Children's Ministry

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| Vacation Bible School | Ways for Kids to be Involved | Special Events |

Staff

Mary-Eileen Middleton, Director of Children's Ministries maryeileen@saintbarnabas.org 480-355-9730

   Our Sunday School Teachers

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Children’s Faith Formation

Nursery available Sunday Mornings - year-round

8:30am - 12:00pm

Staffed by two fully licensed & experienced childcare providers from Lullaby Services, our youngest parish members from 0-2 yrs are cared for in our newly decorated nursery located in the Children's Center (Education Building) at the NW corner of our church grounds.  Pagers are available for parents in the service upon request. 

From September through May, this service is offered during the formation hour until the end of the later service each Sunday morning—8:30 to noon.  We also are available upon request during special church-sponsored events.

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Sunday School

September - May

We strive to bring our children into relationship with God and the Christian Faith Community by sharing with them our Biblical story in a developmentally sensitive, nurturing, loving, structured, and trusting environment.

The hour-long classes begin at 9:00 am.  Children ages 2 through 4th grade meet in the Education Building, while those in 5th grade and above meet in Sean’s Place.

Teams of three teachers lead each classroom, with two of the teachers present each week.  Our curriculums are age-appropriate and include:

                         Godly Play Classroom

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Children’s Worship

Year-round

Our goal is to provide a reverent, inspiring, fun worship experience for children which is developmentally sensitive. We accomplish this through ritual, song, prayers, sharing the Christian story and learning about the Episcopal Church.

Beginning at 10:15 am, we provide children with their own age-appropriate worship services for approximately 35 minutes, before joining our families for Communion in the main worship service.

Children attending Sunday school will be escorted to either the mini-chapel in the Education Building (ages 2-5) or to the service for ages 6 and up held in the chapel, just south of the sanctuary.

Many of our youth (6th though 12th graders) take significant leadership roles in both of these services, assisting staff members Mary Eileen Middleton, Kate Steider, and The Rev. Brent Owens.

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Vacation Bible School

(VBS)

June 9 – 13, 2008

“Power Lab”

Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power!

Each day children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste. Bible-point crafts, team-building games, lively Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help faith flow into real life.

Power Lab is great for children of all ages, from three through teens. Older kids enjoy signing on as Lab Crew Leaders, helping with Hyperspeed Games, Bible Blast, Sonic Sing & Play, or Wacky Snacks. Preschoolers from age 3 can be involved in our Squeaky Beaker Preschool Power Lab.

For more information or to register your child: 

Contact:  Mary-Eileen Middleton.

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Ways for Children to be involved in our Community

Children's Choir & Youth Choir

The choirs are for all youth & children 1st-12th grade--divided between 7th-8th grades.  Both choirs are taking new participants now, so contact our Associate Music Director, Ashley Snavley.

The Christmas Pageant is open to children of all ages and starts organizing after the 10:15am services during December.   Contact Mary-Eileen Middleton for details or to get involved as a parent or child!

JAM (Jesus and Me) junior high youth group for 5th through 7th graders meets once a month for a variety of activities to encourage positive interaction within a faith-based community.  For more info, contact Fr. Brent!

Acolyting Being an acolyte is a ministry for children and youth from 5th grade up.  Acolytes lead us into worship bearing the symbols of our faith: the cross, the candles which represent the light of Christ & banners to symbolize our joyful celebration to come in the Holy Eucharist. Any youth or children interested in becoming an acolyte should speak to Fr. Brent or Rev. Erika to receive training and to get on the schedule. Our Acolyte Shepherds are Jordan Jones & Lindsay Estabrooks.

Acolytes lead the procession into the service.

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Special Events

Special Events are held throughout the year to enhance our children’s faith formation and to provide the opportunity for families to participate, learn, and have fun together. These include:  

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