Our children’s religious education programming has long been a priority and really hit a strong stride in curriculum over the past few years. Our Joyful Beginnings program runs on a four week rotation with each class participating in parishioner-led groups. The groups focus on science, art, story-telling and games, all covering aspects of the same Biblical theme for that rotation. Parishioners volunteer to teach each session, which is held on Sunday morning immediately after the children participate in the 10:00 service Communion.
The senior high youth group is active in the church, both in a service capacity, hosting several fundraising and “Fun”-raising events, like the annual pancake breakfast, car washes, or selling hot chocolate kits. There is an annual trip to Irons Oaks Adventure Center where the group participates in the high-ropes course or on team building ground elements. Regular Sunday meetings involve discussions covering a variety of personal, social, and spiritual issues. Our youth are cherished by the congregation, and any activity which they initiate receives overwhelming support from the church membership.
The annual Christmas Pageant is a parish and community favorite. These original musicals, written by a parishioner, revolve around the Christmas story, providing children and young adults an opportunity to perform in front of family and friends, while telling an important story. Sometimes it’s a story directly-related to the Christmas story; other times it’s a story that gives an important lesson. Either way, the children rehearse and perform to the delight of the parish.