Children & Youth
St. Peter's is a place where all ages gather together for spiritual and relational growth-- and FUN! Welcoming families and children is a top priority for our parish. Children & Family Ministry Coordinator Betsey Bass and Organist & Choirmaster Kathleen Turner have dreamed up some enriching, lively, and creative programs for kids. Associate Rector David Wantland facilitates youth programs and Acolytes.
Children
For more information about any of St. Peter’s children’s programs, please contact Betsey Bass.
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A Nursery for infants - age 4 is available on Sundays from 10:00 - 11:30 AM. The Nursery is always staffed with two attendants.
Acolyting
All children and youth ages 8 and older are invited to serve in worship by joining our acolyte ministry. Acolytes are scheduled on a rotating basis to process with the cross, the Gospel, or the torches.
Children's Chapel
Children’s Chapel provides an interactive Gospel activity, prayers and music for the younger members of our congregation. The children are dropped off in the education wing before the 10:15 church service and return to their families in the sanctuary during the Peace so that they can be present for Communion.
Kids' Kits
To help families attend our worship services, we offer Kids’ Kits that children between the ages of 2 and 11 years can use as they sit through the service. These bags contain coloring pages, lacing cards, books and other activities designed to help children learn about the Episcopal tradition, liturgical items, and feast days. Kids’ Kits are available right outside the doorways leading into the sanctuary.
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Wednesdays
Preschool Playdate
Join St. Peter’s staff from 11 AM - 12 PM for an hour of parental fellowship and fun activities for preschool children, including a bouncy house and playground time (weather permitting).
Children ages 5 - 12 are invited to come for music, stories, games, and crafts from 4:30-5:30 PM. Parents can drop children off or stay for adult programming, including Holy Happy Hour. Nursery service can be available with advance notice.
Children are welcome to take part in our Midweek Meal on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. In addition to the standard offerings, child-friendly meals are also available each week. The menus and pricing are available in our newsletter and on the registration page. Please register by noon on Monday.
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Kids Night Out for Service
Every other month, parents can drop their children ages 5 - 12 at church for a fun Saturday evening at St. Peter’s! Kids will engage in a service project benefiting People of Action Caring for Kids (PACK), then enjoy games and a movie. A pizza dinner will be provided. Pre-registration is required by noon the day before.
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Seasonal Events
St. Peter’s sponsors a variety of seasonal events throughout the year to engage children in the knowledge and love of Christ and to build fellowship.
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Spring - Easter Egg Hunt
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Summer - Vacation Bible School, Creative Arts Camp
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Fall - Backpack Blessing, Trunk or Treat
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Winter - Advent Wreath Workshop, Christmas Pageant
Youth
For more information about any of St. Peter’s youth programs, please contact David Wantland.
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Acolytes
All children and youth ages 8 and older are invited to serve in worship by joining our acolyte ministry. Acolytes are scheduled on a rotating basis to process with the cross, the Gospel, or the torches.
Lectors
Readers of the two lessons during the service.
If you are interested in assisting with worship by serving as an acolyte or lector, please contact David Wantland.
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Sunday Evening
SPY, our St. Peter’s Youth group
meets most Sunday evenings from 6-8 pm for fun, food, fellowship, and frequent field trips! Popular experiences include the fall Mystery Trip and the February Ski Trip.
Part of the time at SPY is also dedicated to the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program, a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th-12th grades. It encourages relational ministry and uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore the two guiding principles of the program: 1) manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God; and 2) adulthood must be earned. The end of J2A is marked by a spiritual pilgrimage that is often a life-changing event for youth.
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Wednesday Evening
Youth are welcome to take part in our Midweek Meal on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. The menus and pricing are available in our newsletter and on the registration page. Please register by noon on Monday.
Youth who love music are invited to join our Chancel Choir, which practices on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM - 7:30 in the Choir Room. Our Organist and Choirmaster, Kathleen Turner, directs our Chancel Choir.
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Special Events
Pilgrimage
The culminating experience for our young people is the youth pilgrimage. Every 3 years, our high school students decide where they want to go on pilgrimage, raise the funds, and go out into the world for this adult experience of discovering God in the wider world. Past St. Peter's pilgrimages have been made to Scotland, Italy, Spain, Alaska, and San Francisco.
