At baptism, we pray that the newly baptized will be given, “An inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.”  (BCP, p.308) This describes well what we hope to impart to our children.  Through worship, teaching and fellowship, we hope they will be nurtured in the faith and rooted in the love and care of our community.

Our programs are grounded in worship.  We offer a Sunday morning music program for all children at the beginning of Sunday school.  We also have a junior choir for children in 2^nd-5^th grade.  We offer a modified children’s worship service during the 10:30 service introducing children to the basic practices of our liturgy.   (See Children's Woship below.)

During our Godly Play based Sunday school classes, for PreK- 3^rd graders, children are greeted and invited to join the sacred circle; they hear and respond to the word of God; they gather for a simple feast and at the end of class are sent out with their teachers blessing.  These practices model what children will experience in church: gathering, hearing and responding to the word of God, sharing in the Eucharistic feast, receiving a blessing, and being sent out to love and serve God. 

Bringing Home the Faith take home sheet for March 2011.

Please feel free to contact Anne Kenyon, Coordinator of Children’s Ministries (563-2858) or Lisa Frost-Phillips, Assistant to the Rector (732-9308), if you have further  questions.  We hope St. Matthew will be a place of worship, sustenance and welcome for your family.

Children's Worship:  Children's Worship is offered during the 10:30 service.  Children come to the 10:30 worship service with their parent(s) for the opening hymn and invocation.  They are then invited to process from the church to the music room in the Ruffin House.  There they participate in singing, storytelling, and learning about the faith.  Children rejoin their families in the sanctuary at the Peace.

Special Children's Programs:  In addition to regular Sunday activities, we also offer special programs and events
for children throughout the year. Some examples are:

• October: Blessing of the Animals, Fall Festival
• November-December: Advent Wreath Making, St. Nicholas Celebration, Christmas Pageant
• February:  Secret Pal's Breakfast, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• March-April:  Palm Weaving on Palm Sunday, Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, Communion Instruction for children through 5th grade.