May 17 Update
Sunday Morning Formation: 9:15–10:15 in the Youth Suite, Basement Level.
Children's Chapel (during the 10:30 service) details, Children's Chapel.
VBS 2023. Celebrate God's creation this summer with ReNew VBS, which will empower kids in grades PreK-Grade 6 to grow in faith, have fun, and change the world. Each evening from 5:30–8 p.m., kids will explore Jesus’ Parable of the Sower with three age-appropriate activities that will help them learn how to care for God’s creation. Dates: June 28, July 5, July 12, and July 19. More details and registration here: gracestlukes.org/vacation-bible-school.
Contact Director of Children and Family Ministries Anthony Calzia for details.
Please sign your child up for their group here.
The Nursery is open every Sunday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and for other events as needed for all children, infants to 4 years old. We have wonderful, qualified Nursery Staff and Nursery Guild members who are excited to care for your children. You can find more about them on our website at gracestlukes.org/nursery.
Children's Formation. Sunday School for children takes place from 9:15–10:15 a.m. every Sunday between January 8 to May 21. Classes are split by grade level groupings; Pre-K through 1st grade meets in the Green Room while 2nd through 5th grade meets in the Purple Room downstairs.
The younger group will continue learning the church’s sacred stories through a combination of Godly Play (GP) and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). Both GP and CGS are Montessori-based curriculums that tell the church’s sacred stories. They focus on biblical knowledge, the liturgical calendar of the Christian church and the liturgy and Sacraments of the Episcopal Church.
The older group, which is named Crossings, will continue using the Weaving God’s Promises curriculum, developed for Episcopal congregations by Morehouse Publications. The program follows the three-year cycle of readings used in church and teaches Christian history and beliefs through fun and purposeful activities.
Children's Chapel. During the first part of the 10:30 a.m. service, children are invited to take part in our Children’s Chapel. Children’s Chapel is a time for the children to gather, read/hear one of the lectionary readings for the day, sing and creatively pray together. We follow the same Order of Service from the Book of Common Prayer, but it is modified to help children understand and experience the Liturgy of the Word at their developmental level. We always return to the service before communion, usually at the Peace.
The Nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have wonderful Nursery Staff who love to care for our youngest church members!
Volunteers Needed. We are weeks away from starting our program year, which includes children's formation hour. We are in need of classroom shepherds/teachers, assistants, and hall monitors. The commitment can be once or twice a month from 9-10:30 a.m. on Sundays. We are also building up our Children and Family Special Event Squad and have many ways you can use you time and talents to serve our kids. Please see Anthony before or after services or contact him by email.
Parents Connect. This Spring, we resume Parents Connect gatherings as a time for parents of young children to gather, get to know each other and find compassionate connection together. You can find more information regarding Parents Connect at gracestlukes.org/parentsconnect.
Vacation Bible School Dates. While the theme, content, registration, and other details are TBD, parents can mark their calendars for VBS this summer!
We will have four sessions on:
June 28, 2023
July 5, 2023
July 12, 2023
July 19, 2023
For more information and to be added to the children's formation email list, please contact Director of Children and Family Ministries Anthony Calzia.
From GSL's Director of Children & Family Ministries
Welcome Anthony Calzia, GSL's new Director of Children & Family Ministries. Read more about Anthony here.