Welcome to St. Bart's Children's Ministry!
Welcome to St. Bartholomew’s Children’s Ministry. Our children’s ministry seeks to ensure that our children know God’s love and feel empowered to share it with the world. Through our Sunday School program and our many other activities we strive to create a fun, safe place for children to grow in their faith and understanding as they explore the bible, our church traditions, and most importantly the love of Christ and what it looks like in our daily lives. Throughout the year, Children’s Ministry creates opportunities for families to join together sharing fun, faith and friendship.
If you have questions, we welcome you to contact our Children's Ministry Director, Christine Sleeper.
Sunday School
Preschool Through High School
9:15 a.m. in the Education Building, top floor
Our Sunday School classes meet during the school year, September through early June. Students, preschool through 12th grade, gather at 9:15 a.m. in the Education Building. Children 6th-12th grade who are part of our Youth Crew assist with the younger ones. Sunday mornings usually consist of check-ins with everyone, learn the lesson of the day (usually coincides with the Gospel reading of the day), do a craft, enjoy a snack and then the children are escorted by their teachers and teen helpers back to church for communion (approximately 10:15 a.m.) Students are then provided supervised activities in the back of the church in our "Pray Ground" during services.
Lessons include opportunities for students to explore their faith through story, gain religious language and enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Incorporating the Godly Play curriculum, our teachers take the role of storyteller and guide children through sensory experiences of Bible stories, church tradition, and spiritual practices. Godly Play uses tactile manipulatives, storytelling, and creative work time to help children understand Bible stories, learn about Jesus' life and the seasons of the church.
Communion Recognition
In the spring our 2nd and 3rd-grade class transitions to our Communion Recognition curriculum. They explore the history and traditions of our church and most importantly the reason why we celebrate communion. Students are engaged through books, discussions, hands-on activities, and crafts. The highlight of the class comes as students lead the communion service as a final celebration of their new knowledge and understanding of this very important element of our service.
Choir School
Enrich your child with a well-rounded musical education!
Ages 6-13
Rehearsals: Sundays, 10:45-11:30am.
Choir school involves learning the fundamentals of choral music. Rehearsals include completing music theory workbooks and periodic examinations to advance levels. Children will sing once monthly in church, and at other special services (Christmas Eve, Annual Carol Service, Choristers’ Evensong, Easter Sunday, etc.).
Contact John-Luke Addison, Director of Music, for more information.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a fun-filled week of games, crafts, snacks, and, of course, Bible lessons. We connect God's love to every activity, so children experience God in creative ways. VBS is for children age 5-5th grade. Volunteers, 6th grade to adults, are needed to decorate, prep activities and train prior to VBS and lead groups during the week. Vacation Bible School is planned for summer 2023 during the week of July 17-21. For more information or to volunteer, email .
Parents Night Out
Starting spring 2022, the Youth Crew hosted a Parents Night Out where they helped entertain and care for younger children ages 3-13yrs, including children from our church and greater community. This became a quarterly event and is currently a monthly event as we understand that parents can use a little break every now and then and the children enjoy our activities and being in fellowship with one another. Each Parents Night Out consists of drop-off and signing waivers, saying bye to parents, playing games, doing crafts, eating dinner, watching a movie and doing activities that tie in with the theme of the movie of the night. We try to select movies that coincide with the time of year and that go along with our overarching theme for our children, which is kindness. Goodwill donations that are collected go towards our Youth Crew's upcoming trip to Disney Land. If you are interested in helping at a Parents Night Out, please contact us.
Children's Ministry Volunteers
Children’s Ministry is always looking for more adults to make our programs a success. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know our youngest parishioners. All volunteers who work with our young people must complete Safeguarding God’s People training. If you are interested in joining the fun contact Christine Sleeper, our Children's & Youth Ministry Director.
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