Children's Ministry
...Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
Nursery Care
Nursery care is available during the 10 a.m. service for children under the age of three. Children are cared for by a Nursery Caregiver and a youth volunteer. The Nursery is located upstairs in the Preschool space in the Parish House..
On the Sundays when there is no Church School, the nursery will be open to children ages five and younger, including during the summer months., Another alternative for those parents wishing to remain with their children is the remote TV for viewing of the 10 a.m. church service, set up in the Vestry Room at the side of the church.
Pre-Church School
Pre-Church School is available during the 10 a.m. service for children ages three and up, confidently potty-trained but not yet in kindergarten. The Pre- Church School is located upstairs in the Preschool space in the Parish House. Children will hear a Bible story and engage in interactive learning through play and song. On the first Sunday of each month, Pre-Church School children will attend Children's Chapel with the Church School children and then finish the morning in the classrooms. Children are cared for by a nursery caregiver and a youth volunteer.
Church School
Children are not only the future of the Church but also vital members ot its present, and we are delighted to care for, and be led by, our children here at St. Matthew's. Church School meets in the Children's Chapel and the Church School Classrooms, Sundays at 10 a.m., for children in K to 7th grades. Come join us! To register for Church School, please fillout this online form.
For more information about our mission, please see the "Growing in Grace: vision document (View HERE) or contact the Children's Ministry Coordinator, Melissa Torres.
program overview
Our Vision
We Believe That:
- Children of all ages have a unique and valuable relationship with an understanding of God.
- Encountering scripture transforms lives and is crucial to Christian faith.
- Fun, laughter, and play are essential elements of growing in faith.
Our Method
church school includes:
- Singing, praying, and hearing scripture in Children's Chapel.
- Exploring scripture using the Holy Moly curriculum.
- Age-appropriate activities and games facilitated by dedicated teachers.
Typical Sunday Morning At 10:00 a.m.*
- K-7th graders begin at the Children's Chapel
- Nursery care for those under 3 every Sunday in the Preschool Space in the Parish House
- Pre-Church School for ages 3-5 (potty-trained but not yet in Kindergarten) in the Preschool space in the Parish House
- Children's Service in Children's Chapel with song, prayer, and scripture
- Follow the Cross to Church School classrooms under the Church
- Large Group
- Watch the Holy Moly video version of scripture
- Group Discussion, activity and/or game
- Small Group
- Explore the scripture story through conversation, prayer, crafts, games and/or activities.
- Dismissal
- Parents pick-up from the Church School classrooms.
*Every first Sunday of the month, children follow the cross and are dismissed into the church during the Peace for Holy Eucharist.
Traditional Yearly Special Activities
Our children participate in several enjoyable activities outside the classroom. The pizza supper and Haunted Hike is a fun evening at Halloween for children and their families. The Christmas Pageant is a gift to the congregation of a special service from the Church School. The Easter Sunday Family Service and Easter Egg Hunt is a way for our children to become more involved in celebrating this special day. The children also participate in the Super Bowl Bake Sale and pancake supper. The Flowering of the Cross on Mother's Day helps us all celebrate the renewal of life through our Lord Jesus Christ.