ChildrenYouth - St. David's Episcopal Church

We work to fully include children and youth in the life of the Church.
Mission Imperative, Episcopal Diocese of Spokane

Children & Youth

On Halloween 2007 St. David's had a great intergenerational Halloween party. About 100 people were there, including 55 little trick-or-treaters! Check out the photos.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
By the Rev. Elaine H. Breckenridge

On Sunday mornings we have just a couple of hours to worship and offer educational programs for children. For a number of years an education hour has been offered at 9:00 a.m. but after meeting with Sunday School parents and in consultation with the vestry, this year’s classes will be held in conjunction with the 10:00 a.m. Eucharist with most classes beginning at 10:45 a.m. Here is the schedule which began September 9:

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School and child care
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Nursery care for children under the age of three, Godly Play class for preschoolers
10:45 a.m. Sunday School for children (Kindergarten and primary school ages)

Preschool children join their families in church at the Peace for the Liturgy of the Table. All children and families are invited to receive communion first and then children are escorted to their classes by teachers and/or parents. Snacks are given to the children upon entering their classrooms.

11:00 a.m. Coffee/Social Hour for adults
11:30 a.m. Sunday School ends. Children join their parents at Coffee/Social Hour.

Program strengths:

Better Attendance - Many of our families and new families do not attend Sunday School or choose to come to St. David’s, citing the early hour of 9:00 a.m. as the reason. Families whose children don’t get involved with Sunday School very rarely stay connected.
New teachers - Some potential teachers expressed an interest in teaching but did not want to give up attending the Adult Sunday School class at 9:00, nor did they wish to teach at 9:00 a.m.
More preparation time - Children’s choir rehearsals, acolyte training during the 9:00 a.m. hour can take place without taking children out of Sunday School.
Youth Group program potential - The Middle School class had been dwindling due to the former early start time. These youth now have some discussion classes alternating with social activities which begin at 11:00 a.m.

Would you like to be a Sunday School teacher? Teachers can arrive before the 10:00 a.m. Eucharist, set up their classes, attend the Eucharist and then teach at 9:45 AM. Please contact Barbara Gronberg if you are interested. We can also use help with weekly snacks for the children.

Children's Ministries Director Barbara Gronberg welcomes little ones to class.

Once upon a time they say,
the rain came down, day after day.
So Noah built a boat so wide,
so all the animals could stay inside.

THE ARK
By Barbara Gronberg, Children’s Ministries Director

It started with a word –not exactly like the gospel according to John, but similar. Last fall while making plans for the coming year of Sunday School we were searching for a name for the nursery so we could keep our classes straight in discussion, “The Ark” was suggested, seemed to fit, and was adopted.

The class started growing, and the room was not keeping up. Kayla Shaw, who was the nursery teacher, approached me with an idea. The nursery had been lovingly put together 10 years before but had been much used and was in need of refurbishing. She asked if she and a few of her friends could do some painting and changing of the room as part of their school community service requirements. Her plan included painting a rainbow over the door since the room was “The Ark” and rearranging to find more useable space.
The project was started in late spring with two newly painted walls decorated with a wonderful rainbow, cheery sun and fluffy clouds. It was wonderful!

Rebecca Roehler, whose sons enjoy the room, was intrigued with what had happened and asked if she could do the other two walls. Of course, my answer was "yes," and away she went painting the remaining two walls, adding an ark full of animals and other details. Katie McDaris and Rebecca spent hours cleaning every surface while arranging and rearranging to make the best fun, safe, and inviting environment possible for our little ones’ first introduction to St. David’s.

The room is now finished and ready to be enjoyed by all. Please take a minute to peek in and visit “The Ark.” If you happen to stop by when no children are there, I think you will find even without their laughter and activity the room is cheerful and welcoming you to come inside.

Sitting in a planning meeting last August, who would have imagined the adventure to come? From that afternoon when “The Ark” was chosen as the name, to now when we have a wonderful new room for our youngest members, it has been an indescribable journey of imagination, hard work, camaraderie, caring, and love. A huge thank you to all who contributed in small and large ways and shared this journey.