Children's Ministry
Children's Sunday School
9:15-10:15am
Sanctuary Basement
Children ages 3 years old (and potty trained) through fifth grade are invited to join us each Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 for fun, fellowship, and learning.
- 3 and 4 year olds meet in Room B-16.
- Kindergartners through 5th graders meet in Room B-21 for our opening and then stay in B-21 or move to B-17, depending on their rotation. Each classroom shares a "feast" (snack) at the end of the Sunday School.
- All ages are then escorted to the Family Eucharist or picked up by their parents.
Sunday School Curriculum
This coming school year, we will use a variety of curriculum. We will follow Living the Good News (lectionary based), hear a handful of Godly Play stories, lessons from the Jesus Storybook Bible, discover Christian themes/morals in children's literature and old tv shows (Brady Bunch, Little House on the Prairie, Leave it to Beaver, etc.) . This school year (2012 - 2013) will be filled with community building activities and reflection time for all. For more information, please feel free to contact Susan Goodman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Toddler Nursery - Our littlest members are learning Bible stories and simple faith concepts through a curriculum called GROW! Our nursery caregivers gather the children each Sunday during the 10:30 service for story time and an activity that stimulates their senses, be it art, discovery, music, or outdoor play.
Vacation Bible School (VBS), 2013
VBS REGISTRATION IS UP AND RUNNING –June 24 - June 28th, 9:00 to Noon for children 3 yrs. old -5th grade! We hope that you will join us as a participant and/or volunteer for Every Where Fun Fair - Where God's World Comes Together. During the week full of fun and interative activities, children will discover our neighbors are friendly, giving, bold, forgiving and welcoming. We have so many wonderful things planned for the week. Please join us! Use the following link to register online: www.formdesk.com/stmatts/vbs2013kids or www.formdesk.com/stmatts/vbs2013staff. We will need LOTS and LOTS of volunteers. We hope you consider helping out!
Family Holy Communion Service
The Family Service is held in Huffman Hall and runs concurrently with the 10:30am Holy Communion Service in the Sanctuary. The Family Service lasts 35 minutes and incorporates many of the wonderful parts of Children’s Chapel with a homily that has a message for children and adults alike. All ages are welcome; you don’t have to have children to attend. The option to drop off your children and attend the 10:30am Holy Communion Service in the sanctuary is still available to families. If you haven’t tried it, come and join us!
We involve children in all aspects of the service so please e-mail Susan Goodman at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
if your child would like to be a reader, a candle lighter, a crucifer, an usher, or help with the offering.
Children's Communion Class
ALL baptized children are welcome at the communion rail at St. Matthew’s, no matter what their age. It is the parent who decides when a child is ready to begin to receive communion. A child can certainly participate in communion without being a graduate of Communion Class, however, there comes a time when a child is ready for more “formal” Communion instruction. Participating in this communion class will help your child learn the meaning of Communion. All are welcome at the altar. Your child has the opportunity to discover answers for their Eucharistic questions.
If your child is between the ages of 4 and 9, has been baptized, has not yet attended a Communion Class, and is asking questions about what it all means, please attend the next available children's communion class. Please contact Susan Goodman (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) for more information.
Nursery
St. Matthew's offers excellent, experienced, child care for children ages infant to 4 years of age.
Sunday Nursery Hours and Locations:
- 7:45am-9:00am, Infant, Toddler and PreK (0-4 yrs. old) nursery located in Huffman Hall
- 9:00am-12:00pm, Infant Nursery (0-2 yrs old) remains open in Huffman Hall
- 9:00am - 12:00pm, Toddler and PreK Nursery, located in the Basement of the Sanctuary (B-16 classroom)
There is also a comfortable, soundproof room in the church Sanctuary balcony (Cry Room) for parents or grandparents who wish to keep fussy babies with them during the Sunday morning service
All of our nursery supervisors are CPR and First Aid certified. We always have at least two nursery workers scheduled at all times for any church function that requires baby sitters. We have a friendly and well trained staff who love playing and caring for your children while you are attending church or other events at St. Matthew’s.
We ask that you leave your cell phone number with us when you take your child to the nursery. This gives you the security of knowing you can be reached quickly should your child need you. And don't forget to change your phone from ring to vibrate before going into the church service!
If you have any questions about our nursery or any of our nursery workers, please feel free to contact our Nursery Care Coordinator, Susan Goodman at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
The Mix (3rd, 4th and 5th Graders)
Please come join this great group for fun and fellewship. We meet typically the 3rd Sunday afternoon/evening of the month.... Please feel free to contact Susan Goodman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.