CHILDREN & YOUTH

St. Martin’s Sunday School and Youth Program 2011-12

Mission Statement

The mission of Saint Martin's Youth Programs is to create a parish family in which each child is known and loved, and the entire congregation is dedicated to fulfilling the baptismal covenant to support each child in his or her growth into a life in Christ. At the same time, the parish family is committed to being enlivened and inspired by our children, who live in the spirit that we all must embody to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.

We will work toward the fulfillment of our mission by providing Sunday School, youth groups, music, and other child-centered activities. As co-venturers with our children, we will share the wonder of discovering the gifts of God and the Holy Spirit in our world and in the scriptures. By learning, playing, and serving others together, we will seek to develop in our children the habits of love and faithfulness toward God and all others.

Childcare

St. Martin's offers childcare during our 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service and Sunday School classes for children of all ages. Children are cared for on the first floor of the building, downstairs from the sanctuary. Our caretakers are well-known in the parish and offer a safe, caring environment for your children. For more information, please call (610-688-4830) or e-mail the church office.

Living the Good News

Our Christian Formation program for young children, preschool through 6th grade, uses the lectionary-based Living the Good News program. Depending on the Sunday, children are either dropped-off in the classrooms or gathered during the early part of the 10:30 service and then go to classes with the teachers. The lessons match what the adults are hearing upstairs, and are presented in an engaging, multi-dimensional format where creativity and wonder are encouraged. Children have opportunities to respond to the stories in a variety of expressions. Children are then escorted back into the main worship service in time for Communion. For more information, please call (610-688-4830) or e-mail the church office.

Youth Group

St. Martin's youth, ages 7th grade through 12th grade, meet on Sunday mornings during Sunday School, and both engage the lessons of the day in age appropriate ways, and organize service projects to be their faith out in the world. For more information, please call (610-688-4830) or e-mail the church office.

Acolytes

Acolytes are made up of all persons age ten or older, who are encouraged to be trained and serve at the altar during our worship. Acolytes assist by helping create the holy environment of worship by attending to the lighting of candles, participating in processions, elements of the sacraments, offerings and being the priest's assistants. Please let the office know if you are interested; a training date will be scheduled soon. For more information, please call (610-688-4830) or e-mail the church office.