Sunday Mornings for Young Children ...St. Mary's has a wide variety of offerings on Sunday morning that will appeal to members and visitors of all ages.

The Playroom…For the youngest of our visitors and members, we offer a Playroom on the first floor of the Education Building.  The staff in the nursery are loving and caring individuals ready to greet your child with open arms.  We provide many creative opportunities including art, music, and a wide variety of toys and puzzles.   All children up through age 4 are welcome to stay for any or all parts of the Sunday offerings.

A light snack is provided; however, if your child has special dietary needs, you are welcome to leave one for them.

Parents are invited to bring their children into the Church during the Peace to participate in the Eucharist with their families.

Children's Chapel...St. Mary's is dedicated to the Christian formation of our children in both a formative and informative way.  On Sunday mornings at the beginning of the 11:00 a.m. service (10:00 a.m. during the summer), children beginning at age 4, are welcome to join in a service tailored to the way they learn.  During Children's Chapel, Gospel stories are shared and then we quiet ourselves through meditation in order to experience the story that has just been read.  Prayers are offered; concerns and joys are shared.  Information about the liturgical church year (i.e., what the colors mean and why we change them) are talked about and explored. Children also learn of the different ‘jobs' they can do.  Each child is given an opportunity to actively participate in the service as an acolyte by acting as a torch bearer or crucifer and to collect the alms of the day.  At the end of the service, the cross and alms are carried to the Church and the children join their families during the sharing of the Peace for Eucharist.  The Children's Chapel is located on the main floor of the education building.  During the regular church school year, Children's Chapel is held every Sunday except when there is an Informal Worship.  During the summer schedule,  Children's Chapel is conducted at the beginning of the 10:00 a.m. service.

Our offerings for Sunday Church School are:
 

Godly Play: St. Mary’s is privileged to have two dedicated Godly Play classrooms.  Based on the Montessori model of teaching, these classrooms are built with children in mind.  Godly Play teaches children the art of using religious language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.

Godly Play I is for children who are in preschool (age 4) through 1st grade.  Children in this class are introduced to the methodology of ‘wondering’ about Bible stories and are invited to play with them afterwards as a method of reflection.  Other options for reflection include reading as well as a wide variety of art choices.

Godly Play II is for children in grades 2 - 4.  In this classroom, the teachers are able to go ‘deeper’ into the stories.  This involves exploring our lives as people of God and how the stories share common threads.

Opportunities to Volunteer: The on-going success of any church program can be attributed to its volunteers. Volunteers are always needed for Sunday Church School teachers, Children's Chapel, Playroom, and Vacation Bible School. All volunteers receive valuable training that empowers them and provides a level of comfort with the material prior to entering the classroom.  Volunteering is fun and a great way to meet others within the church. You do not have to have children or youth in any of these programs to volunteer. All are invited! If any of these areas are of interest to you, please call Duana Cisney at (336) 886-4756 ext. 26. We will be happy to find a place for you to be involved with our church family.

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