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Children and Youth Ministries
Children are at the very heart and center of EVERYTHING we do at St. John’s. St. John’s is a spiritual home for each of them – where they are known by name, celebrated for exactly who they are, and given what they need to be compassionate, empathetic followers of Jesus with hearts that beat for justice and hands that serve with love.
Godly Play - (Age four - second Grade)
Our preschool (age four) through second grade children attend the Godly Play program at 10:ooam on Sundays (excluding holidays) from mid September until the end of the school year. They meet on the third floor in the Godly Play room. Children are returned to their parents during the Peace.
What is Godly Play? Well, according to the website “children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using spiral curriculum the Godly Play method serves children through childhood and beyond.”
For more information, contact Holly McNeal
Rotation Sunday School- (third - fifth grade)
Our third through fifth grade children attend the Rotation program from Sparkhouse at 10:15 on Sundays (excluding holidays) from mid September until the end of the school year. They meet on the third floor in the large center room. Children are returned to their parents during the Peace. The Rotation program walks children through a journey of the Bible using several different mediums. These mediums include art, science, music, cooking, drama, and games. Each story will be told for three weeks using a different medium. This really helps give children the opportunity to learn these stories, and to experience them in hands on ways. This isn’t your mama’s Sunday School class!
For more information, contact Holly McNeal
Youth Group (6th - 12th Grade)
Our youth program is for all youth in grades 6th through 12th. They meet every Sunday (excluding holidays) for the entire year. They meet from after communion at the 10:15 service (around 11:15) until noon. Youth Group is a place where all youth are welcome, and their questions, concerns, and doubts are welcome too. Some meetings we will play games, some we will talk about our faith and the Bible, some we will talk about current events and topics of interest to the youth. We will be engaging in community service projects both inside and outside of the church. We will also be having a lot of fun together whether at lock-ins, trips to the water park, laser tag, bowling, or a host of other potential fun events.
For more information, contact Holly McNeal
Kid's Corner
Located on the right hand side in the Narthex you will find our Kid's Corner. This is an area where children can find a new coloring sheet each week that coincides with one of the lessons, other assorted coloring sheets, crayons, colored pencils, lap desks, busy bags and even fidget toys. All of these items can be brought in the Sanctuary. We just ask they are returned to their places at the end of the service.
Nursery Ministry
Our Nursery Ministry serves our families with children ages zero to three years old. This important ministry encompasses three different spaces in the church. The Nursery, the soft space and the Respite Room.
The Nursery - Our Nursery is located on the third floor in the loft space behind the stage. it is open Sundays from mid September to mid June from 10 am until after the dismissal. The Nursery is staffed by two paid adults who are known to us, have been background checked and who have taken Safe Church training as well as been trained at St. John's.
The Soft Space - Located in the front of the Sanctuary on the right hand side you will find our soft space. There are soft toys, books and puzzles for children three and under to enjoy during the service. Grown ups must accompany their child in the soft space.
The Respite Room - Our Respite Room is located in the main hallway across from the Library and next to the Community Room. The room has a large window overlooking the Sanctuary and has speakers so the service can be heard. This is a space where grown ups can keep their children with them but still have a quieter space in which to participate in the service. There are rocking chairs, a changing table, a crib, books and toys available in this space.
The use of these spaces is optional, but in no way required. Children with all of their noises and all of their wiggles are always welcome in the Sanctuary.
We want our children to love being in church.