Children and Family Ministries
The Child in Our Hands Sunday School Little Lambs Family Sunday School Sunday Morning Matinee Family Vacation Bible School Day Camps Protect Our Children Policy
Our desire at St. James, is for all children and their families to hear the Word of God, to know and understand what it means in their lives, and to grow as an individual and family as a result of hearing and knowing. We hope to partner with parents and families across generations to provide opportunities for learning, growth and service.
The Child in Our Hands
baptismal ministry is designed around a very basic premise: parents are the
primary faith teachers for their child. The goal of Children’s Ministry is to
help parents be more effective faith teachers, while helping children experience
the love of Christ.
Parents are not alone in this mission. Godparents play a key role as mentors for the parents as well as lifetime adult friends on whom the child can depend for love and support. As representatives of the Church, the body of Christ, Congregational Sponsors live out the promises made by the congregation of St. James by making on-going connections with the child and family. St. James desires to be a network of support, friendship, and mentoring is built that can lead each child and family on their faith journey.
Sunday School is held each
Sunday during the Education Hour at 9:45 a.m. It’s never to early to start
hearing the stories of our faith, so there are Sunday School classes for all
ages. Classes are held downstairs for children three years old through fifth
grade. Sunday School begins on September 9th, Rally Sunday and
continues through mid-May.
Little Lambs class is held in
the nursery for children under age three and their parents (if they desire), to
introduce them to God’s love and grace. It’s a great opportunity to meet other
parents of young children, share wisdom and questions about children and faith,
and introduce children to a learning experience.
Opening Worship for children in grades 1-5 is held in Wold Hall. Three’s,
Four’s and Kindergarteners have their own opening session together, with great
music, action songs, and an opportunity to get the wiggles and giggles out.
Day Camps provide a unique
opportunity for more intensive Christian Education for children. They are held
during the last two weeks of June. Each camp follows a theme in Bible scriptures
stories, and lessons may be approached from a wide variety of methods: musical,
literary, physical, artistic, dramatic, scientific, etc. Day Camps are lead by
teams of 2-3 professional teachers. Themes, dates, times, and age of
participants varies.
Protect Our Children Policy
St. James recognizes that child abuse and neglect has become a serious problem
in our society and in many churches. Such abuse and neglect can cause deep and
life-long pain, and when it occurs within the church, it can damage the abused
one's perception of and trust in God, devastate families and divide
congregations.
For this reason on November 20, 1997 St. James began its Protect Our Children
Policy. The mission statement says:
We believe it is our responsibility, both as a church and as a member of the
community, to provide and care for children in a safe environment. To that end,
we will work together to establish and maintain procedures to protect our
children from abuse and neglect. With education of volunteers and staff,
together with these procedures, it is our intent to provide resources to
prevent, identify and report potential incidents of child abuse and neglect.
Evergreen
Montessori School
St. James leases space to the Evergreen Montessori School. Evergreen Montessori is a pre-school and day care for children age 33 months to 6 years.