Outreach committee.

Every few years the older youth plan a spiritual pilgrimage - a journey representing what their class feels connects them to their spiritual roots. Each class chooses their destination and takes responsibility for planning and fundraising for the trip. The last class chose a pilgrimage to England and Scotland which took place in July, 2007. The itinerary included St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Canterbury, York, Lindisfarne, St. Andrew's, and Iona. Pilgrimage is meant to be a culmination of their spiritual education, journeying in the footsteps of faithful Christians who have walked before us.

Confirmation

We offered a series of Confirmation classes and a retreat for those youth who desired to be confirmed at St. Andrew's earlier this year. These classes are usually offered every 2 years to coincide with the Bishop's visit. Confirmation is open to all youth in 7th grade and up though the emphasis is more on spiritual commitment than age. In these classes we introduced many of the basics of the Episcopal Church including such topics as faith, prayer, spiritual gifts, the Sacraments, navigating the Bible and the Prayer Book, our history, church structure, and our worship. Fifteen of our youth were Confirmed by Bishop Dabney Smith last February on the same day that our Children's Chapel was dedicated.