Ministries: Children & Youth
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. [Deuteronomy 6:4-7]
We have and continue to build a comprehensive and multi-cultural program for children and youth. Our programs currently include Sunday School, Episcopal Youth Community (E.Y.C.), Vacation Bible School (VBS), and outreach opportunities for children of all ages. For example, based on age and capabilies, youth serve as acolytes, crucifers, or altar servers. They help make and package sandwiches for the homeless. They collect and help distribute the Bunnies and other stuffed animals that we collect on Palm Sunday for the children at Eve’s Place. They choose an Advent outreach activity every year. Our youth are involved in worship, outreach, and fellowship as full participants in the worship and ministries of St. Christopher’s.
Contact: Barbara Fabre
Sunday Services
Children are encouraged to attend all services with a parent or other responsible adult. Tote bags filled with activities themed around the weekly lectionary are available on the wall under the window looking from the narthex into the nave for use during services. If a child becomes loud or distressed during a service, the accompanying adult is invited to bring the child to the Narthex. You can continue to view the service through the glass back wall of the sanctuary, listen to the service via the audio piped into the Narthex, and let them play with provided toys on the rug there.
Sunday School – Growing Our Faith
Sunday School is held between services on Sunday. After three successful years of Vacation Bible School we have decided that the children don’t do their best learning sitting around a table talking. They need to be involved in lively activities that help bring home the truths of their faith in the lessons. We have adapted our teaching to active learning which involves teaching through experiences!
VBS: Vacation Bible School
Every Sunday in July, VBS meets between services and includes children from both our English and Spanish-language services.
2016’s VBS theme was Egypt. The children learned the stories of Joseph from prison to the palace ... from Joseph himself. It’s really difficult to tell what was the most popular part of VBS. Between the games, the food, the crafts the singing and Joseph ... it’s too close to call.
On the last day of VBS, the children invited everyone that attended VBS, their families and the whole St. Christopher’s family into the parish hall to experience Egypt. At the potluck that day, the children sang songs and shared dances they had learned. God is so good!
Youth Advent Outreach Project
During Advent, the children and youth of the parish select and carry out an outreach project of their own. In 2013 we have held a very successful sock & underwear drive collecting new socks and underwear: 224 pairs of socks, 239 pieces of underwear, 1 knitted cap, 3 pairs of gloves and 1 can of chicken/ mushroom soup for Eve’s Place! In 2014 we collected piles of small stuffed animals for the children of Eve's Place. In 2015 we are collecting funds to support ERD's Nurture & Nourish the Earliest Learners program. In poor areas, young children often lack stimulation. The funds will support preschool programs that help kids develop their language, social and motor skills as well as provide healthy eating education and nutritious snacks.
Episcopal Youth Community (E. Y. C.)
E.Y.C. meets the 2nd Saturday of the month at 6:30pm. If you are interested in helping or interested in having your children participate, please contact Barbara Fabre.