St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

Christian Education & Youth Ministry

Church School
The Church School is a vital part of our ministry to children. Through various activities and programs we seek to help our children experience the love of God and growth in faith. Church School meets from mid September through May during a part of the 10 a.m. Sunday service. On Morning Prayer Sundays, children gather for special Morning Prayer time following their class. Children join their families for Communion on Sundays of Holy Eucharist and remain in church for the entire service of Holy Eucharist on Youth Sundays.

The Church School is coordinated by the Director of Christian Education and the co-chairs of the Christian Education Committee. The Church School is staffed by parent, adult, and teen volunteers.

Nursery
Nursery care is provided all year for infants and toddlers during the 10 a.m. services. This is a loving environment where they listen to Bible- based music, are read stories with a Christian theme that are appropriate to their age, and have free play.

Preschool through Eighth Grade
Our Church school curriculum, offered during the school year, is “Living the Good News," which is an engaging Bible-based curriculum. The children are learning in Church School the same scriptures their parents are hearing in church at an age- appropriate level. We have five classrooms:

• Preschool
• Kindergarten through First Grade
• Second through Third Grade
• Fourth through Fifth Grade
• Middle School

Each class is designed to appeal to that particular age level and help them to grow in their faith in an engaging way as they learn the Bible and the lesson for the day. The classes begin each Sunday with the Gathering Time in the Parish Hall at 9:45 where we have an opening lesson and music together before we go to our classes at 10:00. We have seasonal Youth Sundays where the middle school children and some younger ones who sing in the youth choir participate in the worship service but classes continue to be held for children up through fifth grade on those Sundays.

Special Programs Involving our Youth

•
Christmas Pageant

•
Epiphany Pageant coordinated by our Acolyte ministry

•
Presentation of Prayer Books to children who have completed the Confirmation Program

•
Presentation of Bibles to graduating high school seniors

•
Special theme programs held throughout the year

•
Communion classes for children up to the fifth grade

Confirmation Classes
Designed for youth seventh grade and older who have decided to make a mature faith commitment to the Church. The program includes class discussion, outreach projects, and participation in special worship services.

Youth Ministries
Young people are encouraged to serve God through service to the church. Presently youth are involved as acolytes, youth choir members, lectors, ushers, and Church School and nursery helpers. They have supported various local and international outreach efforts, including the Christmas Sharing Party, Habitat for Humanity, and support for Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana.

Information
For more information about youth education, ministry, and programs, please call the church office.